BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography with Foundation Ultrasonography

Diagnostic radiographer 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:

• Fractures and breaks
• Cancers
• Internal injuries or conditions
• Heart and lung health
• Brain injuries
• Stroke
• Multi-sclerosis
• Eye, ear or throat issues
• Spinal cord injuries
• Arthritis
• Tumours
• Joint damages
• Scoliosis
• Soft tissue damage
• Stomach conditions
• Accidents.

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

As a HCPC registered radiographer, with a foundation in ultrasonography, you will be able to develop your skills to become an independent sonographer practitioner.

At first you would work with a limited scope of practice under supervision of Advanced Practice Sonographers. It is anticipated that your initial post is a developmental/consolidation role before moving on to study at a postgraduate level ( Level 7)as a start to specialised/advanced practice.

• This is an unique programme, giving you a foundation in ultrasonography whilst still enabling you to register with the HCPC as a diagnostic radiographer.
• Train using advanced medical imaging technology, at the forefront of modern patient care.
  
• Practise your clinical and communication skills in the Clinical Skills Resource Centre (CSRC) which features specially designed replicas of hospital wards and emergency rooms, with high-specification patient-simulators.
• Deepen your understanding of the structure and functionality of the human body at our Life Sciences Resource Centre (LSRC).
• Receive an ipad for the duration of your course.
  
• Learn from real patients from the outset, with clinical placements starting in the first semester of Year 1.
  
• Take part in expert-led discussions around clinical case studies and the latest medical science breakthroughs, through our structured small groups teaching approach, including enquiry-based learning. These are also a great opportunity to learn from other students’ knowledge and experience.
  
• Online systems support your learning including the custom-made student logbook where you can access lecture notes, online assessment systems and lecture sessions.
• In Year 1, students will study in Plymouth, with all of their clinical placements within daily commute. In Years 2 and 3, all students will complete a semester in Plymouth for the academic delivery, and then a semester on clinical placement in the South West and other locations.

• 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 Science Practice and Workplace Learning (BHCS1007Z)

    This module provides 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.

  • Enquiry-Based Learning 1 (RAD410)

    This year-long, enquiry-based learning module provides a small-group, facilitated setting for students to apply their learning from taught modules to clinically relevant scenarios. 

  • Foundations in Diagnostic Radiography (RAD411)

    This module will provide an overview of what it is to be a Diagnostic Radiographer. It will highlight the requirements of the role within the NHS and how it fits within the wider healthcare team. It will introduce the regulations that govern the profession and medical physics and will also address how the subsequent learning within the programme relates to these requirements. This module also includes an introduction to Evidence-Based Practice. Radiographic technique will also be learned using simulation techniques.

  • Medical Imaging Science 1 (RAD412)

    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 (RAD413)

    This module will build on the principles and theories of RAD412, RAD414 and BHCS1007 and will explore them from a more applied perspective, as relevant to Radiographic practice. Image formation and Physics will also be expanded to include other imaging modalities (Magnetic resonance, Ultrasound and nuclear medicine)

  • Human Structure and Function (RAD414)

    This module will introduce students to a number of core human science topics, underpinning later requirements for image interpretation and patient care. These will include anatomy, physiology and other relevant biomedical science, e.g. Pharmacology, Immunology, biochemistry and genetics to Radiography training.

  • Disease and Trauma for Imaging (RAD415)

    This module will build on biomedical science learning in Semester 1, allowing students to develop an understanding of the principles of pathophysiology. Students will attend pathophysiology lectures from BHCS1005 Human Disease, and apply their learning in bespoke workshops, highlighting the relevance to Diagnostic Radiography.

• 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. Ultrasonography students receive intensive simulation and undertake additional clinical placements with regional ultrasound providers across the healthcare sector. 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

  • Enquiry-Based Learning 2 (RAD510)

    This semester-long, enquiry-based learning module provides a small-group, facilitated setting for students to apply their learning from taught modules to clinically relevant scenarios.

  • Interprofessional Patient Care (RAD513)

    This interprofessional module focuses on patient care and allows students to develop their clinical skills from BHCS1007 and RAD512. This includes a broader range of skills and the opportunity to work with students on other health care professions programmes. Students will develop their understanding of Evidence-Based Practice from RAD411.

  • Applied Biomedical Sciences for Imaging (RAD514)

    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 these present in imaging and to develop the application of students' understanding of safeguarding in relation to imaging and other sensitive imagining issues.

  • Ultrasound Imaging Science (RAD515)

    This module builds on the principles and theories of imaging modalities from RAD412 and RAD413, to provide an in depth understanding of ultrasound physics and the principles of the clinical application of ultrasound. The module will include ultrasound production and safety, interaction of ultrasound with body tissues and image interpretation, including normal and abnormal appearance, ultrasound technique and recognition of imaging artefacts.

  • Clinical Application of Radiographic and Ultrasound Theory 1 (RAD516)

    This module allows students to apply their learning in clinical practice. Students will be introduced to ultrasound through ultrasound simulation. Medical imaging competencies will be assessed in practice by entrustable professional assessments. Placements will be undertaken in ultrasound and students will spend a large proportion of the summer in the clinical setting.

• 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

  • Service and Quality Improvement Project (RAD611)

    This module requires students to undertake a comprehensive project focussing 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 (RAD612)

    This module focuses on the identification of common imaging abnormalities that may be seen within the clinical setting. Students will develop the skills to interpret a range of diagnostic images and identify important conditions that may require additional or senior assistance. This module will also provide students with an understanding of advanced practice should they wish to pursue a reporting role post qualification.

  • Interprofessional Management of Patients in Crisis (RAD613)

    This interprofessional module builds on the Interprofessional Patient Care module to develop their clinical and interprofessional skills further. This includes a broader range of skills and the opportunity to work with students on other health care professions programmes. It also includes further development of their Clinical Skills training, including 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.

