STUDY
Institution code: | S82 |
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UCAS code: | B821 |
Start date: | September 2025 |
Duration: | Three years full-time. |
Location: | Ipswich |
Typical Offer: | 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) |
Institution code: | S82 |
---|---|
UCAS code: | B821 |
Start date: | September 2025 |
Duration: | Three years full-time. |
---|---|
Location: | Ipswich |
Typical Offer: | 112 UCAS tariff points (or above), BBC (A-Level), DMM (BTEC), Merit (T Level) |
Overview
Are you enthusiastic about science and technology? Are you looking for a diverse, challenging and rewarding career working with people? Diagnostic radiography could be the profession for you.
Diagnostic radiographers play a crucial role in healthcare, with the Society of Radiographers (2021) estimating that 90% of inpatients will interact with a diagnostic radiographer during their NHS treatment pathway. This three-year, full time undergraduate degree programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to provide safe, high-quality care to patients requiring imaging. If you already have an undergraduate degree, you might be eligible for our two-year, accelerated pre-registration masters.
Diagnostic radiographers produce high quality images to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of injury, illness and disease. They employ a range of equipment across a variety of healthcare settings, including:
- Projection radiography (X-ray) in outpatients, inpatients and the Emergency Department (ED)
- Dental radiography
- Mobile radiography
- Computed Tomography (CT)
- Fluoroscopy, which includes imaging during interventional procedures and in the operating theatre
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI)
- Ultrasound
- Mammography (breast imaging)
- Nuclear Medicine
- Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)
Practice placement is invaluable in a rapidly evolving field, enabling you to apply the theory taught at the University to your interactions with patients in the NHS. Your practice placements make up approximately 60% of the course. We do our best to place you in your preferred placement hospital, however, we cannot guarantee this. Our regional NHS partners are:
- Ipswich Hospital, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Colchester Hospital, East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- West Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust in Bury St Edmunds
- Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust
- James Paget University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Gorleston
- Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust in King's Lynn
- Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust in Norwich
- Peterborough City Hospital, North West Anglia NHS Foundation Trust
- Basildon University Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
- Southend University Hospital, Mid and South Essex NHS Foundation Trust
Our experienced team of HCPC-registered diagnostic radiographers will support you to develop and hone the interpersonal, technical and problem-solving skills you need to care for patients. We embed the NHS Values into everything we do. These values underpin the expectations of our staff and students and will be assessed at interview. You can learn more about the NHS Constitution here.
Further information about the University's relationship with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) is available in the PSRB register.
Diagnostic Radiography @ University of Suffolk
Course Modules
Our undergraduate programmes are delivered as 'block and blend' — more information can be found on Why Suffolk? You can also watch our Block and Blend video.
You will learn through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials and workshops, directed and independent learning. You will undertake simulation sessions in our contemporary Imaging Suite on campus and image real patients in practice placement.
You will be assessed in academic and practice placement, using a variety of methods including examinations, viva voces, case studies, presentations, posters, seminars and Practice Assessment Documents (PAD).
Downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.
This module is the first module studied. It is designed to prepare you for your first practice placement. You will gain an in-depth knowledge of health care principles which can be applied in the clinical environment to provide safe and effective care. It will introduce and prepare you to work within the National Health Service (NHS) and embody the NHS constitution and values.
You will gain an understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the appendicular and axial skeleton, chest and respiratory system, and abdomen. You will be introduced to the common radiographic techniques employed in projection radiography and common pathologies of the appendicular skeleton.
Building upon Foundations of Diagnostic Radiography 1, in this module you will be introduced to the common radiographic techniques employed in projection radiography and common pathologies of the axial skeleton, chest (including mobile examinations) and abdomen. You will develop an understanding of patient care, radiation safety and image acquisition, preparing you for your first practice placement.
This module will support you to develop a detailed knowledge and understanding of anatomy and physiology, in health, disease and trauma. Building upon the radiographic technique taught in Foundations of Diagnostic Radiography 1 and 2, as well as your experiences in placement, this module will examine the necessary adaptations of technique and image critique in trauma situations. Allied to this, you will be introduced to the role of the radiographer in the operating theatre environment, and the unique challenges and responsibilities of this. In recognition of its increasing role in patient pathways, you will be introduced to Computed Tomography (CT), enabling you to assist in a range of CT examinations. Crucially, CT, trauma and theatre settings require effective multidisciplinary communication and collaboration, which will be explored and supported by guest lecturers from other professions.
This module is designed to you to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills within the practice setting. You will be supported to apply your knowledge and understanding of anatomy, physiology and pathology of the chest, abdomen, appendicular and axial skeleton within the practice setting. Assisted by qualified radiographers, you will gain competence in performing the common radiographic techniques employed in projection radiography, exploring the concepts of image acquisition and manipulation. You will gain experience working in a multidisciplinary team and play a key role in the care of the patient. You will be introduced to trauma radiography, CT imaging and mobile techniques including C-arms in theatre
This module will introduce you to the core scientific concepts behind how images are produced using different imaging techniques. You will explore how each imaging technique produces images with unique features and abilities. You will then apply this knowledge by analysing example cases of common diseases, allowing you to compare and understand the differences between imaging methods. To avoid repetition concepts and components will be clustered to highlight the similarities and differences in assemblies of radiographic equipment.
Health inequalities are unfair and avoidable differences in health between different groups within society, with far reaching impacts upon life expectancy, quality of life and access to health and social care services (NHS England, 2024). The Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (2024) recognises the role of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in addressing such health inequalities through research, and thus, this module is designed to empower you to contribute to the public health agenda.
The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency (HCPC, 2023) require radiographers to engage in evidence-based practice and to evaluate the quality of their practice. This module is designed to build upon the principles of evidence-based practice and prepare you to make informed choices regarding research and quality improvement project design. The module will support you to read and make sense of evidence to inform practice and enable you for develop and conduct your level six project. In the longer term, it will prepare you to embed and enable research in your career, and to use these skills to enhance patient care and service delivery in line with the College of Radiographers’ Research Strategy 2021-26 (CoR, 2020).
This module you will encourage you to consider the diverse needs of each service user, particularly regarding the aspects that influence those needs. The need for safeguarding, adapting techniques and skills will be highlighted. A holistic approach will be encouraged, and the entire diagnostic and care pathways of users will be considered including national screening programmes, giving an appreciation of how service users have been referred for diagnostic imaging and the possible follow-up care they may receive. Health promotion, health education and social prescribing will be discussed in relation to diagnostic imaging and the radiographer's role. You will be asked to reflect on how you treat different service users, looking at issues of values, beliefs and stereotypes.
This module is designed to build upon your experiences in Diagnostic Radiography Practice 1, enabling you to apply your knowledge and understanding of the anatomy, physiology and pathology of the gastrointestinal, hepatobiliary, cardiovascular, urinary, reproductive, endocrine and central nervous systems within the practice setting. Supported by qualified radiographers, you will gain experience utilising a variety of imaging modalities, exploring the concepts of image acquisition and manipulation along with being encouraged to play a key role in the care of the patient for such examinations.
This module is designed to support you to develop the knowledge, skills and confidence to improve patient care and service delivery in line with the College of Radiographers Research Strategy (2021-2026) (CoR, 2020) and Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for Radiographers (HCPC, 2023). It builds upon the Research Methods for Contemporary Healthcare module, enabling you to develop and undertake an individual project drawn from an aspect of radiography of interest to you.
This module is designed to enable you to develop skills in aspects relevant to image interpretation, clinical reporting and decision making, and how these relate to advances in imaging technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI).
This module has been designed to equip you with the essential coaching and leadership skills required to effectively support the development of others. An understanding of inequalities and the evolving responsibilities of radiographers will be deepened through exploration of enhancing inclusivity in practice. The module integrates key aspects of professional development to enhance your capacity to lead, support, and foster an inclusive healthcare environment. Given the expanding role of radiographers in multidisciplinary teams, leadership and coaching skills are becoming critical for promoting team efficiency, fostering professional growth, and ensuring patient-centered care. Not only will this module provide you with the opportunity to build skills in coaching, leadership, and supporting others, but it will also challenge you to confront the inequalities present in healthcare. As the role of radiographers continues to evolve, you must be prepared to lead teams, mentor colleagues, and advocate for inclusive practices. This comprehensive module fosters personal and professional development, preparing you to meet the demands of modern healthcare settings while promoting equality and enhancing patient outcomes
This module is designed to build upon your experiences in Diagnostic Radiography Practice 2, enabling you to apply your knowledge and understanding of image interpretation and decision making within the practice setting. Supervised by qualified radiographers, you will gain competence in independently performing radiographic techniques employed in projection radiography and computed tomography. You will be encouraged to play a key role in the care of the patient for such examinations as well as taking an active part within the multidisciplinary team
WHY SUFFOLK
2nd in the UK for Career Prospects
WUSCA 20243rd in the UK for spend on academic services
Complete University Guide 20254th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction
Guardian University Guide 2024Entry Requirements
Career Opportunities
Although most of our graduates choose to practice as diagnostic radiographers in the NHS, diagnostic radiography is a lifelong career, with many opportunities to specialise and to undertake postgraduate study. Diagnostic radiographers can work in the private sector, abroad, in industry, research, management, the military and education.
The University of Suffolk also offers a range of postgraduate programmes to support your career development.
Newly qualified diagnostic radiographers join at band 5, with opportunities for progression with experience. You can find the NHS pay scales for 2024/25.
You can learn more about the career development options available to diagnostic radiographers in the College of Radiographers Education and Career Framework.
Facilities and Resources
You will be taught by experienced HCPC registered diagnostic radiographers as well as other healthcare professionals (including nurses, therapeutic radiographers and paramedics), researchers, service users and their carers.
The diagnostic radiography team have expertise in a range of imaging modalities and specialisms including CT, radiographic reporting, nuclear medicine, breast imaging and lithotripsy, as well as practice education and research.
You will be prepared for practice placement through simulated learning in our Imaging Suite. Our anatomical models and anthropomorphic phantoms enable you to identify bony anatomy and practice radiographic technique in a safe and supportive environment. Learning in small groups allows you to develop the problem-solving skills which you will need to apply in practice placement.
Image critique is an essential skill for the diagnostic radiographer. You will hone this skill in the computer labs and on Brightspace, our Online Learning Environment (OLE).
Unibuddy: Chat to our Students and Staff
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