BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Integrated Foundation Year

About

Ready to make a real impact in healthcare? Diagnostic radiography plays a vital role in helping patients access accurate diagnoses and timely treatment. This exciting field is constantly evolving with cutting-edge technology, offering a career full of growth and opportunity.

Our evidence-based, hands-on course puts patient care at the centre of your learning, giving you the practical experience and interprofessional skills needed to thrive. As a diagnostic radiographer, you’ll work with advanced imaging tools to capture crucial insights that support diagnosis and treatment across diverse clinical settings.

What is a foundation year?

A Foundation year provides an additional entry-level year for you to gain further knowledge of a subject before starting a full degree course.

On completing the Foundation year successfully, you progress automatically onto the full degree course, which is usually three years. You don’t need to apply for a place on the full degree course.

Further information on University of Plymouth courses with Foundation years .

^{A full list of potential progressions routes is listed under course details}

Why choose a degree with a foundation year?

To build your confidence to study at university level.
To gain the knowledge and skills needed to complete a full degree.
Your qualifications don't meet entry requirements for a three-year degree.
You want to study a new subject that your previous qualifications or experience haven’t prepared you for.
You may have thought university wasn’t an available option for you.
You want to join a university course that is needed for the career you’d like.

This course is for you if...

you're compassionate and committed to supporting patients by using medical imaging to help diagnose and guide their care

you're a team player, ready to work with healthcare professionals, patients, and families

Two healthcare professionals, one with stethoscope

you're keen to explore the power of medical imaging technology in today's healthcare

Doctor or healthcare worker holding up xray

you’re ready to stand alongside diagnostic imaging professionals who impact lives every day

Details

Foundation year

Teaching will be delivered across a mixture of shared and bespoke core modules. Shared modules are delivered in collaboration with the School of Biomedical Sciences. For information about the remaining three years of this course, please refer to:

Placements in clinical areas do not start until you progress to Year 1 of either of our BSc (Hons) courses.

Diagnostic radiography students in a computer lab

Core modules

BHCS001
Infection, Immunity and Therapeutics 20 credits

This module will provide an introduction to microbiology and the human immune system. Students will learn the fundamental biology relating to bacteria, helminths, viruses and fungi. And also develop an understanding of how our immune system has evolved to combat infection. The module will also explore methods to control microbial contamination and therapeutic strategies to prevent disease.

50% Coursework

50% Examinations

BHCS002
Current Developments in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences 20 credits

This module examines the role of science in addressing key contemporary issues in Human Biology and Biomedical Sciences. The module aims to take an integrative approach, aiming to develop in students both a critical appreciation of the ways in which issues in Human Biology can be approached and resolved, and to develop an understanding of the skills and attributes needed for effective study of such issues at undergraduate level.

100% Coursework

FMD001
Molecules to Cells 20 credits

This module introduces key concepts involved in cell regulation including genetic inheritance, metabolism and protein expression. The important role of enzymes in the control of biochemical pathways will be introduced, as will an introduction to cell signalling. Cellular organisation within different tissues will also be outlined, enabling students to recognise links between structure and function. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

100% Examinations

FMD002
Introduction to Human Physiology 20 credits

This module will provide a foundation of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology. Using example systems, it will emphasise relationships between structure and function and examine homeostatic regulation in these systems. Students should develop sufficient theoretical and practical understanding to enable progression to relevant honours degree programmes.

50% Examinations

50% Other

FMD004
Interdisciplinary Learning and Team Based Learning (Enquiry learning) 20 credits

This module is designed to enable learners to develop key skills required for working in multidisciplinary teams. Students will be encouraged to work with their colleagues to manage tasks and tailor learning according to their own particular discipline

100% Coursework

FDR002
Learning Skills for Diagnostic Radiography

This module is designed to enable learners to adapt to the learning environment of higher education by developing an independent, reflective and managed approach to learning, study skills, mathematical skills and aspects of diagnostic radiography practice.

Progress to the pathway of your choice

This foundation year forms the first stage of your degree.

Although it does not lead to a separate qualification, it is designed to prepare you with the skills and knowledge needed to progress confidently onto Year 1 of one of our full BSc (Hons) degrees:

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council

^{The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.}

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Hons Diagnostic Radiography with Integrated Foundation Year programme specification 7036

Experience

Hands-on learning

We pride ourselves on providing exceptional facilities, designed to enhance your learning experience and offer practical, hands-on opportunities for skills development.

