Radiotherapy and Oncology (BSc)

Why study this course

Do you have a passion for science, technology and the human body? Then why not join a programme that is ranked 1st in the UK under Medical Technology by the Complete University Guide 2021 and is accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers.

This full time, three-year BSc (Hons) Radiotherapy & Oncology programme will help you to develop the skills necessary to become a qualified therapeutic radiographer who is proactive and responsive to the rapidly changing landscape of clinical radiotherapy.

Therapeutic radiographers play a key role in the treatment and care of people with cancer. This challenging and rewarding profession uses high energy ionising radiations in the treatment of malignant and non-malignant disease. You will be introduced to behavioural, imaging and radiation sciences and be supported to develop a firm understanding of human anatomy, physiology and cancer as a disease process.

As a therapeutic radiographer you will work closely with doctors, medical physicists and other members of the healthcare team, to provide personal and supportive care to people of all ages, who often have a life-threatening disease. You will work closely at all stages of a person’s treatment including, pre-treatment support, planning the radiotherapy, treatment delivery and evaluation, and management of side effects and post treatment support.

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.

We offer an integrated mixture of university-based study and practice placements in the clinical setting. We work collaboratively with NHS organisations across Wales so that you are competitive in the employment market upon qualification.

You will have the opportunity to delve into an original research project representing the culmination of your three years of study. The research study aims to equip you with the necessary skills for ongoing professional development and evidence-based practice.

The programme aims to produce therapeutic 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.

Accreditations

• Health and Care Professions Council, the (HCPC)
• Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR)

Careers and placements

Career prospects

Graduate careers

• Radiographer

Placements

Students will undertake practice-based learning in all three years of the programme and will be required to fulfil this in radiotherapy departments across Wales.  This means that in any given year you will be expected to undertake practice-based learning at two or more centres with departments currently located in Cardiff, North Wales and Swansea.  The number of practice-based learning weeks varies throughout the programme and you will be expected to attend for 35 hours per week allocated.  This timing allows students sufficient opportunity to develop the required skills with 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 radiotherapy 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.