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Are you technically minded with an equally strong interest in person-centred care? Are you ready to make a difference? Therapeutic radiography is a rewarding profession that brings together care and technological expertise. It is the skilled application of controlled amounts of radiation to treat medical conditions, mainly cancer and other types of tumour. Therapeutic radiographers work alongside other specialties to create complex treatment plans and deliver precise radiation treatment.

Therapeutic radiographers work with patients every day to help improve their care and their lives. Therapeutic radiographers are a part of a patient’s journey, from initial referral through planning and treatment to the post-treatment review. Therapeutic radiographers are a valued member of a multidisciplinary team providing a person-centred service.

On this course you will:

• Be equipped with the knowledge, understanding and critical thinking skills you need in this rewarding career, providing cancer treatment and care in the NHS and the private sector;
• Develop your expertise through in-depth theoretical learning, clinical placements each year, and the close support of our very experienced staff; and
• 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?

Structure

During your first two years, you’ll join a diverse cohort of students, exploring the fundamental principles of therapeutic 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 therapeutic 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. Outside 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.

Specialist facilities

QMU offers a variety of modern specialist spaces for use by both ourÌýMaster of Radiography: Therapeutic (MRad)ÌýandÌýMSc Therapeutic Radiography (Pre-Registration)Ìýcourses. We have a range of equipment available to simulate different aspect of the clinical environment.Ìý Our clinical rooms include positioning lasers and a range of immobilisation equipment to allow us to replicate patient positioning and set up scenarios.Ìý We also have our computer planning suite which allow us plan radiotherapy treatments, explore image verification and patient management. Students have access to numerous anatomical models which are incorporated into their learning during practical sessions and can be used during self-directed study sessions.

You can view a 'Specialist Facilities' film further down the page.

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:

• complete modules that include anatomy and physiology, scientific and technological therapeutic radiographic principles;
• prepare for clinical practice by developing your communication skills and exploring the professional requirements of a therapeutic radiographer;
• study radiotherapy treatment and commonly occurring cancers;
• focus on developing your academic skills, including essay writing and how to access information; and
• complete a two-week placement that 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 Radiotherapy Practice
• Radiotherapy Practice 1
• Finding your Academic Voice

Year Two

You will:

• undertake modules that explore the delivery of radiation treatment, therapeutic radiographic techniques including cross-sectional imaging, the management of patients undergoing radiotherapy treatment and cover more oncological sites;
• 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
• Radiotherapy Practice 2
• Radiotherapy Placement A

Year Three

You will:Ìý

• complete modules that are designed to enhance your critical thinking and further develop your knowledge of less commonly occurring cancers and specialist therapeutic modalities;
• broaden your healthcare awareness and challenge your understanding of health education and promotion; and
• continue to link theory and practice during two 6-week placement blocks, which includes a two-week elective placement.

Modules

• Active Citizenship
• Health Literacy
• Less Common Cancers in Radiotherapy
• Theoretical and Clinical Approaches to Multidisciplinary Team Working
• Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice
• Radiotherapy Placement B

Year Four

You will:

• enhance, consolidate and reflect on your theoretical, research, professional 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 blocks of clinical placement, including a two-week elective placement.

Modules

• Advancing Practice in Radiotherapy
• Applying Skills of Clinical Enquiry
• Professional Development for Health Practice
• Leadership and Enterprise in Healthcare
• Radiotherapy 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. Later in your career you may be able to specialise in different aspects of therapeutic radiography, for example, treatment planning, treatment review and counselling.

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. Please contact Admissions to see if your HN qualification is suitable.

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 Radiotherapy department.

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.

QMU

Check out the specialist facilities for the Master of Radiography: Therapeutic course

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