BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography
UCAS code
B821Attendance
Full-time
Three years full-timeAt a glance
Become a qualified radiographer with access to a fully-equipped digital X-ray suite on campus and half your study time spent in a hospital environment. Your career prospects as a graduate radiographer are very good and most students secure their first post immediately after graduation with hospitals in the region.
Key points
• Train using a fully-equipped digital X-ray suite.
• Gain confidence and experience with 50% of course spent in a clinical environment.
• Learn from experienced lecturers who are all registered radiographers.
• Further your career with good links to hospitals in the region.
What is diagnostic radiography?
Diagnostic radiography is the medical science of producing images of the human body, which can be used to make a diagnosis. Diagnostic radiographers play an important role in the diagnosis and management of disease, and in the screening programmes for early detection of cancer. They are described as being at the heart of modern medicine.
Radiographers do not just work in hospital X-ray departments. There may be separate departments for ultrasound examinations, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, breast 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.
About this course
Become a fully-trained radiographer qualified to work in hospitals on a course with a relatively small cohort and good lecturer to student ratio. As a student, your studies on campus centre around a fully equipped digital X-ray suite which replicates the settings in which you learn and work. The suite is located in our £13m Robert Winston Building.
You also benefit from the clinical expertise and specialised subject areas of our teaching team, many of whom also practice clinically. Our lecturers are all registered practitioners and have a diverse wealth of radiography teaching experience between them. This well-respected and experienced team introduce you to present day conventional radiography and new emerging technology and methods of imaging.
Once you’ve learnt techniques in the University setting and x-ray suite, you then learn how to apply them in the real world with over half your course time on clinical placements.
As a student on this course, your placement opportunities and subsequent career prospects are excellent thanks to close links with local and regional hospital departments. We also have special rotation placement sites including neurological imaging and cardiac imaging departments and the Charles Clifford Dental Hospital in Sheffield.
Diagnostic radiographers use highly technical equipment but the work also involves helping patients to relax and understand what is happening. You work with patients of all ages, from newborns to the elderly, and part of your training is learning to adapt your approach to meet the individual's needs.
During your time on placement, your clinical experience will reflect the working times of radiographers. This may involve shift work including weekends and evenings. It may also be necessary to live in hospital accommodation during placements.
As part of the course you complete a level 2 award in understanding health improvement 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 for the duration of the course, enabling you to access the services they provide.
Key areas of study
Key areas include • musculo-skeletal imaging • soft tissue imaging • science and imaging technology • practice education • generating and evaluating evidence for practice.
Interprofessional learning
Diagnostic radiographers are an integral part of the multidisciplinary team and part of your course is studied interprofessionally alongside students from other health disciplines, such as nurses, operating department practitioners and physiotherapists. This shared learning experience allows you to develop team working skills and understand the contribution different professionals make to the patient pathway.
CPD online
CPD Online, part of our CPD Anywhere™ framework, is being offered free to new graduates of this course for 12 months, as part of our commitment to support your lifelong learning.
CPD Online is an online learning environment which provides information to help your transition into the workplace. It can enhance your employability and provide opportunities to take part in and evidence continuing professional development to help meet professional body and statutory requirements.
For further information, visit the CPD Anywhere™ website at www.shu.ac.uk/faculties/hwb/cpd/anywhere
Associated careers
There is an increasing need for graduate radiographers in the health service. After further training, you can also work in other areas of medical imaging such as computed tomography or ultrasound.
Progression to postgraduate study usually takes place after graduates have worked in radiography for at least a year. Many attend postgraduate courses at Sheffield Hallam.
Promotion opportunities are excellent and there is a clear grading and progression route through to consultant radiographers and management opportunities.
There is also the opportunity for you to work overseas in countries such as • Australia • Ireland • USA • Canada • Middle East.
For more information about careers in radiography, visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk or www.radiographycareers.co.uk
Professional recognition
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). 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 HCPC in order to practise as a diagnostic radiographer in the UK.
Course content
Year one modules
• musculo-skeletal imaging 1 • soft tissue imaging 1 • science and imaging technology 1 • science and imaging technology 2 • practice education 1 • using knowledge and evidence to support study and practice 1* • professional issues 1 • introduction to interprofessional practice*
Year two modules
• musculo-skeletal imaging 2 • soft tissue imaging 2 • science and imaging technology 3 • science and imaging technology 4 • practice education 2 • using knowledge and evidence to support study and practice 2* • professional issues 2 • developing collaborative practice*
Year three core modules
• musculo-skeletal imaging 3 • soft tissue imaging 3 • practice education 3 • professional issues 3 • employability and advancing practice* • generating and evaluating evidence for practice*
* You may share these modules with students from other health professional groups, including nursing, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, radiotherapy and social work.
Assessment
• assignments • case studies • project work • professional development portfolio • research project
Entry requirements
2014 entry requirements
You must have some experience of delivering care in a professional or voluntary capacity and a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
You must be 18 years old before beginning the course. This is a requirement under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 to be able to operate x-ray equipment.
Normally a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C or above, including one science, English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
• 320 UCAS tariff points from A-levels with at least 100 points from either biology, chemistry, physics or mathematics. AS levels and general studies do not count.
• 320 UCAS tariff points from a BTEC National Diploma in Health Studies or Sciences, health and social care is not accepted.
• Access – Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing or another science-based course. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 30 credits should be graded at distinction level. Eighteen of the level 3 distinction credits must be from science units.
• graduate applicants need a 2.2 in a relevant science degree with honours or a 2.2 in any degree with honours plus an A level in a science subject with a minimum of 100 UCAS tariff points
IELTS
If English is not your first language you are required to achieve an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no single element less than 6.0 and 6.5 in the spoken element. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score. An overall IELTS of 7.0 with no single element less than 6.5 is required to gain registration onto the Health and Care Professionals Council register as a radiographer.
Care experience
Before you apply for health courses, we require you to have gained some practical experience relating to your subject area. Download our applicant experience guidelines for information about the kinds of experience we expect you to have and the best places to gain it. Evidence of the experience gained, understanding of the profession and a genuine, reasoned commitment to studying a professional course must be explicit in your personal statement to be selected for interview.
Clinical experience
All candidates must complete either a short period of work experience (minimum one day) in a diagnostic imaging department or attend a Sheffield Hallam University recognised clinical open day in a diagnostic imaging department. We have guidance on arranging work experience in a diagnostic imaging department or a visit to clinical open day. While on your visit you should complete our student work sheet to ensure you learn essential information about working as a radiographer.
Personal qualities
You must be able to demonstrate the following qualities
• good communication skills
• a caring personality
• awareness of the needs of others
• ability to function as part of a team
• initiative, reliability, honesty and responsibility
• good spatial awareness*
*All candidates are advised to visit www.radbench.org to learn more about image interpretation. The site provides an entry level experience into examining x-ray images to identify fractures. The test on the site is similar to a test that is part of the selection event at Sheffield Hallam University.
Course enrolment requirements
Before enrolling, you must fully declare during the admissions process any
• unspent convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on convictions that must be declared see the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) website.
• disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or educational establishments
• involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
You also need to complete
• a DBS Enhanced Disclosure, and provide us with a copy of your DBS Enhanced Disclosure Certificate if requested. Enrolment also depends on the DBS check being deemed suitable for professional training.
• an occupational health screening, and an approved programme of immunisation, as recommended by the Department of Health. Health screening and immunisation are provided by the University.
If any of your personal circumstances change during the admissions process or during the course you must immediately disclose them to us.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to attend a selection event.
If you are a disabled person or have a long term health condition, you are advised to read the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) booklet: A disabled persons guide to becoming a health professional.
We also strongly recommend that you tell us about your disability so that we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the HCPC standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage. You can contact our University student support staff on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom) to discuss any queries you may have.
International applicants entry criteria
Applications are welcomed from international students and students from EU member countries.
• you must have researched healthcare careers and gained some work experience in diagnostic radiography to inform their career choice
• 320 points from 3 x A2 subjects achieving at least 100 points in a science subject. Other equivalent qualifications are considered. Overseas qualifications are checked for equivalence by making reference to the National Academic Recognition Information Centre (NARIC).
International application process
You must
• apply formally through UCAS
• complete a telephone interview
• attend the University International Student Orientation week before enrolling
Each UCAS form is individually reviewed by the admissions tutor any formal offer is made through the UCAS system.
2013 entry requirements
You must be 18 years old before beginning the course. This is a requirement under the Ionising Radiation Regulations 1999 to be able to operate x-ray equipment.
Normally a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C or above, including one science, English language and mathematics, plus one of the following
• 320 points from three GCE/VCE A2 levels, with at least 100 points from a science subject, or BTEC National diploma qualifications in a science subject. Science subjects include • biology • chemistry • physics • mathematics. AS levels and general studies do not count towards the points total.
Fees
Home and EU students
2013/14 academic year
If you are studying a course funded by the Department of Health 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 and scholarships described in the Sheffield Hallam University Bursary Scheme. For more information on NHS bursaries visit www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/Students/4002.aspx
Your clinical placements may not be in Sheffield, so you may need to pay for separate accommodation while on placement. NHS bursary students may be able to claim the cost of this back.
For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body is included in the course fee.
International students
2013/14 academic year
Typically £13,880 a year
Your clinical placements may not be in Sheffield, so you may also need to pay for additional accommodation while on placement.
2014/15 academic year
Typically £14,380 a year
Your clinical placements may not be in Sheffield, so you may also need to pay for additional accommodation while on placement.
How to apply
You apply for this course through UCAS.
Contact details
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