Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging Cardiff University

Overview

The  Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging degree delivered by the Cardiff University will help you to develop the skills necessary to become a qualified diagnostic radiographer who is proactive and responsive to the rapidly changing landscape of clinical radiography.

Key facts

Diagnostic radiographers are key members of the healthcare team who work closely with doctors, and other healthcare professionals to provide personal and supportive care to people of all ages. They operate a wide range of imaging equipment available in modern medical practice including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, diagnostic ultrasound and X-ray equipment.

As a diagnostic radiographer you will be responsible for providing comprehensive care for patients from new born children to the elderly, producing and interpreting images to be used in the diagnosis of injury and disease. By the end of the programme you will have a thorough knowledge of the professional and clinical aspects of diagnostic radiography, including the wide range of imaging technologies in use today.

People are at the heart of our practice and the development of skills to aid your care of individuals is a central focus of the programme.  The School provides an interdisciplinary environment, with opportunities for shared learning and inter-professional education. Therefore, opportunities to learn with and from other healthcare students, especially in respect of person-centred care will be part of the programme.

The programme aims to produce diagnostic radiographers who:

• Are responsible, adaptable, courageous and resilient with a focus on evidence-informed practice;
• recognise the importance of knowledge, understanding and question their current and future professional practice;
• are able to transfer knowledge and skills across different learning environments with people at the heart of their practice while working within a moral and ethical framework. 

Career prospects

The  successful completion of this programme you will eligible for registration as a diagnostic radiographer with the HCPC. In 2019, 100%* of graduates were employed or undertaking further study within six months of graduating (*UNISTATS 2019).

Graduate careers

• Diagnostic Radiographer
• Therapeutic Radiographer

Placements

Students will undertake required clinical placement learning in all three academic years with a minimum number of 1460 attendance hours required by all students, which will be monitored through your clinical professionalism records. Clinical placements will be undertaken in a minimum of 3 organisations throughout South and West Wales. Placement lengths vary depending on the level of study and allows students sufficient opportunity to develop the required skills but also provides some flexibility should they need to pay back hours.

In years 2 and 3 of the programme, students will have the opportunity, should they wish, to undertake elective placements abroad, to develop their knowledge and understanding of radiographic practice internationally.  These placements are negotiated and arranged by the individual student with help and advice provided by relevant university staff. All placements will be subject to the University’s Placement Risk Assessment processes.