| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2025-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
Diagnostic Radiography (Pre-Registration) MSc
Course Description
This course provides you with all the knowledge and practical experience you'll need to become a qualified Diagnostic Radiographer. In addition to developing the necessary technical and professional skills required for safe and effective clinical practice, you will develop a deep and critical understanding of the profession, vital for shaping the future of radiography.
Study Options
- Full-time: 2 years
- UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
- International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)
- Start date: September
- Location: Kedleston Road, Derby Campus
Course Details
- This is one of a very small number of MSc Pre-Registration courses in Diagnostic Radiography in the UK, and currently the only one in the region.
- Study a course approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), meaning you'll be eligible to apply for registration as a Diagnostic Radiographer as soon as you graduate, as long as you meet the HCPC’s requirements.
- Develop as a competent, reflective practitioner who is capable of working both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.
- Enhance your critical thinking, enquiry and research skills using state-of-the-art facilities, including our Clinical Skills Suite which contains a purpose-built Diagnostic imaging suite to match the equipment you'll use in your career.
- Engage with an enthusiastic, experienced teaching team who use a variety of learning approaches to help you develop your professional and academic skills.
- Explore your passion in a variety of work placement opportunities including large teaching hospitals which offer a wide range of imaging modalities, to smaller community hospitals offering more locally based care.
- Enhance your employability and career prospects, building on the skill and knowledge of your undergraduate degree.
- Join the programme with a science or health care related degree at 2:1 or above (other entry requirements apply).
What You Will Study
You will study modules such as:
Stage One
- Research Skills for Practice
- Principles of Professional Practice
- Clinical Practice for Radiography 1
- Imaging Practice 1
- Imaging Practice 2
Stage Two
- Scientific Project for Imaging Practice
- Clinical Practice for Radiography 2
- Imaging Practice 3
- The Graduate Practitioner
In addition to these modules, you will engage in a Professional Development Programme that will run throughout the two years. Core modular content is delivered within an inter-professional context, providing you with the opportunity to learn with, and from, other Pre-Registration and graduate entry Health and Social care students within the academic setting. You will also complete a professional development portfolio; this will allow you to evidence that you have the knowledge, skills and attributes required for clinical practice as a Diagnostic Radiographer, and put you in a great position to continue your lifelong learning journey.
How You Will Learn
You will learn through group activities, lectures, practical work, seminars and simulation. To help you prepare for placement you’ll have access to online recordings of radiographic technique projections, which helps you develop your skills in positioning a patient for an X-ray.
Work Placements
Clinical placements are an integral part of your studies. Placements are organised in blocks throughout the duration of your studies, with a significant amount of your experience being gained during the summer months towards the end of each year of study. Placement hours are subject to change.
Who Will Teach You
- Kat Chalmers
- Carol Early
- Sue Errett
- Jane Gooch
- Claire Norman
- Veena Patel
- Claire Richards
- David Stuart
- Claire Tucker
- Nichola Tucker
- Richard Tucker
- Julie De Witt
- Kirsty Wood
Placement FAQ's
- How much time will I spend on placement? Approximately 50% of your time will be spent on placement. You will attend placement in blocks throughout the duration of your studies. Due to the accelerated nature of the programme, you will have only three weeks of annual leave over the summer period (two weeks in June and one week at the end of August); this means that you will gain a significant amount of your placement experience during the summer months to support the development of your practical skills.
- Where will my clinical placement be located? You will be allocated to a placement, with the majority of these being in the East Midlands. You will also spend time in smaller hospitals too, to gain experience of imaging and patient care in smaller, non-acute settings.
- What time does placement start and finish? During your time on placement, you will work a range of shifts. In addition to daytime shifts, you will work evening shifts. This can mean working until midnight in some placement hospitals. You will also undertake some night shifts and weekend work during the course in preparation for professional practice.
- Will I get any help towards travel expenses for placement? You may be entitled to a maintenance loan for living costs from Student Finance. This would include costs incurred for travel and/or accommodation for placement.
