Intro

This course prepares you to become a registered diagnostic radiographer. You’ll study for an honours degree and meet statutory requirements to gain a professionally recognised qualification.

As a diagnostic radiographer you’ll play a key role in medical teams taking high-quality imaging to help diagnose and monitor illness or injuries to enable patients to receive the right treatment.

You’ll develop the technical skills and knowledge to meet statutory requirements, and the caring skills needed for a successful career. Around 50% of your course will be spent gaining experience on placement.

A career in diagnostic radiography is both challenging and rewarding. There is high demand for qualified practitioners across the healthcare sector, including in hospitals, community and private settings.

The course team includes experienced radiographers. You’ll also benefit from visiting lecturers from collaborating healthcare organisations.

The focus on interdisciplinary learning across all our health courses enriches your experience while also preparing you for the reality of professional practice.

The recognition that patients come first in everything the NHS does, and the values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for patients – are embedded in our curriculum.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code B821

Full-time 3 years

This new course starts in September 2021

Approval by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the College of Radiographers for this new course is pending.

We are a top 10 university for world-leading research impact in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy (REF 2014)

This new course is in the final stage of development and may change. Check back for the latest information.

New funding from 2020

The government has announced that from September 2020 new and continuing students studying nursing, midwifery and some allied health subjects will receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000. Shortage specialisms such as radiography will receive an additional £1,000. Find out more on the NHS website.

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Apply now with UCAS

Course content

Course structure

The course is delivered full-time over three years. Theoretical modules are delivered in blocks alongside clinical placements.

Teaching at the university includes lectures, seminars, workshops, simulation and skills laboratory sessions.

You’ll go on placement to healthcare settings throughout each academic year to gain hands-on learning and assessment opportunities with a range of diagnostic imaging modalities.

The final dissertation provides you with a project on a topic of your choice.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through Student View.

Areas of study

Our course will ensure you graduate as a competent Diagnostic Radiographer. You'll be able to obtain high quality diagnostic images using a range of complex imaging equipment such as X-rays, cross-sectional imaging methods (Computed Tomography or CT) and fluoroscopy.

You’ll also have opportunities to gain experience in other imaging modalities for Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), breast imaging and nuclear medicine.

You’ll also experience working with a broad range of patients, from all ages, including with mental and physical disabilities, and the terminally ill.

Year 1

Modules

Introduction to Diagnostic Radiography
Radiation Physics
Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
Foundations of Professional Practice in Diagnostic Radiography
Practice Learning Diagnostic Radiography 1

medical practitioners analysing x-rays in a hospital

Year 2

Modules

Applied Anatomy, Physiology and Pathophysiology
Professional Practice in Diagnostic Radiography
Science and Technology in Diagnostic Radiography
Evidence-Based Practice / Research
Practice Learning Diagnostic Radiography 2

Year 3

Modules

Leadership and Human Factors in Diagnostic Radiography
Enhanced Professional Practice in Diagnostic Radiography
Practice Learning Diagnostic Radiography 3
Dissertation

girl having her leg scanned by x-ray machine

Placements

Placement learning is integrated into the course as the 40-credit module, Practice Learning Diagnostic Radiography. The module is taken in each year and will account for around 50% of the course.

There is a focus on competence, rather than a set number of hours or a set number of X-rays taken.

Clinical placements will be provided by our local trusts partners who are located throughout the South East in Sussex, Surrey and Kent. You will need to be prepared to travel the region for your placements to ensure exposure to a broad range of practice settings.

You will do shifts, including weekends, to ensure you are fully prepared for the realities of working in the healthcare sector upon graduation.

Placements will take place in a variety of diagnostic radiography settings in hospitals, community and private sector.

All areas of projectional radiography will be covered for theory and practice learning in general radiography, A&E (minor injuries/major trauma imaging), operating theatres, fluoroscopy, paediatrics and community settings.

There will also be opportunities for experience with CT, PET scanning, nuclear medicine, MRI, neuroradiography, interventional radiography, cardiac cath labs, ultrasound and contrast media.

You’ll be supported and overseen by a mentor in the healthcare setting.

Facilities for learning

The University of Brighton has a wide range of facilities to support the learning of our health students which enable students to develop their skills in real-life scenarios.

For this new course we will be creating a Clinical Imaging Suite for our diagnostic radiography students which will include:

X-ray table and tube
PACS/DICOM image store
Clinical imaging simulation software.

In our well-stocked libraries you will have access to relevant books and journals to support your development as a radiographer.

Two doctors discussing patients x-ray and MRI scans

Careers

Becoming a diagnostic radiographer

There is a growing demand for radiographers.

