BSc (Honours) Diagnostic Radiography

UCAS code

B821

Attendance

Full-time

Three years full-time

Assessment

Х assignments Х case studies Х project work Х professional development portfolio Х research project

Fees

Home and EU students 2011/12 academic year

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.

International students 2011/12 academic year

2012/13 academic year

Typically г13,520 a year

2013/14 academic year

Typically г13,520 a year

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

Professional recognition

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.

About this course

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 г13 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.

Associated careers

There is an increasing need for graduate radiographers in the health service. After further training, you can work in other areas of medical imaging such as computed tomography or ultrasound.

Most students secure their first professional post immediately after graduation with hospitals in the region.

For more information about careers in radiography, visit www.nhscareers.nhs.uk or www.radiographycareers.co.uk

Entry requirements

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, mathematics or other evidence of literacy and numeracy such as Level 2 Adult Literacy/Numeracy or Key Skills Level 2 Communication/Application of Number or Functional Skills Level 2 English/mathematics, plus one of the following

Х 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 Х biology Х chemistry Х physics Х mathematics. AS levels and general studies do not count towards the points total.

ХаAccess Ц 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. 18 of the level 3 distinction credits must be from science units.

Х 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

You also need to demonstrate an ability to
Х study academic subjects at degree level
Х debate topics and issues
Х draw on conclusions from written material
Х study independently as well as a member of a group
Х use computers and technology associated with contemporary teaching, learning and assessment methods
Х successfully complete a range of assignments including researched essays and practical examinations

These are normally achieved by completing academic study at level three or above in the last four years.

For other qualifications contact Admissions on 0114 225 5555

Clinical experience
Х 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 onаarranging 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.

You also need to
Х have a full criminal records check when enrolling. You must declare any criminal convictions, cautions and bindings over, including those considered spent during the admissions process. Criminal convictions do not necessarily prevent acceptance on the course, but some may be regarded by an employer or professional body as excluding you from practice.

Х undergo health screening to assess your fitness to begin the course. You must also complete an approved programme of immunisation, as recommended by the Department of Health. Health screening and immunisation are provided by the University. It is your responsibility to inform the course leader of any change of circumstances in your health once you have enrolled.

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 Professions Council (HPC) 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 HPC 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.

Independent Safeguarding Authority
This course may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults, which is also known as regulated activity. The Independent Safeguarding Authority hold information on individuals who are barred from working with children and/or vulnerable adults. A person who is barred from working with children or vulnerable adults will be breaking the law if they work or volunteer, or try to work or volunteer with those groups.

The Independent Safeguarding Authority will merge in the future with the Criminal Records Bureau. We are currently awaiting further details with regards to these future changes

International applicants entry criteria
Applications are welcomed from international students and students from EU member countries.

Х you must have researched healthcare careers and gained some work experience in diagnostic radiography to inform their career choice

Х 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
Х apply formally through UCAS
Х complete a telephone interview
Х complete and return a CRB and health declaration
Х attend the University International Student Orientation week before enroling

Each UCAS form is individually reviewed by the admissions tutor any formal offer is made through the UCAS system.

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 Professionals Council register as a radiographer.

Care experience
Before you apply for health courses, we require you to have gained some practical experience relating 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.

2012 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.

Х 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 Х geography Х psychology Х sociology Х sports studies. AS levels and general studies do not count towards the points total.

Х Access -аAccessаto Higher Education Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in either Access to Science or Access to Health achieving at least 45 credits at level 3 of which at least 39 level 3 credits should be graded at merit or above

Course content

Year one modules

Х musculo-skeletal imaging 1 Х soft tissue imaging 1 Х science and imaging technology 1 Х science and imaging technology 2 Х practice education 1 Х using knowledge and evidence to support study and practice 1* Х professional issues 1 Х introduction to interprofessional practice*

Year two modules

Х musculo-skeletal imaging 2 Х soft tissue imaging 2 Х science and imaging technology 3 Х science and imaging technology 4 Х practice education 2 Х using knowledge and evidence to support study and practice 2* Х professional issues 2 Х developing collaborative practice*

Year three core modules

Х musculo-skeletal imaging 3 Х soft tissue imaging 3 Х practice education 3 Х professional issues 3 Х employability and advancing practice* Х 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.