How You'll Be Assessed
Many of your assessments are focused on real world scenarios to help you develop skills that you can take into your career. You’ll be assessed on placement by the Radiographers you work with and you’ll gain experience in presenting to an audience through presentations and posters.
Careers
When you graduate you will be able to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council as a Diagnostic Radiographer and work in the rapidly expanding field of medical imaging, as long as you meet the HCPC’s requirements.
The employment prospects for our Diagnostic Radiography students are excellent. In 2016, the majority of graduates from our BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography gained employment as Radiographers, with many being offered jobs by their placement hospital.
Once you have successfully completed your studies and worked as a Radiographer, the skills you have learnt on this course will put you in a great position to develop your career further in areas such as advanced practice, leadership and research. The University of Derby offer a range of CPD opportunities and Master’s level modules to support your career development.
Entry Requirements
You will need to hold a science or healthcare-related degree at 2:1 or above. If your degree is over five years old, then we would normally expect evidence of successful study at level 6 or above in the past two years.
You must also have five GSCE passes at grade C or above, including maths and English language. If your first degree is not in a pure science (biology, chemistry or physics), or you do not have a pure science A level at grade B or above, then you must have at least one pure science at GCSE, grade C or above.
You must also have undertaken some recent work experience in a Radiography department.
We will also consider all information included in your application and from your interview. We'll also want to see that you are enthusiastic and motivated to undertake this course and train to be a Radiographer.
General Entry Requirements
When you apply for this course you should make sure that you consider the following areas in your application:
- Give evidence that you meet the academic entry criteria above, or are expected to
- Show that you've completed your degree within the last five years; if not, evidence of level 6 study or above in the last two years is required.
- Provide examples of using your communication skills with the public
- Demonstrate how you've gained insight into caring for others
- Give examples of working as part of a team
- Demonstrate you can write clearly and concisely, showing a good level of spelling and punctuation
- Provide a reference
- Demonstrate that you are capable of managing the academic demands of Master’s level study
Fees and Funding
2025/26 (August 2025 - July 2026)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £9,535 per year | N/A |
| International | £16,900 per year | N/A |
2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025)
| Type | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK | £9,250 per year | N/A |
| International | £14,900 per year | N/A |
Additional Fee Information
- Please note at postgraduate level, you'll need to gain the following number of credits in total to obtain the respective awards. If you have any questions please contact us.
- Award | Credits
- Postgraduate Certificate | 60 Credits
- Postgraduate Diploma | 120 Credits
- MSc | 180 Credits
Funding Your Studies
Find out more about fees, postgraduate loans and support you may be entitled to.
Alumni Discount for Derby Graduates
We offer a discount on postgraduate course fees for all Derby alumni.
Additional Costs and Optional Extras
We're committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in Your Fees
- Uniforms
- Name badges and ID holders
- Access to Pepplepad for your clinical portfolios
- DBS Check
- Health Screening and vaccinations
Mandatory Costs Not Included in Your Fees
- Suitable footwear for skills sessions and placements approx. £40
Optional Costs Not Included in Your Fees
- Theatre Shoes approx. £20
- Textbooks to supplement anything available through the library various prices depending on content
- Printing costs of course materials if a hard copy is desired approx. 5p per sheet
- Society & College of Radiographers student membership approx. £48 annually
- Attendance at conferences such as UKIO or ECR
- Professional HCPC membership required to practice. More details can be found
How to Apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Undergraduate and Postgraduate Taught Deadlines
Please note some courses may have an earlier induction, teaching and enrolment deadline date.
If your course operates a gathered field or pooled admissions process there may be an earlier application date. Please check your individual course page for further details.
UK Students
Apply directly to the University.
International Students
Apply directly to the University.
If you'd like support with your application, you can contact one of our trusted local representatives.
Additional Information About Your Studies
- Download programme specification
- Teaching hours: Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
- Minimum numbers: Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This MSc Pre-Registration course in Diagnostic Radiography is one of a very small number in the UK, and currently the only one in the region. It is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), making graduates eligible to apply for registration as a Diagnostic Radiographer upon completion, as long as they meet the HCPC's requirements. The program aims to develop competent, reflective practitioners capable of working independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team. It emphasizes critical thinking, enquiry, and research skills, utilizing state-of-the-art facilities, including a purpose-built Diagnostic Imaging Suite. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the profession, equipping students with the technical and professional skills necessary for safe and effective clinical practice. It also fosters a deep and critical understanding of the field, essential for shaping the future of radiography.
