Diagnostic Radiography BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Professionally Accredited Programmes
female in scrubs preparing a patient who is lying down in a CT scanning machine

If you’re interested in a career in health, then diagnostic radiography is one of the most innovative and varied areas you could choose.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time (BSc)

Course code

B821

Start date

September 2023

How to apply
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Course overview

Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) enabling you to register as a radiographer upon successful completion (additional requirements and costs may apply)

  • State-of-the-art teaching facilities including a new £2m diagnostic radiography suite.
  • All home students on this course will qualify for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.
  • Strong partnerships with clinical placement providers are designed to enable you to practice in a diverse range of educational and professional learning environments such as acute, district and community services, and public, private and charitable organisations. Clinical experience placements embedded within the course meet the requirements of the Health and Care Profession Council (HCPC)5.
  • You will have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of transformative learning opportunities and innovative modules designed to further enhance graduate employability in a dynamic health and social care environment. This includes a breadth of professional practice experience, service user involvement and inter-professional collaborative education2.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings
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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

Using advanced technology, diagnostic radiographers take images inside patients’ bodies to help understand and diagnose illness and injury. As well as working directly with patients, they consult with a range of healthcare professionals to design treatment programmes, procedures and therapies.

Diagnostic Radiographers use the latest technology including Conventional Radiography, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Radionuclide medicine (RNI) and Ultrasound (US) to examine the body and facilitate the effective and timely diagnosis of various medical conditions. We take a ‘learning through exploration’ approach enabling you to put the knowledge and skills you develop into practice using a variety of cutting-edge innovative simulated scenarios.

  • Diagnostic Radiography at Coventry is available as a 3-year BSc (Hons) degree.
  • Our course is intended to develop you into a radiographer who has a good understanding of all aspects of radiography and patient care who can respond to a rapidly evolving health delivery service.
  • Delivering effective and compassionate patient care is at the centre of the course. You will have the chance to learn how to understand and manage the patients’ needs, the importance of communication and care alongside the science and technology of diagnostic imaging and how it is used in this dynamic care profession.
  • As a diagnostic radiographer you will work directly with patients and produce, process and assess images of body structures - for example, skeletal and soft tissue injuries or abnormalities which are used to support and guide direct interventional treatments, procedures and therapies.
  • Throughout the course you will be given the opportunity to develop knowledge of health-related sciences including, human anatomy, physiology, medical physics and technology to support the operation, interpretation and diagnostic processes of radiographic imaging. In addition, you will explore patient interaction, care and protection - including safe radiation practice - a fundamental responsibility for diagnostic radiographers. You will also examine the crucial role diagnostic radiographers play in health screening programmes such as cancer screening.
  • Practice placements5, which are sourced for you by the university, are an integral part of the course and aim to enable you to develop clinical skills and work as part of a multidisciplinary team. In addition, you will have the opportunity to learn about performing various aspects of diagnostic radiography practices alongside other healthcare students in the university’s purpose-built Simulation Centre, using the latest equipment that would normally be found in clinical settings4.

Accreditation and professional recognition

hcpc health & care professions council

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

This course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the 2023/24 intake.

The College of Radiographers Logo

The College of Radiographers (COR)

The Diagnostic Radiography BSc (Hons) offered by Coventry University was approved by the College of Radiographers for a period of five years from 07/2023 to 07/2028 inclusive.

Memberships

Society of Radiographers (SoR)

You are eligible to become a member of the Society of Radiographers (SoR) (Additional costs may apply).

Find out more about Diagnostic Radiography at Coventry

What you'll study

You will be introduced to the foundation elements of diagnostic radiography through a range of theoretical and professional practice modules. The professional practice component is designed to help enable you to develop the clinical skills required to conduct a range of diagnostic imaging tests and provide excellent person-centred care.

Modules

  • This module aims to introduce you to the human body - anatomy, physiology and pathology. Anatomical knowledge and understanding of physiological systems provide an essential base for radiography practice. It also lays the foundations to enable you to understand human body conditions in order to produce diagnostic images which can affect treatment or management.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to introduce you to the principles of imaging science, equipment and technology. The primary focus of the module will be projectional imaging. The knowledge and understanding of projectional imaging systems includes equipment, functional and operational aspects. It will also cover X-ray production, X-ray beam, interaction with matter and image formation. Radiation safety and protection will include ionising radiation legislation. You should also develop the key skills to practice safely whilst upholding image quality.

    Compulsory

  • Enabling you to become an independent, evidence informed, learner and professional radiographer is the focus of this module. It aims to introduce you to the basic principles of gathering, appraising, interpreting and applying evidence to support your learning and professional development. In addition, study skills will be a feature within the module, helping to support effective academic practice. The module also includes the principles underpinning research and evidence-informed practice in the context of diagnostic radiography.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of the social, political, economic, cultural and environmental factors that influence individual and community health and wellbeing. The module draws upon key international, national and local initiatives to support your learning.

    Compulsory

  • The module begins to develop some of the fundamental skills required for effective diagnostic radiography practice. The areas covered in the module fall within the HCPC competency framework for registered radiographers. The module aims to enhance your understanding of the radiographer’s role, skills and attributes required to undertake projectional imaging techniques of the musculoskeletal system and thorax and abdomen. This module also has a 3-week induction to professional practice-based learning experience placement to explore and understand the role of the radiographer and experience various imaging areas.

    Compulsory

  • Successful completion of this module introduces you to the fundamentals, principles and skills to evaluate projectional imaging images for upper & lower limbs, shoulder, thorax and abdomen areas. You will have the opportunity to study a series of diagnostic images to recognise patterns and appearances of abnormalities and injuries.

    Compulsory

  • This module5 provides a professional practice-based learning experience (6 weeks), which is sourced for you by the university. It aims to enable you to further understand the role of the diagnostic radiographer and their contribution to the multi-disciplinary team and inter-professional working.

    Compulsory

In year two, you will explore the importance of evidence-informed practice in diagnostic radiography and build on your understanding of the radiographer’s role in various imaging areas and person-centred care. The content aims to further develops your theoretical understanding and practical application of diagnostic radiography practice.

Modules

  • This module5 aims to further build on your learning from year 1 to enhance your radiography knowledge and skills for practice. It is designed to allow you to explore complex and advanced examination techniques through effective, safe and evidence-based practice. It further develops your patient centred skills for service users with different physical, mental health and cultural needs. By successfully completing this module you will begin to develop autonomy and practice within professional, ethical and legal frameworks that underpin diagnostic radiography services. It is designed to enable you to gain an understanding of various imaging approaches and apply theory to practice whilst considering the patient’s condition, diagnostic pathways, safety, contrast use and radiation protection. This module provides a professional practice-based learning experience, which is sourced for you by the university.

    Compulsory

  • Developing your understanding of scientific principles related to digital X-ray imaging equipment including mobile, dentals and mammography units is the primary objective of this module. The design and functionality of each of these imaging units will be explored and discussed in terms of image process, workflow and storage image quality, quality assurance procedures, radiation protection, safety and technology.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to build on your previous learning focusing on the organisation of the human body and the structure and function of the physiological systems. You will continue to explore the systems of the human body and relate this to the pathophysiology and management of conditions and diseases commonly presented within radiography professional practice.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to enable you to apply the theoretical knowledge, ethical principles and evidence informed skills developed in the Foundations of Evidence-Informed Practice module to clinical settings. You will explore how to design and justify empirical or literature-based study, relevant to diagnostic radiography and/or medical imaging science, demonstrating the application of sound ethical reasoning. In order to achieve this, it will introduce you to a diverse range of approaches to research, reviews and audits (qualitative, quantitative and participatory) and relevant health and social care policy and legislation. This module will encourage you to explore how the profession specific core values and beliefs can complement those of other health and social care professions, drawing on differing research traditions.

