Radiography (Diagnostic) - University of Cumbria

Why study with us?

At the University of Cumbria you can study Diagnostic Radiography at either Carlisle or Lancaster. You will be on a three-year, full-time course of study utilising state-of-the-art imaging equipment and a contemporary curriculum which, in combination, are the envy of many other Radiography centres in the UK.

We have created clinical skills labs which replicate a hospital X-ray department (one of our labs is actually situated in a hospital close to the University giving access for students to a patient centred environment early in their course) and this set-up is focussed towards giving you the edge over other job applicants when you enter the clinical workplace.

Our aim is to ensure that you study in a friendly, informal, yet professional environment and as approximately 50% of the course is undertaken in a partner clinical centre, your professionalism and interpersonal approach will need to excel. We also offer many postgraduate options for further study in the medical imaging field and have a reputation for high-level engagement in a specialist international research environment.

What can this course lead to?

On completion of the course you are eligible to apply for registration as a fully qualified radiographer with the Health Professions Council and the Society and College of Radiographers. Our graduates have a reputation for clinical excellence, and many find jobs in this region. After a period of post-qualifying experience, some students choose to work abroad, in Australia and New Zealand, for example.

Course Summary

The first year has been designed to enable you to succeed, even if your previous knowledge of a particular subject area is limited (for example, physical science). It gives you a broad foundation of knowledge on which to build in subsequent years. In year one, the course is practical in focus and fully utilises the university digital imaging skills labs to help you to make the links between theoretical and clinical aspects of medical imaging.

Clinical placements occur throughout the course. In total, about 53 weeks are spent in clinical departments of hospitals in Barrow-in-Furness, Blackburn, Lancaster, Kendal, Preston, Blackpool, Burnley, South Shields, Sunderland, North Tyneside, Wansbeck, Carlisle and elsewhere in the North of England. Your preferences are taken into account when allocation is made.

In your second and third years you are encouraged to seek an elective placement for up to four weeks. This allows you to broaden your experience of radiography. Students often use this opportunity to study abroad, with Australia and New Zealand being popular options. All our placements offer the full range of clinical facilities, including general radiography, ultrasound, computerised tomography, radionuclide (gamma camera) imaging and magnetic resonance imaging. You spend most of your time in one clinical department to encourage you to develop your competence rather than constantly learning a new set of hospital procedures. A high percentage of the course assessment is directly related to practical experience.

Modules

Year One

This is a preparatory year which gives you the foundations on which to build for years two and three. You will need to complete all year one modules with a minimum pass of 40% before you can progress to year two.

Knowledge and Skills underpinning Professional Practice: professional ethics and communication skills.
Body Systems and Disease Processes: anatomy, physiology and pathology and the practice of medical imaging
Patient Care Skills and Introduction to Human Sciences: includes subjects such as communication, applied psychology, human behaviour, ethics and the impact of technology in healthcare.
Science for Medical Imaging: Radiation protection, image formation & production and X-ray production and interaction.
Clinical Radiography I: this module introduces putting theoretical work into practice.
Radiographic Technology and Digital imaging I: a module that introduces the student to the skills needed for image quality assessment.

Year Two

Radiographic Technology and Digital Imaging II: This module looks at the advanced technology associated with the newer cross sectional imaging modalities such as MRI and CT and further investigates digital systems.
Equality, Diversity, Safety and Applied Human Sciences: Direct applications in radiography will be explored and consider the needs of children & the elderly.
Body Systems and Disease Processes II and III: apply anatomy, physiology and pathology to the practice of medical imaging.
Clinical Radiography 2: this module advances the basic work undertaken in the year one version of this module.

Year Three

Research Methodologies and Independent Study: a 10,000 word research project based upon some aspect of clinical radiography chosen by yourself.
Service Delivery in a Changing Environment: how professional groups interact within the NHS. Subjects such as effective team working and communication are covered.
Integrating Technology with Clinical Practice: Evaluation of imaging modalities in terms of the functioning of the human visual system, perception, psychological influences on detection of pathology and diagnostic performance.

Resources and facilities

We have exceptional facilities boasting Computerised Radiography (CR) and Direct Radiography (DR) equipment. Take a look at our resources pages to find out more.

Entry requirements

See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credit

Selection criteria

280 UCAS tariff points from a maximum of 3 A levels to include a minimum grade C in one science subject at A2 such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Human Biology

Five GCSE’s at minimum grade C to include English Language, Mathematics and Physics or Combined Science

Alternate qualifications accepted are:

Access to H.E. Diploma relating to Healthcare/Science to include a science subject at Level 3. Merits must be achieved in all Level 3 subjects
BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM (to include a science subject) or BTEC Diploma: D*D* (to include a science subject)
Scottish Highers –280 points from a maximum 4 Scottish Highers to include a grade B in a science subject
Irish Leaving Cert. – 280 points from a maximum of 4 Highers to include a B2 in a science subject

Applicants are required to visit a radiography department and submit the evaluation forms below before applying.

Download visit form for students

Download visit form for co-ordinators

Both forms must be completed. An offer of a place is conditional on a successful clinical visit.

Essential information pack for applicants