Master of Radiography: Diagnostic (MDRad)
This four year integrated master’s course will give you the theoretical understanding and practical skills you will need to build a rewarding career as a diagnostic radiographer. Practice placements are an integrated part of the course and allow students to put their theoretical knowledge into practice.
Why QMU?
- You will enjoy a very high level of support and mentoring from our staff. We do not take as many students as some institutions, so you will enjoy a more individual and interactive learning experience.
- We have excellent relationships with our clinical placement sites that allows us to support you constantly when you are on placement. You will be the only student on the team during your placements to give you the maximum possible benefit from the clinical experience.
- You will learn on specialist hi-tech facilities on campus. Our diagnostic imaging suite is equipped with a Siemens Multix Pro X Ray System, a Fuji Computerised Radiography system with high resolution digital workstations and a Fuji Direct Digital mobile.
- In the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022, we are ranked in the top 20 UK universities for subjects allied to medicine (19th out of 82).
On this course you will:
- Learn from staff with an outstanding reputation for the quality of teaching.
- Gain all the knowledge and skills that you require to work as a diagnostic radiographer.
- Develop your expertise through in-depth theoretical learning, clinical placements each year and the close support of our very experienced staff.
- Benefit from the interprofessional working focus of this course. 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.
Diagnostic radiographers are healthcare professional who acquire and evaluate images of the human body to diagnose disease and trauma. They use a range of high-technology imaging equipment and techniques and work closely with the multidisciplinary team to provide a person-centred service.
Radiography is invaluable in the diagnosis and treatment of disease and trauma. As a diagnostic radiographer your skill, judgement and professionalism will be a vital part of a team’s clinical work, and affect patients’ lives, day after day. Awaiting a diagnosis can be a stressful time for patients and in this career you must be technically adept, an excellent communicator and provide person-centred care. This is why our diagnostic radiography course places high importance on clinical placements. Placements are essential to build self-confidence, practice radiographic techniques and develop clinical knowledge in a real-life hospital setting.
This is a four year integrated undergraduate master’s course. Students commence the course with a view to graduating with a Master of Radiography: Diagnostic (MDRad) in four years and the eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC. Years Three and Four will be taught alongside postgraduate students studying on the MSc Diagnostic Radiography (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 diagnostic radiographer.
Year One
You will:
- Study modules including anatomy and physiology, scientific and diagnostic technological radiographic principles.
- Prepare for clinical practice by developing your communication skills and exploring the professional requirements of a diagnostic radiographer.
- Focus on developing your academic skills, including essay writing and how to access information.
- Complete a two-week placement which provides the opportunity to experience and integrate into the clinical environment.
Modules
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Becoming and Allied Health Professional
- Developing Resilience of Self and Others
- Introduction to Diagnostic Practice, Diagnostic Practice 1
- Finding your Academic Voice
Year Two
You will:
- Undertake modules that explore more complex radiographic techniques including cross-sectional imaging and trauma.
- Continue to broaden your understanding of health and wellbeing and how to support behaviour change through health coaching conversations.
- Further enhance your academic skills by developing a critical approach to literature and your professional practice’
- Develop your practical skills through 12 weeks of clinical placement.
Modules
- Health Coaching Conversations
- Developing a Spirit of Inquiry
- Cross Sectional Imaging Science
- Diagnostic Practice 2
- Diagnostic Imaging Placement A
Year Three
You will:
- Enhance your critical thinking and further develop your knowledge of specialist diagnostic imaging modalities.
- Broaden your healthcare awareness and challenge your understanding of health education and promotion.
- Continue to link theory and practice during 12 weeks of placement, which includes a three or four-week elective placement.
Modules
- Active Citizenship
- Health Literacy
- Specialist Imaging and Advancing Diagnostic Practice
- Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Multidisciplinary Team Working
- Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
- Diagnostic Imaging Placement B
Year Four
You will:
- Enhance, consolidate and reflect on your theoretical, research, professional and clinical skills enabling a smooth transition to working life.
- Explore leadership skills and innovative practice to meet current healthcare challenges.
- Take ownership of your academic learning by undertaking a quality improvement project.
- Complete 12 weeks of clinical placement.
Modules
- Applying Skills of Critical Enquiry
- Evidence Informed Practice
- Leadership and Enterprise in Healthcare
- Preliminary Clinical Evaluation
- Diagnostic Imaging Placement C
Teaching, learning and assessment
You will be taught in lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops. There will be a mix of classroom and online learning. Outwith 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
You will complete practice placements in each year.
Placements are invaluable in consolidating theoretical study into practical expertise by working directly with patients and qualified staff.
You will attend a variety of placements within the NHS at various locations across Scotland.
QMU manages the sourcing and allocation of placements for each student.
To enhance future employablity placements take place across across Scotland. It is therefore likely that students will have to relocate for at least some of their practice-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location. The additional costs associated with placement travel and accommodation are the responsibility of the student. Students who receive SAAS funding may be able to claim for some of these expenses to be reimbursed.
Careers
Most graduates begin working as general radiographers, with very high graduate employment rates. However, with experience, you may have the opportunity to specialise in different aspects of diagnostic radiography, for example, clinical reporting, sonography or mammography.
Entry requirements
Scottish Higher: Standard - BBBB, Minimum - BBCC
A Level: BCC
Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 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 Radiography/Radiology department.
Professional registration/accreditation
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 diagnostic radiographer which is essential for employment in the UK.
Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables
For more information, please see ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.
Awarding body
QMU. For more information, please see the 'External review' section on the How we teach and how you’ll learn page.
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Please note:
• The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2022) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2023. Please check back here for any updates.
• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2023/24 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• Teaching staff may be subject to change.
