BSc (Honours) Radiotherapy and Oncology
Three years full-time
UCAS code • B822
This course is subject to reapproval
Location • Collegiate Campus
Subject area • Radiotherapy and oncology
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Watch a video of lecturer Jo McNamara talking about radiotherapy and oncology and our radiotherapy courses.
Listen to two of our students talking about the course, the support they have received their experiences on clinical placement.
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.
View profiles of students on this course
Read profiles about our radiotherapy teaching team.
Our health and social care courses place a strong emphasis on interprofessional learning. This means that you train alongside practitioners from other health professions. Find out more.
There is an increasing demand for graduate therapeutic radiographers in the health service, especially those who can do clinical research.
Your studies focus on applying theory to clinical practice and we encourage you to question and analyse, not simply accept theories without thought. You analyse and evaluate your clinical practice to learn and improve your skills.
During the course you learn to use software and systems for treatment and treatment planning. You also learn to apply theory to practice and tailor the treatment to the patient by accurately targeting high dose radiation beams and sparing surrounding normal tissues.
We normally base our teaching in our modern, £13 million, purpose-built Robert Winston Building on Collegiate Crescent Campus. It has teaching rooms that reproduce the work environment of hospitals and other related settings. These contain the latest teaching and clinical equipment and technology.
Our immersive visualisation suite comprises state-of-the-art imaging technology and uses the virtual environment for radiotherapy training (VERT) system to create a life-size 3D replica of a clinical environment. We have 20 networked eclipse planning computers with specialist staff on hand to teach you radiotherapy planning. We are one of the only universities outside of the USA that can offer these facilities. This enables you to develop vital practical skills in realistic clinical situations.
We recognise and emphasise that radiotherapy treatment is never given in isolation. A therapeutic radiographer is part of a team including caring professionals such as nurses, dieticians and oncologists. Decisions about a patient’s care and treatment always take into account their views, the expertise and opinion of other team members and sound scientific principles.
You study some interprofessional education modules alongside students from other health disciplines, such as nurses and paramedics. This shared learning experience allows you to develop teamworking and understand the contribution different professionals make.
Clinical practice placements make up more than half of the course and take place at
• St James’s University Hospital, Leeds
• The Royal Derby Hospital, Derby
• James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
• Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester
• Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln
• Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
• Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham
• Queens Centre for Oncology and Haematology, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull
• Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield
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.
We also offer a PgDip Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice. This is a two year fast track award for graduates in a health and social care or science subject wanting a career in radiotherapy.
We are the largest education provider of radiotherapy and oncology courses in the UK.
Find out more about BSc (Honours) Radiotherapy and Oncology
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
• examinations • assignments • project work • portfolio • poster presentations • continuous assessment of clinical practice
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 the HPC and apply to become members of the Society and College of Radiographers. You must be registered with the HPC in order to practise as a therapeutic radiographer in the UK.
Radiotherapy part one (1:44)
Watch a video of academic Jo McNamara discussing studying radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam.
Radiotherapy part two (1:48)
Watch a video of academic Jo McNamara discussing studying radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam.
Radiotherapy part three (1:36)
Watch a video of academic Jo McNamara discussing studying radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam.
Sophie Large (0:39)
Sophie discusses learning about patient and family care, the support she's received from academics and how their industry experience helps with student learning.
Sohpie Large and Racheal Colling (0:58)
Sophie and Rachel talk about their experiences on clinical placement within a hospital and how it will help gain employment following graduation.
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.
Naomi Green
BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2008 graduate
'I chose Sheffield Hallam University because I knew the relaxed and friendly atmosphere would suit me. The campus at Collegiate Crescent is really beautiful, with lots of greenery. It is also a two minute walk from the Botanical Gardens, which is a great place to have your lunch.
'The Robert Winston Building is brand new and state of the art. It's designed especially for health students, which is very important as we demand a lot more than just a lecture theatre! The building has mock wards, houses and surgical theatres, which are helpful in preparing us for clinical work.
'The University also provides a great number of radiotherapy planning computers. We are the only university in the UK to have this facility. In all three years of the course we get to plan different radiotherapy treatments. Being able to have seminars on planning is great, but to actually practise on real medical software is an amazing bonus.
'Working in a radiotherapy department is extremely interesting. You learn a lot - the staff always have the odd story to tell you! I truly believe going away on clinical placement has been the making of me. Since working I have become more confident, patient, a better problem solver and a quicker thinker.'
