BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

Program Overview

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Diagnostic Radiography

Overview

The Diagnostic Radiography program at the University of Salford is a three-year undergraduate course that equips students with the skills to become highly professional radiographers. The course is accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers and combines science, technology, and patient care to provide a vital role in patient diagnosis and treatment.

Course Details

Attendance

• Full-time
• Three-year course
• Next enrolment: September 2025

Introduction

The course introduces students to the fundamental scientific principles of diagnostic radiography, patient-centered care, and professional practice. Students will develop 'digital ready' skills, study in a world-class environment, and develop their skills and understanding through active learning, role play, and simulation activities.

Course Structure

The course is divided into three years, with each year focusing on different aspects of diagnostic radiography.

Year One

• Scientific Principles for Diagnostic Radiography
• Patient Centred Care In Medical Imaging
• Professional Practice 1
• Introduction to Digital Skills for Radiography

Year Two

• Research Methods
• Applied Imaging
• Introduction to Personal and Professional Development
• Professional Practice 2

Year Three

• Into Employment (Radiography)
• Applied Research Methods
• Clinical Governance
• Preliminary Clinical Evaluation
• Managing Trauma and Challenging Examinations
• Professional Practice 3

Placement Options

• 50% of the course is spent on placement at one of the university's partner hospitals
• Opportunities for shorter placements at other hospitals for additional experience in special interest areas

Assessment

• Clinical skills are continuously assessed with summative assessments at key stages of the course
• Academic skills are assessed at the end of each semester using a range of assessment techniques, including assignments, written exams, clinical exams, presentations, and article critiques

Employment and Stats

• 95% of graduates are in highly skilled employment (source: The Complete University Guide 2024)
• 91% of students agree that teaching staff are good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
• Opportunities for further study, including master's programs and short courses for continuing professional development

Requirements

Applicant Profile

• Interest in science and technology and patient care
• Good communication skills and a caring nature
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to contribute to group discussions
• Practising positioning on each other in practical-based skills sessions under supervision is involved

English Language Requirements

• IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or equivalent)

Standard Entry Requirements

• Five GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, including English Language, Maths, and Science
• 120 UCAS Tariff points from three A2s, including at least one science subject
• Alternative entry requirements, including Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)

Tuition Fees

• Full-time home: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• Full-time international: £19,000 per year (2025/26)
• Additional costs, including uniforms, DBS, Occupational Health clearance, and immunisations

Scholarships

• Available for high-achieving international students

Enrolment Dates

• September 2025
• September 2026

Student Information

• Terms and conditions
• UCAS information: Course ID B821, Institution S03

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Podiatry
• BSc (Hons) Prosthetics and Orthotics
• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Program Outline

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Degree Overview:

Radiography combines science, technology, and patient care to play a vital role in patient diagnosis and treatment. Radiographers use a range of different imaging techniques and sophisticated technology to produce high-quality images to aid diagnosis for injury or disease as part of the multi-professional healthcare team. The career structure provides opportunities for radiographers to specialize in many areas, including ultrasound, CT/MRI scanning, image reporting, teaching, and management.

• Patient Centred Care In Medical Imaging: Explores the fundamentals of patient-centered care in the context of medical imaging and radiography.
• Professional Practice 1: Prepares students for their first year of practice placement through simulation activities.
• Introduction to Digital Skills for Radiography: Introduces students to digital skills to understand reliability and reproducibility within medical imaging.

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Year Two:

• Research Methods: Introduces research methods through quantitative and qualitative approaches.
• Applied Imaging: Introduces underpinning science, technology, radiographic anatomy & physiology applicable to advanced imaging techniques like CT and fluoroscopy.
• Introduction to Personal and Professional Development: Supports students' development and transition from student to practitioner.
• Professional Practice 2: Prepares students for their second year of practice placement through simulation activities.

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Year Three:

• Into Employment (Radiography): Enhances understanding of complex healthcare services and change management.
• Applied Research Methods: Provides students with the opportunity to independently conduct research on a chosen topic.
• Clinical Governance: Develops knowledge and understanding of clinical governance and its impact on healthcare quality.
• Preliminary Clinical Evaluation: Enables students to develop their ability to evaluate radiographic images for signs of abnormality.
• Managing Trauma and Challenging Examinations: Develops knowledge and understanding of pathophysiology within trauma imaging and the management of challenging examinations.
• Professional Practice 3: Prepares students for their final year of practice placement.

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Assessment:

• Clinical skills continuously assessed with summative assessments at key stages.
• Academic skills assessed at the end of each semester, using various methods including:
• Assignments
• Written exams
• Clinical exams
• Presentations
• Article critique

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Teaching:

• Students allocated to placement hospitals for clinical experience.
• Rotations around a cluster of placements to ensure consistent experience.
• Close collaboration with placement sites to ensure course relevance and preparedness.
• Feedback provided at timely intervals.

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Careers:

• Graduates become eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as qualified diagnostic radiographers, allowing work in the NHS, private sector, and many countries abroad.
• Career opportunities in various settings, including children's hospitals, casualty departments, specialized hospitals, advanced or consultant practitioner roles.
• Further study options available in postgraduate master's degrees and short courses for continuing professional development.

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Other:

• The course features a £2.5 million investment in the Centre for Medical Imaging with cutting-edge equipment like CT scanners, digital X-ray systems, ultrasound scanners, and a 3D mammography system.
• The department has a formal partnership with General Electric (GE) for enhanced learning opportunities.
• Strong partnership with the NHS ensures current and relevant learning experiences.
• Majority of clinical placements happen within the NHS.

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| Year | Fees | |---|---| | 2024/25 | £9,250.00 per year (Full-time home) | | 2024/25 | £18,300.00 per year (Full-time international) | | 2025/26 | £9,250.00 per year (Full-time home) | | 2025/26 | £19,000.00 per year (Full-time international) |