  • Clinical Application of Radiographic and Ultrasound Theory 2 (RAD616)

    This module allows students to apply their learning in clinical practice, while undertaking competencies and completing a reflective portfolio to address HCPC professionalism criteria. Students will learn how to interpret a range of diagnostic images and identify important conditions that may require additional or senior assistance. This module will also provide students with insight in advanced practice enabling them to decide which specific area of practice to pursue a reporting role in post qualification

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 US Programme Spec 21 22 7037

UCAS tariff

112

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 2016 would still be valid when applying in September 2021. 

GCSEs 

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:

Biology/Human Biology; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths; Life and Health Sciences; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics.

GCE A level

The typical offer is BBC at GCE A level to include one science as listed above

BTEC National Extended Diploma

DDM in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient science as listed above

BTEC National Diploma 

D*D* in a relevant subject, which must contain units covering sufficient science as listed above

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Pass an Access to Higher Education Diploma in a predominantly science subject area, meeting the following criteria:

• 60 credits overall to include 45 level 3 credits
• You must achieve Distinction in 15 level 3 credits, and Merit in the remaining 30 level 3 credits

International Baccalaureate

28-30 points overall including Higher Level 5 in one science as listed above

Scottish Advanced Highers

BBC to include one science as listed above.

Other UK qualifications 

Other UK qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Please contact the Admissions Team on meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk for advice on suitability.

Applications from military veterans are welcomed and each application is assessed on an individual basis, as we realise that some military courses are not externally validated.

International Applicants

We welcome and encourage applications from suitably qualified international students who are either self-funded, supported by scholarships from their respective governments, or sponsored by scholarship programmes operated by the British Council and similar funding bodies.

International applicants need to meet the equivalent admissions criteria described for home students as outlined above. Applicants applying with overseas qualifications should contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk prior to submitting an application through UCAS. In addition, international applicants need to be fully proficient in English language.  

All teaching at our school is in English, so if you are an international applicant you must have one of the following English Language qualifications. If you are unsure whether your English Language qualification is suitable, please contact meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk:

If English is your first language, we will accept your home country’s equivalent of a GCSE grade A/8 in English Language providing it is at Level C1 or above according to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).

• GCSE or IGCSE grade A in English Language
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) band 7.0 or above with no element below 6.5 taken within 12 months prior to entry. The University will no longer accept the IELTS indicator (online test). All applicants will have to take the IELTS test at an approved centre.
• IB score of 5 in English B at the standard level.
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 94 or above.

We know that university life is a challenge for any student but especially when you are a long way from home. You will find us friendly and supportive. We pride ourselves on being friendly and supportive, and have a nominated academic tutor to coordinate the induction and academic support provided to international students. International Student Advice (ISA) also provide support and can assist you with any non-academic issues affecting international students. There are also student welfare support and counselling services, wardens and student health centres on hand if you need them.

Students who have an offer of a place should apply under for a Student (formerly Tier 4 General Student) visa. Further information is available on the UK Border Agency's website.

Re-sit Applicants 

Re-sit applicants are considered for this course, with the following requirements:

• If you are applying with predicted grades, a minimum of CCC must be achieved on first sitting of A Level
• Where CCC is not achieved on first sitting, applicants must re-sit the required qualifications and apply once suitable grades have been achieved
• A Level or accepted equivalent qualifications must be completed in no more than 3 years of study, unless otherwise advised
• A suitable qualification profile must be achieved on first re-sit attempt

We do not have an AS Level resit policy, however, full A Levels must be completed within the above timeframe.

For re-sit criteria of other qualifications, please contact the Admissions Team at meddent-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Selection and admissions process

Applications should be made through UCAS by the published deadline. This is typically the 15th January.

All decisions on applications are made by the Admissions Advisory Panel, which consists of academics, clinicians and senior members of the administrative team.

The University of Plymouth Medicine and Dentistry Admissions Team process applications as follows:

1.   Shortlisting for interview – Applicants are considered for interview based on relevant academic qualifications alone. We do not currently consider personal statements or work experience when selecting for interview

The Admissions Advisory Panel consider many factors when choosing who will be invited to attend an interview, including the number of places available on the course and the number of applications received, alongside the academic profiles of all of our applicants

2.   Interview – Successful applicants are invited to attend an interview process. We use Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI) as the format for our interviews, and full details can be found here.

Following interviews, candidates are ranked based on the score achieved and the top performing applicants are offered a place on the course

3.   Offer – Offers are made via UCAS. Within all offers, candidates are required to complete a series of health and police checks, full details of which are communicated to firm offer holders by the Admissions Team.

Practising as a doctor requires the highest standards and we take seriously our commitment to only enrol and teach students with the integrity required of the profession. Full details can be found on our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.

Full details of our selection and admissions process can be found here.

The University is supportive of students with special needs and disabilities. Applicants are encouraged to disclose any needs or disability so that appropriate adjustments can be made in learning support and their individual needs met. A comprehensive procedure is in place involving Student Services and the Admissions team to ensure that all applicants are treated equitably

The Diagnostic Radiography programmes follow the guidance for  Occupational Practitioners when providing adjustment for students in regulated professions.

The Faculty of Health has an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee. The webpage associated with this committee has a link you can access for more information and support.

Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise

Please view our Student Conduct and Fitness to Practise page.

All applications must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). 

Applicants must be submitted by the published deadline, the deadline for 2022 entry is 18:00 (UK time) 26 January 2022.

Applicants may wish to consider our School of Biomedical Science courses for their other UCAS choices.

The UCAS code for the Faculty of Health is P60 PLYM.