Life Sciences Resource Centre

Our Life Sciences Resource Centre (LSRC) is an outstanding teaching and learning facility with an extensive range of modern resources designed to best support your study, whether attending taught sessions or during self-directed learning.

Clinical Skills Resource Centre

With early patient exposure, we aim to develop competent and thoughtful medical professionals, highlighting the importance of integrating theoretical knowledge with practical application through placement and simulated practice. Our Clinical Skills Resource Centre at the John Bull Building allows you to develop vital clinical and communication skills in a safe, supported environment before experiencing the pressure of a real clinical setting.

Real-world experience

Placements are an integral part of our Diagnostic Radiography programme providing you with the opportunity to develop and apply the theoretical knowledge and skills you have learnt to a range of clinical settings and graduate with a broad range of clinical placement experience.

Patient lying inside a medical scanner in hospital.CAT scan in hospital. PET scan equipment. Medical CT scan of patient.

Year 1 placements

In your first year, you will be developing your professional identify and we organise placements to help you understand the patient pathway and the roles of other healthcare workers within this. This may include working with admin and portering staff, as well as on various wards, clinics and with clinical imaging assistants.These placements last for a week at a time and take place throughout the year.

Excellent communication is an essential part of your role as a diagnostic radiographer, and the skills you learn in this first year will enable you to become comfortable as a student radiographer before you start your second year clinical placement.

Year 2 placements

In your second year, you will take part in a semester long placement that takes place between September and January.
During the second semester, alongside your academic studies, you will continue to gain practical experience with weekend placements (interval placements) before returning to another five weeks' of.placement in June.

Year 3 placements

During your third year you wil experience a second semester long placement that runs from January to May, with interval placements taking place in the first semester (September to January).

Placement variety and location

We aim to give you a wide range of experience across the majority of areas where diagnostic radiography is carried out. This can include peripheral hospitals and the independent sector, as well as the large teaching hospitals.

Our placements are located across the South West region, including Devon, Cornwall and Somerset and there may be opportunities outside of the local area. Due to the wide geographical spread of our placement opportunities, you will be expected to undertake placements outside the local area. This may require you to relocate and find secondary accommodation for the duration of the placement (see additional costs).

Health students taking part in PIHC interprofessional learning activity

PIHC interprofessional learning session - 3 students kneeling on the floor looking at an exercise

Work alongside other healthcare students

Teamwork is essential for success in health and social care and many other careers. Interprofessional learning is all about working and learning together with people from different areas of healthcare. It helps you build valuable skills for the future.

The Plymouth Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre supports interprofessional learning, giving students chances to work with others across different healthcare fields including radiography, dietetics, dental surgery, psychology, and child nursing. By learning together, students become confident and ready to step into their careers from day one.

Learning alongside other professions from the get-go massively contributed to my own professional growth, learning from other areas of expertise, being able to understand how to best utilise other professions and to form an understanding of patient pathways that come alongside diagnostic imaging. Getting involved within a multidisciplinary team early allowed me to grow confidence when communicating outside of the usual team, building skills to form that partnership with others for a holistic approach to patient care.

Gemma
Diagnostic Radiography graduate

Read the NHS Constitution

All our students are expected to adhere to the principles and values laid out in the NHS Constitution.

Learn from experienced healthcare professionals

At the Peninsula Medical School, our whole staff team is dedicated to ensuring you maximise your potential and take ownership journey. Putting our School values of being kind and inclusive into practice, our teachers are committed to supporting you on your journey into medicine. We work in partnership to inform curriculum design and innovation, to develop support structures, peer teaching and a wealth of extracurricular opportunities.

Dr Grant Mitchell
Honorary Associate Professor in Radiology

Mrs Karran Speakman
Honorary Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography

Dr Siobhan Moyes
Associate Professor of Anatomy

Mr Aaron Kingdon
Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography

Mr Steve Allen
Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography (Education)

Mr Kevin Hinton
Lecturer (Diagnostic Radiography)

Show all

Enhance your studies with 'RadSoc'

"Our Radiology Society, or RadSoc, is your gateway to the fascinating world of medical imaging! Whether you're a budding radiologist or just eager to sharpen your skills in reading X-rays and scans, this is the place for you. Join us as we explore the art of diagnostics and unlock the secrets behind every image. Let’s get scanning!"

Join RadSoc

Life in Plymouth

Plymouth's maritime history and coastal location have an undeniable influence on life in the city. The walk from our main campus to the seafront is only about one mile, providing loads of opportunity to relax and unwind during your studies. You don’t need to leave the city to get to the coast!

The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.

Jenna
Current student

Life in the city

Discover what Plymouth and its unique geographical location have to offer

Explore your accommodation options

Discover our range of student accommodation options and find out how you can get a guaranteed place in halls

Group of female members of cheerleading society

Get involved with one of our many student groups

Our large student population, active Students' Union, and abundance of student-led clubs and societies blend to create a busy and vibrant student scene

Careers

The Diagnostic Radiography courses at Plymouth stand out as you are hands-on as early as the first year - interacting with patients and other departments outside of imaging. You undertake clinical placements in a variety of areas, allowing you to widen your experience in not only different imaging modalities, but different clinical settings and geographical locations, and you are thoroughly supported throughout. I would 100% recommend studying here to any potential future students.

Gemma
Diagnostic Radiography graduate

BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography student Gemma Tracy in graduation robes

Diagnostic radiographers utilise the latest technology to look inside the body to identify causes of illness, safeguarding patients by utilising radiation regulations. They operate a range of imaging technology to capture, interpret and report findings. They compare image results pre- and post-treatment, and work closely with doctors and specialists to inform treatment.

Diagnostic Radiographers work with a wide range of conditions to help other clinicians develop treatment plans for patients. They use a range of imaging techniques to identify a variety of medical issues, from fractures and breaks to joint issues, internal injuries, stroke and cancer.

Within the radiography profession there are a multitude of job opportunities. You could work in the NHS, within the public or private sector. For example:

NHS hospitals
Specialist departments such as radiology and A&E
Outpatients departments
Operating theatres
Armed Forces
Veterinary practices
Private practice
GP surgeries
Education and academia
Research
Leadership roles
Voluntary roles

For more information visit radiographers careers.

Two doctors or radiographers wearing scrubs and looking at a scan image

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

Tuition fees for new full-time students starting in 2025-2026 or

2026-2027

Full-time study
£9,535 per year

Part-time study
£795 per 10 credits

Tuition fee price changes

In November 2024, the UK Government announced an increase to tuition fees and maintenance support for 2025/26 academic year, setting the standard tuition fee and student maintenance loan at £9,535 per year and the University’s tuition fees were increased to this rate.

The UK Government has indicated that further fee increases may be announced this year and in subsequent years. If the UK Government does so, the University may increase annual tuition fees in subsequent years, which may include the fees for the 2026/2027 academic year, in line with the Student Contract and all times in line with the maximum tuition fee caps set by the Government. More information about fees and costs of studying .

Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2025-2026 academic year.

Full-time study
£18,650 per year

Tuition fees for full-time international students starting in 2026-2027 academic year.

Full-time study
£19,200 per year

Tuition fee price changes

Our fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about

fees and costs of studying

.

Additional costs

Placements: All students within the Peninsula Medical School will spend time in placements away from university. The South West is a largely rural region, which often requires students to travel longer and further distances than may be expected when universities are in largely urban areas. In many cases students will stay away from home for the period of that placement time. Most students are eligible for reimbursement of additional travel and accommodation costs over normal daily travel costs. This support is part of the Learning Support Fund administered through the NHS Business Services Authority. International students are not eligible for support from the Learning Support fund and will need to fund their placement accommodation and travel.

Further information: More details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Health additional costs .

Fund your studies

As an undergraduate at Plymouth, there are plenty of funding options available, including tuition fee loans, living cost loans, scholarships, bursaries and support funds.

You may be eligible for a £5000 NHS training grant

The NHS Learning Support Fund provides additional funding for eligible healthcare students. It is supplementary financial support to the mainstream student loans system and is intended to support students whilst they train and gain professional registration. The training grant is for at least £5,000.

Supporting students with the cost of living

The cost of living in the UK has risen faster than household income, meaning that most people will have less to spend on essential goods and services. This is an ongoing situation that is likely to affect everyone in some way.

The University provides advice and guidance and has a range of services, facilities and offers to help students with rising everyday costs.

Access support for students experiencing rising costs

Apply

Entry requirements

Our typical offer
32 UCAS points

GCSE

Applicants need to achieve GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) in the following subjects:

English Language
Mathematics

Plus one of the below Level 3 qualifications

Level 3 qualifications must include the equivalent of one A Level in one of the following subject: