2023/24 Undergraduate Programme Catalogue

Total credits: 360

Entry requirements:

Current entry requirements can be found here

School/Unit responsible for the parenting of students and programme:

School of Medicine

Examination board through which the programme will be considered:

Classified Undergraduate Assessment Board (CUAB)

Relevant QAA Subject Benchmark Groups:

Professional Body Offering Accreditation:

Health and Care Professions Council - HCPC

Programme specification:

Diagnostic Radiography is a fast-moving and continually changing profession which combines science, technology and patient care; and is at the heart of modern healthcare.

As a Diagnostic Radiographer, you’ll use a range of different imaging techniques and technology to produce high quality images, which play a vital role in patient diagnosis and treatment. You’ll also be at the forefront of emerging and developing technology, such as digital imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography, ultrasound, and artificial intelligence. Radiographers work as part of a multidisciplinary team and there are opportunities to specialise and advance in many areas, including ultrasound, CT scanning, image reporting, teaching and management.

Diagnostic Radiography at Leeds offers comprehensive training in technical knowledge and professional skills, with first-class placement opportunities and excellent employment prospects. We have an excellent employability record. Typically, in recent years 95% of our graduates have gone into work and/or further study (Discover Uni, 2019); many in the placement site where they trained.

Key highlights of the programme include:
- You will be introduced to clinical environments from the first semester of your course.
- The clinical/theory ratio is approximately a 50:50 split, giving you considerable time on clinical placement.
- Clinical placements are undertaken within departments across Yorkshire and Humber region and beyond in both small and large hospitals (NHS and private).
- You will also undertake optional modules to explore areas of personal interest, giving you the opportunity to graduate with additional skills.
- Short international placements potentially available as part of a 3rd year optional module, currently we have links in Sweden, Denmark, and Malta. Some of our students also take elective placements abroad.
- You will undertake a research project in your final year to develop your evaluation skills and your ability to question practice.
- You will complete an electronic clinical portfolio each year using Pebblepad to develop your reflective writing skills and prepare you for continuing professional development (CPD) when you’re a fully qualified radiographer.
- Many of our students have presented their research at conferences or have published in professional journals and are supported in doing so by the teaching team.
- The core Radiography teaching team of HCPC registered Diagnostic Radiographers with decades of combined experience and expertise across a range of specialties and many of whom are Leeds graduates.

Some of the facilities you will be able to experience on the programme include:
- Our clinical skills suite. This state of the art digital X-ray room based at a local Leeds hospital allows a unique combination of both simulation and imaging of patients in small groups.
- A digital mobile X-ray machine also based at the clinical skills room which expands an enhances the range of simulation activities that can be undertaken
- The Sectra table, a large immersive and interactive touch screen device, which is used for small group teaching and study particularly of anatomy, imaging science, and image interpretation
- Access to an online education portal consisting of a library of real clinical cases which can be used to support learning in both the University and clinical environment
- A virtual reality cardiac imaging and intervention platform which can be used to simulate complex imaging and procedures on the heart

Programme content - Introduction
The course is developed to meet the necessary standards required by the Health and Care Professions Council to allow you to be eligible to apply to register as a diagnostic radiographer on successful completion of the programme. You will develop the skills and knowledge expected of a graduate radiographer to provide excellent patient care through a combination of University and practi cal clinical learning. Throughout the three years of the programme, several themes are scaffolded into the course to develop your knowledge and skills in becoming a diagnostic radiographer. These themes include:
- Anatomy and diagnostic pattern recognition – developing an in depth knowledge of anatomy which you can then apply to a range of diagnostic imaging modalities to be able to identify and communicate normal and abnormal findings.
- Imaging science and technology – understanding and applying the fundamental science behind a range of different imaging technologies such as general radiography, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and ultrasound
- Application of imaging – being able to apply the anatomy and science of radiography by learning the various techniques and applications which may be used to image patients and help diagnose and manage disease
- Evidence-based practice and research – you will develop an understanding of the essential role research has on practice and learn the skills to be able to develop your own evidence-based practice
- Interprofessional education – as a diagnostic radiographer you will work with a wide range of other people that make up the interdisciplinary team, including the patient. As part of the course you will learn with, about and from other healthcare professionals and patients. You will develop the core skills required to be a healthcare professional and be support in the transition to be coming a diagnostic radiographer
- Professional practice – in a clinical placement you will be able to directly apply these skills and knowledge to real world and simulated environments.

Although these themes are developed throughout the course of the programme, each year has a slightly different emphasis.

Year 1 provides an introduction to diagnostic radiography. The key focus of this year is providing the underpinning knowledge of the role and general radiography of the musculoskeletal system, chest and abdomen. You will also develop essential skills such as communication, patient care, radiographic technique and teamwork. This year is very much about an introduction to the role of the diagnostic radiographer

In year 2 you will further develop your knowledge and skills from year 1 to explore the range of specialist imaging methods available. Such methods include computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and isotope imaging. You’ll learn about how these methods are used to image a range of body systems, including the respiratory system, the gastro-intestinal tract, the cardiovascular system and the urinary system. You will also start to appreciate the role research methods have on guiding evidence-based practice. The second year is about developing you within the wider roles of the Diagnostic Radiographer.

Year 3 covers the more challenging and specialist aspects of radiography, where the radiographer has to evaluate and adapt imaging investigations to meet the patient’s needs. You’ll develop a level of independence and professional responsibility in preparation for your transition to graduation and state registration as a diagnostic radiographer. Optional modules provide an opportunity to focus on a specific area of interest, such as paediatrics, and forensic imaging or for a brief period of study abroad or in an area within the wider health community. Year 3 aims to help you in your transition from student to registered Diagnostic Radiographer.

All modules listed below (including two optional modules) are compulsory and are mapped to the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency. All must be passed, with completion of the full BSc(Hons) Diagnostic Radiography programme (rather than other intermediate awards) to be eligible for registration with the HCPC to be able to practice in the UK as a Diagnostic Radiographer.

Year1 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules:

Year2 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Year3 - View timetable

[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]

Compulsory modules:

Optional modules:

Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:

Last updated: 28/04/2023 15:31:28

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