Diagnostic radiography vs pharmacy ??!!!

Hi I’m currently in year 12 and was confused on what to apply for at university between diagnostic radiography&pharmacy. Radiography seem so interesting compared to pharmacy(both degree and Job) but the salary for a pharmacist is the only thing attracting me towards it. Is there any possibility of maybe earning upto £40k as a diagnostic radiographer? Became everywhere says around £20-35k and i’d Personallly want a bit more so yeh what would u pick if you were in my shoes- pharmacy or diagnostic radiography ?

2nd year radiography student here, any questions happy to answer. @FXX you can't generally go into ultrasounds right away as the hospital has to choose you as you need a training placement - you can't just go to uni to train in ultrasound. We do get some shifts where we get time to breathe, particularly in more rural community hospitals.

Hi I’m currently in year 12 and was confused on what to apply for at university between diagnostic radiography&pharmacy. Radiography seem so interesting compared to pharmacy(both degree and Job) but the salary for a pharmacist is the only thing attracting me towards it. Is there any possibility of maybe earning upto £40k as a diagnostic radiographer? Became everywhere says around £20-35k and i’d Personallly want a bit more so yeh what would u pick if you were in my shoes- pharmacy or diagnostic radiography ?

Im in year 12 now and in the exact same issue I don't know which degree I should get into between pharmacy and diagnostic radiography, your probably in y13 now so which degree have you applied for

I am actually in uni now and eventually, I chose radiography but at the end when I think about it now that was my personal option. Just remember that when you're making your decision, putting factors from other peoples options such as the positives and negatives then you should weigh it with your own opinion.
I eventually chose radiography because I thought it was much more Straight forward than pharmacy, while pharmacy has much more chemistry knowledge which I wasn't very strong at, at that point, However, the radiography degree was much more straightforward and you're able to do/learn many things including biology knowledge and new knowledge we haven't learned before which I found interesting at the end. Good luck in making your decision. It could eventually change because when I was in year 12 I did not know what to do at all and I never considered radiography so focus on your A-levels right now make sure you get the grades and then you will work out what you want eventually. x

Hi there, Keep getting told pharmacy is over saturated and its hard to find a job at the end of it. Currently in year 13 and haven't got long to decide between radiography and pharmacy.

yea that is quite true while you can get a job for radiography easily via the NHS, city university offers such a good radiography program, search into it if you can.

Thanks for the reply
Radiography does interest me more than pharmacy however the salary of a pharmacist is more attracting. Is there any point doing mpharm if there's no garnutee of getting a job?

yes there is, you shouldn't give up, but u have to see if you are interested in studying pharmacy and high chem content rather than doing pharmacy with more bio content.

What made you choose radiography and what uni are you at if you don't mind me asking?
Any university's you recommend for radiography
Thanks

Hey, I choice radiography at the end because I didn't want to over study high chemistry content again, after a lot of research I found that radiography was more straightforward than pharm in a sense that there were fewer calculations and more things to learn visually and also a radiographer would work with a range of different people in fast pace environments rather than just prescribing medications and sitting in a pharmacy shop, I go to City, University of London, that is the top university for the school of health sciences including radiography in London, so they are confident in their job and know what they are doing. If I were you I would do more research on the modules of the pharmacy and radiography degree, you will find these on the course website of the university. You would then see if it interests you, you could also attend open days and taster courses for specific unis to see if it's for you.
Good luck

Do a work placement for both careers and see what you enjoy the most. As a final year radiography student & a part-time pharmacy advisor, I would say go for Mpharm course. Reasons for it :
- It’s not PHYSICALLY DEMANDING as radiography.
- No night shifts.
- No radiation ( specifically if you’re a female student, it’s quite worrying as we all at some point want to start a family of our own)
- You’re more respected as a pharmacist in the healthcare sector. Most people in the hospitals ( nurses, doctors...) don’t acknowledge the hard work behind radiography & have the audacity to call us “button pusher”. 😩
- Salary is very good comparing it to radiography. Typical starting salart for pharmacists is £34k & above (London).
- You would think pharmacy has longer years to study but trust me, so is radiography !
After graduating you might probably work 1 or 2 years in x-ray dep. & you obviously have to specialise to move to other modalities, which normally take 1-2 years.
You can’t just simply decide to have a masters degree... you need to find an opportunity for further studies provided by the hospital.
- As a pharmacist you get to dress up smart ...(if you’re a fashion geek like me).
& many more !

This is my personal opinion on it, I don’t want to put you off from studying radiography if you truly loved your work experience. In case if you wonder to why I am still doing radiography, I’ve applied for a second year Mpharm entry last year & was not fortunate enough to get a place. Hence I’ve applied for GEM this year & I am about to do my UCAT. Xx