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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.

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What are the differences between diagnostic and therapeutic radiography?Ìý

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Structure

During your first two years, you’ll join a diverse cohort of students, exploring the fundamental principles of diagnostic radiography and gain hands-on practice experience through placement-based learning within health and social care.

As you progress, you will move on to either the BSc (Hons) or the undergraduate master’s pathway depending on your aspirations and performance. Both pathways develop professional skills, knowledge and attributes through a combination of university and placement-based learning. The undergraduate master’s offer an opportunity to delve deeper into areas such as leadership, service improvement, research and public health, at a higher level.

Upon graduation, both pathways lead to eligibility for registration with the HCPC, opening doors to a fulfilling career in diagnostic radiography

Find out about the benefits of studying an undergraduate master’s.

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 practical and placement exams, written assignments, presentations and viva voce) at the end of each module.Ìý

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 and the private sector in various hospitals. 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 placement-based learning unless they have individual requirements (eg specific health needs or school age children) that mean they must remain in a specific location.

Specialist facilities

QMU offers a variety of modern specialist spaces for use by our Master of Radiography: Diagnostic (MDRad)/BSc (Hons) Radiography: Diagnostic and MSc Diagnostic Radiography (Pre-Registration) courses. We have one dedicated diagnostic digital radiography room for practicing technical and professional skills, with fully functioning x-ray equipment. Our diagnostic radiography students also utilise QMU's clinical simulation suite, and physiotherapy and podiatry skills rooms which are equipped to simulate the real-life placement environment. Students have access to numerous anatomy models which are incorporated into their learning during practical sessions and can be used during self-directed study sessions. ÌýÌý

Teaching staff, class sizes and timetables

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

For more information, please also visit ‘How we teach and how you’ll learn’.

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; and
• complete a two-week placement which provides the opportunity to experience and integrate into the clinical environment.

Modules

• 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 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; and
• develop your practical skills through two 6-week clinical placement blocks.

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; and
• develop your practical skills through two 6-week clinical placement blocks, 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:Ìý

• enhance, consolidate and reflect on your theoretical, research, professional development 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; and
• complete two 6-week clinical placement blocks.

Modules

• Applying Skills of Critical Enquiry
• Professional Development for Health Practice
• Leadership and Enterprise in Healthcare
• Preliminary Clinical Evaluation
• Diagnostic Imaging Placement C

NB The modules listed here are correct at time of posting (Feb 2024) but may differ slightly to those offered in 2025. Please check back here for any updates.

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 CT, MRI, clinical reporting, sonography, mammography and forensic radiography.

Entry requirements

Scottish Higher: Standard - BBBC Minimum - BCCC

A Level: BCC

Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H3 H3 H3

International Baccalaureate: 28 points

International: IELTS of 6.0 with no element lower than 6.0. Please be aware that the minimum standard required for HCPC registration is IELTS score of 7.0 with no element below 6.5.

Required subjects: One science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) at grade C or above at Higher/ A Level or equivalent. Plus English, Maths and a science at grade C or above at Nat 5/GCSE. We can also accept National 5 Application of Maths or Lifeskills at the same grade.

Am I a Widening Access student?: We apply the minimum entry criteria to applicants who meet one or more contextual factor. To see if this would apply to you, please refer to the access and application page.

Mature/Access: We welcome applications from mature students with other relevant qualifications and/or experience. Visit our College Leavers and Mature Students Advice page for more information. 

Direct Entry: Not available. Relevant HN qualifications may be considered for entry to Year One.

Other requirements

• A satisfactory criminal records check from the Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme, an occupational health check and personal indemnity insurance (normally through membership of the professional body) are required.
• You may be requested to be immunised against Hepatitis B.
• We expect applicants to have visited an appropriate Radiography/Radiology department/interviewed a professional.

Other costs

• The cost of professional indemnity insurance is the responsibility of the student. For more information on this, visit the  page on our website.
• 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.
• Uniform, PVG and badge costs – please see page on our website.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Terms and Conditions

• The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry Terms and Conditions (Undergraduate).
• The course information on this page is correct at the time of posting (Feb 2024) but may differ slightly for 2025 entry. Please check back here for updates.

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