MSc/PgDip/PgCert Radiotherapy and Oncology
Distance learning
Subject area • Radiotherapy and oncology
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Read about our Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT)
Watch videos of our graduates talking about our Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT) and the benefits it offers.
Find out more information about studying a distance learning course.
One of our students talks about his experiences of studying a distance learning course.
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At a glance
Develop in your specialism as a therapeutic radiographer or other healthcare professional working in the field on this career-focused course. Optional modules enable you to tailor your learning to your individual professional development needs and areas of interest.
Key points
• Develop an in-depth, specialist knowledge and understanding of current and future practices in radiotherapy and oncology.
• Develop knowledge and skills that will enable you to become an autonomous and reflective learner, responsive to your own personal and professional development needs.
• Opportunity to gain accreditation for work-based projects and prior certificated learning.
• Study the course in full or choose individual modules and gain academic credit.
If you are a therapeutic radiographer or another healthcare professional working within radiotherapy and oncology, this course offers you the opportunity to progress in your specialism. The modules cover a wide range of topics relevant to this area of clinical practice, allowing you to tailor the course to your own career development needs.
Some of the modules you can take are radiotherapy specific, while others take a wider perspective and look at the interdisciplinary nature of approaches in oncology. All modules are designed to support your continuing professional development and the development of skills needed to plan and evidence this.
Opportunities for both independent study and work-based learning are included as part of the course structure. Both allow you to negotiate learning objectives that can be centred on your own area of interest within the workplace.
You may also be eligible to apply for accreditation of work-based projects and prior certificated learning, which will count towards your final award. Please contact us for more information.
Study individual modules
You can study individual modules from this course and gain academic credit towards a qualification. Visit our continuing professional development website for more information.
We use a variety of communication tools to help foster a supportive, online student community and provide you with regular and easy access to your tutors on the course.
Find out more about MSc/PgDip/PgCert Radiotherapy and Oncology
Related courses
- MSc/PgDip/PgCert Advanced Practice (Radiotherapy and Oncology) (Distance learning)
- Short course Radiotherapy Return to Practice Programme (Distance learning)
- MSc/PgDip/PgCert Supportive and Palliative Care (Distance learning)
- MSc/PgDip/PgCert Radiotherapy Planning (Distance learning)
- PgCert Advanced Communication Skills (Part-time, Distance learning)
Distance learning, although you can choose to study optional taught modules.
Starts September and January
Complete the application form available at www.shu.ac.uk/study/form
2013/14 academic year
Typically £4,590 for the course
£385 for a 15 credit module
£765 for a 30 credit module
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/funding
2013/14 academic year
Typically £7,200 for the course
2014/15 academic year
Typically £7,380 for the course
The course fee may be subject to annual inflationary increase. For further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
We use various assessment methods, supporting the development of both your academic and professional skills.
Short online activities (e-tivities) are used to promote engagement with the distance learning materials, provide support for the final assignment and facilitate online discussion with fellow peers on the module.
Other methods of assessment include • essays • business cases or journal article • project and research work • poster and PowerPoint presentation
Angela Cashell
MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2009 graduate
'The UK has a long history of distance learning and I felt this would be important factor in my studies. It also has a wealth of experience at the undergraduate and postgraduate level in my area of study.
'Sheffield Hallam has one of the few MSc level programmes in radiotherapy and oncology, but the reason I chose the Sheffield Hallam program was because it offered a diversity of topics that appealed to me.
'The module-based structure allowed me to pick and choose those I was interested in, and to set my own pace of learning. It also allowed up to six years to complete the course which I felt might be a factor when I started but it didn’t prove to be a problem as I managed to complete it in three years, despite working full-time and with two kids.
'The reason I chose to study this course is that I am a radiation therapist, and despite the fact that my current portfolio includes a large amount of education and staff development, I felt that this course would offer me the opportunity to expand my personal knowledge and give me the opportunity to learn new skills that I could use in my role.
'The highlight of the course was the people I interacted with around the world, who gave me a different perspective on things. It was good to get into discussion on Blackboard [Sheffield Hallam's virtual learning environment] and see things from a different angle or to argue a point.
'Having the MSc will certainly open doors for new job postings that may require the MSc qualification, but more importantly it has taught me personal discipline and further developed my writing and analytical skills
'I would recommend this course to colleagues for the flexibility and choice of topics, interaction with international colleagues and the support from tutors.
'Advice I would give to students thinking of doing a distance learning course is do it and do it sooner rather than later, as I think my biggest challenge was getting back into studying in this way, and of course do it through Sheffield Hallam!'
Profiles
Angela Cashell
MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2009 graduate
Radiotherapy – Virtual Environment for Radiotherapy Training (VERT)
Vert is an award-winning virtual training environment which enables radiotherapy students to interact in a virtual treatment room.
The environment aims to
• enhance students 3D appreciation of anatomy
• give a 3D representation of radiotherapy equipment and a linear accelerator
• allow students to develop skills before going on placement
• reduce demand on live clinical spaces in the NHS
Radiotherapy students gain experience in treating cancer patients during placements in oncology departments. However, these increasingly busy cancer departments can frustrate students’ efforts to learn a multitude of skills concurrently leading them to feel rushed and unable to maximise their learning.
Using state of the art imaging technology, the VERT system creates a life-size 3D replica of a radiotherapy treatment room, allowing students to develop vital practical skills in real-life clinical situations. They can practice in a realistic but completely safe environment before moving on to clinical placements.
VERT (1:31)
Jo McNamara (senior lecturer) explains the benefits of using the 3D Visualisation Suite and state of the art facilities located in the Robert Winston Building, and how students benefit from the hands on experience.
Simon Crimp - VERT (1:18)
Simon Crimp, a BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology student, talks about the valuable experience he gains using the Visualisation Suite to practice treatments within a clinical environment before going in to practice.
Distance learning study
Distance learning is a rewarding and flexible way to learn. You study at the time, place and often pace of your choosing, to fit around your personal and working life. Like all types of learning, you need skills in personal organisation, time management, self-motivation, and a commitment to academic study.
As a distance learning student, you normally learn away from the University – in your own home or place of work. Most of our distance learning courses are delivered online via a portal called Blackboard.
We prepare you for your distance learning course with an online induction package. It helps you develop and practise your skills and allows any issues, concerns or development needs to be addressed prior to commencing a course of study.
You're fully supported by our learning centre, with library database searches and information enquiries, journal article supply and other help in accessing library and information services, all without having to travel to Sheffield.
We believe that you learn best when you engage in prolonged debate. Your course provides an active learning experience, with an ongoing dialogue between you, your peers and your tutors via discussion forums, blogs and others. You carry out a series of structured tasks, which build towards a successful final assessment submission.
John Sharpe (1:34)
John Sharpe, Rolls-Royce employee, and one of our MSc Total Quality Management and Organisational Excellence graduates talks about his experiences of studying a distance learning course while working.
Download the transcript of this video.
Staff profiles
Visit the Department of Allied Health Professions website to view profiles of the staff who teach in this subject area.
