Final award:
- IfATE level 6 Diagnostic Radiographer (integrated degree) Apprenticeship
- BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging
| Duration | 3 years |
|---|---|
| Entry point(s) | March |
| Application deadline | Dependent on employer, see How to apply |
| Campus | St Luke’s Campus, Exeter |
|---|---|
| Contact |
Overview
- Provides extensive workplace learning and practice within an imaging department, supported by academic learning from the University
- The University of Exeter has offered a BSc in Medical Imaging since 2004; since then our course has consistently been ranked as one of the best in the UK
- Apprentices will have access to our state-of-the-art, purpose-built facilities including X-ray room, MRI scanner and lab space
- Provides the opportunity for apprentices to give back to their imaging department by undertaking a research project in years two and three
- Successful graduates of our programme are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a diagnostic radiographer
Earn whilst you learn
Consistently rated one of the best institutions for Diagnostic Radiography in the UK
Very strong academic, clinical and practice focus
Apply for registration with the HCPC upon successful completion of the programme
Accreditations
Programme approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Society and College of Radiographers
Entry requirements
| Qualification | Typical offer | Required subjects |
|---|---|---|
| GCSE | C or 4 | English and Maths |
| A Level | BBC |
GCE A-level science grade B Acceptable science subjects include Biology/Human Biology*; Chemistry; Computing; Design and Technology; Electronics; Environmental Studies; Geography; Geology; Life and Health Sciences, Maths/Pure Maths/Further Maths*; Physical Education; Physics; Psychology; Science (applied); Statistics. *If more than one of these is taken, they would only count as one 'science' but could count as two A levels towards our general requirements. |
| IB | 28/554 | Higher Level 5 in a Science Subject |
| BTEC | DDM |
The BTEC Extended Diploma in Health Sciences will be accepted without the need for an additional A level science subject. All other applicants will be required to have grade B in an acceptable A ‘Level Science subject. |
| ACCESS | 24 L3 credits at Distinction Grade and 21 L3 credits at Merit Grade |
12 Level 3 credits at Merit Grade in a relevant science subject area. The Access to Radiography, Health Science or Science will be accepted without the need for an additional A’ Level science subject. All other applicants will be required to have grade B in an acceptable A’ Level Science subject. |
| T-level | Merit | T-Level in Health Care Sciences |
| Foundation Degree | 60 credits at 60% | 60 credits at 60% in a relevant subject |
| Level 3 Apprenticeship | n/a | Senior Healthcare Support Worker - Diagnostic Imaging Support Pathway only. |
| Equivalences | View other grade equivalences | |
NB General Studies is not included in any offer.
Applicants must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information.
There is an additional requirement of the Health and Care Professions Council that apprentices whose first language is not English need to meet IELTS requirements of at least 7.0 overall and no less than 6.5 in any other section.
How to apply
The Diagnostic Radiographer Degree Apprenticeship does not follow the standard UCAS application process. Applicants can apply to this programme in addition to making applications to any institution through UCAS. To gain a place on an apprenticeship applicants must either:
- Be employed within a radiography department - employers must have arrangements in place with the University of Exeter to support an apprenticeship education. Employers are responsible for ensuring applicants meet the Fitness to Practice requirements of the programme. Pre-employment checks will include occupational health screening and DBS checks; fulfilment of these to the satisfaction of the employer is a prerequisite for entry onto this programme.
- Apply directly to a department offering diagnostic radiographer apprenticeship vacancies. Once applicants hold the offer of a post, employers will notify the University. Applicants will then be required to undertake an application for the University. If an applicant has been successful they will be offered a position. A place will be confirmed by us, and we will send further information about how to enrol as an apprentice.
Funding
Full programme cost: £24,000
The employer fully covers the cost of the apprenticeship; apprentices do not pay for any of the eligible training costs. The apprentice will be an employee of the organisation, gaining a University of Exeter award alongside working and earning a salary.
Employers who pay the Apprenticeship Levy will pay for the apprenticeship fees directly through that contribution. See further information on the Apprenticeship Levy funding.
Employers must pay their apprentices a salary at least consistent with national legislation.
Funding eligibility criteria
- To be eligible for funding apprentices must meet the criteria listed in the ESFA guidance.
- They must also have a valid and eligible residency status to gain entry onto the apprenticeship – please see the ESFA guidance for further information
Course content
Successful completion of this apprenticeship programme will ensure apprentices have the skills required to successfully embark on a career as a Diagnostic Radiographer. They will gain the skills and knowledge needed to continually learn, develop and use evidence-based research to improve practice.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what apprentices can expect to learn on this course.
Employer negotiated module
In the final year, there is an employer negotiated module. This enables apprentices to gain further experience in a particular area of the department or modality, or gain additional skills such as cannulation.
