BSc (Hons)
Radiography (Therapeutic)
A balance of academic study and clinical practice
Course Overview
Why take this course?
The modern therapeutic radiographer is an important member of the hospital team. Radiotherapy essentially focuses on the treatment process for some cancers with specialist areas including treatment planning, dosimetry, technical developments and psychological support.
This course consists of academic and clinical blocks during which you’ll gain the relevant professional knowledge and train in patient-facing techniques.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Shadow and receive mentoring from experienced practitioners and undergo simulated training tasks before putting your learning into action in the hospital setting
- Observe, examine, assess and engage with real patients at a vulnerable part of their time in hospital during specialist practice placements
- Following the successful visits of previous diagnostic/therapeutic radiography students, you can compete for the opportunity to secure exchange placements to work in hospitals in Hong Kong
What opportunities might it lead to?
The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Society and College of Radiographers. Therapeutic radiography is found in large specialist centres for the treatment of cancer. You’ll be well qualified and sought after by employers in all spheres of clinical practice, with future career prospects in the UK and overseas.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- management
- research teaching
- manufacturers’ sales and promotion
The School has great facilities to assist in our learning and has recently employed the use of VERT software that recreates the clinical setting.
Lauren Todd, BSc (Hons) Radiography (Therapeutic) student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- B822
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
300 points to include 280 points from 3 A levels or equivalent, including 80 points from a Science subject (preferably Biology, Chemistry or Physics, but will accept PE, Psychology or Sports Science). Access awards are also welcomed. All applicants are subject to interview. All offers are subject to Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance and Occupational Health clearance.
English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
Other qualifications- Fees
(UK/EU), Channel Islands and Isle of Man students: this course is NHS funded; please contact the School of Health Sciences and Social Work for further information or view our page on course specific funding.
This course is not open to International students.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- School of Health Sciences and Social Work
Subject:
Health Sciences and Social Work
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The clinical and real-life learning approach that will equip you for your chosen career
- Our simulated environments that mean you’ll gain and practise the skills you’ll need before entering the workplace
- Approachable lecturers, many of whom are teacher practitioners
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In this first year you will find that you are working alongside many diagnostic students as you cover core topics in the science of radiography, human anatomy, physiology and pathology.
Core units in this year include:
- Physical Principles of Radiography
- Biological Principles and Applications for Therapeutic Radiographers 1
- Biological Principles and Applications for Therapeutic Radiographers 2
- Inter-Professional Skills for Radiographers 1
- Applied Physics of Radiotherapy
- Work-Based Learning for Therapeutic Radiographers 1
Year two
One of the key features of this course is the emphasis on professional practice. In this year you’ll engage in interprofessional learning with one or more other professional groups.
Core units in this year include:
- Biological Principles and Applications for Therapeutic Radiographers 3
- Employability Skills and Career Development for Radiographers
- Inter-Professional Skills for Radiographers 2
- Radiotherapy Equipment
- Principles of Radiotherapy Planning
- Work-Based Learning for Therapeutic Radiographers 2
Year three
Through the integration of theory and practice you are sure to develop a broad clinical skills base. In addition to the normal standards of proficiency expected of all newly-qualified radiographers, you’ll also develop further skills that will prepare you to interpret images.
Core units in this year include:
- Developing Project Skills
- Management of Professional Practice
- Advanced Oncology Practice 1
- Advanced Oncology Practice 2
- Work-Based Learning for Therapeutic Radiographers 3
Teaching and Assessment
Face-to-face learning via lectures, seminars and practical work will make up the majority of your campus-based learning. However, you will also be expected to apply the theoretical and practical components of the course to your hospital placements.
How are you assessed?
On this course there is a balance of formal examinations and coursework assessment. What’s more, as you’ll spend a large chuck of your time in clinical practice, clinical capability is not only assessed, but counts towards your degree classification.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Specialist Software and Scientific Equipment
We have outstanding facilities including a virtual environment radiotherapy unit
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
Practise procedures and respond to possible risks in a safe environment
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information
Specialist Software and Scientific Equipment
We have an outstanding array of radiography facilities and excellent resources to support your clinical learning. This allows you to practise and exercise your clinical skills on campus before you venture into the clinical environment. Here is a taste of what we have to offer:
- a state-of-the-art x-ray imaging suite on par with those used in clinical practice
- a comprehensive electronic film library
- two emergency ultrasound scanners and a high-resolution colour portable ultrasound system
- a three-dimensional virtual environment radiotherapy unit (VERT)
Centre for Simulation in Healthcare
Our aim is to enhance your learning and experiences through the use of innovative technologies. You’ll practise profession-specific skills in a safe and supportive environment, as well as experience the types of clinical and informal healthcare situations that you’ll encounter in the workplace. The Centre is used to simulate real-life scenarios – a great way to prepare you for the real thing during placement.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
Radiography is a rapidly changing profession. As the scope of practice extends and technology develops, the modern radiographer will find their specialist knowledge and skills in high demand.
On successful completion of the course you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and for full membership of the Society and College of Radiographers. As a qualified radiographer you’ll be eligible for a range of posts and a high percentage of our graduates are accepted for NHS posts in radiography with start dates soon after graduation.
There are also many opportunities to specialise within radiography and of course, there’s always the option to take up postgraduate study.
Work experience
At the first stage of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to observe radiographers working in a hospital setting. This is a great way to shadow, observe and receive direct mentoring from experienced practitioners in preparation for your own work placements. There is also continuous training throughout the course via simulated activities, which ultimately prime you for your placements.
Approximately a third of your time will be spent in practice placements, supported by clinical mentors and other Registered Healthcare Professionals. For 9-12 weeks of each year you’ll be on placement and we try to ensure that you receive a balanced clinical experience.
We also encourage you to find work-based experience in a healthcare-related outlet in the summer period. This extra experience will undoubtedly make you stand out to future employers.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more