Radiography

In 1926 a classroom was provided for teaching radiographers and radiologists within the new X-ray Department of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh. The student radiographers paid no fees and had no systematic lecture programme but were employed in the hospital as dark-room technicians or medical electricians during the day. They studied on their own and received lectures in the evenings, before presenting themselves to sit the examination for Membership of the Society of Radiographers.

In 1936 four teaching hospitals in Scotland, including the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, were recognised as Schools of Radiography and undertook training on a formalised pattern of lectures and supervised practical work over a two-year period.

From 1926, students trained in both Diagnostic and Therapeutic Radiography, but in 1948 the Diploma was separated into two distinct qualifications. The practical training for the radiotherapy students was undertaken mainly in the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh.

In 1936 there was an intake of three students but by 1962 the intake had increased to 20 Diagnostic and six Therapy students.

In 1972 the Schools moved to new premises.

In 1982 training was extended to three years with an increased practical content.

In 1992 the Edinburgh School of Diagnostic Radiography and the Edinburgh School of Radiotherapy transferred from the Lothian Health Board to the Queen Margaret Corstorphine Campus. The Division of Radiography was now part of the Department of Podiatry and Radiography. This year saw the final cohort of students to register for the Diploma Course as the of Radiographers initiated the development of Radiography as a degree course in the future.

In 1993 the first students enrolled for BSc courses in Diagnostic or Therapeutic Radiography at QMC, Edinburgh.

In 1994 the Department of Podiatry and Radiography moved to QMC Leith Campus on Duke Street.

In 1995 the first Radiography degree students graduated from QMC (20 Diagnostic, 3 Therapeutic).

In 1996 the option of a fourth year of study was introduced which would lead to an honours classification.

In 1997 eight students graduated with honours - 7 BSc (Hons) Diagnostic, 1 BSc (Hons) Therapeutic.

In 1999 Queen Margaret was awarded University status and the Department of Podiatry and Radiography became part of the Faculty of Health Sciences.

From September 1999 all new students enroled on a four year course leading to an honours classification.

In January 2003 the academic organisation of Queen Margaret University was changed to include Schools within the Faculty structure. Radiography became a separate subject area within the School of Health Sciences in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.

On 16 January 2007, the Privy Council granted full university title to Queen Margaret, making the institution Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh. The Faculty structure was also removed.

October 2007 saw our new students, current students and staff of Corstorphine and Leith unite in a newly built University campus in Musselburgh.