Radiography

Typical Entry:      Highers: BBB (180 UCAS Tariff points)
                            A Levels: BC (180 UCAS Tariff points)

UCAS Code:         B821 BSc/Drad
                            B822 BSc/Trad

Special:               English + 2 science subjects at Standard Grade/GCSE 
                            At least one science subject at Higher/A Level

English Language: IELTS score of 6 with no element lower than 6

Other Requirements: A satisfactory criminal records check will be required.
                                 We expect all applicants to have visited an appropriate clinical                                  department (either diagnostic or therapeutic) to inform their                                  decision

Minimum Age:    17 years at the start of the course

Access courses:   Appropriate course at a further education college

Duration of Course: 4 years

Outcomes:           CertHE, DipHE, BSc, BSc (Hons)

Admissions Tutor: Alanah Kirby
                             Tel: 0131 4740000
                             Email: akirby@qmu.ac.uk

Radiography is a caring profession that calls for technological expertise. Diagnostic Radiographers produce images using x-rays and other means essential to the diagnosis of disease and injury. Therapeutic Radiographers use radiation to give radiotherapy treatment to patients with cancer. It is essential for both diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers to have good interpersonal skills. This enables them to interact with other health-care professionals as well as patients and their families, many of whom may need considerable reassurance.

Radiographers work with a variety of high-technology equipment. The rapid progress of equipment design allows for new radiographic techniques and treatments to be developed. Radiographers are therefore constantly learning new skills and their work is very varied.

To treat each patient as an individual case, flexibility and attention to detail is essential.

Radiographers have to be able to think quickly and make decisions independently. The above attributes are common to both diagnostic and therapeutic radiographers, however, these are distinct professions with very different working environments. It is essential, therefore, that prospective students should decide before application which profession they prefer. To help decide which course is most suitable it is recommended that prospective students visit an appropriate diagnostic imaging or radiotherapy department. This will help provide an insight into the profession.

Applicants should have an interest in people, an aptitude for science, good communication skills and enjoy working in a team.

Structure

These four-year courses share a common foundation year. After this, you will study specialist diagnostic or therapeutic radiography modules. Clinical placements provide the opportunity to integrate practice with theory by working directly with patients and staff.

Year 1 has been designed as a foundation to introduce students to the concepts of health care and science-based technologies. The content is mostly academic based and provides an introduction to clinical practice. Subsequent years develop this theme and integrate clinical practice with academic theory. In Year 3, students have the opportunity to extend knowledge and understanding of professional practice by undertaking elective clinical placements. Year 4 builds on your skills and attributes enabling independent learning culminating in a clinical research project.

Teaching and Assessment

As an Honours Degree student you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning as you progress through the 4 years of the course. The course is taught by a combination of lectures, seminars, laboratory workshops, tutorials, independent studies and clinical placement. Performance on the course will be assessed by both course work and examinations.

Clinical Placement

Experience gained working with patients, staff and equipment in the hospital environment enables the student to integrate theory with practice. Diagnostic placements are undertaken in specialist hospitals in Edinburgh and at hospitals in Dunfermline, Falkirk, Stirling, Kilmarnock, Greenock and Ayr. Therapeutic placements are undertaken in Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Inverness.

Careers

Successful completion allows registration with the Health Professions Council as a Radiographer which is essential for employment within the NHS. Most graduates begin as general clinical radiographers. With experience, opportunities exist for specialisation in varied aspects of Diagnostic or Therapeutic Radiography e.g. Ultrasound, Computed Tomography (CT scanning), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Radionuclide Imaging, Treatment Planning and Counselling.