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Radiography without science A levels

I want to study radiography but I have no science a levels. I currently do business on its own and have come towards the end of the Sixth Form years which means to go to University. I had decided to stick with business but I don't really want to do it and wish to pursue a career in healthcare where I can help people. are there any advice on what I can do where I can still consider radiography but by going into University this year (September 2024)
Original post by pnd140518
I want to study radiography but I have no science a levels. I currently do business on its own and have come towards the end of the Sixth Form years which means to go to University. I had decided to stick with business but I don't really want to do it and wish to pursue a career in healthcare where I can help people. are there any advice on what I can do where I can still consider radiography but by going into University this year (September 2024)


Two options. Find a radiography course with a foundation year, such as the one at Derby:

https://www.derby.ac.uk/undergraduate/radiography-courses/diagnostic-radiography-bsc-hons-foundation/

Take a one-year Access to Higher Education diploma next year and apply for radiography for 2025 entry:

https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/about-access

Bear in mind that it is late in the application cycle to be applying for radiography. Do you have any shadowing experience in a radiography department and do you have any work/volunteering experience in a public-facing role?

Reply 2

Original post by normaw
Two options. Find a radiography course with a foundation year, such as the one at Derby:
https://www.derby.ac.uk/undergraduate/radiography-courses/diagnostic-radiography-bsc-hons-foundation/
Take a one-year Access to Higher Education diploma next year and apply for radiography for 2025 entry:
https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/about-access
Bear in mind that it is late in the application cycle to be applying for radiography. Do you have any shadowing experience in a radiography department and do you have any work/volunteering experience in a public-facing role?

if I was to apply for radiography with foundation, could I just not go through clearing?

I haven't acc had any experience within this sector ive only ever done hospitality work such as a waiter
Original post by pnd140518
if I was to apply for radiography with foundation, could I just not go through clearing?

I haven't acc had any experience within this sector ive only ever done hospitality work such as a waiter


There is no guarantee that the course will be in clearing and those who have firmed Derby for the BSc course might be offered the foundation year if they miss their grades. Radiography is a relatively competitive course and any clearing places tend to go quickly. Working as a waiter is good experience as it shows that you can deal with the general public. If you really want to do this, contact your local hospital(s) and ask if you can shadow a radiographer for a day or half a day. When you are interviewed, you need to be able to show that you understand the role. Have you already submitted a UCAS application this cycle?
(edited 1 year ago)

Reply 4

Original post by normaw
There is no guarantee that the course will be in clearing and those who have firmed Derby for the BSc course might be offered the foundation year if they miss their grades. Radiography is a relatively competitive course and any clearing places tend to go quickly. Working as a waiter is good experience as it shows that you can deal with the general public. If you really want to do this, contact your local hospital(s) and ask if you can shadow a radiographer for a day or half a day. When you are interviewed, you need to be able to show that you understand the role. Have you already submitted a UCAS application this cycle?

I haven't applied for radiography at all on UCAS, ive always just wanted to do it but without the science a levels it always put me off as I thought I would never have a chance so I had applied for business. im scared for an interview process as I feel as if I dont know what to say or anything. overall ive wanted to go into healthcare but ive never had that guidance for what to pick for a levels so I stuck with what I did for GCSE which has now affected me in pursing a career.
Original post by pnd140518
I haven't applied for radiography at all on UCAS, ive always just wanted to do it but without the science a levels it always put me off as I thought I would never have a chance so I had applied for business. im scared for an interview process as I feel as if I dont know what to say or anything. overall ive wanted to go into healthcare but ive never had that guidance for what to pick for a levels so I stuck with what I did for GCSE which has now affected me in pursing a career.

It is still possible to pursue a career in healthcare - just don't be in a rush to start uni this September. The best way forward is to take an Access course at a local college (cheaper than a uni foundation year), go to some uni open days and listen to the subject talks for radiography, try to get some shadowing experience and then prepare for interviews (learn the NHS values and six Cs of care, etc.). Delaying by a year really isn't an issue as many students take gap years and healthcare courses attract a lot of mature students. It's better to take time to pursue a career you want to do rather than studying something that doesn't interest you.

Some resources to get you started:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/explore-roles/allied-health-professionals/roles-allied-health-professions/roles-allied-health-professions
https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/en/nhs-staffing-pool-hub/working-in-healthcare/what-are-the-nhs-values
https://www.nhsprofessionals.nhs.uk/nhs-staffing-pool-hub/working-in-healthcare/the-6-cs-of-care
https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf
https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=7418316

Reply 6

Original post by pnd140518
I want to study radiography but I have no science a levels. I currently do business on its own and have come towards the end of the Sixth Form years which means to go to University. I had decided to stick with business but I don't really want to do it and wish to pursue a career in healthcare where I can help people. are there any advice on what I can do where I can still consider radiography but by going into University this year (September 2024)

You should apply for Hull university all they ask for is a grade 4 for GCSE science
Original post by Neuza santos
You should apply for Hull university all they ask for is a grade 4 for GCSE science


The course hasn't yet received HCPC approval.

Reply 8

I feel I’m in a similar position I want to do radiography when I was in yr 13 and now I don’t know what to do. And with regarding those access courses do I need to pay for them course? And if I do them could I get straight into uni after
Original post by BisaBisa
I feel I’m in a similar position I want to do radiography when I was in yr 13 and now I don’t know what to do. And with regarding those access courses do I need to pay for them course? And if I do them could I get straight into uni after


Lots of unis accept access courses for DR. You just need to check that the Access course you take meets the requirements of the uni. Look at the Entry Requirements section on the course page of uni websites and if it's not clear, call or email the admissions departments to ask. Check the GCSE requirements too - these are mandatory. You can get an Advanced Learner Loan to pay for an Access course. If you go on to complete a degree, the loan is written off.

https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/about-access
https://www.accesstohe.ac.uk/about-access/about-the-diploma/fees-funding

Reply 10

Do I need to be over the age of 19 to get the loan because I’m still in yr13 and I’m 17 turning 18 in July?

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