BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

Diagnostic radiography is the practice of using various forms of radiation to produce high-quality images, which aid in the diagnosis and subsequent treatment of injury and disease. It is a technology-dependent discipline, which has patient care as its main concern.

Historically, radiographers primarily used X-rays. But with advances in technology, radiography also embraces techniques such as computed tomography (CT scanning), ultrasonography, magnetic resonance imaging and nuclear medicine. During your course of training you will have the opportunity to participate in all of these techniques and you may then decide to specialise in one or more of them when you are qualified.

Special Features

• The Division of Radiography is based in the School of Health Studies, a unique, multiprofessional learning environment
• You will have access to our own filmless digital X-ray suite which includes a brand-new state-of-the-art PACS system, to allow you to practise on equipment similar to that used in most hospital Imaging Departments
• The Division has excellent library facilities and enjoys access to the School's Interactive Learning Centre
• The latest major review by the QAAHE gave the highest possible evaluation in stating that it has confidence in the academic and practitioner standards in all the provision delivered by the School of Health Studies and partner clinical placements. It commended the quality of learning opportunities in all three categories of learning and teaching, student progression and learning resources

Course Information

The practice of diagnostic radiography requires a wide base of knowledge in the pure and the social sciences, with an emphasis on their application in the clinical environment. Our three-year degree course contains all the theoretical studies and clinical practice needed to become a Diagnostic Radiographer. The course has two main elements: theory, and clinical practice, which are taught in alternating blocks. Each year you will spend 20 weeks attending lectures and tutorials in the University, and 20 weeks in a clinical X-ray department, working with patients under the supervision of qualified practitioners. These blocks are carefully co-ordinated so that you have the opportunity to practise in a clinical environment what you have learned while studying in the academic setting. At the start of each academic year you will have mandatory health and safety training before you go into the clinical environment. Interprofessional education gives you the opportunity to study alongside students from other pre-registration health courses, learning about their roles in delivering person-centred care.

Radiography is a clinically-oriented profession, with the emphasis on direct patient contact. You therefore need a detailed understanding of the structure, function and pathology of the human body. It also involves the use of highly-sophisticated, expensive and potentially dangerous equipment, which you need both to understand and to learn to use safely and with confidence.

To ensure you meet the Health Professions Councils Standards of Proficiency for Radiographers (HPC 2009), each academic year you will have 18 weeks of placements in local health care facilities. During this time you will develop practical skills related to the learning outcomes for the diagnostic radiography course. Clinical proficiency is assessed throughout the course. As these proficiencies are linked to the learning outcomes for the modules being studied, failure in clinical assessments will result in you not being able to pass profession specific modulesand obtain a BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography. You will be eligible for academic credit for all successfully completed assessments.

Modernisation of the NHS has led to the introduction of multiprofessional working in today's hospitals. To enable you to engage with and become part of a modern hospital team, you will be taught in a multiprofessional environment. You will learn more about the way radiographers and other professionals work together and the part they play in the patient's experience during their visit to, or stay in, a hospital.

Radiography is a physically demanding profession. You will need to be generally fit and capable of performing all professional skills required for qualification.

When is the start date?

This course has an intake in September of each year.

What are the entry requirements?

In addition to the entry criteria below, all applicants should undertake a short period of work experience in a Diagnostic Radiography department, supply a satisfactory academic reference and be deemed fit by Occupational Health. A Criminal Records Bureau check will be made on all prospective entrants prior to commencing the course. All applicants should also have undertaken recent study within the last three years.

Standard entry requirements

You will need:

A minimum of 5 GCSE's at Grade C or above to include:

• English Language (Key Skills Level 2 Literacy is acceptable 
• Maths OR Physics. Please note Key Skills Level 2 Numeracy is not acceptable in place of GCSE Maths or Physics

AND

• 300 points to include at least 3 full A levels or qualifications of equivalent depth and volume.  At least one of these A levels should be in a Science, Maths or Technology  related subject.

OR

• Distinction, Distinction, Merit in an appropriate BTEC National Diploma

OR

• 300 UCAS points in a Higher Level Irish Leaving Certificate to include English Language and Maths (if these subjects have not been achieved at Ordinary Level)

OR

• 300 UCAS points from Scottish Advanced Highers, along with 5 passes at Standard Grade to include English Language and Maths or Physics

Non-standard Entry

Our non-standard offer is:

• An Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health Professions or Science

Those studying on Access programmes will be asked to obatin a distinction in all science based subjects and to pass the remainder of their modules at merit level (at level 3).

OR

• Attainment of 65% or above in the University of Bradford Foundation Year or appropriate Science Foundation Year

AND

A minimum of 2 GCSE's at Grade C or above to include:

• English Language (Key Skills Level 2 Literacy is accepted
• Maths or Physics.  Please note that Key Skills Level 2 Numeracy is not accepted in place on GCSE Maths or Physics.

Interviews

Students meeting the academic requirements, who also provide a relevant and informed personal statement will be shortlisted for interview. At the interview, you will be asked to demonstrate motivation and understanding of diagnostic radiography as a career.

How will I be assessed?

Assessment includes written examinations, assignments, clinical assessments, case studies and oral presentations. Your final degree classification depends on your performance throughout years two and three of the course, and not just on examinations at the end of each year. Many of the programme modules are linked to clinical practice, and you will be required to complete all of the required clinical attendance each year in order to progress to the next level or graduate.

Placements

The clinical education of students is an important role for practising radiographers, both as professionals and as service providers. Recruitment of the future workforce relies heavily on ensuring that students have a positive learning experience, and a good clinical learning environment also enhances the quality of care delivered to patients.

You will be assigned to the Radiology Department of a local National Health Service Trust at the start of your course where you will gain most of your clinical experience. The site will be your host department for the whole three years' duration of the course. Most of your clinical or practical training will take place here and you will have the opportunity to put theoretical skills into practice and support your academic study with practical experience. There are dedicated staff members at each clinical placement site who are there to offer you support and guidance and you will soon feel, and be regarded as, a valued member of your host department's team. Care is taken to assign students to the most convenient host hospital; however, this is not always possible or appropriate. Close liaison exists between the clinical placement sites and the University, and your personal tutor will regularly visit you whilst you are on placement. Sometimes, you may have to visit another local hospital to obtain experience in a specialists clinical area and you will have the opportunity to study one clinical area in particular and choose where you go to study this in detail.

All clinical placement sites have dedicated facilities for student radiographers including access to a computer and electronic and paper reference libraries. Students are allocated an e-mail address to help two-way communication with academic staff whilst they are on clinical placement and are encouraged to access the University's virtual learning environment, 'Blackboard', as an important learning and communications tool. Whilst working in the clinical environment you will be expected to adhere to your host hospital's policies, including uniform, behaviour, and Health and Safety.

What are the course fees?

Please visit our fees page for details of the current fees for this course.

How do I apply?

You should apply for the course through UCAS. The UCAS code for the University of Bradford is BRADF B56. The UCAS code for our BSc Honours course in Diagnostic Radiography is B821 BSc/DRad

Applications need to be made between September and 15 January for consideration in the following September. If you have missed the 15 January deadline please contact the Recruitment Office who will be able to advise if late applications are being accepted.

For further and more detailed information on application and admission, contact the Student Recruitment Team direct via email soh-recruitment@bradford.ac.uk or telephone on 01274 236367