trying to join army as student radiographer

A lot of what you are asking on postings, deployments, format of the assessment, Terms of Service etc can be found on the British Army Recruitment website. Have a look at that and then go back to your recruiter to show that you have done some research and just ask for clarification on what you have found. For the rest, especially your test results, that will have to come from the AFCO.

Did you get answers to your questions?? I’m currently looking at joining as a student radiographer and I’m also wondering many of the same questions!

I'm currently in the process of joining as a student radiographer. i have loads of questions but my recruitment officer isnt being very help full.
if anyone could answer some/all that would be very helpful.


1. Was my cognitive test high enough for the role I want or will I need to improve at assessment?

2. During the briefing the speaker mentioned that some roles are being over subscribed and so entry is very hard. Is radiography one of these roles?

3. At assessment will I have to do any specialist test or extra interviews?

4. Between basic training and starting my degree what will I do?

5. When studying my degree where will I live (on a base or in student accommodation)?

6. While studying what will me salary be (still training wage or private wage)?

7. What will I do on week days when not a university and during university holidays?

8. On completion of my degree will I be able to attend the graduation?

9. Which units am I able to be assigned to (will I know which unit I will be working with before I start my degree)?

10. Is my return of service any longer because of studying the degree?

11. What would a typical day for me be as a radiographer in the army?

12. How quickly can I be deployed on operation?

13. Where can going on operation take me (does the army have field hospitals everywhere they are working, when doing humanitarian/aid work will my role be required)?

14. How often can I deploy on operation for and how long do they usually last?

i have also been told i need to attend AMS RIC (Regimental Insight Course) but have not been given any information. Will i be assessed at this insight course? if so what on?

TIA

I'm currently in the process of joining as a student radiographer. i have loads of questions but my recruitment officer isnt being very help full.
if anyone could answer some/all that would be very helpful.


1. Was my cognitive test high enough for the role I want or will I need to improve at assessment?

2. During the briefing the speaker mentioned that some roles are being over subscribed and so entry is very hard. Is radiography one of these roles?

3. At assessment will I have to do any specialist test or extra interviews?

4. Between basic training and starting my degree what will I do?

5. When studying my degree where will I live (on a base or in student accommodation)?

6. While studying what will me salary be (still training wage or private wage)?

7. What will I do on week days when not a university and during university holidays?

8. On completion of my degree will I be able to attend the graduation?

9. Which units am I able to be assigned to (will I know which unit I will be working with before I start my degree)?

10. Is my return of service any longer because of studying the degree?

11. What would a typical day for me be as a radiographer in the army?

12. How quickly can I be deployed on operation?

13. Where can going on operation take me (does the army have field hospitals everywhere they are working, when doing humanitarian/aid work will my role be required)?

14. How often can I deploy on operation for and how long do they usually last?

i have also been told i need to attend AMS RIC (Regimental Insight Course) but have not been given any information. Will i be assessed at this insight course? if so what on?

TIA

Hi, I qualified recently as a radiographer for the army.
Here are some answers to your questions, well the ones I can answer....

2. During the briefing the speaker mentioned that some roles are being over subscribed and so entry is very hard. Is radiography one of these roles?

We are undermanned for radiographers in the Army currently. From experience it's not an over subscribed role and definitely worth applying even if it is. Best job/decision i ever made. The year I applied there was two of us but only one place going so.it can be competitive. However in subsequent years there have been more places. This job is also tri service so if you don't get into one service it may be a good idea to.explore the RAF and Navy also.

3. At assessment will I have to do any specialist test or extra interviews?

At selection you have to do a technical selection test (some extra maths/algebra.

You also have to attend a selection board which when I applied took place at Sandhurst and consisted of an interview, 10 min presentation and 30 min essay on the role of a military radiographer.

4. Between basic training and starting my degree what will I do?

I had 4 weeks leave then one week in a holding unit (Litchfield) and then went to uni.

5. When studying my degree where will I live (on a base or in student accommodation)?

If married you can apply for a quarter.
If not you will live on Hamstead campus (Google it) in handsworth. It's a gated community with both civilian and military students.

6. While studying what will me salary be (still training wage or private wage)?

If living in Hamstead campus you'll receive a food allowance and take home around £1200 roughly a month.

7. What will I do on week days when not a university and during university holidays?

You will be expected to study, do assignments, PT when not at university. You get 38 days leave per year and are expected to take leave when the university timetable allows. Usually 2 weeks at Xmas 2 for easter and 4 summer. You will complete placement in hospital over summer ( arranged with the uni). You may have more leave from uni that won't be covered by your 38 days and you will be expected to do charity work or adventure training or something productive which will benefit your military career. Of course you can get away with doing other stuff in the week days not at uni but you have to stay in the area.

8. On completion of my degree will I be able to attend the graduation?

I still haven't had my graduation due to Covid but in normal circumstances you would have a graduation ceremony.

9. Which units am I able to be assigned to (will I know which unit I will be working with before I start my degree)?

You won't find out until near the end of your degree. If you are applying through the army you will be posted to one of three locations for your first posting. The Queen Elizabeth hospital Birmingham, the James Cook hospital in Middlesbrough, or frimley hospital in Surrey. (You can put your preferences in order but no guarantee you'll get your top choice)

10. Is my return of service any longer because of studying the degree?

Your return of service starts from when you qualify. So three years after qualifying

11. What would a typical day for me be as a radiographer in the army?

In your first year you will in a JHG (Joint Hospital Group) which for army is one of the postings mentioned previously. You'll work alongside NHS staff and for the first year be allowed to develop your clinical.skills as a radiographer, with a few military things thrown in along the way like your MATTs, rad ops course ect.

12. How quickly can I be deployed on operation?

You get a grace period of at least one year to develop your clinical skills. After that you will undergo pre deployment training and various other courses to make sure you are ready.

13. Where can going on operation take me (does the army have field hospitals everywhere they are working, when doing humanitarian/aid work will my role be required)?

I'm not the best person to answer this yet as I have just qualified and not deployed

14. How often can I deploy on operation for and how long do they usually last?

Same as above. But in general usually 3 to 6 months at a time.

i have also been told i need to attend AMS RIC (Regimental Insight Course) but have not been given any information. Will i be assessed at this insight course? if so what on?

I never attended one but if you can get on one then do it. If not don't worry.

Thank you so much for this information! I had researched it previously but couldn’t seem to find anything so that has been extremely useful. Congratulations on completing your degree. I have high hopes of becoming a diagnostic radiographer, the army is my first choice but I have kept my options open and applied directly to university too. Are there any books you would recommend purchasing?

Are you still looking for answers? I have just qualified as a radiographer for the Army and I also had many of these questions and never really got any answers but found out along the way. I don't have the answers to all but am happy to share my experience and knowledge of you or anyone else wants