Program Overview
The MSc Computed Tomography program at UCD equips radiographers with advanced CT technologies and clinical best practices, fostering critical thinking and decision-making skills. Delivered through a blended approach, the program focuses on specialist teamwork, leadership, and research capabilities, leading to a high level of competence in CT scanning and advancement in the field.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The MSc Computed Tomography (CT) course is designed for radiographers working in clinical CT. It aims to equip graduates with contemporary technological advances in CT and provide a platform for discussing clinical and evidence-based CT practice. The program focuses on fostering the individual, personal, and professional development of postgraduate radiographers to achieve a high level of competence in CT scanning. It encourages a critically questioning approach to CT practice and develops the necessary skills to apply knowledge in complex decision-making. The program also encourages radiographers to advance research in the field of CT.
Objectives:
- To develop specialist teamwork, leadership, research, and critical thinking skills.
- To achieve a high level of competence in CT scanning.
- To cultivate a critically questioning approach to CT practice.
- To foster the necessary skills to apply knowledge in relation to complex decision-making.
- To encourage radiographers to advance research in the field of CT.
Outline:
The MSc CT leads to a UCD Level 4 award (equivalent to NQAI Level 9) and takes sixteen months to complete. It is delivered in five modules:
- Two Technology Modules: These modules encompass the physical theories and technological principles underlying CT, image processing, quality control, equipment management, and radiation protection, encouraging a safer and broader spectrum of clinical operation.
- Two Professional Practice Modules: These modules encompass clinical practice, clinical placement hours, scanning protocols, optimization of practice, and facility management. They aim to facilitate the integration of theoretical concepts and professional clinical practice to consolidate the learning process.
- One Advanced CT Imaging Module: This module enables the refinement of professional competencies in CT through the integration of advanced theoretical knowledge, evidence-based practice, and high-level clinical practice skills. It facilitates the integration of theory and practice in relation to advanced clinical applications and aims to facilitate the development of generic skills such as advanced leadership and teamwork skills, self-directed learning, and applied research in the student.
Course Schedule:
The course is delivered using a blended learning approach integrating class discussions, tutorials, lectures, E-learning, and practical tutorials. Lectures are delivered either face-to-face at the UCD campus or via a virtual classroom. Clinical skills development is supported by undertaking a clinical placement in the student's own CT department under the direct supervision of a clinical supervisor.
Key Dates for 2024/25:
- Induction Day: Monday 26th August 2024 [Online]
- Block week 1: 16/17/18/19 September 2024
- Block week 2: 14/15/16/17 October 2024
- Block week 3: 18/19/20/21 November 2024
- Christmas Examination Dates TBC by UCD
- Block week 4: 27/28/29/30 January 2025
- Block week 5: 3/4/5/6 March 2025
- Block week 6: 7/8/9/10 April 2025
- May Examination Dates TBC by UCD
- Block week 7: 1/2/3/4 September 2025
- Block week 8: 29/30 September & 1/2 October 2025
- Block week 9: 3/4/5/6 November 2025
Teaching:
The course is delivered using a blended learning approach integrating class discussions, tutorials, lectures, E-learning, and practical tutorials. Lectures are delivered either face-to-face at the UCD campus or via a virtual classroom.
Other:
- The MSc CT builds on the skills gained during the Graduate Diploma in CT, focusing on advanced CT applications, research, and state-of-the-art technological developments.
- During the course, students must undertake a minimum of 925 clinical hours under the guidance of a named clinical supervisor to gain the necessary specialist clinical skills in CT scanning.
- This course confers clinical competence, and thus there is an emphasis on the development of clinical skills and integration of theory and practice.
- These teaching and learning strategies are designed to encourage autonomous personal and professional development within a supportive framework.
University College Dublin
Overview:
University College Dublin (UCD) is a leading research-intensive university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is known for its commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and global engagement. UCD offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines.
Student Life and Campus Experience:
UCD provides a vibrant and diverse campus experience for its students. The university emphasizes the holistic development of its students, offering a range of opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Key Reasons to Study There:
Research Excellence:
UCD is renowned for its strong research output and collaborations with industry partners.Global Partnerships:
The university boasts a vast network of partner institutions worldwide, providing students with opportunities for international study and exchange.Transformational Learning:
UCD focuses on providing a transformative learning experience that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills.Other:
UCD is actively involved in promoting sustainability and social responsibility. The university is committed to creating a positive impact on society through its research, teaching, and engagement activities.
Entry Requirements:
- For Standard Entry Applicants:
- Academic Qualification: Hold a BSc (Honours) or equivalent in Diagnostic Radiography.
- Professional Qualification: Must have Department of Health approval to practise radiography in Ireland or Health Professions Council approval to practise radiography in the UK & Northern Ireland.
- Clinical Experience: A minimum of three months of clinical experience in CT scanning prior to commencing the course is required, with documented evidence.
- Clinical Placement: Candidates must arrange their own clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 925 hours gaining practical experience in CT over the duration of the course.
- Clinical Supervisor: Candidates must arrange for a suitably qualified clinical supervisor to oversee their clinical experience. Details must be provided to the Academic Programme Co-ordinator during the first week of the course.
- Clinical Hours Declaration Form: A clinical hours declaration form must be signed by the Radiographic Services Manager, indicating agreement to provide the requisite number of clinical hours during the course and confirming the requisite pre-course clinical experience in CT. This must be submitted together with other necessary documentation specified in the online application process.
- For Applicants with an Existing Postgraduate Qualification in CT:
- Academic Qualification: Hold an existing Graduate Diploma or equivalent in CT.
- Approval: Subject to approval by the Academic Programme Director and Graduate Taught Programmes Committee, applicants may apply for accreditation of prior learning for part of the 90 credits required for the award of MSc.
- Clinical Experience: Must have maintained a work practice record in CT since obtaining their Graduate Diploma qualification and provide evidence of the same.
- Transcript and Syllabus: Transcript of results and Course Syllabus / Curriculum documents must be provided by applicants who obtained their CT qualification from a University other than UCD.
- Clinical Placement: Applicants must arrange their own clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 305 hours of their clinical time in CT during the course of this module. This must be signed by the Radiographic Services Manager, indicating agreement to provide the requisite number of clinical hours during the module.
- Rescind Graduate Diploma: Applicants who have undertaken their Graduate Diploma at UCD must rescind their UCD-awarded Graduate Diploma before the award of MSc CT is awarded.
- For International Applicants:
- Academic Qualification: Hold a BSc (Honours) or equivalent in Diagnostic Radiography.
- Language Proficiency: Have attained a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS (a minimum of 6 in each band). All test results must be less than 2 years old.
- Clinical Experience: Have attained at least 9 months clinical work experience in CT prior to commencing the course, and provide documented evidence supporting this on the pre-clinical hours declaration form.
- Clinical Placement: The offer of a place to international students is also dependent upon the University’s ability to negotiate clinical placement in a CT department of an Irish hospital over the duration of the course. It may not be possible to confirm the outcome of these negotiations until the weeks prior to the start of the course.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- International Applicants: Have attained a minimum score of 7.0 in IELTS (a minimum of 6 in each band). All test results must be less than 2 years old.
Huge and always expanding. Lots of course options and the professors care a lot about what they teach. Huge amount of students and clubs so there is something for everyone.
Finished my Masters in Food Safety here in 2019. Quality of education is pretty good. Facilities are on point. One of the better universities in Ireland. A lot of extra curricular activities organised all round the year. No racism or any other issue as per my experience. Teaching staff is quite knowledgeable. I loved my time there. 10/10