Sabah Sajjad
BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology, third year
'I chose to study in Sheffield because of the vibrant and friendly atmosphere. The best thing about Sheffield is it has a fabulous city centre and Meadowhall for people who like shopping.
'Sheffield Hallam has high tech facilities available, and provides lectures in an interactive and fun way. The VERT suite provides a hands-on experience of the actual equipment before going to placement.
'The best thing about the course are that the staff are friendly, they take their time to explain things to make sure it is fully understood. I have also made some really great friends on the course.
'Advice I would give to students is be prepared to put in the hard work, but also enjoy yourself.'
Profiles
Naomi Green
BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology, 2008 graduate
Sabah Sajjad
BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology, third year
Sheela Macwan
Course Leader for MSc Radiotherapy Planning
I qualified as therapy radiographer in 1987 at the Leicester School of Radiography. My first post was at the Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham. Here I was actively involved in producing skin care guidelines for patients.
In 1995, I moved to Nottingham City hospital. In 1999 I had the opportunity to start my MSc in Applied Oncology and also to present at a skin conference in Paris. I also took part in the introduction of conformal planning to the prostate and was in charge of treating patients with total body irradiation using both photons and electrons. I also trained and specialised in electronic portal imaging. I was appointed as Treatment Superintendent in 1999.
A sideways move in 2001, took me back to the Leicester Royal Infirmary before accepting a senior lecturer post at Sheffield Hallam University. In 2004, I completed my MSc in Applied Oncology and in March 2005, I was awarded the PG Cert in Learning and Teaching. In March 2007, I achieved the status of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
I am currently the admissions tutor for Radiotherapy and Oncology. I actively recruit for both the BSc and PGD routes. Additionally I am the module leader for Pre-treatment Imaging and Planning and undergraduate research dissertations. I am the course leader for the MSc in Radiotherapy Planning and module leader for fundamentals of planning, advanced planning module and the cancer therapies module.
I am also involved in teaching on the inter-professional modules. I am currently the professional development facilitator at Lincoln County hospital. My interests focus on treatment planning, innovations in imaging and verification, e-learning, new cancer therapies and from an admissions point, widening participation.
Heidi Probst
Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 4359
E-mail h.probst@shu.ac.uk
Main teaching areas
• breast carcinoma
• research methods
External appointments
• co-chair of the College of Radiographers research group
• chair of the College of Radiographers research funding panel
• member of the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) clinical and translational radiotherapy and radiobiology research working group (work stream 3 phase III studies)
Research interests and current work
• research interests
• breast cancer radiotherapy
• radiotherapy workforce
• e-learning
• research design / methodology interests
• randomised controlled trials (authored a chapter in the textbook Medical Imaging and Radiotherapy Research: Skills and Strategies on this topic)
Current work
The development of an e-learning module on breast cancer irradiation for professionals wanting to specialise in breast cancer treatment: A Delphi Method.
Investigating Journal Reading and Literature Searching Practices of Radiation Therapists: An evaluation of the challenges and barriers to identifying evidence for practice development.
Support, Positioning and Organ Registration during Breast Cancer Radiation Therapy: SuPPORT 4 All (Engineering for Life seed corn funding from EPSRC- £13,000)
Work experience/background
I qualified as a therapy radiographer from the Royal London Hospital. Most of my clinical experience was undertaken at Cookridge Hospital in Leeds where I worked as a Superintendent II Radiographer specialising in pre-treatment/simulation from 1993 - 1999.
In 1999 I received a Department of Health Research Fellowship award to complete my PhD 'Investigating Radiotherapy Protocols for Breast Carcinoma: An evaluation of respiratory morbidity, treatment accuracy and efficiency'. DoH grant size £80,929.
In 2001, I joined Sheffield Hallam University as senior lecturer.
Recent publications
• Probst H, Dodwell D, Gray JC, Holmes M. An evaluation of the accuracy of semi-permanent skin marks for breast cancer irradiation. Radiography 2006; 12(3):186-188.
• Probst H, Griffiths S. Time for a Change: Is it Time to Consider Job Redesign for Therapy Radiographers? Clin Oncol (R Coll Radiol ) 2007; 19(3):S43.
• Probst H, Griffiths S. Retaining Therapy radiographers: What's so special about us? Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 2007; 6(1):21-32.
