Key information
UCAS code:
BB81
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a minimum of 32 UCAS points from a Science subject
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Diagnostic radiographers are a vital part of healthcare teams – they use medical imaging equipment to take images of inside the body, then interpret these images to diagnose and understand patients' health conditions.
This BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging degree prepares you for a career identifying illnesses and helping to save lives.
Course highlights
- Learn how to examine patients safely using X-ray, CT scanning, fluoroscopy, MRI, ultrasound and more
- Practise your skills under expert supervision in our Centre for Simulation in Health and Care, complete with our brand new digital X-ray suite and digital mobile unit
- Spend at least 10 weeks each year on clinical placement, working alongside experienced radiographers in real NHS hospitals
- Become eligible to register with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) when you graduate, ready for a career as a Diagnostic Radiographer or to train further and enter advanced practice, research, teaching or health management
95%
of graduates in work or further study 15 months after this course
(HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2018/19)
Accredited by:
The Diagnostic Radiography & Medical Imaging course offered by the University of Portsmouth was approved by the College of Radiographers for a period of five years from 16/03/2020.
This course is also approved by the Health & Care professions Council (HCPC).
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
Entry Requirements
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points from 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a minimum of 32 points from a Science subject (preferably Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics). A levels in Applied Science, PE, Psychology and Sports Science are considered. BTEC Extended Diploma in a Science based subject and Science based Access to Higher Education awards are also welcomed (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit. Acceptable T Level Subjects:
T Level in Healthcare Science, T Level in Science (Acceptable Occupational Specialisms: Laboratory sciences, Metrology sciences) - BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 29
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
Selection process
- All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview in support of their application.
- Applicants must pass Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health checks before starting the course.
- If successful, applicants will be required to declare if they have been subject to any disciplinary procedures of fitness to practice by any other regulator, professional body, employer or educational establishment.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 7.0 with no component score below 6.5.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Values and the NHS Constitution
We embed the principles and values of the NHS Constitution in all our health and social care courses. When you apply for this course, we’ll expect you to demonstrate how your values align with the values of the Constitution.
I am now about to begin my third and final year of the BSc and am beginning to not only feel like I am capable of progressing in an interesting and potentially varied career, I have also had some transformative experiences within the NHS itself.
Your facilities
Digital X-ray and imaging suite
Before you go on placement in real hospitals, you'll build the skills and confidence you need in the digital X-ray and imaging suite of our safe and realistic Simulation Centre.
Mass casualty simulated experiences | University of Portsmouth
Discover how the School of Health and Care Professions at the University of Portsmouth uses mass casualty simulated experiences to support its teaching. These events enhance the learning of students and conduct research into the processes of healthcare providers as well as using simulated patient experience to teach empathy to nursing students
Hazel
The simulation centre is as close as you can get to an actual ward. It's just a safe place to practice your skills that enable you to become the best you can be at what you want to do.
Laura Knight
SimEx is a simulated mass casualty event. It takes place all over the greater Portsmouth area, with multiple exercises going on with multiple students involved and multiple agencies as well and it just allows not only hospital environments, but also disaster response environments to be able to test their mass casualty processes and protocols to make sure that we deal with it in the best way that we possibly can.
Sarah Herbert
The event today was based on a traffic accident. We've got actors playing the parts of patients, various injuries, some relatively minor, up to some pretty serious stuff and unfortunately, a few people that didn't make it.
Laura Knight
Last year we did one day full of adult casualties. This year, we've doubled the days up and we've added a paediatric element in which allows QA and our students to be able to prepare themselves if the worst ever happened and we did have a lot of children needing attention medically at any one time.
Melanie Tanner
It's a really rare opportunity to be involved in something that's in such big scale, as in SimEx. The students, of course, do have placements. They have to do 2300 hours, be put on the register to be a nurse. But to get this experience with this mass casualty situation would be very, very rare for them.
Laura Knight
A lot of the time, students have to take a bit of a backseat role when stuff like this comes in during clinical placements. Being able to do it in a controlled environment allows the students to be able to practice their skills that they're going to have to be doing when they qualify and when they come across a major incident in real life.
Melanie Tanner
By seeing this and working together with the QA team here now, they are getting such valuable learning experience and if they ever have to deal with this in the future, it will allow them to be more confident and competent practitioners.
Makaylia
I believe that getting this experience as a student opens my eyes to what actually happens in the real world. I feel like I've had the experience where I can implement those skills into anything that I come across.
Hazel
There are so many different aspects of the multidisciplinary team within the hospital setting and being able to understand each other's roles and communicate with each other and work together is what optimises patient outcomes.
Makaylia
This will help me in my future career because of all the experience that I've gained and an insight of what it's like to work with different types of teams, for example, doctors, consultants and other nurses. It's good for communication and teamwork.
Melanie Tanner
20 of my student nurses I've directed up to Tipner. They're going to be involved in a humanitarian exercise and they will be working with the crisis and management team. The idea is by putting student nurses in those roles is they get to see what it's like to be on the other side, to feel vulnerable, to feel empathy for that person in that situation.
Debbi Atkinson
It's about recognising the roles of others, seeing the impacts that they can have and I think its just about taking those transferable skills that our students have and putting it into a different situation.
Steve Searby
Nursing isn't a traditional, ward based approach. Some of the students here could go on and work for international aid agencies. It is really important that they have an awareness of the kind of pressures that they could be involved in.
Phil Crook
There's negotiations that have to be undertaken with local important people. There's interviews with the media to show off their organisation and develop relationships. They face a series of other challenges, such as passing checkpoints and to access and assess a particular location as to its suitability to develop into a refugee camp or camp for internally displaced people. The better we can make that experience now, the better equipped they'll be when they go into that world in the future.
SimEx allows us to offer an exercise environment to other organisations, external to the university such as voluntary organisations, sometimes local authority, emergency responders, United Nations organisations, civil protection organisations from around the world and then sat behind all of that, because we're a university, there's a huge amount of research that goes on.
Melanie Tanner
This experience will really help the students in their future careers. It will really make them feel safe, confident and competent going forward. If it becomes a reality, which we do have major casualty incidents, then they will feel more confident as a team all together to work together and hopefully get a better outcome for everyone in our community.
Careers and opportunities
Without diagnostic radiographers it would be harder to diagnose, treat and manage illness and disease. They provide essential services to millions of people every year and are often the first people patients and service users come into contact with during their care.
Demand for diagnostic radiographers is rising too. Just before the pandemic, an independent report for NHS England highlighted the need for 3,500 additional radiographers over the next five years, and a 2021 census by The College of Radiographers revealed high vacancy rates in the field.
So, with this degree qualification, you can expect a rewarding career and high demand for your skills.
What can you do with a Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging degree?
Most of our students quickly secure roles as Diagnostic Radiographers in the NHS.
As a newly qualified NHS Diagnostic Radiographer in 2021, you could earn a starting salary of £25,655, moving up to £31,354 (Band 5).
With more experience, you could earn up to £39,027 (Band 6), and with a role in management or advanced practice, you could make between £40,057 and £53,219 (Bands 7 to 8a), or more as a consultant.
You could also work as a diagnostic radiographer for independent providers, industrial companies and veterinary clinics as you progress your career.
With experience and additional training, you could go into:
- postgraduate study or research in specialisms such as computed tomography, medical magnetic resonance, ultrasound, nuclear medicine and medical physics
- health management through the NHS Graduate Scheme
- teaching
Graduates have gone on to work for these institutions:
- Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust
- University Hospital Southampton
- Southampton General Hospital
- Spire Southampton
- Western Sussex NHS Hospital Trust
- Newcastle Royal Victoria Infirmary
- St George's NHS Foundation Trust, London
Ongoing careers support
After you graduate, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability Service as you advance in your career.
As a practical learner, clinical placement is one of my favourite parts of the course. Putting theory into practice and building confidence in dealing with patients.
Clinical placements
You'll attend clinical placements on this course, supported by clinical mentors and registered healthcare professionals. You'll have 2 or 3 placement blocks in each academic year, each lasting between 6 and 9 weeks. You'll spend at least 14 weeks on placement each year.
Your placements may be at one or more of the following locations, among others:
- Portsmouth Hospitals University Trust - Queen Alexandra Hospital
- University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust - Southampton General Hospital
- Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust - Royal Hampshire County Hospital, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital
- Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust - Salisbury District Hospital
- University Hospitals Dorset NHS Foundation Trust - Poole Hospital, Royal Bournemouth Hospital
- Isle of Wight NHS Trust - St. Mary's Hospital
On placement, you'll take part in all imaging modalities, including conventional imaging and remote imaging, theatre imaging, fluoroscopy, CT, MRI, ultrasound and radionuclide imaging. You'll be supervised by an experienced radiographer at all times to ensure a safe environment and the highest levels of patient care.
You'll be looked after by University Link Radiographers, who will monitor your progress, provide expert guidance and support, and oversee all aspects of your placement experience.
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
It aims to develop the key professional and graduate skills whilst providing a foundation for future professional development.
It will focus upon the essential science underpinning conventional radiographic imaging and relevant imaging acquisition methods whilst outlining the legislative framework pertaining to the use of ionising radiation for medical imaging. Attainment of this knowledge is essential to practice in a safe and informed manner.
On this module you'll:
- Describe the structure and function of cells and tissues.
- Demonstrate the use of appropriate terminology to identify anatomical structures, regions, planes and body orientation.
- Describe the anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary and immune systems to include endocrinology.
- Recognise and describe pathophysiological processes associated with the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular, urinary and immune systems.
- Understand the pharmacology, associated risks and appropriate use of contrast agents in imaging the musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and urinary systems.
Supervised clinical practice is a fundamental aspect of this module to ensure threshold skills and professional behaviour outcomes are achieved. These are documented via the Practice Assessment Document with skills being assessed continuously against set descriptors for the level of study.
Core modules
By exploring ethical considerations and selecting appropriate approaches, you'll explore the stages involved in the design and planning of a project in health or social care. You'll discuss the strengths and weaknesses of published evidence that inform practice and consider the barriers, enablers, and contextual factors surrounding evidence based decision-making.
It's designed to equip you with knowledge of Health and Social Care commissioning processes in relation to imaging service provision. This will allow you to analyse and respond to the needs of a community with respect to service delivery, improvement and transformation. Subsequently service user groups and their preferences will be considered. With respect to service transformation, you'll explore management and leadership theories and how these might be applied in the context of diagnostic radiography with respect to organisational culture, behaviour and change. Concepts of leadership, management, coaching and mentoring in relation to performance management, service delivery and service improvement will be introduced.
It will focus on providing you with knowledge of normal cross-sectional human anatomy of the brain, neck, thoracic cavity and abdominopelvic cavity. With respect to these areas, you'll also attain knowledge of anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging of the neurological, digestive, and reproductive systems. Owing to the nature of the imaging practices covered, the issues surrounding the use of contrast and pharmacological agents will be considered where appropriate and within the professional context.
This module intends to cover the principles and instrumentation for Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Ultrasound (US) and Nuclear Medicine whilst also considering the equipment used for mammography, dynamic imaging, angiography, and interventional procedures. As diagnostic radiographers are required to perform and assist with examinations using these modalities, knowledge of the relevant equipment is therefore necessary to practice in a safe and informed manner.
You'll develop additional skills in working with patients with complex needs and in a variety of imaging modalities across medical imaging. Supervised clinical practice is a fundamental aspect of this module to ensure threshold skills and professional behaviour outcomes are achieved. These are documented via the Practice Assessment Document with skills being assessed continuously against set descriptors for the level of study.
Core modules
You'll develop advanced skills working with patients with complex trauma and care needs, considering alternative imaging methods.
You'll explore the management of risk, legal and ethical responsibilities of radiographers and consider the radiographer's role within a multi disciplinary team.
Through supervised clinical practice and continuous assessment, you'll prepare for your first role as a radiographer as you master your conduct, patient care, communication, teamwork and reflective skills
You'll gain knowledge of legal and ethical considerations surrounding image interpretation – crucial for professional practice. Through a blend of academic and clinical learning, you'll become competent in analysing radiographic images to reach accurate diagnoses. Key skills include incorperating clinical information with image appearances, evaluating your interpretation against standards, and effectively communicating radiological findings. You'll interpret plain images for diverse examinations, laying foundations to become a skilled practitioner.
By completing this module, you move closer towards meeting several HCPC Standards of Proficiency for radiographers.
You'll explore the instruments used for CT, MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine and examine the specialized equipment used in mammography, angiography and dynamic imaging procedures.
By building your understanding of this technology, you'll be able to assist with and perform examinations safely and apply theoretical concepts.
As you gain insight into these modalities, you'll be empowerd to provide skilled patient care.
You'll collect and analyse evidence from a variety of sources and explore an area of best practice. From this research, you'll then develop a plan that communicates and critically discusses your findings.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- examinations
- coursework
- clinical practice
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- simulation
- hospital placements
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
The practical element of the course is both challenging and rewarding in equal measure.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Diagnostic Radiography and Medical Imaging degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as tutorials, lectures, seminars and practical classes and workshops for about 20 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends.
You'll need to be prepared to work evenings, nights and weekends when you're on placement.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK) for one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to:
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from the faculty librarian for science.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
You can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme during your course to improve your English.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £17,900 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional funding – at least £5,000 a year
UK students on this course may be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund of at least £5,000 a year. The bursary is non-repayable and is in addition to any other support you are eligible for, including Government student loans.
For more information, including eligibility criteria, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
Joining as an international or EU student? Explore the scholarships you can access.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Your uniform is included as part of your course fee, but you’ll need to pay £17–£23 for extra or replacement uniforms. You’ll also need to supply your own suitable footwear for placements.
The accessory equipment, such as anatomical side markers, are included in your course costs. You’ll need to pay for replacements if you lose them. These costs will vary, but are normally around £15–£20.
You’ll need to meet the costs of accommodation and travel for your clinical placements. Clinical accommodation costs around £400 a month, and travel costs vary. The NHS may meet some of these costs for students eligible for the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – BB81
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Applying from outside the UK
As an international student you'll apply using the same process as UK students, but you’ll need to consider a few extra things.
You can get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
Find out what additional information you need in our international students section.
Preparing your application
Diagnostic radiography is a patient focussed-career that uses technological equipment to assist with diagnosis. Therefore, in addition to meeting the course entry requirements, it's important to show in your application and UCAS Personal Statement that you're:
- Caring and supportive
- Compassionate and empathetic
- Calm under pressure
- Adaptable
- Able to work in a team
- A good communicator
- Attentive to detail
- Open to learning new skills
- Interested in science and technology
- Able to work with technology
Undertake research into the profession too and, if possible, arrange a clinical visit. This is especially useful before you apply because you can show us you've researched diagnostic radiography as a career.
You can also highlight what skills or life experience you have that makes you a good candidate for a place on the course.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.