Healthcare Science (Radiation Physics)

Swansea University’s BSc in Radiation Physics will give you the expert training you need to begin a rewarding and highly skilled career in the healthcare profession as a radiation physics technologist.

You will learn about the clinical uses of x-rays, radioactive materials, lasers, and ultraviolet radiation in imaging patients, diagnosing and treating disease, and monitoring patients’ response to treatment. You will also gain a clear understanding of the laws and regulations around the clinical use of radiation and the principles of risk assessment and management.

Radiation Physics is a vital field of medicine requiring a high level of responsibility and technical skill. As a radiation physics technologist, you will use sophisticated equipment to measure and calculate the doses of radiation received by patients during treatment and by the staff delivering it. As your career progresses, you will have excellent opportunities for advanced practice and further study to Master's and doctoral level.

Our state-of-the-art facilities allow you to learn and practice your clinical and technical skills in our simulated clinical practice rooms. Equipped with the latest technology and equipment, each room offers a unique environment that replicates a wide range of realistic clinical settings. The rooms provide an excellent opportunity for you to put theory into practice and gain confidence and experience in clinical environments.

You will spend around half of your course on clinical placements giving you greater insight into the skills you have learnt with our expert clinical teaching team. Clinical Placements will teach you how to present to patients and will embed your learning into your practise.

The course is accredited by all the major regulatory bodies including the National School of Healthcare and Science. You will also benefit from our strong links with the NHS and local health boards, with our nearest hospital being next to our Singleton Park campus. Many of our academic staff in Health Sciences are also practising clinicians, providing invaluable professional insight and expertise.

On graduation, you will be eligible to apply for membership of the regulatory body, the Institute for Physics and Engineering in Medicine, and enter the workplace as an independent practitioner.

Course Modules

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including:
• Professional Practice 1
• Anatomy and Physiology for Healthcare Science
• Pathophysiology for Healthcare Science
• Basics of Mathematics and Physics for Healthcare Science
• Scientific Basis of Medical Physics
• Informatics and Statistics
In Year 2, you will typically study areas including:
• Professional Practice 2
• Research Methods and Statistics
• Instrumentation Signal Processing and Imaging
• Healthcare Science Work Based Placement 1 (Radiation Physics)
• Medical Imaging
• Practice of Radiation Protection
• Medical Equipment Lifecycle
In Year 3, you will typically study areas including:
• Professional Practice 3
• Healthcare Science Research Project
• Healthcare Science Work Based Placement 2 (Radiation Physics)
• Framework of Radiation Governance and Risk Management
• Practice of Radiotherapy Physics

You will be assessed via a variety of methods throughout the three years of study. You will complete written examinations, written assignments, presentations, case-based discussions and assessments of clinical competency. In year three, you will have the chance to complete a research project in your chosen healthcare science programme. The results of this will be presented as part of your dissertation and you will be involved in a peer-assessment scientific poster presentation.