Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging (BSc)
- UCAS code: B823
- Next intake: September 2021
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Our full time, three year diagnostic radiography and imaging programme is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Society and College of Radiographers, and the skills you obtain are transferable to all NHS organisations and are recognised overseas. This will help you to develop the skills necessary to become a qualified diagnostic radiographer who is proactive and responsive to the rapidly changing landscape of clinical radiography.
Diagnostic radiographers are key members of the healthcare team who work closely with doctors, and other healthcare professionals to provide personal and supportive care to people of all ages. They operate a wide range of imaging equipment available in modern medical practice including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic ultrasound and X-ray equipment.
As a diagnostic radiographer you will be responsible for providing comprehensive care for patients from new born children to the elderly, producing and interpreting images to be used in the diagnosis of injury and disease. By the end of the programme you will have a thorough knowledge of the professional and clinical aspects of diagnostic radiography, including the wide range of imaging technologies in use today.
People are at the heart of our practice and the development of skills to aid your care of individuals is a central focus of the programme. The School provides an interdisciplinary environment, with opportunities for shared learning and inter-professional education. Therefore, opportunities to learn with and from other healthcare students, especially in respect of person-centred care will be part of the programme.
We offer an integrated mixture of university-based study and practice placements in the clinical setting. We work collaboratively with NHS organisations across South and West Wales so that you are competitive in the employment market upon qualification.
You will receive close academic support from experienced personal tutors and be taught and supported by experienced staff whilst sharing ideas within a close-knit class and you will also benefit from placements supported by experienced radiography clinical lecturers. A varied profile of placement experience undertaken at optimal times across the three years of the programme will allow you to integrate academic theory with practice and gain insight as to the wide-ranging employment opportunities available to you upon qualification.
You will have the opportunity to undertake an original research project representing the culmination of your three years of study. The research study aims to equip you with the necessary skills for ongoing professional development and evidence-based practice.
The programme aims to produce diagnostic radiographers who:
- Are responsible, adaptable, courageous and resilient with a focus on evidence-informed practice;
- recognise the importance of knowledge, understanding and question their current and future professional practice;
- are able to transfer knowledge and skills across different learning environments with people at the heart of their practice while working within a moral and ethical framework.
Distinctive features
As part of a large School based at the University Hospital of Wales, we’ll help you to enjoy an academically rich and fulfilling experience throughout your time at Cardiff University. Here are some of the key features of our programme:
- Our Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging programme at Cardiff University is ranked in the top 5 by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019 and in the UK top 10 under Medical Technology by The Complete University Guide 2019
- Radiography is a very practical degree developing both theoretical and practical skills and our approach to learning combines face to face teaching with high quality online resources and practice placements.
- You will spend a minimum of 1460 hours in a variety of radiography/radiology departments in Wales which ensures that you have a well-balanced range of clinical experiences, enabling you to not only meet the required professional competencies for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), but also to be competitive in the employment market.
- You be able to download ‘Shaderware’ simulation software to your own laptop to enable unlimited access to support your learning and supplement your clinical practice for the duration of the programme.
- You will learn to cannulate during your final year, a skill that is very desirable in clinical practice but is not taught in many institutions.
- The School provides a vibrant interdisciplinary environment, with opportunities for shared learning and inter-professional education.
- Studying at a Russell Group University supports a strong research profile and evidence-based learning
- As part of the clinical elective placement in the second or final year, you will have the opportunity to organise a clinical placement in a radiology department of your choice, with the opportunity to work or volunteer abroad. Previous students have, through the University, completed placements abroad collaborating with organisations such as ‘Work the World’
- Practical teaching will take place in specific diagnostic facilities including a functional diagnostic x-ray room and an image viewing suite.
- Employability upon graduation is excellent with 95% of students in employment 6 months after graduating (UNISTATS 2018).
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Healthcare Sciences
Our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and experience you need to embark on a professional healthcare career.
