Program Overview

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MSc Diagnostic Radiography (Pre-registration)

Overview

Are you enthusiastic about science and technology? Are you looking for a diverse, challenging and rewarding career working with people? Diagnostic radiography could be the profession for you.

Diagnostic radiographers play a crucial role in healthcare, with the Society of Radiographers (2021) estimating that 90% of inpatients will interact with a diagnostic radiographer during their NHS treatment pathway. This accelerated two-year, full time master’s degree programme is aimed at current graduates and designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to provide safe, high-quality care to patients requiring imaging. If you do not already have an undergraduate degree, you could apply for our three-year BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography course.

Diagnostic radiographers produce high quality images to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of injury, illness and disease. They employ a range of equipment across a variety of healthcare settings, including:

• Projection radiography (X-ray) in outpatients, inpatients and the Emergency Department (ED)
• Dental radiography
• Mobile radiography
• Computed Tomography (CT)
• Fluoroscopy, which includes imaging during interventional procedures and in the operating theatre
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
• Ultrasound
• Mammography (breast imaging)
• Nuclear Medicine
• Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)

Practice Placement

Practice placement is invaluable in a rapidly evolving field, enabling you to apply the theory taught at the University to your interactions with patients in the NHS. Your practice placements make up approximately 50% of the course. We do our best to place you in your preferred placement hospital, however, we cannot guarantee this. We encourage students to stay in accommodation at their placements site and our Practice Educators, who are based at each site can help students to book accommodation. Our regional NHS partners are:

• Ipswich Hospital, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• Colchester Hospital, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds
• Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
• James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Gorleston
• Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust in King's Lynn
• Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Norwich
• Peterborough City Hospital, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
• Basildon University Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
• Southend University Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust

Course Modules

You will learn through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials and workshops, directed and independent learning. You will undertake simulation sessions in our contemporary imaging suite on campus and image real patients in practice placement.

You will be assessed in academic and practice placement. We use a variety of methods including examinations, viva voces, case studies, presentations, posters, seminars and Practice Assessment Documents (PAD).

Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Select course year Year 1, Year 2

Introduction to Diagnostic Imaging

This module provides an introduction to diagnostic radiography including anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging of the skeletal system, respiratory system, and regions of abdomen. You will also learn about working in the NHS, complete your mandatory training and e-learning for health training. Essential introductory physics will be covered including the IR(ME)R (2017) regulations.

Applications of Diagnostic Imaging

This module will cover the rest of the physics content, cross-sectional imaging – with an emphasis on CT, and to include MRI and US. Anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging of the remaining body systems will be covered in this module.

Integrated Care and Multidisciplinary Working

This module will cover trauma imaging, imaging in the operating theatre, mobile imaging, service user needs, and working in a multidisciplinary team.

Practice Placement 1 (Pass/Refer)

This is your first practice placement module which runs for the whole of the first year and encompasses assessment of competency in practice.

The Contemporary Practitioner

This module explores a range of professional issues and the wider implications of current government initiatives and policies and critically reflects on the NHS constitution, principles and values. Aspects and experience of role transition will also be discussed, underpinned by recent research and input from alumni.

You will be introduced to the principles of leadership, teaching and learning and supporting and developing others. The roles of supervision and mentoring learners in the practice environment will also be scrutinized, alongside the evolving roles of the diagnostic radiographer.

20 credits

Research Project

This module will start with a recap on research methods alongside a formative research proposal. The project will take the form of a service evaluation or audit which will be practice led.

40 credits

Advancing Radiography Practice

This module includes current issues – enhanced, advanced and consultant practice. Initial radiographer commenting and reporting is also a part of this module.

Practice Placement 2 (Pass/Refer)

This is your second practice placement module which runs for the whole of the second year and encompasses assessment of competency in practice.

