Radiotherapy and Oncology BSc (Hons)

About the course

Oncology is the study and practice of treating malignant disease (cancer). One method of treating people with cancer is radiotherapy, a dynamic and ever-changing area of oncology, which uses ionising radiation at high energies to either cure the patient or improve their quality of life.

The BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology course provides the training to become a highly skilled practitioner who will be capable of planning and administering radiotherapy treatment. The necessary skills combine a high degree of technical expertise with the ability to manage the physical needs of the patient.

In addition you will be taught communication skills to manage the psychological and emotional aspects of cancer for patients, their relatives and friends.

Key qualities include an affinity for science, good interpersonal skills, the ability to work in a team or independently and an enthusiastic, motivated and caring attitude.

The BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology course has been designed in collaboration with practitioners and health service managers and combines both academic and clinical placements. Our accredited clinical placement sites are located in cancer centres covering a wide geographical area including centres located in the west of London, Northampton, Northwood, Oxford and Reading.

There is full integration of theory with practice and highly qualified clinical personnel work closely with our academic team to ensure the highest standard of education, support and professional development during your clinical placements. Approximately half your time is spent in practice each year. You will be allocated to a host placement site where most of your clinical practice takes place, however in your final year, there will be opportunities for specialist placements, and for elective placements of your choice either in the UK or abroad.

First Year

During the first year you will study modules designed to underpin your understanding of clinical practice including fundamental physical, biological, psychological and social sciences, as well as introducing topics specific to oncology and radiotherapy.

Second Year

The second year will build on your first year study, with focus on the understanding and application of planning and treatment delivery, including a widened range of clinical techniques. There is coverage of practical clinical oncology and cancer management.

Final Year

The final year giving a wider perspective of health and health care. Your knowledge is consolidated with topics covering current radiotherapy practice. Advice and information on securing your first post is provided. The structure of the degree is designed to equip you for a life-long learning approach and to encourage future continuous development. On graduation (and subject to state registration) you will be able to commence your career without further training.

Why choose this course?

• The course prepares you for a demanding but rewarding career in therapeutic radiography
• It is a full and varied course that gives you the skills, knowledge and attributes expected of the highly skilled practitioner of therapeutic radiography
• It has been designed in collaboration with practitioners and health service managers and combines both academic and clinical placements

Study routes

• Full Time, 3 Years

Locations

• University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Careers

Successful completion of the programme leads to an honours degree and eligibility for state registration with the Health Professions Council as a Therapeutic Radiographer. Radiotherapy provides excellent career prospects with the opportunity for continuous career development and opportunities to work in various specialties such as advanced practice, education, research and as an application specialist. The qualification is also recognised by other countries around the world providing prospects to work abroad.

Teaching methods

A variety of teaching methods are employed in order for you to learn and develop the necessary skills to become a competent practitioner. These can include lectures, small group tutorials, seminars and clinical practice.

We also spend time in our radiotherapy labs including our planning suite, our VERT simulation centre and our imaging lab

Work Placement

As a student on the BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology course, you will spent approximately 18-20 weeks per year on clinical placement gaining valuable experience that you will need when you graduate.

The placements will give you the opportunity to link the theoretical knowledge you gain via the lectures and seminars with the practical experiences.

Clinical placement are arranged in six accredited cancer centres in Berkshire, Middlesex, London, Oxfordshire and Northamptonshire. They are managed and supported by a dedicated team of university lecturers, practice educators and clinical co-ordinators who work together to ensure that each student’s clinical practice experience is of the highest quality.

Professional Accreditations

Eligibility for membership of the Society of Radiographers and registration with the Health Professions Council as a Therapeutic Radiographer

Structure

Year 1

Core Modules

• An Introduction to Inter-professional Education

  The module is designed to give students the opportunity to work in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding of a range of professional roles and encourage co-operative learning and working. The rationale for and benefits of inter-professional working within health and social care are explored. Learning will be through multi-professional group seminars and tutorials that require students to access and gather appropriate data from a range of sources and apply this to a series of practice-based, simulated scenarios and exercises.

• Introduction to Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology for Radiotherapy

  This module introduces students to the study of anatomy, physiology and pathology, providing an overview of body systems and giving an insight into how the body maintains a healthy balance. Regional and surface anatomy are taught using clinical terminology and a range of images, most of which students will encounter in the radiotherapy planning and treatment delivery process.

• Principles of Oncology and Management 1

  This module will consider how normal cells are transformed into malignant tumours and includes how tumours are classified. The principles underpinning epidemiology, pathology, investigations and diagnosis, staging, grading, spread, signs and symptoms will be delivered. Students will also be introduced to the psychology of illness and methods of treating cancer.

• Radiotherapy Practice 1

  This module introduces students to the clinical environment where, under direct supervision, they begin to develop the skills and competencies necessary for a therapeutic radiographer. Emphasis is placed on interactions with patients and clinical staff, safe and appropriate professional working practices as well as working within the boundaries of their level of study. Students will accurately perform simple calculations as well as identify patients according to protocol, maintain confidentiality and comply with rules and regulations at all times.

• Radiotherapy Science

  This module introduces the scientific conversance required for informed and safe practice as a therapeutic radiographer. Students will be introduced to radiation science and topics taught will include the physical principles of radiation generation, interaction, modification and protection underpinning radiation therapy. Students will need to have an understanding of the regulations associated with the use of ionising radiation in order to operate in a safe manner whilst in the clinical environment.

