Master of Radiography: Therapeutic (MTRad)

You’ll enjoy a very high level of support and mentoring from our staff. We don’t take as many students as some institutions, so you will enjoy a more individual and interactive learning experience. We have excellent relationships clinical departments allowing us to support you constantly while you are on placement. You will be the only student on the team during your placements. You’ll learn on specialist hi-tech facilities on campus. Our purpose-built planning suite is equipped with Varian Eclipse Planning System which facilitates teaching in all areas from cross-sectional anatomy, radiotherapy physics, radiotherapy planning / treatment and oncology management. This facility is used for direct teaching and is also a resource for students to use independently for consolidation of their own learning.

Are you technically minded with an equally strong interest in person-centred care?

Therapeutic radiography is a rewarding profession that brings together care and technological expertise. It is the skilled application of controlled amounts of radiation to treat medical conditions, mainly cancer and tumours. The therapeutic radiographer has shared responsibility for the planning and accurate delivery of radiation treatment.

Are you ready to make a difference? As a therapeutic radiographer you will work with patients every day to help improve their care and their lives. You are a part of their journey, from initial referral through planning and treatment to the post treatment review. You will be a valued member of a multidisciplinary team providing a person-centred service. This course will equip you with the knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills you need in this rewarding career.

Year One modules include anatomy and physiology, scientific and technological therapeutic radiographic principles. You will prepare for clinical practice by developing your communication skills and exploring the professional requirements of a therapeutic radiographer. You will study radiotherapy treatment and commonly occurring cancers. To assist your transition into university there is a focus on academic skills including essay writing and how to access information. A two-week placement provides the opportunity to experience and integrate into the clinical environment.

In Year Two you will undertake modules that explore the delivery of radiation treatment, therapeutic radiographic techniques including cross-sectional imaging, the management of patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment and cover more oncological sites. You will continue to broaden your understanding of health and wellbeing and how to influence behaviour change. Academic skills will be further developed by exploring the application of knowledge. You will develop your practical skills through 12 weeks of clinical placement.

Year Three modules are designed to enhance your critical thinking and further develop your knowledge of less commonly occurring cancers and specialist therapeutic modalities. You will broaden your healthcare awareness and challenge your understanding of health education and promotion. You will continue to link theory and practice during 12 weeks of placement, which includes a two-week elective placement.

Year Four provides the opportunity to enhance, consolidate and reflect on your theoretical, research, professional and clinical skills enabling a smooth transition to working life. You will explore leadership skills and innovative practice to meet current healthcare challenges. You will take ownership of your academic learning by undertaking a quality improvement project. This year involves 12 weeks of clinical placement, including a two-week elective placement.

We aim for all our graduates to be confident in their own professional identity and have the additional skills that will allow you to work as an effective multidisciplinary team member. This is the reason why we have implemented an interprofessional focus within all of our healthcare courses, including this one.

This is a four-year integrated undergraduate master’s course. Students commence the course with a view to graduating with a Master of Radiography: Therapeutic (MTRad) in four years and the eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC. Years Three and Four are taught alongside postgraduate students studying on the Pre-Registration course. There is an option for students to choose a BSc (Hons) route at the end of Year Two and they will still be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a therapeutic radiographer

Year One

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Becoming and Allied Health Professional/
• Developing Resilience of Self and Others
• Introduction to Radiotherapy Practice
• Radiotherapy Practice 1
• Finding your Academic Voice

Year Two

• Behaviour Change
• Developing a Spirit of Inquiry
• Cross Sectional Imaging Science
• Radiotherapy Practice 2
• Radiotherapy Placement A

Year Three

• Active Citizenship
• Health Literacy
• Less Common Cancers in Radiotherapy
• Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Multidisciplinary Team Working
• Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
• Radiotherapy Placement B

Year Four

• Advancing Practice in Radiotherapy
• Applying Skills of Critical Enquiry
• Evidence Informed Practice
• Leadership and Enterprise in Healthcare
• Radiotherapy Placement C

The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (April 2021) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2022. Please check the website for any updates.

You will be taught in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops. There will be a mix of classroom and online learning. Outside timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning through self-study. You will be assessed by a variety of assessment methods (eg written and practical exams, written assignments, presentations and viva voce) at the end of each module.

Placements are where your theoretical learning is consolidated and deepened by working directly with patients and qualified staff. You will complete one two-week placement in Year One. In Years Two, Three and Four you will complete two four-week and one five-week placement in each year. Placements can take place within the NHS at various locations across Scotland. QMU manages the sourcing and allocation of placements for each student on this course. You can organise an elective placement overseas.

Most graduates begin working as general radiographers, with very high graduate employment rates. Later in your career you may be able to specialise in different aspects of therapeutic radiography, for example, treatment planning, treatment review and counselling.

Scottish Higher: Standard: BBBC, Minimum: BCCC

A Level: CCC

Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 28 points

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 6.0

Required subjects: One science at Higher/A Level or equivalent. English plus two sciences at Nat 5/GCSE.

Mature/Access: Related Access course, see: www. qmu.ac.uk/college-qualifications

We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant qualifications and/or experience.

Direct Entry: Not available. Relevant HN qualifications may be considered for entry to Year One.

Other requirements:
• A satisfactory criminal records check from the PVG Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are also required. You may be requested to be immunised against Hepatitis B.
• The cost of the PVG check and the professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. Currently the cost of the health check is funded by the Scottish Government for Scottish students only, other students are responsible for this cost. This is, however subject to change should the Scottish Government change their funding policy.
• We expect applicants to have visited an appropriate Radiotherapy department.

This course is accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers and approved by the HCPC. Successful completion enables application for registration with the HCPC as a therapeutic radiographer that is essential for employment in the UK.

For more information, please see ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

QMU. For more information, please see the 'External review' section on the How we teach and how you’ll learn page.