BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

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.

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

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.

Radiography students sitting by computers and talking to an academic

Core modules

RAD423
Foundations of Healthcare Practice and Professionalism in Diagnostic Radiography 20 credits

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.

75% Coursework

25% Practicals

RAD424
Clinically Applied Radiography 20 credits

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.

60% Examinations

40% Clinical exams

RAD425
Medical Imaging Science 1 20 credits

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.

100% Examinations

RAD426
Medical Imaging Science 2 20 credits

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.

100% Examinations

RAD427
Human Biology 1 20 credits

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.

100% Examinations

RAD428
Human Biology 2 20 credits

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.

100% Examinations

HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1

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.

Students working together and looking at a series of x-rays

Core modules

HIPL500
Interprofessional Learning 2

RAD523
Introduction to Leadership and Project Management for Service and Quality Improvement 20 credits

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).

100% Coursework

RAD524
Clinically Applied Radiography 2 40 credits

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.

100% Examinations

RAD525
Medical Imaging Science 3 20 credits

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.

100% Examinations

RAD526
Interprofessional Patient Care 20 credits

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.

75% Coursework

25% Examinations

RAD527
Applied Human Biology for Imaging 20 credits

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.

100% Examinations

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.

Graduate using imaging equipment in hospital setting

Core modules

HIPL600
Interprofessional Learning 3

RAD623
Service and Quality Improvement Project 40 credits

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.

100% Coursework

RAD624
Clinical Enquiry and Reasoning 20 credits

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.

100% Examinations

RAD625
Interprofessional Management of Patients in Crisis 20 credits

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.

50% Coursework

50% Tests

RAD626
Clinically Applied Radiography 3 40 credits

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.

100% Examinations

Optional pathways

Alongside BSc (Hons) Diagniostic Radiography we also offer BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Ultrasound Fundamentals , a unique course that allows you to enhance your learning with foundational ultrasound experience.

Not quite ready for a full degree course? You may be interested in

BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Integrated Foundation Year

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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 programme specification_7936

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.

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).

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

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

Diagnostic Radiography Supporting Documentation

Getty

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.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

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

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 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
112 UCAS points

Please note the following information concerning entry requirements for this course:

None of the typical offers listed below are necessarily the threshold for interview selection. Other factors including the number of applications received may influence the threshold for interview selection.
We are only able to consider Level 3 qualifications completed within five years of the start of the application cycle. For example, qualifications completed since 2020 would still be valid when applying in September 2026.

GCSE

Applicants need to achieve 5 GCSE passes (grade C/grade 4 or higher) which must include the following subjects:

English Language
Mathematics
Science

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: