The course in brief

Diagnostic radiographers are healthcare professional who acquire and evaluate images of the human body to diagnose disease and trauma. They use a range of high-technology imaging equipment and techniques and work closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide a person-centred service.

Radiography is invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and trauma. As a diagnostic radiographer your skill, judgement and professionalism will be a vital part of a team’s clinical work, and affect patients’ lives, day after day. Awaiting a diagnosis can be a stressful time for patients and in this career you must be technically adept, an excellent communicator and provide person-centred care. This is why our diagnostic radiography course places high importance on clinical placements. Placements are essential to build self-confidence, practice radiographic techniques and develop clinical knowledge in a real-life hospital setting.

On this course you will:

learn from staff with an outstanding reputation for the quality of teaching;
gain all the knowledge and skills that you require to work as a diagnostic radiographer;
develop your expertise through in-depth theoretical learning, clinical placements each year and the close support of our very experienced staff; and
Benefit from the interprofessional working focus of this course. We aim for all our graduates to be confident in their own professional identity and have the additional skills that will allow you to work as an effective multidisciplinary team member.

How will I be taught?

Structure

This four-year undergraduate MMaster of Radiography: Diagnostic (MDRad)/BSc (Hons) Radiography: Diagnostic course will equip you with the expertise and practical skills that you need to work as a registered diagnostic radiographer in the private or public health and social care sector. You will thrive in our supportive environment, and benefit from placements each year along with practical experience in our specialist clinical facilities on campus.

Find out about the benefits of studying an undergraduate master’s.

Teaching, learning and assessment

You will be taught in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops. There will be a mix of classroom and online learning. Outwith timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by a variety of assessment methods (eg written and practical exams, written assignments, presentations and viva voce) at the end of each module.

Placements

Placements are invaluable in consolidating theoretical study into practical expertise by working directly with patients and qualified staff. You will complete practice placements in each year. You will attend a variety of placements within the NHS at various locations across Scotland. QMU manages the sourcing and allocation of placements for each student.

Placements take place across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location.

Specialist facilities

QMU offers a variety of modern spaces for use by our Master of Radiography: Diagnostic (MDRad)/BSc (Hons) Radiography: Diagnostic and MSc Diagnostic Radiography (Pre-Registration) courses. We have one dedicated Diagnostic Radiography room to practice technical and professional skills, with fully functioning x-ray equipment. Our diagnostic radiography students also utilise QMU's Clinical Simulation Suite, Physiotherapy and Podiatry skills rooms which are equipped to simulate the real-life placement environment. Students have access to numerous anatomy models which are incorporated into their learning during practical sessions and can be used during self-directed study sessions.

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

What will I learn each year?

Year One

You will:

study modules including anatomy and physiology, scientific and diagnostic technological radiographic principles;
prepare for clinical practice by developing your communication skills and exploring the professional requirements of a diagnostic radiographer;
focus on developing your academic skills, including essay writing and how to access information; and
complete a two-week placement which provides the opportunity to experience and integrate into the clinical environment.

Modules

Anatomy and Physiology
Becoming an Allied Health Professional
Developing Resilience of Self and Others
Introduction to Diagnostic Practice, Diagnostic Practice 1
Finding your Academic Voice

Year Two

You will:

undertake modules that explore more complex radiographic techniques including cross-sectional imaging and trauma;
continue to broaden your understanding of health and wellbeing and how to support behaviour change through health coaching conversations;
further enhance your academic skills by developing a critical approach to literature and your professional practice’; and
develop your practical skills through two 6-week clinical placement blocks.

Modules

Health Coaching Conversations
Developing a Spirit of Inquiry
Cross Sectional Imaging Science
Diagnostic Practice 2
Diagnostic Imaging Placement A

Year Three

You will:

enhance your critical thinking and further develop your knowledge of specialist diagnostic imaging modalities;
broaden your healthcare awareness and challenge your understanding of health education and promotion;
continue to link theory and practice; and
develop your practical skills through two 6-week clinical placement blocks, which includes a three or four-week elective placement.

Modules

Active Citizenship
Health Literacy
Specialist Imaging and Advancing Diagnostic Practice
Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Multidisciplinary Team Working
Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
Diagnostic Imaging Placement B

Year Four

You will:

enhance, consolidate and reflect on your theoretical, research, professional and clinical skills enabling a smooth transition to working life;
explore leadership skills and innovative practice to meet current healthcare challenges;
take ownership of your academic learning by undertaking a quality improvement project; and
complete two 6-week clinical placement blocks.

Modules

Applying Skills of Critical Enquiry
Professional Development for Health Practice
Leadership and Enterprise in Healthcare
Preliminary Clinical Evaluation
Diagnostic Imaging Placement C

NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2023) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2024. Please check back here for any updates.

Career opportunities

Most graduates begin working as general radiographers, with very high graduate employment rates. However, with experience, you may have the opportunity to specialise in different aspects of diagnostic radiography, for example, clinical reporting, sonography or mammography.

Master of Radiography: Diagnostic (MDRad)/BSc (Hons) Radiography: Diagnostic drafted

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