Study Radiography, Why & How To Study 

What Radiography degrees can you study?

Radiography undergraduate degrees on offer in the UK include: 

• Diagnostic Radiography BSc 

• Medical Imaging BSc 

• Radiotherapy and Oncology BSc 

• Therapeutic Radiography BSc 

Options usually include a professional placement as part of the course.  

What do you need to get onto a Radiography degree?

Must have  

Typically, entry to an undergraduate Radiography degree requires 112–128 UCAS points. Qualifications may include:

• A Levels: ABB–BBC 

• BTECs: DDD–DMM 

• Scottish Highers: ABBBB–BBBBB (Advanced Highers: BBB–BBC) 

• International Baccalaureate: 32–28 

• Universities will usually ask that you have studied: at least one A Level (or equivalent) in science, such as biology, chemistry or physics 

• Some universities request an interview 

• You’ll need to complete Disclosure and Barring Services (DBS) checks (PVG scheme in Scotland) as you may be working with vulnerable people or children

Good to have  

• Studied other science subjects such as maths, further maths and statistics, or computing, electronics, human biology, PE or psychology at A Level (or equivalent) 

• Work experience or shadowed in a radiography department, or talking to a radiographer about their role 

• Watched radiology webinars or virtual work experience videos online 

• Volunteered or worked in a care home, day care centre, St John Ambulance or St Andrew’s First Aid 

• Done independent reading about the work, technology, and issues such as patient safety – you could start with the website of the College of Radiographers 

• Read up on the NHS core values, such as compassion, respect and dignity 

What topics does a Radiography degree cover?

Topics will vary depending on the specific degree you choose but may include:  

• Introduction to the role of the healthcare professional 

• Imaging physics and technology 

• Diagnostic pathways and associated imaging techniques 

• Assessing and addressing complexity 

• Anatomy and physiology for radiographers 

• Pathology and image interpretation 

• Digital image processing for radiographers 

• Advanced radiation oncology and patient care 

• Anatomy and physiology for the radiographer 

• Planning and dosimetry 

• Radiation physics 

• Research methods for effective practice 

• Supportive care in oncology 

• Working in interprofessional teams 

How will you be assessed?

Courses are assessed in a variety of ways, depending on the module:  

• Coursework  

• Essays  

• Clinical skills tests 

• Placement assessment 

• Exams  

• Group work  

• Oral presentations  

• A dissertation is usually a final year option

• Technical expertise in using machinery to diagnose illness, injury, or screen for abnormalities  

• Knowledge and skills to deliver treatment efficiently 

• Familiarity with advanced technology, including the safe use of equipment to target tumours and deliver the right amount of dosage 

• Professional competence, knowledge of ethical and legal boundaries and maintaining safe practice

Transferable skills:

• Attention to detail 

• Communication 

• Decision making  

• Problem solving  

• Manual dexterity 

• Adaptability 

• Analytical and reflective thinking 

• Empathic interpersonal skills 

• Team working 

• Time management

Professional accreditation:

• Programmes must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) 

• Degrees may also be approved by the College of Radiographers (CoR), and may offer student membership of the Society of Radiographers (SoR)

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Radiography Studies degree?

With experience you might decide to specialise in a particular area, or you might use your expertise to go into management, teaching, research or become a consultant.  

Specialist areas you might consider include: 

• Certain cancers, techniques or equipment 

• Emerging technologies 

• Palliative care 

• Sonography 

• Accident and emergency 

• Terminal illness 

• Trauma

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Examples of Radiography postgraduate courses include:

• Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging MSc 

• Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology Diploma 

• Radiography MSc 

• Radiography: Breast Evaluation PgCert 

• Forensic Radiography MSc