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TSR Wiki > University > Choosing a Subject > University Courses > Radiography

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Contents 1 Introduction 2 Admissions 2.1 Entry Requirements - General 2.2 Work Experience 2.3 BSc in Diagnostic Radiography- Universities 2.4 BSc in Therapeutic Radiography- Entry requirements/Offers 3 Funding and Finances 4 Course Structure 5 Life as a Radiography Student 6 Graduate Destinations and Career Prospects 7 Other Info 7.1 General Websites 7.2 Jobs 7.3 Journal Links 7.4 Books

Introduction

There are two types of radiography degree, and it is important to know which one you want to do before you apply. It makes you seem far more dedicated and committed. Visit www.radiographycareers.co.uk for lots of nice info!

Diagnostic Radiography - This is what most people think of when you say "Radiography"; it is Medical Imaging. Diagnostic Radiographers perform X Rays (A&E, General), CT Scans, MRI Scans, Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound etc. You can specialise in branches later on.

Therapeutic Radiography / Radiotherapy - This is the treatment of cancer cells using radiation, and uses big machines called linear accelerators to do it. You also use CT Scanners to locate the tumours, and there is an element of planning treatment (ie. the beams toward the tumour, dosages) as well.

Key Differences - It's important to keep the differences in mind, especially at interview as you can really shine if you make it clear you know what to expect.

1. Patient contact. Diagnostics practioners will rarely see the same patient more than once. Think about it. You get scanned in A&E and then go off to get treatment, there's probably not going to be a need to get scanned again. Radiotherapists will see the same people throughout the course of their treatment, as regular appointments are made, so radiotherapists need to build up more of a relationship with their patients.

2. Both are involving professions. It is not wise to say you'd rather do diagnostics because you think dealing with cancer patients might be upsetting - how would you deal, therefore, with bloody mess in Casualty? Or using the portable machines on very sick patients?

3. Diagnostics will involve shift work. People don't just injure themselves in the daytime. This means you might work unsociable hours (and get the money associated with ;)) Therapy is scheduled around peoples' lives, so the appointments need to be in the daytime.

4. Of course, the nature of the professions themselves. Do you want to be taking X Rays or treating cancers?

5. Both involve a lot of anatomy. Diagnostic practioners have to know their 'craft' to ensure they get the right pictures; some fractures for instance might mean that there should be another fracture present, so a diagnostic radiographer would need to know that. Therapy radiographers need to know all about the other tissues around tumours to ensure that treatment is directed in the right place without damaging anything else.

Admissions

Entry Requirements - General

• Most of the offers range from 300-180 points depending, wanting an average of BBC-DDD in three A Levels. Some unis will accept 2 full A Levels and then the rest of the points from AS. It's pretty flexible.
• Nearly ALL universities interview radiography applicants.
• Not only do applicants have to meet their grade requirements, but you will be expected to pass an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check and a health screen. Failure to complete/pass these health screens MAY result in you NOT being able to take up your place.
• Radiography does tend to feature in Extra and Clearing, though it's more likely at some universities than others!
• If you don't meet your grade requirements on results day DON'T PANIC! Have the telephone numbers of your first and insurance choice uni available. Call them up and see if you've been accepted anyway. most uni's will accept a slip of 1 grade or so, but this is dependent on how well everyone else in the application cycle does. Also have a copy of the clearing list available just in case some places are available at other uni's.
• In a lot of cases the person you are is more important than your grades; you will really need to sell yourself at interview and why radiography is the career for you.

Work Experience

• GET WORK EXPERIENCE - Pretty much all the unis will ask for you to experience what it is you want to have a career in. It doesn't have to be a lot, though, even just one day! Some places (Such as Exeter) will want a week though.
• For diagnostics, best bet is to ring/email all your local hospitals asking about work shadowing etc. You might be surprised at how easy it is to get experience.
• For therapy, it can be harder. Even contact any local unis to see if they could help you out, but first try the hospitals themselves.
• In general, hospitals are very open and welcoming as they want to encourage people into the profession.

Work experience will mostly consist of shadowing and observing. It's not scary at all, and if radiography is the career for you you will no doubt find it to be a massively interesting and rewarding experience.

