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CONTENTS

1. What’s Radiography?

2. What Radiography degrees can you study?

3. What do you need to get onto a Radiography degree?

4. What topics does a Radiography degree cover?

5. How will you be assessed?

6. Why study Radiography?

7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Radiography Studies degree?

8. What do Radiography graduates earn?

9. What jobs can you get as a Radiography graduate?

10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

11. Similar subjects to Radiography

12. Have any questions?

What’s Radiography?

Radiography is the science of using radiation to either produce internal images of the human body or as a cancer treatment.

There are two main areas of this subject, Diagnostic Radiography and Therapeutic Radiography.

Diagnostic Radiography, also known as medical imaging, uses the most advanced technology to produce an internal picture and uncover the root cause of an illness. These images can then be used to help treat a patient.

Therapeutic Radiography uses radiation to treat cancer. High levels of radiation kill cancer cells and minimise tumours. Working alongside oncologists, therapeutic radiographers have the knowledge and expertise to deliver the best treatment.

Take a look at the university league table for Medical Technology & Bioengineering which includes Radiography.

What Radiography degrees can you study?

There are various Radiography courses on offer in the UK depending on whether you’re interested in Diagnostic Radiography or Therapeutic Radiography. Some examples include:

Diagnostic Radiography BSc

Combining science, technology and patient care, this course prepares you for a career at the forefront of emerging technology for diagnosis and treatment.  You’ll be working with ever-evolving technology like digital imaging, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), ultrasound and even artificial intelligence.

Search for Diagnostic Radiography courses.

Therapeutic Radiography BSc

This course will teach you to work with patients of all ages, to help relieve and/or cure the symptoms of their cancer. Gain the knowledge and clinical experience that is pivotal to providing personalised care and develop the excellent communication skills required to support patients and their families through their cancer journey.

Find Therapeutic Radiography courses. 

Other options

Most degrees include a professional placement as part of the course. Some programmes offer an integrated foundation year or master’s qualification.

What do you need to get onto a Radiography degree?

Must have 

Typically, entry to an undergraduate Radiography degree requires 112–128 UCAS points. Qualifications may include:

• A Levels: ABB–BBC
• BTECs: DDD–DMM
• Scottish Highers: ABBBB–BBBBB (Advanced Highers: BBB–BBC)
• International Baccalaureate: 32–28
• Universities will usually ask that you have studied: at least one A Level (or equivalent) in science, such as biology, chemistry or physics
• Some universities request an interview
• You’ll need to complete Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks (PVG scheme in Scotland) as you may be working with vulnerable people or children

Good to have 

• Studied other science subjects such as maths, further maths and statistics, or computing, electronics, human biology, PE or psychology at A Level (or equivalent)
• Work experience or shadowed in a radiography department, or talking to a radiographer about their role
• Watched radiology webinars or virtual work experience videos online
• Volunteered or worked in a care home, day care centre, St John Ambulance or St Andrew’s First Aid
• Done independent reading about the work, technology, and issues such as patient safety – you could start with the website of the College of Radiographers
• Read up on the NHS core values, such as compassion, respect and dignity

What topics does a Radiography degree cover?

Topics will vary depending on the specific degree you choose but may include:

• Introduction to the role of the healthcare professional
• Imaging physics and technology
• Diagnostic pathways and associated imaging techniques
• Assessing and addressing complexity
• Anatomy and physiology for radiographers
• Pathology and image interpretation
• Digital image processing for radiographers
• Advanced radiation oncology and patient care
• Anatomy and physiology for the radiographer
• Planning and dosimetry
• Radiation physics
• Research methods for effective practice
• Supportive care in oncology
• Working in interprofessional teams

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module: 

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• Clinical skills tests
• Placement assessment
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• Group work 
• Oral presentations 
• A dissertation is usually a final year option

Why study Radiography?

Career-specific skills:

• Technical expertise in using machinery to diagnose illness, injury, or screen for abnormalities
• Knowledge and skills to deliver treatment efficiently
• Familiarity with advanced technology, including the safe use of equipment to target tumours and deliver the right amount of dosage
• Professional competence, knowledge of ethical and legal boundaries and maintaining safe practice

Transferable skills:

• Attention to detail
• Communication
• Decision making
• Problem solving
• Manual dexterity
• Adaptability
• Analytical and reflective thinking
• Empathic interpersonal skills
• Team working
• Time management

Professional accreditation:

• Programmes must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Degrees may also be approved by the College of Radiographers (CoR), and may offer student membership of the Society of Radiographers (SoR)

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Radiography Studies degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants. It’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.

The NHS may also offer financial support. More details on this can be found in our

What do Radiography graduates earn?

Diagnostic and therapeutic radiography graduates in the NHS usually start on a band 5 salary which is currently £28,407. At this level, you’re likely to work in a range of settings where you can gain experience and insights into future specialisms. Advanced practitioners, senior radiographers with managerial responsibilities or heads of department may earn £45,000–£68,000 (NHS Band 7–Band 8b).

Radiographers are also in demand in private health care organisations. Salaries may be higher in the private sector, but the benefit packages are not always as good as those offered by the NHS so it's worth thinking about this when weighing up your options.

What jobs can you get as a Radiography graduate?

A qualification in Radiography is highly specialised and most graduates go on to become diagnostic or therapeutic radiographers.

With experience you might decide to specialise in a particular area, or you might use your expertise to go into management, teaching, research or become a consultant.

Specialist areas you might consider include:

• Certain cancers, techniques or equipment
• Emerging technologies
• Palliative care
• Sonography
• Accident and emergency
• Terminal illness
• Trauma

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of Radiography postgraduate courses include:

• Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging MSc
• Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology Diploma
• Radiography MSc
• Medical Radiology
• Forensic Radiography MSc

Similar subjects to Radiography

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

• Medical Technology & Bioengineering
• Prosthetics & Orthotics
• Optometry, Ophthalmics & Orthoptics
• Dentistry
• Nursing

Search undergraduate Radiography courses now!

Have any questions?

If you have questions about studying Radiography, you can email our experts atask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk.

We’ll be happy to hear from you!