    Compulsory

  • During this module you will examine scientific principles and applications related to imaging techniques - interventional, fluoroscopy, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US) and Radio Nuclide Imaging (RNI). The design and functionality of each of these imaging tools will be explored including interaction processes, biological effects, image quality and technology advances.

    Compulsory

  • This module is designed to build on your image interpretation skills of images of the body systems studied in year one. It aims to provide students with the fundamental knowledge and skills to assess images from various modalities through a systematic approach, highlighting radiographer's role assessing medical images, medico-legal perceptions and factors that influence image evaluation.

    Compulsory

  • This module5 is designed to further explore radiographic skills with various imaging techniques to develop understanding, knowledge and skills in imaging body systems. The tools studied in depth include interventional/fluoroscopy, CT, PET, MRI, US and RNI. This module provides a professional practice-based learning experience (5 weeks), which is sourced for you by the university.

    Compulsory

  • The Student Elected Radiography Practice Experience5 is designed to provide you with the opportunity to broaden and gain specialist radiography professional practice, knowledge and skills. You can select a clinical placement nationally or internationally2 to further develop your clinical competencies within radiography. Through this experience you should be able to demonstrate a range of clinical skills by conducting a range of radiography examinations under supervision. This module requires a professional practice-based learning experience, which is sourced by the student, supported and vetted by the university for health and safety.

    Compulsory

In the third year you will examine the different pathways, advances and developments in radiography and have the opportunity to conduct a research project in an area of radiography of interest to you. In addition, you can study leadership and management in a diagnostic radiography context and undertake professional practice-based learning experience to move towards becoming an autonomous practitioner.

Modules

  • The module aims to prepare you to develop as a skilled radiographer by enhancing the knowledge and skills you acquired in years 1 and 2. Successful completion of year 3 will enable you to demonstrate your understanding of conducting clinical practice in a professional, ethical and safe manner in accordance with HCPC guidance.

    By successfully completing this module you will work towards performing radiographic procedures demonstrating the knowledge and skills required to practice autonomously by applying appropriate radiographic techniques for a range of conditions, following local protocols and national guidelines for radiographic professional practice. You will have the opportunity to participate in a mentorship programme to explore the mentor’s role. This module provides a professional practice-based learning experience (4 weeks), which is sourced for you by the university.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to prepare you to develop and advance your understanding and knowledge of imaging techniques: computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), radionuclide imaging (RNI) and ultrasound (US). The module is designed to enable you to make decisions related to the service user's imaging journey and the assessment of imaging protocols.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to support the development of leadership behaviours and management skills required to function effectively as a newly qualified registered healthcare professional working within a multi-professional team delivering high-quality care.

    Compulsory

  • This module provides you with the opportunity to undertake an in-depth exploration of an area of professional interest. On completion of this module, you will have an enhanced understanding of the research process (either literature-based or empirical) and the potential of informing future practice.

    Compulsory

  • The module aims to explore contemporary issues in relation to diagnostic radiography practice. You will explore the systems and structures of health and social care, methods and tools for service delivery, and pressures on service planning, quality and delivery. The module will also explore macro and micro levels of resources that influence the functionality of the imaging department and complexities related to practice.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to consolidate the image interpretation skills developed in years 1 and 2 to provide you with the essential skills required of a newly qualified radiographer. Successful completion of the module will provide you with the detailed knowledge and skills needed to analyse and critically appraise the significance of the medical images produced.

    Compulsory

  • The primary aim of this key clinical education module5 is to support you in demonstrating your ability to undertake the role of an independent, autonomous and reflective clinician in a way that reflects the practice of a newly qualified radiographer. It gives you the opportunity to show how you can perform effectively and safely in practice in a range of radiography areas. This module provides for a professional practice-based learning experience, which is sourced for you by the university.

    Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

This course is taught utilising a variety of methods including the use of simulation, role play, and service user input. You will have a mixture of lectures, workshops and practical sessions and a problem-based learning approach is taken to enhance your understanding. Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to participate in interprofessional events with other healthcare students.

You will normally have around 15-20 hours per week of teaching which can consist of lectures, small group teaching and practical workshops. In addition, you will be expected to undertake a further 15-20 hours minimum of self-directed study each week.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the University may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Formal examinations
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Posters
  • Practical work
  • Project work
  • Coursework
  • Tests
  • Exams
  • Individual Assignments

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 120
A level BBB with at least one from Biology, Physics or Chemistry.
BTEC DDM in Applied Science OR Health and Social Care with DDM profile plus one A level grade C or above from an A level Science subject or Mathematics.
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma in a Health related subject to include 24 credits at Distinction including 9 credits from a Science subject, with the remaining credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
GCSE requirement 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
International Baccalaureate 30 points including a Higher Level (HL) subject at Grade 5 or above and one HL subject at Grade 4 or above to include a life science or maths subject.

All shortlisted applicants will be invited to an interview to assess their suitability for the course as part of the admissions and selection process.

Applicants are strongly advised to undertake an observational visit at a Radiology or X-ray or Medical Imaging department. Arrangements can be made directly with any local hospital (NHS or private). Although, work experience is not a compulsory element of the application or selection process, it will provide you with an insight into the radiography profession, radiographer’s role, and professional placement experience. We understand that this may be difficult with Covid restrictions, therefore we encourage you to research the role of a radiographer and be able to demonstrate your understanding of the role

Enrolment on the course is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and an Occupational Health (OH) assessment to assess fitness to undertake the clinical component of the course. Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered5.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Is the student required to undergo a DBS check? Y

Is the student required or likely to undergo a placement in a social and/or healthcare setting? Y5.

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Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Enrolment on the course is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and an Occupational Health (OH) assessment to assess fitness to undertake the clinical component of the course. Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements, or the location and type of placement offered5.

Is the student required to undergo a DBS check? Y

Is the student required or likely to undergo a placement in a social and/or healthcare setting? Y5.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU support bursary**
£18,300 per year without EU support bursary**		 Not available
International £18,300 per year Not available

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 may be available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about this in the NHS Learning Support Fund information booklet. 

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU support bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in-line with that of UK students. Students studying a Degree with a Foundation Year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building4 features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance and operating theatre, as well as an x-ray suite and a computer lab for image viewing, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement.

Radiography suite, a staff member helps a patient in a machine

Radiography Suite

You will have the opportunity to practice radiographic imaging using our fully functioning x-ray room that simulates the clinical environment, combined with a diagnostic radiography phantom that mimics human anatomy. Our suite also contains twenty image viewing workstations to support students in learning radiographic anatomy, pathology and image interpretation.

Community Houses

Community Houses

Our two full-size community homes can be used for sessions simulating working with patients outside of a hospital setting.

 
Operating theatre

Operating Theatre

We have set up our specialist facility to simulate real-life hospital surgery. It includes all the equipment needed to train effective operating department practitioners.

Careers and opportunities

Throughout the course you will be given the opportunity to develop knowledge of health-related sciences as well as exploring patient interaction, care and protection. You will have clinical practice placements every year, enabling you to put theory into practice.

The course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)1 enabling you to register as a radiographer upon successful completion (additional requirements and costs may apply).

The UK is facing a shortage of numbers in this vital profession with more than half of radiology leaders saying they need more diagnostic radiographers to keep patients safe.

Successful completion will enable you to apply to register with the Health and Care Profession Council (HCPC) as a radiographer (additional costs apply).

The university's Talent Team, the careers and employability service, provide a wide range of support services to help you plan and prepare for your career options upon graduation.

How to apply

  • 1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Facilities are subject to availability. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.

    5Placements

    Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

    6NHS payment

    The rules may be subject to review by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the future and as a result may change. Please therefore check the NHSBSA website for up-to-date information before applying.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2022/23 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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