• Probst H, Griffiths S. Job satisfaction of therapy radiographers in the UK: Results of a phase I qualitative study. Radiography 2009; 15(2):146-157.
• Probst H, Harris R. Getting started with research. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 2009; 8(02):57-65.
• Probst H, Eddy D, Doughty J, Hodgson D. Integrating E-learning into Postgraduate Radiotherapy and Oncology: A Case Study. E-Learning and Digital Media 2009; 6(4):364-372.
Kath Steele
Senior lecturer for the MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
Prior to entering higher education I had 28 years of clinical practice working in a variety of settings including acute, hospice, community, oncology and palliative care.
My last two posts were Macmillan clinical nurse specialist posts in gynae/oncology and palliative care. My specialist interests are loss and grief, children and loss, sexuality, communication, using high fidelity simulation in palliative care education and Lymphoedema. My latest research project is in fatigue in cancer patients.
David Green
Professional development facilitator and senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5471
E-mail david.green@shu.ac.uk
As a professional development facilitator I support undergraduate, postgraduate and clinical staff education in my clinical department St James’s University Hospital, Leeds.
Working as a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam I am currently involved in undergraduate teaching with the radiotherapy and oncology team as well as inter professional education.
My research interests include
• the use of VERT™ as a training and recruitment resource
• student recruitment
• service user involvement
• student clinical assessment
• CT planning and treatment verification of conformal RT patients
I have just completed an MSc dissertation in health care education, The Influence of VERT™ Characteristics on the Development of Skills in Skin Apposition Techniques. This study investigates the influence of virtual environment characteristics on the development of skills previously honed exclusively in the clinical environment. Specifically the development of the electron treatment skin apposition technique. A specific treatment site was selected on a virtual patient and student performance, in terms of set-up to the treatment site, was determined by dataset software indicators.
Recent publications
Green D, 2009 Climbing the learning curve. Synergy, Aug 2009, p. 4-5.
Sarah Smith
Senior lecturer
Phone 0114 225 5588
Email s.smith@shu.ac.uk
I am currently the course leader for the BSc (Hons) in Radiotherapy and Oncology. I am largely involved in the delivery of the undergraduate and pre registration courses.
I lead the year one module using knowledge and evidence to support study and practice. I also lead the year three interprofessional education module capable collaborative working
I also contribute to the Return to Practice Programme, the Continuing Professional Development Anywhere Programme and our masters courses.
My main teaching areas are the oncology of the lower respiratory system (lung), oncology of the upper digestive and upper respiratory systems (head and neck region) and interprofessional education. I also contribute to the delivery of anatomy, physics and clinical education modules.
My main areas of interest or specialism include head and neck cancer, cervical cancer, service user involvement and quality of life studies. As well as research and development of education, such as retention of students, student support, effectiveness of learning and teaching and assessment strategies.
Other roles
I am a supervisor for students undertaking research projects (dissertations) on both undergraduate and MSc programmes.
I am a member of the Society and College of Radiographers (Professional body).
I am a register practitioner (Therapy Radiographer) with the Health Professions Council.
I represent the Allied Health Professions on the management group of the Trent Universities Interprofessional Learning in Practice (TUILIP) project.
I am an assessor of education for the Approvals and Accreditation Board of the Society and College of Radiographers.
I peer review submissions for publication to the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice.
My research interests include
• treatment related side effects and quality of life for patients
• the development of inter-professional learning and working
• head and neck oncology and treatment.
• undergraduate student support, recruitment and retention
Anne Jessop
Senior lecturer for MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology
As a senior lecturer at Sheffield Hallam my roles and responsibilities are wide and varied. I have an input into academic delivery at all levels ranging from diploma and degree through to masters.
I am module leader for the working together in supportive and palliative care module. I have a particular interest in both palliative care and patient support which makes this module have significant importance to me.
My background is in radiotherapy where I worked as a clinical radiographer for many years in departments in both Leeds and Hull, moving into radiotherapy and oncology education in 2002. Being part of the team delivering the MSc Supportive and Palliative Care has given me the opportunity to work with other professional groups, giving me a much broader perspective of the multidisciplinary working both within the university and also students undertaking the module.
As part of my role, I also work as a professional development facilitator supporting both students and staff in clinical practice through their study. This role allows me to keep up to date with clinical knowledge and maintain links with other professional groups in the hospital setting.