Outline:
The program is delivered over two full calendar years (September - September) and is an accelerated program. The majority of the summer period is dedicated to clinical placement, allowing students to develop the required practical skills.
Stage One Modules:
- Imaging Physics - Principles and Applications: This module explores the fundamental principles of imaging physics and their application in diagnostic radiography.
- Skeletal Imaging and Practice One: This module focuses on the principles and practice of skeletal imaging, including radiographic techniques, image interpretation, and patient care.
- Soft Tissue Imaging and Practice One: This module covers the principles and practice of soft tissue imaging, including radiographic techniques, image interpretation, and patient care.
- Research Skills for Evidence Based Practice: This module introduces students to research methodologies and their application in evidence-based practice within diagnostic radiography.
Stage Two Modules:
- Skeletal Imaging and Practice Two: This module builds upon the knowledge and skills acquired in Stage One, further exploring advanced skeletal imaging techniques and clinical applications.
- Soft Tissue Imaging and Practice Two: This module expands on the principles and practice of soft tissue imaging, covering advanced techniques and clinical applications.
- Independent Scholarship: This module allows students to delve deeper into a specific aspect of diagnostic radiography, fostering critical thinking, independent enquiry, and research skills.
Professional Development Programme:
In addition to the core modules, students participate in a Professional Development Programme throughout the two years. This program integrates inter-professional learning, providing opportunities to interact with other Pre-Registration and graduate entry Health and Social care students. Students also develop a professional development portfolio to demonstrate their knowledge, skills, and attributes required for clinical practice as a Diagnostic Radiographer.
Assessment:
Assessment methods include:
- Placement Assessments: Students are assessed on placement by the Radiographers they work with, providing real-world experience and feedback.
- Presentations and Posters: Students gain experience in presenting to an audience through presentations and posters, developing communication skills.
- Other Assessments: The program utilizes a variety of assessment methods to evaluate student learning, including written assignments, practical examinations, and portfolio submissions.
Teaching:
- Teaching Methods: The program employs a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, group activities, practical work, and simulation.
- Faculty: The teaching team consists of qualified healthcare professionals with experience in clinical or community settings.
- Unique Approaches: The program utilizes state-of-the-art facilities, including a purpose-built Diagnostic Imaging Suite and an Immersive Interactive Simulation Suite, to provide a realistic and engaging learning environment.
Careers:
Upon graduation, students are eligible to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council as a Diagnostic Radiographer. The program prepares students for a variety of career paths within the rapidly expanding field of medical imaging.
- Employment Prospects: The employment prospects for Diagnostic Radiography graduates are excellent. Many graduates are offered jobs by their placement hospitals.
- Career Development: The skills and knowledge acquired on this course provide a strong foundation for further career development in areas such as advanced practice, leadership, and research.
Other:
- Clinical Placements: Clinical placements are an integral part of the program, providing students with hands-on experience in a variety of settings, including large teaching hospitals and smaller community hospitals.
- Facilities: The program benefits from exceptional learning facilities, including a purpose-built Diagnostic Imaging Suite equipped with the latest technology and an Immersive Interactive Simulation Suite that replicates real-world clinical environments.
- Independent Scholarship Module: The Independent Scholarship module in the second year allows students to explore a specific area of diagnostic radiography in depth, fostering critical thinking and research skills.
- Professional Development Portfolio: Students develop a professional development portfolio to document their learning and demonstrate their readiness for clinical practice.
- Minimum Numbers: The program is subject to minimum numbers to ensure its viability.
| ----- | ----- | | 2024/25 (August 2024 - July 2025) | Full-time | Part-time | | Type | UK | International | |Full-time | 9,250 per year | 14,900 per year| |Part-time | N/A | N/A |
