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Diagnostic Radiography BSc (Hons)

Learn how to become a qualified diagnostic radiographer with the skills to produce high-quality images to aid the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease.

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Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.

Read more about block teaching

Overview

Diagnostic radiographers play a key role in modern healthcare. Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), on this course you will be introduced to a variety of imaging modalities and explore how these are used in relation to imaging different body systems, as well as developing skills valued in healthcare professionals such as patient care, communication and multidisciplinary teamwork.

Our new radiography suite simulates real work settings, allowing you to put theory into practice. Teaching is delivered by academic staff who are actively engaged in clinical radiography, as well as by visiting lecturers working in health, education and radiology sectors.

Throughout the three-year programme you will have the opportunity to consolidate your learning through a variety of clinical placements at NHS trusts, to help you develop the skills sought by graduate employers. On completion, graduates will be eligible to register with the HCPC and practise as a diagnostic radiographer.

Key features

  • Eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a Diagnostic Radiographer on successful completion of this programme.
  • Learn how to use a wide range of imaging techniques and technology to produce high-quality diagnostic images to aid the diagnosis and treatment of injury and disease.
  • You will gain clinical exposure from year one of the course, while strong links and integrated work placements with local NHS trusts and private providers, will allow you to put theory to practice.
  • Consolidate learning in our industry standard digital x-ray suite, where you will be taught radiographic examination techniques before practicing on real patients in regional hospital trusts.
  • You will study a range of topics including introduction to the role of the healthcare professional, anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal system, cross-sectional imaging and practice placements.
  • Gain international experience through our DMU Global programme, which has previously seen Allied Health Professions students visit schools and community groups in India and supported deaf children in The Gambia.
  • Once qualified, radiographers can go onto specialise in areas such as computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, clinical reporting of x-ray imaging, research, teaching and management.

Students studying Diagnostic Radiography will receive at least £5,000 a year with up to £3,000 additional funding available. Further information, including eligible allied health professional courses, can be found on the NHS website.

 

More courses like this

 

  • UK
  • EU/International

Institution code: D26

UCAS course code: B821

Start date: September

Duration: Three years full-time

Fees and funding: 

2025/26 fees: £9,535* per year 

*subject to the government, as is expected, passing legislation to formalise the increase.

 

Additional costs: You may incur additional costs for this programme, including the cost of travelling to and from project/placement locations.

How to apply

Submit a study-related enquiry

This programme is not currently available to international students.

Entry criteria

GCSEs

Five GCSEs grades A*–C (9-4) including English, Science and Maths

Functional skills are not accepted

 Plus one of the following:

A levels

  • A minimum of 128 UCAS points from 3  A-levels, with 2 A-levels in science subjects. One science subject at grade A and one at grade B, in any of the following subjects (Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Chemistry or Mathematics) normally taken in one sitting.

T Levels

  • Distinction in Healthcare Science with optional module in ‘Assisting with health science’ (not optical care services)

BTEC

  • BTEC National Diploma in Applied Science at Distinction/Distinction plus another level 3 to meet the 128 UCAS point tariff
  • BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science at Distinction/Distinction/Merit

Other combinations will be looked at on an individual basis

International Baccalaureate

  • 28+ points with six higher level points in a science subject

Access to HE Diploma 

  • Access to HE Diploma ‘Science’ or ‘Medicine and Healthcare’ or ‘Radiography’ with 45 distinctions

  • English and Maths GCSE at grade C/4 or above are required as a separate qualification

Interview: Yes

The interview will be used as part of the selection process to determine whether you will be made an offer.

The recruitment process for this course includes assessing applicants by the content of their personal statement and interview for the core values of the NHS constitution.

Professional conduct during the event will also contribute to the decision-making regarding an applicant’s application.

Interviews will be delivered via Microsoft Teams.

Work experience

We strongly advise applicants to undertake a one-day observational visit to an X-ray department. This can be arranged directly with any NHS trust.

Please note, this is not a compulsory requirement of the application process, but is advised to ensure you have a first hand understanding of the role of a diagnostic radiographer, before undertaking your training into the profession.

English language requirements:

If English is not your first language an IELTS score of 7 overall, with 6.5 in each band (or equivalent) when you start the course is essential. English language tuition, delivered by our British Council accredited Centre for English Language Learning (CELL), is available both before and during the course.

Non-academic requirements

As well as academic requirements, you will also be required to meet and fulfil non-academic requirements which are stated below:

  • Self-Declaration Form clearance
  • Enhanced DBS disclosure clearance

You submit an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service disclosure application form before starting the course (if you are overseas you will also need to submit a criminal records certificate from your home country), which needs to be cleared in accordance with DMU’s admissions policy. Contact us for up-to-date information.

We strongly advise that you opt for the DBS update service as it is possible that future placement providers may request a recent DBS and not one from the start of the programme. If you decide not to opt for this service then you will have to pay for the DBS again if requested by your placement provided – the university will not cover this cost.

Occupational Health clearance

The role of the diagnostic radiographer requires students to be able to operate and manoeuvre large pieces of imaging equipment. It also requires the ability to be involved in the moving and handling of services users. It is important for both the safety of the service user, colleagues and the student themselves, that student radiographers are able to engage in this activity safely without putting themselves, service users or other colleagues at risk of injury or exacerbation of existing health conditions.

All successful applicants who enrol onto the programme are required to undergo appropriate immunisations. This process is facilitated by the university and will involve attending occupational health clinics to receive the necessary vaccinations and blood test screening to ensure compliance with the requirements for new and existing healthcare workers within the NHS.

You must meet and fulfil all non-academic requirements before 18 July 2025. Failure to meet this deadline may result in your offer being withdrawn.

Transfers

Please note that we do not accept internal or external transfers onto this course for any year of study. 

 


Availability: This course has a limited number of places so that we can ensure a good quality placement experience. In exceptional circumstances this may result in the course becoming full before you have completed the admissions process. In this situation we will offer you the opportunity to be considered for a place on an alternative course.

Structure and assessment

 

Course modules

Teaching and assessments

Accreditations

 

 

First Year

  • Block 1: Imaging Science
  • Block 2: Imaging anatomy and technique
  • Block 3 & 4: Core Practice 1

Second Year

  • Block 1 & 2: Core Practice 2
  • Block 3: Imaging Anatomy & Pathophysiology
  • Block 4: Imaging Science & the Patient

Third Year

  • Block 1: Research skills
  • Block 2 & 3: Core Practice 3
  • Block 4: Dissertation/Project 

See detailed module information


Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Teaching sessions may include:

  • Formal and interactive lectures
  • Staff and student seminars
  • Tutorial discussions
  • Practical and clinical based workshops
  • Inter-professional (IP) learning with students from other healthcare professions
  • eLearning

Assessment Methods includes: 

  • Written exams
  • Coursework (essays, posters, wikis)
  • Presentations
  • Dissertation
  • Practical and clinically-based assessment activities

Teaching contact hours

The time on the programme is split into approximately 50% university based and 50% spent on clinical placements, in NHS hospitals and independent sectors.

Contact hours in a typical academic week may vary from year to year. However, on average you will have approximately 20 contact hours of teaching per university week. The timetable for the taught year will be between 9am and 6pm Monday to Friday. During clinical placement this will increase to a 34-hour week.

Part of the practice placement rota requires students to attend some placement during the evening, overnight and weekends. In order to incorporate sufficient practice placement weeks that allow students to consolidate theoretical learning into practical skills, the Diagnostic Radiography programme runs over a full calendar year and contains blocks of 7 weeks duration per year.

Students will be required to examine service users of all gender identities and from all religious and ethnic backgrounds.

Dress Code and Uniform Policy Whilst on Practice Placement

Whilst attending practice placements, Students are required to adhere to the full uniform policy of their practice placement Trust.  This requires that all staff and students be ‘bare below the elbow’. Female members of staff who for religious reasons wish to cover their hair and neck by the wearing of a dark plain coloured scarf are permitted to do so. The material must be able to withstand a 60 degree mechanical wash (The veil is not permitted for staff who are patient facing). Uniforms are supplied by the University and support NHS Trusts’ infection control protocols, including Hand Hygiene Policies’

Personal study 

Approximately 25 hours studying and revising in your own time each week, including some guided study using hand-outs, online activities, etc.

Academic Expertise

Some of our teaching staff are actively engaged in clinical radiography so you can benefit from their specialist experience and understanding of diagnostic imaging. You will also benefit from the expertise of visiting lecturers from health, education and radiography departments. 

Accreditation

The programme is accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers and is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Students will be expected to adhere to the Code of Conduct published by HCPC.  Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a ‘Diagnostic Radiographer’. 

Facilities and features

 
Placements
Placements
Placements
Placements
 

Facilities and features

Substantial investment has developed our teaching and learning facilities to help you expand your practical experience and theoretical knowledge beyond the classroom. 

The 19th century Hawthorn Building has facilities designed to replicate current practice in health and life sciences, including contemporary analytical chemistry and formulation laboratories, audiology booths and nursing and midwifery clinical skills suites. 

Purpose-built clinical skills areas allow you to practice in a safe environment. You will receive guidance and support from staff to ensure that you develop a precise and accurate practical ability in the clinical skills suites. 

With a state-of-the-art diagnostic X-ray suite, you will learn a range of practical radiographic skills. As well as this, you will be able to gain comprehensive hands-on experience at our placement partnership NHS trusts where, under clinical supervision and ongoing support, you will learn how to practice with real patients. 

As part of this, you are actively encouraged to apply your academic learning to the clinical setting, where you will receive ongoing feedback on your progress.

Library and learning zones

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including the Virtual Learning Environment, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

More flexible ways to learn

We offer an equitable and inclusive approach to learning and teaching for all our students. Known as the Universal Design for Learning (UDL), our teaching approach has been recognised as sector leading. UDL means we offer a wide variety of support, facilities and technology to all students, including those with disabilities and specific learning differences.

Just one of the ways we do this is by using ‘DMU Replay’ – a technology providing all students with anytime access to audio and/or visual material of lectures. This means students can revise taught material in a way that suits them best, whether it's replaying a recording of a class or adapting written material shared in class using specialist software.

Opportunities and careers

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Placements

As part of this course you will undertake placements in radiography practice areas throughout the duration of the programme. Through examining patients under guided supervision from a qualified radiographer, you will increase your clinical skills in plain film as you progress. 

Practice placements are located across the East Midlands region and we cannot guarantee a particular placement area.

You will also have the opportunity to rotate through the different imaging modalities, where you will gain a better understanding of computed tomography (also known as CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (also known as MRI), ultrasound and radionuclide imaging. 

Across the programme, you will combine radiographic technique theory with local imaging protocols along with your patients’ individual conditions to learn how to produce quality images of a diagnostic standard, safely and effectively, in any environment. Key emphasis is placed on the ability to reflect upon clinical practice and form action plans to improve where necessary.

CCJ Placements

Graduate Careers

Successful completion of this programme provides eligibility to apply for registration with the regulatory Health and Care Professions Council as a diagnostic radiographer. 

There are also opportunities to specialise in many areas in your career, including ultrasound, MRI, CT scanning, image reporting, research, teaching and management.

All of our recent graduates have progressed on to either Higher Level study or are working as Diagnostic Radiographers within the NHS.

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DMU Global

Our innovative international experience programme DMU Global aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons, helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world. Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK-based activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

 

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