Entry Requirements

• UK Academic Requirements
  • BSc (Hons) or BA (Hons) degree or equivalent.
  • Applications are welcome from graduates achieving a degree from across a range of disciplines including but not exhaustive to: Biomedical Science, Forensic Science, Nutrition and Human Health, Sports Science, Sport Performance Analysis, Biology/Biological Science, Chemistry, Physics, Marine Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Zoology, Psychology, Sociology, Social Science and Criminology
• Non-academic Requirements
  • Any offer of a place will be subject to:
    • Successful interview
    • Satisfactory Health check
    • Satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check
    • One satisfactory academic or employment reference
• International Requirements
  • International students are welcome to apply.
  • IELTS 7.0 overall is required, and a minimum of 6.5 in each component.
  • Applicants whose first language is not English, but who have been living in the UK for 2 years or more will be expected to hold GCSE English at Grade C or above, (grade 4-9 for the new GCSEs) or the relevant Level 2 equivalent (if applicable).

Career Opportunities

Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council to work as a Diagnostic Radiographer in the UK within the NHS or private practice.

Graduates may also travel with this qualification and work overseas.

Your Course Team

• Deana Hazeldene
  • Course Leader for MSc Diagnostic Radiography and co-ordinates radiography student clinical experience as Practice Placement Lead.
• Professor Ruth Strudwick
  • Head of Allied Health Professions and Associate Professor in Diagnostic Radiography.
• Dr Hollie Hadwen
  • Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and the PgC in Advanced Practice and Reporting in Computed Tomography Colonography.
• Jerome Atutornu
  • Senior Lecturer in the School of Allied Health Sciences. He graduated from University of Suffolk in 2012.
• Nancy Sims
  • Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography and is passionate about contributing to enhancing the quality of care that diagnostic radiography service users receive.
• Jo Shuttlewood-Limb
  • Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography and previously worked at a specialist Neurological Centre of Excellence specialising in Neuroradiography.
• Gemma Spelman
  • Diagnostic Radiographer by background and before joining the university was a Senior Radiographer at her local hospital.
• Gemma Vass
  • Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography and has expertise in Musculoskeletal Appendicular and Axial reporting.
• Imogen Diggens
  • Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography.
• Joseph Purdey
  • Joined the University of Suffolk in 2023 as a Diagnostic Radiography Lecturer.

Fees and Funding

2025/26

• UK Full-time Tuition Fee: £10,215 per year
• UK Part-time Tuition Fee: £1,135* per 20 credit module
• International Full-time Tuition Fee: £18,470 per year, includes placement fee

*Please contact Student Centre for further information on part-time fees

Facilities and Resources

You will be prepared for practice placement through simulated learning in our imaging suite. Our anatomical models and anthropomorphic phantoms enable you to identify bony anatomy and practice radiographic technique in a safe and supportive environment. Learning in small groups allows you to develop the problem-solving skills which you will need to apply in practice placement.

Image critique is an essential skill for the diagnostic radiographer. You will hone this skill in the computer labs and on Brightspace, our Online Learning Environment (OLE).

Every teaching room has state-of-the-art AV equipment enhancing students learning experience and spread across the open study areas in the Waterfront Building there are approximately 50 iMacs. The dual function technology allows students to choose between Microsoft Windows and Apple Mac software, allowing students to utilise the technology that best supports their chosen field of study.

How to Apply

Applying for a postgraduate programme is simple, you can apply using the link below. You can also find out more about what to include on your application and how to contact us for support during the process on the Postgraduate Study link.

Apply Now Postgraduate Study

Related Courses

• BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography
  • Diagnostic radiographers produce high quality images to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of injury, illness and disease. They employ a range of equipment across a variety of healthcare settings.
• BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy and Oncology
  • Radiotherapy is the use of X-rays and other ionising radiations to treat patients who have been diagnosed with cancer.
• PgC in Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Postgraduate Certificate in Computed Tomography
  • This course has been designed to support the advancing practice of radiographers in the field of Computed Tomography (CT).
• MSc/PgD Professional Practice: Advanced Radiography Practice (Progression Route)
  • This course is designed as a progression route for radiographers holding a post graduate certificate (PgC) in a specialist area of practice who wish to progress to completing a masters degree.