This Stage provides a foundation in the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required for radiography. Academic and supported study provides theoretical knowledge of patient care, anatomy, imaging techniques, professional practice and the science that underpins medical imaging. This academic knowledge is complemented in the workplace which provides a practical environment in which to learn how theory is applied in practice and practical experience in the safe and effective practice of general and fluoroscopic radiography.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RAD1001DA | Applied Radiographic Knowledge (ARK) 1 | 30 |
| RAD1002DA | Professional Practice 1 | 30 |
| RAD1003DA | Practice Foundations 1 | 30 |
| RAD1004DA | Practice Placement 1 | 30 |
Drawing upon the knowledge and skills learnt in Stage one, Stage two develops further understanding of anatomical and physiological concepts in contemporary clinical imaging practice. You will develop your knowledge of radiation science and gain an appreciation of safe and optimal use of radiation-based imaging techniques. The Stage two workplace experience provides further opportunities to learn theory as applied to practice and to gain further practical experience of the safe and effective practice of general and fluoroscopic imaging, including the skills required to adapt technique to best meet the needs of the patient. A wider range of imaging modalities in introduced in Stage two.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RAD2001DA | Applied Radiographic Knowledge (ARK) 2 | 30 |
| RAD2002DA | Professional Practice 2 | 30 |
| RAD2003DA | Practice Foundations 2 | 30 |
| RAD2004DA | Practice Placement 2 | 30 |
The final Stage builds upon the knowledge and skills established in the previous two Stages. You will integrate theory with practice by drawing on your prior experience of imaging modalities, and reinterpreting your knowledge of imaging within a scientific framework. During the third Stage in the workplace you will become an integral member of the multi-professional healthcare team and will undertake an audit, service evaluation or piece of research. You will have responsibility for organising your working day and liaising with staff in other departments, and will gain experience of co-ordinating an inter-professional team. You will also undertake an employer negotiated placement in a jointly agreed area of practice.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| RAD3001DA | Applied Radiographic Knowledge (ARK) 3 | 30 |
| RAD3002DA | Professional Practice 3 | 30 |
| RAD3003ADA | Practice Foundations 3 | 30 |
| RAD3004ADA | Practice Placement 3 | 30 |
“Studying a degree apprenticeship at Exeter has been an exciting, challenging but hugely rewarding experience. The team behind my apprenticeship are always on hand if there are any issues and will quickly resolve them. There is regular communication and a real drive to gain both positive and negative feedback to make the course the best it can be.”
Rachael
Diagnostic Radiographer Degree Apprentice
Learning
Programme delivery
The Diagnostic Radiographer Degree Apprenticeship is delivered through a combination of work-based practice and blended learning provided by the University.
E-learning elements of the course, including lectures, seminars and online collaborative work, are undertaken through the University’s electronic learning environment. This will supplement and further the apprentice's learning, as well as providing academic support.
Degree apprenticeship roles are developed with a strong emphasis upon the close relationship between employer and University. The academic curriculum will, for a large part, follow real delivery in the workplace with the day-to-day challenges faced in a work environment.
Time spent studying on campus
The on-campus teaching is a mandatory block attendance at the University of Exeter, consisting of 3 blocks of 4-5 days per year. Apprentices will also have protected study time during the working week.
Support available
Our dedicated partnerships team liaise closely with employers throughout the programme; each apprentice is allocated an academic mentor to ensure their successful completion of the programme
Apprenticeship Standard
Alongside studying for their level 6 apprenticeship gained after completing the Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours of the apprenticeship standard, apprentices will study for a BSc in Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging.
This programme aligns with the level 6 Diagnostic Radiographer (integrated degree) standard.
20 years of Medical Imaging excellence
Medical Imaging at the University of Exeter is celebrating 20 years of teaching and research excellence, training much-needed radiographers for the NHS and beyond.
Since the programme was launched in 2004 to help address a national shortage of radiographers, Medical Imaging has trained more than 1,000 radiographers, with active student placements in ten NHS trusts across Devon, Cornwall, Dorset and Somerset.
Careers
Career opportunities:
There is a consistently great need for radiographers with strong clinical skills who enjoy working with patients. Radiography provides a very diverse range of careers such as advanced and consultant practice, including radiographer reporting and radiographer led-discharge.
Radiography is an area of practice that is constantly evolving and as such, can be a very rewarding career. In addition, career opportunities exist within research, further developing the profession, as well as within leadership and management.
A Medical Imaging degree is a passport to an interesting job and a fulfilling career. There is a grading structure that sees an individual’s salary increase as they move up in the profession.
Internationally recognised qualifications:
Radiographers trained in the UK are recognised as being among the best in the world and the health providers of many countries recruit in the UK. On graduation you will be eligible to apply for registration as a diagnostic radiographer with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and for membership of the Society and College of Radiographers.
The University’s Careers Service provides a range of support to help apprentices develop skills attractive to employers. Visit our careers service pages for more information.
Employer information
The UK faces a significant skills gap for Diagnostic Radiographers within our healthcare workforce with rising employer demand for highly skilled, qualified professionals. The University has offered an undergraduate degree course since 2004 which is consistently rated as one of the best in the UK.
To meet the needs of specific departments, pathways relating to specific imaging modalities are available. A distinctive employer negotiated third year placement, agreed between the employer and the apprentice, enables departments to plan their workforce for the future, in the knowledge that they will have new graduates with the skills required for particular aspects of their imaging service.
