Diagnostic Radiography (Pre-registration)
MSc
Course overview
Medical imaging is key to fast and accurate diagnosis in modern healthcare. As a radiographer you provide a range of patients with a diagnosis to inform their treatment.
Radiographers work with the latest technology and often in fast paced environments where a clear head and an organised approach is key to safe practice. You build on your prior learning of anatomy and physiology to develop a critical understanding of contemporary radiography practice. You gain the skills to be a safe, autonomous, caring, professional practitioner. Core skills underpinning radiography include dispensing ionising radiation, interpreting medical image appearances, care of the patient and use of technology. We take a problem-based approach to learning, which includes opportunities to share learning with students from other allied health professions to promote teamwork and engagement.
Practice placements are at Middlesbrough, Stockton, Hartlepool, Darlington, Bishop Auckland, Sunderland, Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle and both North and South Tyneside.
From September 2020 all new and continuing students on this course will receive a £5,000 maintenance grant each year if they’re eligible. They will not need to pay it back. Full details here.
Professional accreditation
Approved by the College of Radiographers May 2019 to September 2024.
Supporting information for applicants
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Course details
This is a unique, progressive and integrated fast-track course. It incorporates natural sciences, clinical sciences, health policy and research methods. The course would especially suit applicants with a biomedical sciences or anatomy background. We take a problem-based approach to learning, which includes opportunities to share learning with students from other allied health professions. We promote teamwork and an appreciation of how other disciplines contribute to health care.
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
This 35 week module prepares you for your first clinical placement. You gain an understanding of the radiographer’s role and the necessary knowledge and skills to meet the demands of the clinical placement.
This 17 week module introduces you to more complex radiographic examinations where you review radiographic images for diagnostic acceptability and abnormality recognition. It introduces you to the applications, indications and contraindications of a range of contrast media and pharmacology used in radiographic examinations and procedures.
Contemporary Issues in Health and Social Care
This module develops your understanding of the relevance and impact of contemporary health policy on your own professional practice.
You address the competencies, personal skills and unique knowledge base necessary to undertake initial radiographic practice within a modern imaging department.
Contemporary medical imaging requires engagement with a diverse group of users while safely using a range of imaging modalities to gain diagnostic information; this interaction takes place within an increasingly complex healthcare environment, shared with many professional groups. In response to this challenge, a strategy of focusing on work-based scenarios is the core learning methodology.
Year 2 core modules
This module runs for 31 weeks, beginning with a taught element for the first 15 weeks and then your clinical placement. These taught seminars and workshops introduce you to a structured system of assessing radiographs for abnormalities, a structured system of providing a preliminary comment on the radiograph and peripheral intravenous cannulation technique.
Contemporary Radiographic Imaging
This is a 16 week module that takes places in the second year of the PgDip Diagnostic Radiography programme. It sets out to integrate the theoretical and clinical knowledge required for the student to put the needs of patients at the centre of their practice.
The specialist knowledge required for trauma work, the safeguarding of the child and the safeguarding of the older person will be considered. Current health care policies, guidelines, and the contemporary evidence base will form the basis of the module content.
You undertake a substantive piece of either primary or secondary research developed from the research module in Stage 2. This is primarily an independent piece of research in a related area with guidance from a member of staff or research institute teams.
Specialist Radiographic Imaging
You build on previous learning undertaken in both clinical placement and university. You gain an insight into modern and evolving medical imaging technology.
Many specialist imaging modalities are covered, including computed tomography and ultrasound. The underpinning scientific principles and safety aspects of these modalities are discussed, as well as their use and clinical impact in the care of patients. Learning is enhanced through a series of keynote lectures and seminars.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
On campus, learning is facilitated through lectures, seminars, group work and problem-based learning. In addition the medical imaging team has access to IT facilities and a proportion of teaching is supported through a computer program which simulates the taking of x-rays plus special image retrieval and display systems.
Approximately 50% of your learning occurs in the clinical environment. During this time you have one day a week as study time, engaging with learning materials through the university’s VLE. The placements are designed to provide you with increasingly demanding opportunities to achieve the outcomes of the programme and to fulfil the requirement for clinical competence. You also experience a range of imaging strategies in different environments, so that as a radiographer you can act as both an informed source and an advocate for the patient. The clinical environment provides the setting for experiential learning and the development of clinical reasoning, problem-solving and a reflective approach to practice. You are encouraged to apply your theoretical knowledge to the practical situation, plan your practice, undertake the examination and reflect on the process and outcome.
How you are assessed
A range of assessment methods are used including written assignment, presentation and oral and written examinations. If you choose to complete the major project module of the MSc you are required to write a journal article.
Entry requirements
We are unable to reconsider unsuccessful applicants in the same application cycle, however you can reapply in the future and you will be required to meet the criteria as if you were a first time applicant.
Applicants should normally have an honours degree in science (at least 2.2).
Admission to the course is dependent upon completion of the following selection processes:
- academic entry requirements being met
- satisfactory application form
- successful interview
- satisfactory references
- completed work-based risk assessment process
- receipt of a satisfactory enhanced DBS check.
During the course and on completion you must declare any convictions, cautions or allegations to the University and relevant professional body prior to application for registration.
Your personal statement is measured against the following criteria:
- demonstration of your insight into the role of the radiographer (regardless of how this has been achieved) and a commitment to the profession
- demonstration of caring for others, for example in a service industry job, care provider, school role, community work
- demonstration of interpersonal skills (communication and collaboration) for example, volunteering, work activities, team sports
- demonstration of personal initiative and commitment - some individual accomplishment at a remarkable level for example part-time work, excellent grades, long-term youth group membership or sport/hobby participation
- demonstration of self-awareness - describe the type of person you are.
You must also successfully pass an admissions test as part of the selection process. Take a look at a sample test.
To score well at interview you will be measured against the following criteria which has been mapped against the NHS Constitution values:
- working together
- respecting and preserving dignity
- committed to and capable of becoming an autonomous professional radiographer
- caring
- compassionate
- improving and innovating
- non-judgmental, everyone counts
If you are successful in both shortlisting and interview you receive a conditional offer which is subject to the following:
- evidence of achievement of the required academic qualifications
- a successful work based risk assessment which will reflect the HEOPS recommendations - please read here. For more information on all of the HEOPS standards click here
- an enhanced criminal history (DBS) check may be required for certain modules or placements which involve working with children and/or adults at risk. Where an enhanced DBS check is required, applicants will cover the cost of these checks which can only be processed through the University.
- satisfactory references.
Until the above are successfully completed the offer of a place on the course remains conditional.
International applicants
- International applicants must have IELTS 7.0 with a minimal score of 6.5 in all sections or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 100/120 (in conjunction with a Teesside University English language test)* before an unconditional offer is made
- If you are successful at shortlisting you will be invited to attend an interview (which may be in person OR video call) in one of our international offices in either India, Malaysia or China, or through a secure web link (which will be arranged by the University).
- If you can not attend an interview as stated, you will be unable to proceed with your application.
*Students holding TOEFL qualifications at the required grade will be able to combine the qualification with a Teesside University English language test to meet the English language requirement. The English language test will assess listening and speaking competency.
For international enquiries please email internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk
Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credits for previous study or related work experience which can be credited towards the course you want to study. Find out more about RPL.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
Employability
Career opportunities
Graduates in diagnostic radiography are a vital part of modern health care and employment opportunities are available in the UK and abroad.
Information for international applicants
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Full-time
2022/23 entry
Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year
Fee for international applicants
£14,500 a year
a year
More details about our fees for international applicants
- Length: 25 months full-time; January start
- Start date: January
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Student and graduate profiles
Sarah Jordan
MSc Diagnostic Radiography
Being on placement gives you an insight of what it is like to be working as a diagnostic radiographer and it helps you decide which speciality you want to focus on.
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