Diagnostic Radiography BSc

Radiography is a fast-moving and continually changing profession. It combines science, technology and patient care and is at the heart of modern healthcare.

As a Radiographer, you will use a range of different imaging techniques and technology to produce high quality images, which play a vital role in patient diagnosis and treatment. You will be at the forefront of emerging and developing technology, such as digital imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, computed tomography and ultrasound. Radiographers work as part of a multidisciplinary team and there are opportunities to specialise in many areas, including ultrasound, CT scanning, image reporting, teaching and management.

Diagnostic Radiography at the School of Medicine offers comprehensive training in technical knowledge and professional skills, with first-class placement opportunities.

Excellent employment prospects

We have an excellent employability record. Each year 100% of our graduates go into work or further study.

Accreditation

On successful completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The course is also accredited by The Society of Radiographers (SCoR).

To achieve the award and register as a Diagnostic Radiographer, students must pass all modules at all levels.

Year 1

Year 1 provides an introduction to Radiographic Imaging. The key focus of this year is plain film radiography of the musculoskeletal system, thorax and abdomen. You’ll also develop essential skills such as communication, patient care, radiographic technique and teamwork.

Year 2

In year 2 you’ll further develop your knowledge and skills from year 1 to explore the range of specialist imaging methods available. Such methods include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and isotope imaging. You’ll learn about how these methods are used to image a range of body systems, including the respiratory system, the gastrointestinal tract, the cardiovascular system and the urinary system.

Year 3

Year 3 covers the more challenging and specialist aspects of radiography, where the radiographer has to evaluate and adapt imaging investigations to meet the patient’s needs. You’ll develop a level of independence and professional responsibility in preparation for graduation and state registration. Optional modules provide an opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest, such as paediatrics, ultrasound and trauma radiography or for a brief period of study abroad.

Key themes run through each year of the programme, developing your knowledge, skills and understanding. These include:

• Medical Imaging Science (physics and technology related to diagnostic imaging)

• Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology

• Pattern Recognition (students develop preliminary image evaluation skills)

• Professional Practice (practical “hand-on” experience, gained from working in clinical placements)

• Interdisciplinary learning (learning with other students to develop multidisciplinary team working and explore the radiographer’s role)

• Diagnostic Imaging Technique (underpinning knowledge and theory for the diverse range of diagnostic imaging examinations)

• Research

The taught programme is closely integrated with the clinical experience you’ll gain. You’ll spend approximately 40% of the course in clinical placements in the Yorkshire and Humber region. These clinical placements allow you to develop the necessary clinical skills to be a capable practitioner in the modern health service.

You’ll undertake placements in radiography practice areas throughout the programme. Elective placements at the end of the programme provide opportunities for you to arrange work placements of your choice, both in the UK and abroad.

Course structure

Details of typical modules/components for this course will be published on May 1st. These may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Broadening your academic horizons

At Leeds we want you to benefit from the depth and breadth of the University's expertise, to prepare you for success in an ever-changing and challenging world. On this course you broaden your learning through core and/or optional modules. Find out more on the Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

We use a variety of teaching and learning methods across all three years of the programme to accommodate different learning styles. These include formal lectures, tutorials, student-led seminars, group work, online learning, clinical skills practice and independent learning.

Tutorials and student-led seminars support formal lectures, identifying areas of clarification, as well as providing support for assessment preparation. Group work plays an important part in all the modules, allowing students to work as a team to address specific tasks, which allow tutors to monitor progress and group dynamics, as well as enhancing student communication, confidence and self-esteem. Feedback will be presented to the group and students can seek feedback on an individual basis.

Additional resources, such as radiographic technique demonstration videos and e-books have been developed to help support student learning. Apps such as “Socrative” have been also been introduced to enhance student learning by making sessions more interactive and designing quizzes to help students gauge their ongoing learning needs.

Facilities

You’ll also benefit from our clinical skills room - a general x-ray room that is rented from a local hospital trust and used instead of a simulated suite. This provides an opportunity for small groups of students to work with patients in a controlled learning environment with ongoing support, advice and tuition from clinical tutors.

Assessment

We use a variety of summative assessment methods to reflect the range of learning outcomes in the programme and suite of modules. They enable you to demonstrate your capabilities and achievements and take into account your individual assessment strengths. Academic assessments include unseen written exams, written assignments, poster presentations, oral presentations, online multiple choice question exams, and practical workbooks.

You’ll need to demonstrate the knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques relevant to the discipline, as well as your emerging abilities, skills and competencies. You’ll need to produce work that is typically both evaluative and creative and show you can conduct independent, in-depth enquiry within the discipline. You need to be able to draw on a wide variety of material and be able to evaluate and criticise received opinion.

Entry requirements

A-level: ABB including a science subject (biology, human biology, chemistry, physics or applied science)

We consider all A-level subjects for the remaining grades, except general studies or critical thinking.

GCSE: 5 A*-C, including maths, English and science - or new grading 4-9.

Other course specific tests:

You will need to show evidence of study in the last 5 years.

• Access to HE Diploma

  45 credits at level 3, which must be at distinction and include a minimum of 15 credits from science subjects + GCSEs, as above. We strongly advise you to contact the School to discuss the suitability of your chosen Access course. We consider Access Courses to be suitable for mature applicants (21 plus) who have been out of full-time education and have had no previous access to higher education.

• BTEC

  BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF): distinction/distinction/distinction and must contain at least one-third science content at distinction.

  All BTEC modules must be listed on your UCAS form or else your application will be rejected.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  Three Merits (M1) in 3 Principal Subjects, one of which must be a science

• International Baccalaureate

  34 points overall, including 3 higher level subjects at minimum of grade 5, one of which must be a science subject

• Irish Highers (Leaving Certificate)

  Must be the Senior Leaving Certificate (taken at 18). Require a minimum of 6 subjects taken at Higher level (not ordinary IO) and must include English language and maths to meet University matriculation plus 2 sciences from biology, physics or chemistry, grades required are minimum AABBBB.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  ABB, including 1 science. We consider all subjects for the remaining grades

• Other Qualifications

  Interdisciplinary Science Foundation Programme (CFGO): Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

  Interdisciplinary Foundation Programme (PHE): Successful completion of the year with an overall score of at least 65%

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

How to apply

Apply to this course through UCAS. The institution code for the University of Leeds is L23. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

The School of Medicine does not normally participate in the UCAS Extra scheme for entry onto the Radiography BSc degree course. You must tell us in your UCAS application if you want to defer entry and if you have any prior criminal convictions.

Read our frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the application process

Selection

We shortlist applicants against agreed criteria, using the information you submit on your UCAS form only. You must meet the academic entry requirement for the programme, at application or within the academic cycle. Your academic background and personal statement help us to assess your interest in the academic subject and are an important part of the process. The reference you provide on the UCAS form must also support your application.

Interviews

Shortlisted applicants are normally invited for interview at the School of Medicine. This allows us to further assess your aptitude for and interest in the course. It’s also an opportunity for you to visit the facilities, find out more about the course and meet staff and students.

If shortlisted, you'll receive a written invitation from the School to attend a selection event on a specific time and date. If this date is unsuitable, contact the School and where possible we'll offer an alternative date. If you don't notify us and don't attend a selection event, your application will be rejected.

Admissions policy

School of Medicine (LICAMM) Undergraduate Admissions Policy

Fees

UK/EU: To be confirmed

Tuition fees for 2019 entry 
For UK and non-UK EU full-time students starting in 2019, the fee for 2019/20 will be £9,250. 

The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation, and as permitted by law. For example, the increase of 2.8% in 2017/18 was based on the government’s forecast for the RPI-X measure of inflation.

The UK government has confirmed that non-UK EU students starting in the 2019/20 academic year will have home fee status and be eligible for UK government student loans for the duration of their course. The UK government has not confirmed the situation for future years, so keep checking our website for updates.

Tuition fees for 2020 entry 
For all full-time students starting in 2020, our fees for 2020/21 have not yet been confirmed and we expect to publish an update later in 2019.

Brexit 
Visit our Brexit page for the latest information on the effect of the UK's exit from the EU on current students and applicants to the University.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

The course is currently not open to international students.

Additional cost information

<p><h4>Government announcement Feb 2017</h4>Learning Support Fund<p>The Government Response to ‘Reforming healthcare education funding: creating a sustainable workforce’ outlined supplementary funding that will be available to students studying preregistration undergraduate courses impacted by the reforms. NHS Business Services Authority is leading on the delivery of this fund, which will be known as the <strong>Learning Support Fund: NHS Financial Support for Health Students. </strong>The funding that will be available to eligible students is:</p><p><strong>• Child Dependants Allowance </strong>- a non-means tested award of £1000 per academic year for students with eligible child dependants.</p><p><strong>• Exceptional Support Fund </strong>- an income-assessed award of up to £3000 per year for students facing severe hardship having exhausted all other available sources of hardship funding.</p><p><strong>• Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses </strong>- for 2017/18, eligible students will be able to claim for essential travel and dual accommodation expenses as per the provisions for Practice Placement Expenses included in the NHS Bursary Scheme. We are working on developing the system through which students will be able to apply for these elements of funding and are also working on the guidance literature. We will share details as soon as available.</p><p>For more information visit <a href="https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students">NHS</a><a href="https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students/nhs-bursary-students-news"> Business Services Authority</a><a href="https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-bursary-students">.</a></p></p>

Financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Diagnostic radiography is a fast-moving and continually changing profession. The career structure provides opportunities for radiographers to specialise into many areas, including ultrasound, CT scanning, image reporting, barium studies, teaching and management. Long term career prospects consist of research, management, teaching and postgraduate specialist practice.

Careers support

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Students have the opportunity to work abroad for 3 weeks as either part of the international work based learning (optional) module or the 3 week elective period.

Placements

You’ll undertake placements in radiography practice areas throughout the course. Elective placements at the end of the course provide opportunities for you to arrange work placements of your choice, both in the UK and abroad.

We have excellent established relationships with all departments within the Yorkshire and Humber region that can provide outstanding clinical placements. Our links are with four trusts: Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust, Hull and East Yorkshire NHS Trust, York Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (incorporating Scarborough Hospital) and Harrogate District Foundation Trust.

The University's close links with these trusts is strengthened by clinically active staff. These include practice educators, clinical tutors and liaison radiographers, who ensure clinical teaching remains current and evidence based. They also make sure all our students have ongoing support whilst on placement and access to good quality clinical training and experience.

All placements provide the required skills learning and excellent support environments, where you’ll gain invaluable experience throughout the course. Clinical placements are audited annually to ensure they continue to provide essential insight and experience in a diverse range of imaging departments.

There are opportunities for international work placements in the 3rd year through optional modules and elective weeks at the end of the programme. We have developed links with international universities in Denmark, Sweden and Malta, which provide opportunities for short work placements. These placements give students the opportunity to gain an insight into radiography in another country and a greater understanding of the profession.