Diagnostic Radiography

Diagnostic Radiographers specialise in using advanced imaging technologies to acquire and interpret medical images of the human body, supporting the diagnosis and management of a wide range of health conditions from fractures to complex diseases. This four-year integrated undergraduate Masters*/BSc (Hons) degree 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 you to put your theoretical knowledge into practice.

*Please note all students apply and enrol onto the master’s route and there will be an option to later switch to the Bachelor's route.

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 a 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.

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.

This course is accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers and approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). Successful completion enables application for registration with the HCPC as a diagnostic radiographer which is essential for employment in the UK.

Course Modules

Year 1:

• Anatomy and Physiology

• Becoming an Allied Health Professional

• Developing Resilience of Self and Others

• Introduction to Diagnostic Practice, Diagnostic Practice 1

• Finding your Academic Voice

Year 2:

• Health Coaching Conversations

• Developing a Spirit of Enquiry

• Cross Sectional Imaging Science

• Diagnostic Practice 2

• Diagnostic Imaging Placement A

Year 3:

• 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 4:

• Applying Skills of Critical Enquiry

• Professional Development for Health Practice

• Leadership and Enterprise in Healthcare

• Preliminary Clinical Evaluation

• Diagnostic Imaging Placement C

These modules are correct at the time of posting but may differ to those offered in 2027. Please check on our course webpage for any updates.

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: Placements are invaluable in consolidating theoretical study into practical expertise by working directly with patients and qualified staff. You will complete practice placements in each year. 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. Placements take place 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.

You must be 18 years old by 1st February 2028 to undertake the first year placement when starting September 2027.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Radiographers, College of
• Health and Care Professions Council