Barbara Beard
Course leader for MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
Barbara Beard
Email b.a.beard@shu.ac.uk
Phone 0114 225 5617
I am the course leader for the MSc Supportive and Palliative Care and BA(Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care. I am also the module leader for the master's level modules, end of life decision making, loss, grief and bereavement and advanced communications skills in practice. In addition, I am the module leader for the undergraduate dissertation and the level four module, Foundations in Supportive and Palliative Care for support workers. As a registered nurse, I have previously worked in a wide variety of clinical settings in the UK, Canada and Switzerland. I also work as a bereavement visitor at St Luke's Hospice, supporting bereaved people in their own homes. My special interests include ethics at the end of life, communication and loss and bereavement.
Award
In 2012, I was awarded the third prize of Educator of the Year by the International Journal of Palliative Nursing.
Other roles
I am a supervisor for the postgraduate and undergraduate dissertations and specialist palliative care tutor for the work-based learning module. I am a member of Sheffield Hallam University HWB faculty cancer interest group and also the End of Life Care Education Steering Group, NHS Yorks and Humber
Recent Publication
Beard Barbara (2011) Legal and Ethical Issues in Palliative Care in Baldwin, Moyra and Woodhouse, Jan (Eds.) Key Concepts in Palliative Care. London, Sage
Angela Eddy
Course leader
I joined the teaching team at Sheffield Hallam in 2000, where my main responsibilities have been building an advanced practice framework for radiographers working outside a traditional scope of practice.
I am the course leader for the MSc Advanced Practice in Radiotherapy and Oncology, and the module leader for the expert practice, informed consent in healthcare practice and technical advanced in radiotherapy.
I am currently undertaking a professional doctorate and my research is exploring role extension. I am particularly interested in the diversity of practice and roles at a national and international level. I am also interested in wider workforce issues across the four tier structure, and I represent higher education institutions (HEIs) on the National Radiotherapy Implementation Group (workforce theme).
I trained and worked at Leeds, and then moved for a superintendent post to Lincoln. While in Lincoln I was involved in equipment selection and evaluation, designing a new department and planning the relocation of services to the new site. The department was one of the Department of Health (DoH) pilot sites for the four tier structure, and I was involved in the development and implementation of role extension using work based learning in collaboration with Sheffield Hallam.
Recent publications: Peer Reviewed
Eddy. A. Work based learning and role extension: A match made in heaven? Radiography 2010 Vol 16 issue 2 pg 95-100.
Eddy. A. Advanced Practice for therapy Radiographers – A discussion paper. Radiography 2008 Vol 14 issue 1 pg 24-31
Winter. D. Eddy. A: A pilot study to explore the information and support offered to male breast patients by breast care nurses. Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice 2006 (5) 1-9 ISSN 1460-3969
Catherine Holborn
Senior lecturer
Since July 2003 I have worked as a senior lecturer in radiotherapy and oncology at Sheffield Hallam University. Current key roles include being the course leader for the MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology and lead for several modules as part of this.
My main areas of professional and research interest are based around prostate cancer, paediatric cancer, intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and image guided radiotherapy (IGRT).
I am a member of the Specialist Paediatric Radiotherapy Radiographer Interest Group and have worked in partnership with the Prostate Cancer Charity to develop an MSc module in this area. I have also acted as a reviewer for one of their patient information leaflets.
In terms of supporting research, I act as a research supervisor for students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. I am a reviewer for the Faculty’s Dissertation Management Group and reviewer for the Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice.
My own research has focused mainly on the work undertaken for my MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology in 2006. The project title was 'Immobilisation and verification methods for 3D conformal radiotherapy to the prostate: a systematic review of the literature and national survey of UK practice'.
I recently wrote a chapter entitled 'Treatment Verification' in the 2010, 2nd edition of Practical Radiotherapy Physics and Equipment by P Cherry and A Duxbury (editors).
Profiles
Sheela Macwan
Course Leader for MSc Radiotherapy Planning
Heidi Probst
Senior lecturer
Kath Steele
Senior lecturer for the MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
David Green
Professional development facilitator and senior lecturer
Sarah Smith
Senior lecturer
Anne Jessop
Senior lecturer for MSc Radiotherapy and Oncology
Barbara Beard
Course leader for MSc and BA (Hons) Supportive and Palliative Care
Angela Eddy
Course leader
Catherine Holborn
Senior lecturer
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.
