Master of Radiography: Therapeutic (MTRad)

Are you technically minded with an equally strong interest in person-centred care? Are you ready to make a difference? Therapeutic radiography is a rewarding profession that brings together care and technological expertise. It is the skilled application of controlled amounts of radiation to treat medical conditions, mainly cancer and tumours. The therapeutic radiographer has shared responsibility for the planning and accurate delivery of radiation treatment.

Therapeutic radiographers work with patients every day to help improve their care and their lives. Therapeutic radiographers are a part of a patient’s journey, from initial referral through planning and treatment to the post-treatment review. Therapeutic radiographers are a valued member of a multidisciplinary team providing a person-centred service.

On this course you will:

• be equipped with the knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills you need in this rewarding career, providing cancer treatment and care in the NHS and the private sector;
• develop your expertise through in-depth theoretical learning, clinical placements each year and the close support of our very experienced staff; and
• benefit from the interprofessional working focus of this course. We aim for all our graduates to be confident in their own professional identity and have the additional skills that will allow you to work as an effective multidisciplinary team member.

Structure

This is a four year integrated undergraduate master’s course. Students start the course with a view to graduating with a Master of Radiography: Therapeutic (MTRad) in four years and the eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Years Three and Four of the course will be taught alongside postgraduate students studying on the MSc Therapeutic Radiography (Pre-Registration) course. There is an option for students to choose a BSc (Hons) route at the end of Year Two and they will still be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a therapeutic radiographer as soon as they graduate.

Teaching, learning and assessment

You will be taught in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops. There will be a mix of classroom and online learning. Outside timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by a variety of assessment methods (eg written and practical exams, written assignments, presentations and viva voce) at the end of each module.

Placements

Placements are invaluable in consolidating theoretical study into practical expertise by working directly with patients and qualified staff. You will complete practice placements in each year. You will attend a variety of placements within the NHS at various locations across Scotland. QMU manages the sourcing and allocation of placements for each student.

Placements take place across across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location.

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

Year One

You will:

• complete modules that include anatomy and physiology, scientific and technological therapeutic radiographic principles;
• prepare for clinical practice by developing your communication skills and exploring the professional requirements of a therapeutic radiographer;
• study radiotherapy treatment and commonly occurring cancers;
• focus on developing your academic skills, including essay writing and how to access information; and
• complete a two-week placement that provides the opportunity to experience and integrate into the clinical environment.

Modules

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Becoming an Allied Health Professional
• Developing Resilience of Self and Others
• Introduction to Radiotherapy Practice
• Radiotherapy Practice 1
• Finding your Academic Voice

Year Two

You will:

• undertake modules that explore the delivery of radiation treatment, therapeutic radiographic techniques including cross-sectional imaging, the management of patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment and cover more oncological sites;
• continue to broaden your understanding of health and wellbeing and how to support behaviour change through health coaching conversations;
• further enhance your academic skills by developing a critical approach to literature and your professional practice; and
• develop your practical skills through two 6-week clinical placement blocks.

Modules

• Health Coaching Conversations
• Developing a Spirit of Inquiry
• Cross Sectional Imaging Science
• Radiotherapy Practice 2
• Radiotherapy Placement A

Year Three

You will: 

• complete modules that are designed to enhance your critical thinking and further develop your knowledge of less commonly occurring cancers and specialist therapeutic modalities;
• broaden your healthcare awareness and challenge your understanding of health education and promotion; and
• continue to link theory and practice during two 6-week placement blocks, which includes a two-week elective placement.

Modules

• Active Citizenship
• Health Literacy
• Less Common Cancers in Radiotherapy
• Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Multidisciplinary Team Working
• Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
• Radiotherapy Placement B

Year Four

You will:

• enhance, consolidate and reflect on your theoretical, research, professional and clinical skills enabling a smooth transition to working life;
• explore leadership skills and innovative practice to meet current healthcare challenges;
• take ownership of your academic learning by undertaking a quality improvement project; and
• complete two 6-week blocks of clinical placement, including a two-week elective placement.

Modules

• Advancing Practice in Radiotherapy
• Applying Skills of Clinical Enquiry
• Evidence Informed Practice
• Leadership and Enterprise in Healthcare
• Radiotherapy Placement C

NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2023) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2024. Please check back here for any updates.

Most graduates begin working as general radiographers, with very high graduate employment rates. Later in your career you may be able to specialise in different aspects of therapeutic radiography, for example, treatment planning, treatment review and counselling.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard: BBBC, Minimum: BCCC

A Level: CCC

Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 28 points

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 6.0

Required subjects: One science at Higher/A Level or equivalent. English plus two sciences at Nat 5/GCSE. We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade.

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

Mature/Access: We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant qualifications and/or experience. Visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information.

Direct Entry: Not available. Relevant HN qualifications may be considered for entry to Year One.

Other requirements

• A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required.
• You may be requested to be immunised against Hepatitis B.
• We expect applicants to have visited an appropriate Radiotherapy department.

Other costs

• The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
• The cost of the PVG check (£18 or £59 depending on the level of clearance required*) and the professional indemnity insurance are the responsibility of the student. Currently the cost of the health check is funded by the Scottish Government for Scottish students only and other students are responsible for this cost. This is however subject to change should the Scottish Government change their funding policy.

*Please note that this cost is subject to change.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2024/25 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).

QMU