Entry requirements
BBB-BBC to include at least one science from Biology, Chemistry, or Physics. Additional Requirements
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science or Medical Science. Other BTECs may be considered.
IB Diploma 31-30 or 655 at HL to include 5 in HL Biology, Chemistry, or Physics.
Other UK qualifications may also be accepted, often in lieu of A-levels, but subject requirements must be met. If you are offering non-UK qualifications, our qualification equivalences guide should allow you to calculate what kind of offer you are likely to receive.
Please be aware that this is a general guide, and that some programmes may have more detailed or specific entry requirements which will be reflected in your offer.
Find out about our Schools' admissions criteria, offer guarantee scheme, changes to programmes and translating your documents.
GCSE
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all subskills.
TOEFL iBT
At least 100 overall with a minimum of 22 in all subskills.
PTE Academic
At least 70 overall with a minimum of 62 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Four GCSEs grade C/4 including two sciences (double award/combined science or two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths, or Physics)
If you are successful in both academic and non-academic assessment you may be invited to attend a multiple mini interview.
It is essential that before commencing any of our undergraduate healthcare programmes, you must have obtained a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
In addition, before enrolling on your programme, you will be required to complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire, attend any subsequent appointment(s), and receive all of the necessary vaccinations to undertake clinical placements safely.
You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required. If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2021/22)
A full NHS bursary, including tuition fees and a non-repayable bursary for living costs, is available to applicants from the UK. Full details, including information for applicants from the EU, are available on our NHS funding pages.
Students from outside the EU (2021/22)
An NHS placement is a required part of this course. The NHS only makes placements available to students who are eligible to pay UK/EU fees. Therefore, this course is not available for international students.
Additional costs
To support your learning of anatomy, students will be able to hire a life sized set of artificial bones modelled on human ones in a lockable storage box for the first year of the programme. Skeletons will be hired between a pair of students at a cost of £30 per skeleton.
Applicants are required to meet the costs of obtaining an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate
Course specific equipment
A small pocket notebook is advised for practice placement so that you can make notes during the day which will aid with reflection later.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
The programme is modular in format and each level of study consists of academic and clinical modules. Each academic level consists of 120 credits with the final degree requiring successful completion of 360 credits. Level 4 (year 1) & 5 (year 2) have 4 x 30 credit modules with Level 6 having 2 x 30 credit, 1 x 20 credit and 1 x 40 credit module. Only levels 5 & 6 contribute to the overall award classification. Students are required to achieve each level of study in order to progress to the next level.
Each academic year consists of both academic and clinical blocks which vary depending on the level of study. Student attendance at all sessions is mandatory for both academic and clinical blocks.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2021/22 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2021.
Year one
Subjects studied in Year one are Professional Practice and Patient Care, Practice of Imaging, Imaging Technology and Clinical Practice one.
These subjects will introduce you to the theoretical basis of diagnostic radiography practice and includes professional behaviours and practice, imaging and radiation sciences, the delivery of patient-centered care and anatomy and techniques related to the projectional imaging of the skeletal system, chest and abdomen. You will undertake extended clinical placements to aid the application of theory to practice.
Students will have the opportunity to develop knowledge of other professions and underpin the multi-disciplinary teamwork that is vital in clinical practice.
Opportunities to develop awareness of your own profession and that of other professionals supporting the patient journey will be introduced in year one through interprofessional education.
You will work within a group of students from your own programme to develop your understanding of the role of the diagnostic radiographer and share this as a poster with students from other programmes within the School of Healthcare Sciences.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Practice and Patient Care in Radiography | HC1223 | 30 credits |
| Imaging Technology | HC1224 | 30 credits |
| Practice of Imaging | HC1225 | 30 credits |
| Clinical 1 | HC1226 | 30 credits |
Year two
Year two develops and supplements the radiographic skills and knowledge gained at level 4 with modules in Imaging Modalities and Research, Enhanced Radiographic Practice, Radiological Imaging and Anatomy and Clinical Practice two.
You will be introduced to the wide range of imaging technologies in use today and learn the basic principles of research and data analysis.
Continued practice-based learning will provide experiential learning in a variety of settings facilitating development of transferrable skills. You will engage in the process of undertaking ethical research in the field of diagnostic radiography and develop skills of critical appraisal to evaluate the concepts of best practice and evidence-based care.
Further involvement in inter-professional education (IPE) will encourage knowledge and understanding of the patient pathway and the role of the radiographer within that pathway. IPE will provide you with opportunities to work with School of Healthcare Sciences students from other programmes developing your understanding of team working and communication within the multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
Groups will be made up of students from three different professions from within the School of Healthcare Sciences and will, using enquiry based learning, explore real life team working situations from practice.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Imaging Modalities and Research | HC2225 | 30 credits |
| Enhanced Radiographic Practice 1 | HC2226 | 30 credits |
| Radiological Systems Anatomy & Imaging | HC2227 | 30 credits |
| Clinical Practice 2 | HC2228 | 30 credits |
Year three
Year three focuses on enhancing the skills and knowledge already gained by encouraging you to critically analyse and evaluate, demonstrate a sense of judgement and apply decision making to a wide range of complex clinical situations.
The management of a research project will reinforce the key skills that are essential for evidence-based practice. You will continue to develop your analytical skills to challenge assumptions and integrate multiple concepts to justify clinical decisions
You will develop, through reflective practice, the ability to evaluate your decision-making skills and adapt your practice when managing service users with complex conditions and multi pathologies. There will be a focus on preparation for imminent employment, considering wider responsibilities such as public health, continual professional development, advanced clinical practice, role extension, management and leadership and service development.
Developing on inter-professional education gained in year one and two you will have an opportunity to develop your own specialist area, as outlined in the IPE handbook, where you will be able to engage with students in the School and / or beyond to develop understanding of leadership, management and resilience when working within a multi-professional team.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Enhanced Practice 2 | HC3301 | 20 credits |
| Complex Care in Radiography | HC3302 | 30 credits |
| Research | HC3303 | 30 credits |
| Clinical 3 | HC3304 | 40 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
The programme has been designed to focus on the integrated relationship between all of the subjects and topics with a key focus on application of theory to the practice of diagnostic radiography in all modules.
Due to the practical nature of diagnostic radiography, the programme has been structured with an almost 50/50 split of academic time to clinical experience over the 3 years, to enable the practical integration of theory to clinical practice.
Diverse learning and teaching methods are used throughout to reflect module content, students' developing knowledge and growing expertise. All modules have a formalised teaching and learning structure which employ a range of formal lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical skills sessions. There will be a focus on both guided and self-directed study to enable development of a student centred approach to learning.
Practical workshops utilising both the Radiography Imaging suite and imaging simulation software will help you to develop skills and consolidate your learning.
Resources will be available online and during lectures and tutorials to help you and you will be actively encouraged to seek evidence from literature to help support and inform your ideas.
Opportunities to hear directly from service users and carers will be provided throughout your study to enable you to understand experiences from the perspective of those that have a personal insight. This will help to develop your professional practice.
In keeping with the professional clinical environment, great emphasis is placed on working in a multi-disciplinary team. There are opportunities embedded in all 3 years for shared and inter-professional education and you will have the opportunity to engage with students from a range of other healthcare disciplines.
This programme offers elements of provision through the medium of Welsh if you are Welsh speaking. You will have the opportunity to have a Welsh speaking personal tutor and have your personal tutor meetings conducted through the medium of Welsh. You can request Welsh speaking clinical placements and you will also be able to submit coursework and have feedback and submit summative assignments in Welsh.
How will I be supported?
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your studies who you will have regular meetings with. They will provide pastoral support and academic guidance throughout the programme. In addition, you will be assigned an academic supervisor who will support you in the development of your research project.
On placement you will be supported by departmental clinical staff, practice educators and clinical lecturers.
Additional support will be provided by the Student Support centre for advice and guidance, financial, counselling and well-being, disability and international student support. Further support can be accessed via the Student Advice service at Student Union for independent advice on university procedures and advocacy while the Skills Development Service and the library can offer guidance and tuition for all aspects of academic and skills development.
You will be allocated an academic supervisor to guide and advise you when undertaking your research study.
You will have access through the Learning Central Virtual Learning Environment to relevant multimedia material including presentations, lecture handouts, lecture capture recordings of lectures, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion forums. The virtual learning environment which is accessible via desktop and mobile devices, allowing you to access electronic resources from anywhere. Dedicated computer labs, student study rooms, campus-wide Wi-Fi networks, printing facilities and a dedicated Healthcare library are available year-round. Staff are available onsite to assist you and provide support and advice.
You will have individual access to dedicated diagnostic imaging simulation software, available on any windows based device, which enables you to practice and undertake self or tutor directed learning tasks, as often as required for your own learning needs, in either your own or self-study time.
What skills will I practise and develop?
Knowledge & Understanding:
- Apply the core knowledge and skills associated with the safe and effective practice of diagnostic radiography and imaging with due regard to the ethical, social, political and legal aspects of care.
- Critically apply core knowledge and skills to autonomous radiographic practice as defined by the HCPC Standards of Proficiency (Radiographers) (2013).
Intellectual Skills:
- Systematically evaluate research evidence including healthcare guidelines and integrate with individuals’ needs and personal/professional experience to provide effective management in line with clinical guidelines and evidence of best practice
- Contribute positively to the development of ethical research within the healthcare setting with ability to evaluate research questions, methodologies and research findings and integrate into professional practice.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Undertake practitioner, operator and referrer roles within IR(ME)R (2017 or subsequent amendments) as required within professional practice.
- Practice as an autonomous professional exercising own professional judgements within the scope of practice in accordance with the HCPC Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics (2016) and Proficiency (2013).
- Understand the impact of culture, equality and diversity on practice and ensure the provision of patient centred care in a non-discriminatory manner.
- Work effectively with all members of the Radiology team (Inter-professional) as well as other healthcare professionals (cross-professional boundaries).
- Apply for registration as a Diagnostic Radiographer with the HCPC.
Transferable/Key Skills:
- Demonstrate a wide range of highly developed and effective communication skills, including verbal, visual and written, using a critical approach to adapt these skills to ensure a collaborative approach to giving and receiving of information to a diverse range of audiences.
- Apply critical thinking and reasoning skills in the application of professional activities.
- In conjunction with HCPC requirements, take responsibility for own lifelong learning within a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
On successful completion of this programme you will eligible for registration as a diagnostic radiographer with the HCPC. In 2019, 100%* of graduates were employed or undertaking further study within six months of graduating (*UNISTATS 2019).
'As a superintendent radiographer, I find radiography graduates from Cardiff University to be of a very high standard. Graduate possess excellent clinical skills and clear understanding of the professionalism required in the hospital environment.Graduates are instilled with values that are very similar to those of Cardiff and Vale UHB, enabling them to provide quality patient care.Excellent clinical skills makes their induction as a qualified radiographer very straightforward'.
(Superintendent Radiographer, CVUHB, 2018)
Graduate careers
- Diagnostic Radiographer
- Therapeutic Radiographer
Placements
Students will undertake required clinical placement learning in all three academic years with a minimum number of 1460 attendance hours required by all students, which will be monitored through your clinical professionalism records. Clinical placements will be undertaken in a minimum of 3 organisations throughout South and West Wales. Placement lengths vary depending on the level of study and allows students sufficient opportunity to develop the required skills but also provides some flexibility should they need to pay back hours.
In years 2 and 3 of the programme, students will have the opportunity, should they wish, to undertake elective placements abroad, to develop their knowledge and understanding of radiographic practice internationally. These placements are negotiated and arranged by the individual student with help and advice provided by relevant university staff. All placements will be subject to the University’s Placement Risk Assessment processes.
