BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

• Year 1

• You will learn what it means to be a Radiographer, the professional responsibility this brings and your contribution to frontline patient care. These skills will be supported by basic sciences, including physics and biology to help you understand patient health, disease and the variety of diagnostic imaging equipment in use today. Plymouth-based placements will be in local healthcare providing institutions where you will develop a greater understanding of your future role and the skills required to succeed. Small group, enquiry-based learning will use patient focused scenarios to help you to bring all these new skills together, whilst aiding your development of life-long learning skills.

  The following table provides a breakdown of time spent on placement, versus other learning activities throughout the course.

  Year of study	Planned activity*	Independent study	Placement
  Year 1	60 %	20%	20%
  Year 2	20%	25%	55%
  Year 3	20%	25%	55%

  *Scheduled learning and teaching activity, including simulation.

  Core modules

  • Foundations of Healthcare Practice and Professionalism in Diagnostic Radiography (RAD423)

    This year-long module consolidates learning using an enquiry-based learning approach. The small group facilitated setting allows students to apply their learning from taught modules to clinically relevant scenarios. The module will also provide an introductory framework for healthcare science practice, being the major vehicle for the understanding, acquisition and development of the theoretical, practical and personal attributes necessary for a healthcare science practitioner.

  • Clinically Applied Radiography (RAD424)

    This module will provide an overview of the role of diagnostic radiographers within the wider healthcare team. It will establish the diagnostic radiography professional regulations into the programme learning. Radiographic technique, clinical skills and application of medical physics will also be learned using simulation techniques.

  • Medical Imaging Science 1 (RAD425)

    This module forms an introduction to the radiobiological principles on which the practice of diagnostic radiography is based. This includes physics and image formation on commonly used radiographic equipment. This module will also cover relevant legislation and rules that govern radiographic practice.

  • Medical Imaging Science 2 (RAD426)

    This module forms an introduction to the radiobiological principles on which the practice of diagnostic radiography is based. This includes physics and image formation on commonly used radiographic equipment. This module will also cover relevant legislation and rules that govern radiographic practice.

  • Human Biology 1 (RAD427)

    This module will introduce students to core human science topics and understanding of the principles of pathophysiology of the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems of the body required later for image interpretation and patient care. These will include anatomy, physiology, and other relevant biomedical sciences applied to radiography training.

  • Human Biology 2 (RAD428)

    This module will introduce students to core human science topics and understanding of the principles of pathophysiology of the musculoskeletal, gastrointestinal and genitourinary systems and human head and neck of the body required later for image interpretation and patient care. These will include anatomy, physiology, and other relevant biomedical sciences applied to radiography training.

  • Interprofessional Learning 1 (HIPL400)

• Year 2

• The second year of training focuses further on applying your skills to the real world. In addition, you will learn about patient assessment alongside other healthcare professionals. Longer clinical placements within the region will allow you to develop your skills in the work place, taking an active role in patient management. You will also further develop your understanding and importance of the medical images you have taken. Enquiry-based learning tutorials will help you consolidate and apply these taught skills through clinical scenario discussions.

  Core modules

  • Interprofessional Learning 2 (HIPL500)

  • Introduction to Leadership and Project Management for Service and Quality Improvement (RAD523)

    A semester long workshop-based module that allows students to learn in a reflective and inquisitive manner to review their placement experience and the impact of the quality of service delivery on patient care. There is emphasis on evidence-based clinical governance and development of the 4 pillars of practice within radiography (Leadership, Clinical, Education and Research).

  • Clinically Applied Radiography 2 (RAD524)

    This module allows students to apply their learning in clinical practice. They will also work towards passing a range of competencies using an entrustable assessment strategy and completing a reflective portfolio to address HCPC professionalism criteria. This module also includes a self-directed programme of study focussing on evaluating a range of imaging-focussed cases to determine quality, efficacy and their impact on patient management.

  • Medical Imaging Science 3 (RAD525)

    This module builds on the principles and theories of radiological physics with a further evaluation of various cross-sectional imaging modalities. Ability to identify different imaging modalities with a range of skills in appropriate protocol selection.

  • Interprofessional Patient Care (RAD526)

    This interprofessional module focuses on patient care and allows students to develop their clinical and reflective skills. The module allows students to hone their interprofessional skills through discussion with service users and simulation training within wards environments.

  • Applied Human Biology for Imaging (RAD527)

    This module uses the lifecycle to apply students' understanding of anatomy and medical imaging from Year 1, to more clinical scenarios and changes with age and pregnancy. This will allow students to better understand regional anatomy and pathology/trauma and how they present in imaging.

• Final year

• This final year is all about the transition from student to practising healthcare professional. You will learn how to deal with more complex problems during longer clinical placements and conduct an NHS quality improvement or research project, this will advance your understanding of how imaging departments are run and the challenges they face. Outside of placements you will gain a greater knowledge of patient assessment, clinical emergencies and interpretation of imaging investigations. Year 3 will also guide you in career choices beyond that of employment, where your ambition may take you in a more specialised or diverse environment.

  Core modules

  • Interprofessional Learning 3 (HIPL600)

  • Service and Quality Improvement Project (RAD623)

    This module requires students to undertake a comprehensive project focusing on improving patient care and/or service delivery, relevant to the current or recent placement experience and informed by the SCoR Research Strategy. The choice will be student led but the project will be supervised by existing placement providers or academic staff. The project aim will be to inform some aspect of radiographic practice at one of the current placement locales and the student will be the primary author.

  • Clinical Enquiry and Reasoning (RAD624)

    This module focuses on the underpinning values of clinical reasoning skills to become an autonomous practitioner within the clinical setting. Students will develop the skills to interpret a range of diagnostic images, identify important conditions that may require escalation and understand the clinical guidance required to justify their actions. The module will provide opportunity to explore enhanced level and advanced practice in conjunction with latest guidance.

  • Interprofessional Management of Patients in Crisis (RAD625)

    This builds on the Interprofessional Patient Care module, by including a broader range of skills and the opportunity to work with students on other healthcare programmes. Clinical skills training includes intravenous cannulation and medicines management. It will also critically discuss leadership and approaches in health and social care practice and the potential impact on the service user experience and interprofessional teams.

  • Clinically Applied Radiography 3 (RAD626)

    This module builds theory and practical application through Entrustable Professional Activity assessments and a reflective portfolio exceeding Year 2 standards. Students engage in a self-directed study program evaluating imaging cases, honing skills in interpreting diagnostic images and recognising critical conditions. The module prepares students for advanced practice, image evaluation and skills for potential reporting roles.

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 programme specification_7936