To practice as a radiographer you need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) – successful completion of our Diagnostic Radiography BSc(Hons) means that you'll be eligible to apply for HCPC registration. HCPC approval for this new course is pending and will be in place for the start of the course.

If you work for the NHS, you're likely to work in the radiology and imaging department providing a service for most departments within the hospital including accident and emergency, outpatients, operating theatres and wards. You may work in private clinics and hospitals.

As well working with other health professionals including healthcare scientists working in non-ionising imaging, you may supervise the work of radiography assistants or imaging support assistants.

You could choose to specialise in a particular type of imaging such as computerised tomography or sonography or working with a specific group of patients such as children or stroke patients.

You could also move into management of local radiology services.

As a radiographer in the NHS you'll start your career as a Band 5. Pay scales can be found on the NHS website.

Our health professions courses are joint 1st in the UK for career prospects, Guardian University Guide 2021

Supporting your employability

Outside of your course, our Careers Service is here to support you as you discover (and re-discover) your strengths and what matters to you. We are here for you throughout your university journey as you work towards a fulfilling and rewarding career.

Connect with our careers team

Find part-time work that you can combine with your studies.
Find, or be, a mentor or get involved with our peer-to-peer support scheme.
Develop your business ideas through our entrepreneurial support network.
Get professional advice and support with career planning, CV writing and interview top tips.
Meet potential employers at our careers fairs.
Find rewarding volunteering opportunities to help you discover more about what makes you tick, and build your CV.

Whatever your career needs, we are here to help. And that's not just while you are a student, our support carries on after you've graduated.

Find out more...

Further study

We offer a range of opportunities for health professionals who wish to develop their professional practice. These include:

You could also choose to apply for a research degree and join our team of world-leading researchers.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

A-levels or BTEC
A-level BBB (120 UCAS Tariff points), or BTEC Extended Diploma DDM. Our conditional offers typically fall within this range.

International Baccalaureate
27 points, to include three subjects at higher level.

Access to HE Diploma
Pass with 60 credits overall. Science or health studies. Must include level 3 units in biology. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 30 credits at merit or distinction.

GCSE (minimum grade C or grade 4)
Minimum of five subjects including English language, maths and science.

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

Foundation degree/HND
may enable you to start the course in year 2.

Fees

Course fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,604 GBP

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Health Sciences are listed here.

Where your course includes a placement, travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund. Paramedic Science students and overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme and travel costs for this course will be your responsibility. Find out more about the NHS learning support fund.
Specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
DBS checks, where required, are included in the fees.
Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Location

Local area

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

It's only 90 minutes by train from Eastbourne to central London and less than 40 minutes to Brighton. There are also daily direct trains to Ashford International and Gatwick Airport.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre. There are excellent sport and exercise facilities, social sites and on-site halls of residence.

Sport and exercise, events, hospitality, journalism, nursing and midwifery, physical education, physiotherapy, podiatry and tourism students are all based here.

Specialist learning facilities include accredited exercise physiology laboratories, a newsroom, clinical simulation suites, culinary arts studio, and the Leaf Hospital podiatric clinic and occupational health studios. Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite.

Sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and gym, artificial outdoor pitch, dance studio and climbing wall.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

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Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. 7,000 students are based here taking subjects including criminology, English, education, nursing and medicine, paramedic science, psychology and sociology. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. Psychology students learn in our applied cognition and flexible creative method labs.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes, and a students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre and there is a BTN BikeShare hub on site. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

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Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Eastbourne

All eligible students applying for 2020 are guaranteed an offer of university halls of residence.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
All rooms are self-catered with access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities. If you prefer you can add in a food and drink plan.
Rent includes all utilities, 24/7 security and support, contents insurance and cleaning of communal areas.

Unihomes
A unihome is a student house which the university manages on behalf of a private landlord. This option can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other life commitments.

Rent includes all utilities, broadband, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas.
Generally shared bathroom with a variety of locations, room and house sizes. Some unihomes offer off-road parking.

Find out more about unihomes and university halls accommodation.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Your first stop should be our studenthomes database. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards.

Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Brighton: Falmer

All eligible students applying for 2020 are guaranteed an offer of university halls of residence.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
Falmer campus is linked to the halls on Falmer campus and at Varley Park. All halls are self-catered, but if you prefer you can add in a food and drink plan.
- Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls are on Falmer campus and offer a range of rooms
- Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there's a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.

Unihomes and unilets
Unihomes and unilets are student houses that we let to our students on behalf of private landlords. This option can work particularly well when you're balancing learning with placements and other commitments. We have unihomes and unilet properties across the city.

Private renting
There's plenty of support if you opt for private renting. This is an option which offers choice and flexibility – enabling you to choose where you live and who with. We manage our own studenthomes database of properties. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.