BSc in Diagnostic Radiography- Universities

All information is correct for 2008 entry as of 18th April 2008.

Diagnostics Course Code = B821

• Birmingham City University (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Bradford (Places in Extra 2008)
• The University of the West of England, Bristol (Places in Extra 2008)
• Canterbury Christ Church University
• Cardiff University
• City University (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Cumbria (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Derby (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Exeter (Places in Extra 2008)
• Glasgow Caledonian University (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Hertfordshire (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Leeds
• University of Liverpool
• London South Bank University (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Portsmouth (Places in Extra 2008)
• Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
• The Robert Gordon University (Places in Extra 2008)
• The University of Salford
• Sheffield Hallam University (Places in Extra 2008)
• St George's, University of London (joint faculty with Kingston University) (Places in Extra 2008)
• University Campus Suffolk (Places in Extra 2008)
• University of Teesside

BSc in Therapeutic Radiography- Entry requirements/Offers

All information is correct for 2008 entry as of 18th April 2008.

Bear in mind that some courses have slightly different names - "Radiotherapy & Oncology" for example is still the same degree!

• Therapy Course Code = B822

Funding and Finances

• Currently tuition fees are £3145 per year and most universities have all their places funded by the NHS, which means that they will pay your fees and you don't have to get a tuition fee loan! Yay!

• Student Loan - apply through your LEA for this. The amount you are entitled to depends on the location of uni, the amount your parents earn and how whether you will be living at home or in halls. This is repayable after you start earning 15,000. See www.studentfinancedirect.co.uk for more details! It is a reduced rate loan, as you are also eligible for the NHS Bursary. For 2008 entry, the loan is £2200 or so.

• NHS Bursary - for this you apply directly to the NHS Students Grants Unit (they should send you a form!). Again, it is means tested and depends on the same factors as your student loan. BUT, you do not have to pay it back. I strongly suggest you take the bursary even if you are entitled to a measly sum of money. This is because certain costs i.e. placement, uniform, travel & accommodation for placements can be claimed back once you've paid for them, but only if you are receipt of a bursary. So even if you're only entitled to 5p, then you should take it otherwise you'll be poorer in the long run! See www.nhsstudentgrants.co.uk for more details!

Course Structure

Universities vary, first of all. But on the whole, expect about 50% of your time to be spent on academic blocks, and 50% in clinical placement.

How do they vary? This is a good place to pick questions from to ask yourself at interview, so long as you haven't already been informed of course:

• How long are the clinical blocks?
• Is there a clinical placement in the first year?
• Will you be at one hospital most of the time?
• Will you be rotated to several hospitals?
• What is the academic/clinical split like?
• Will you be on placement grouped with other students?

Some unis will have you spend an entire year on placement, whilst others dot placements out throughout the whole course. Some will give you a full Summer holiday (thus making the rest of the time quite intensive), others have an extended academic year (this is more the norm).

It takes a lot of thought to find the course that best suits you. Remember, if you are eligible for the NHS Bursary then you will be able to reclaim travel or extra accommodation costs (accommodation if your placement is really far away!), so don't worry too much about that.

Life as a Radiography Student

Well, I've only applied so far. I'll update when I actually start! I plan to write a blog so will keep that linked here, too. :)

You will likely start in September/October. To get a head start, you should start a Hepatitis B vaccination course as early as possible, as it takes six months. So starting in January/February the year before, when you're applying, is a good idea!

Graduate Destinations and Career Prospects

One of the main appeals of becoming a radiographer is that it is basically a passport to the entire world. It is a qualification you can take anywhere!

However, a Radiography degree will not qualify you to work in the USA or Canada. Further examinations are required and the cost of these can amount to over £3000.

Graduates will follow their chosen Diagnostic/Theraputic career path and after two years work experience there is an opportunity to further progress by taking one of a number of Postgraduate courses in areas such as medical ultrasound and image reporting.

Other Info

General Websites

• Radiography Careers
• Society of Radiographers

Jobs

• www.nhsjobs.com

Journal Links

Books

Originally complied by suek on TSR Forums, owing a lot of credit to JackieS for borrowing the Physio template & some text!