BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography
Three years full-time
UCAS code • B821
Location • Collegiate Campus
Subject area • Diagnostic radiography
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This course equips you with the knowledge and skills needed by radiographers to work in the health service.
Diagnostic radiographers carry out referrals from healthcare professionals to help diagnose patients and determine their treatments.
We have close links with hospital departments with whom we share research and clinical expertise. You also benefit from the clinical expertise and specialised subject areas of our teaching team. They introduce you to present and developing methods of imaging and conventional radiography.
Radiographers do not just work in hospital X-ray departments. There may be separate departments for ultrasound examinations, magnetic resonance imaging or nuclear medicine, though in some hospitals these are in a single department. They may need to examine patients in the operating theatre or on the wards, and to use their initiative and make decisions, independently and as part of a team.
Diagnostic radiographers use highly technical equipment but the work also involves helping patients to relax and understand what is happening. You work with patients from birth to the elderly and must adapt your approach to meet the individual's needs.
You study some interprofessional learning modules alongside students from other health disciplines, such as nurses, physiotherapists and social workers. This shared learning experience allows you to develop teamworking and understand the contribution different professionals make.
The course is based in our £13 million purpose-built Robert Winston Building on our Collegiate Crescent Campus. We have a fully equipped X-ray suite in the building which replicates the settings in which you learn and work.
You spend half the course on clinical placements in large teaching hospitals, district general hospitals and specialist departments over a wide geographical area.
As a student, your clinical experience will reflect the working times of radiographers. This may involve shift work including weekends and evenings.
As part of the course you complete a level 2 award in understanding health improvement, which provides you with a certificate from the Royal Society of Public Health. We are currently the only university in the UK that offers this as part of our healthcare courses.
Your student membership fees for the Society and College of Radiographers are paid, enabling you to access the services they provide.
Medical imaging no longer just uses X-rays to show broken bones. It can now examine every structure in the human body.
Find out more about BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography
Related courses
You apply for this course through UCAS.
2012/13 academic year
If you are studying a course funded by the Department of Health (nursing, midwifery or the allied health professions) you will not normally pay any fees yourself, as they will be paid for you by the Department of Health. You may be eligible for an NHS bursary but you will not be eligible for the bursaries described in the Sheffield Hallam University Bursary Scheme.
Further information for students starting a course in 2012 is available on the NHS website.
For information on fees and funding see www.shu.ac.uk/study/ug/fees-and-funding
2011/12 academic year
Typically £13,520 a year2012/13 academic year
Typically £13,520 a yearFor further information on fees, scholarships and bursaries see www.shu.ac.uk/international/fees
• assignments • case studies • project work • professional development portfolio • research project
For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk
This course is approved by the Health Professions Council (HPC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with them and also apply to become members of the Society and College of Radiographers. You must be registered with the HPC in order to practise as a diagnostic radiographer in the UK.
Jason Tagg
BSc Diagnostic Radiography, third year
'I chose Sheffield as a place to study as I live in Sheffield and know it to be a good city to live and work.
'I spent some time working at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals before starting my course. I asked the qualified workers where they had studied and why. I found that even those from further away had made efforts to study at Sheffield Hallam University as it is still recognised as one of the best, if not the best place to learn radiography.
'The services available at the University are of a high standard, both in teaching and practice equipment. All the lecturers have extensive knowledge and previous employment in radiography, with each having their specialist areas of knowledge. There is also a fully functioning X-ray room with practice dummies within the University.
'The course feels like an apprenticeship where you learn the fundamental knowledge prior to placements and then hone your skills whilst there.
'I would definitely recommend Sheffield Hallam University to friends - for healthcare courses it is by far one of the best universities available.
'If you are interested in doing this course my advice would be don't expect to be living the typical student life. You will be spending 4-5 hours a day in university and working 9-5 shifts four days a week whilst on placements.
'Sheffield has plenty of drinking areas such as the town centre and West Street. There's around six main nightclubs, plenty of gyms and sports centres and shopping centres such as Meadowhall and the town centre.
'It is generally an all round place that has something for everyone.'
Hannah Ludbrook
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BSc Diagnostic Radiography, 2010 graduate speaking in 2009
'When I was deciding which university to come to I liked the way Sheffield seemed to be a really friendly and proud city.
'I love the fact that the city is on the edge of the Peak District making it easy to get out into the countryside, especially for climbers. The city is one of the main reasons I chose Sheffield Hallam but also it is regarded highly for radiography training.
'The University has a high standard of modern x-ray equipment so students can learn in a realistic, safe environment. At Sheffield Hallam student radiographers go out on placement very early on compared to some other universities. I found this really helpful as we didn't have time to get too nervous and we could put the basic, early theory into practice.
'The course is split approximately 50/50 into academic blocks and clinical blocks so we get a huge amount of practical experience, making us competent radiographers when we qualify.
'One of the highlights is going on special placements at the end of second year and start of third year. These are a week in specialist areas such as paediatrics, cardiac and neuro angiography, the private sector and dental. I found this really interesting and it greatly broadened my knowledge and experience.
'As well as those above, we spend our first and third year clinical time in the same placement hospital, mine was Sheffield which includes the Northern General and the Hallamshire, and our second year somewhere different. I was in Grimsby which gave me a good contrast between big teaching hospitals like Sheffield and smaller district generals like Grimsby.
'When I qualify in summer I hope to get a job as a radiographer in a teaching hospital with a busy accident and emergency department.'
Trudi Brook
BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography, Final year
'When applying I had the choice between Leeds and Sheffield Hallam and must admit that Sheffield was the easiest for me to commute to, as I am married. I am also a fan of Professor Robert Winston, so knowing that I was going to study at a University that he was involved with helped too.
'I was in the Ambulance Service in the late 1980’s early 90’s and have always been interested in medicine. Due to my ‘mature’ age I felt that the three year course was long enough and radiography was also of interest.
'Before I came to Sheffield Hallam my husband and I had a business which unfortunately ceased to trade, so I took stock of my situation and decided to get a good career. I had previously been in administration and found my motivation lacking in that field as I wanted to do something that gave me the sense of personal satisfaction. I like to help people so a career in Health Care seemed the right path to go on.
'My only worry before starting the course was “Am I too old to go back to studying?” Doing a year at college before going to University helped me get back into studying and gave me the confidence I needed. Otherwise I knew that as long as I put my mind to the task I could achieve the end result. Of course there is always the trepidation at the start of any academic task given to me, but I think that is normal and everyone goes through it.
'The highlight of the course for me has been meeting new people and gaining new friends of all ages. Training on placement has been an enjoyable experience also.
'For prospective students with family commitments, they will probably find it more difficult to juggle everything and meet deadlines, but it can be done. I have no children so I have only had my husband to consider, but he has been very supportive and understanding. You are never too old to do this course and I can only recommend it highly.'
Profiles
Jason Tagg
BSc Diagnostic Radiography, third year
Hannah Ludbrook
BSc Diagnostic Radiography, 2010 graduate speaking in 2009
 DIAGNOSTIC RADIOGRAPHY.jpg)
Trudi Brook
BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography, Final year
X-ray suite
We have a fully equipped x-ray suite located at Robert Winston building which replicates the settings in which you learn and work.
Together in the real world of health and social care
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. So, depending on your course you could spend time working alongside
• nurses
• midwives
• operating department practitioners
This gives you a fresh perspective on situations. And it also prepares you for the real world. Collaboration between health professionals is increasing as organisations try to provide a more integrated and effective service. At Sheffield Hallam we understand that by working together we can we give the best possible care.