• Skills for Research and Radiotherapy Practice 1

  This module introduces the skills required for academic learning and practice as a therapeutic radiographer. Students will be introduced to enquiry and methods of learning and assessment as well as professional requirements for the programme. Students will develop an understanding of the regulations associated with the clinical environment as well the inter-personal skills needed of a healthcare professional.

Optional

Year 2

Core Modules

• Oncology and Management II

  This module builds on the Principles of Oncology and Management I. It provides detailed anatomical and oncological information related to tumours arising within the breast, thoracic, abdominal and pelvic regions. Students will study the natural history of these tumours together with how a diagnosis of cancer is made and the impact this may have on the patient and their families. Students will appraise the evidence-base related to the management of these tumours and will evaluate a variety of radiotherapy applications and post-treatment issues and side-effects. Study of pharmacology including anti-emetics, chemotherapy and hormone manipulation will also be undertaken.

• Radiotherapy Equipment & Radiobiology

  This module will equip the student with the knowledge and skills necessary for understanding the design and safe operation of radiotherapy related equipment. Included in the module will be equipment for the purposes of radiotherapy localisation and delivery of treatment. The module will also cover image acquisition, beam characteristics and the biological effects of ionising radiation. Design of a radiotherapy department will be considered with reference to the variety of equipment available.

• Radiotherapy Localisation and Planning

  This module covers the principles of radiotherapy localisation and planning and enables students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to generate and evaluate clinically-acceptable isodose distributions.

• Radiotherapy Practice II

  This module is the second in a series of three that is devoted to developing the clinical skills necessary to become a therapeutic radiographer. Learning is undertaken in the clinical environment where, under direct supervision, students continue to develop practice-based skills and competencies. Emphasis is placed on interactions with patients and clinical staff, safe and appropriate professional working practices as well as working within the boundaries of their level of study. Students will perform parallel-opposed calculations and will continue to accurately identify patients according to protocol, maintain confidentiality and comply with rules and regulations at all times.

• Skills for Research and Radiotherapy Practice II

  This module builds on the foundations laid down in Skills for Research and Radiotherapy Practice I; it will enable students to develop an understanding of the legislative, ethical and research frameworks that underpin, inform and influence the practice of radiotherapy. Research principles, processes and methods will be studied in order that students recognise the value of research to the critical evaluation of practice and to facilitate the students' understanding of the philosophy behind evidence based practice. Medico-legal and ethical issues and philosophy of clinical governance will be examined in order to promote and underpin safe and professional radiotherapy practice.

Optional

Year 3

Core Modules

• Developments in Radiotherapy Practice

  This module will equip the students with the knowledge necessary for understanding the optimum radiation treatment in the management of patients with cancer. The principles of quality assurance and their application to the radiotherapy department will be explored. New technologies that will provide the most appropriate radiotherapy treatment and associated verification will be evaluated such as stereotactic radiotherapy, image guided radiotherapy (IGRT), gated radiotherapy, proton therapy. Other current developments will be considered (as appropriate) and the evidence-base for the new technologies will be explored.

• Enhancing Health & Social Care through Inter-professional Education

  The module is designed to give students further opportunities of working in multi-professional groups in order to improve understanding across professional boundaries and encourage collaborative learning and working that will bring benefit to patient/service-users. The justification for inclusion of inter-professional working within health care is addressed. The module requires students to bring specialist in-depth knowledge of their profession and professional codes of conduct to a group setting so that health and social care pathways are critically reviewed in the context of professional practice.

• Independent Research Exercise

  This module enables students to undertake an independent exercise in research, which may typically take the form of a project or dissertation that demonstrates achievement of the learning outcomes. This will enable students to demonstrate analytical and critical evaluation of their chosen subject area.

• Management of Systemic & Paediatric Malignancies

  This module requires the student to develop an understanding of the issues surrounding the oncological management of paediatric patients and patients requiring systemic therapy, in order to determine the appropriate patient treatment modality. Diseases requiring systemic therapy e.g. leukaemias, lymphomas, skin (MF, KS), breast, myeloma, bony metastases and examples of advancing disease will be discussed. Palliative care & quality of life issues for systemic and paediatric tumours will be explored including supportive therapies, antiemesis and pain management. The psychological impact of these diseases on patients and carers will also be considered.

• Radiotherapy Practice & Patient Care 3

  Clinical experience is an integral part of this module which builds on the skills developed in Year 2 of the programme. Students will be expected to participate in the delivery of radiotherapy for common and complex techniques and will be assessed in their abilities to undertake radiotherapy practices. The module extends a student's knowledge and understanding of planning procedures and clinical decision-making skills; in addition, dose calculations related to more complex techniques are addressed. Evaluation of specific radiotherapy techniques (external beam and brachytherapy) for adult tumours will be covered, adding to those delivered in Level 2. Mentoring, teaching & assessment will be explored as will professional body issues, HPC (including continuing professional development) and preparation for preceptorship. CPR and Patient Handling updates will be provided.

Optional

Fees & funding

If you are a UK or EU full-time undergraduate student, the NHS will pay the tuition fee for this course. You will not have to pay for the course yourself.

UK Students may be entitled to an NHS bursary.

Please note that in the event that you have to retake failed module(s) from a previous year (unconnected with adverse circumstances) you may have to 'step-off' the course until you have passed the module(s). In the event this happens, any NHS bursary you have been receiving will cease until you are in a position to resume the full-time course. In addition, you will be required to pay student tuition fees for retaking the failed module(s).

Find out more information on financial support arrangements for pre-registration health programmes.

University of Hertfordshire bursaries are not available for this course.

Discounts are available for International students if payment is made in full at registration

View detailed information about tuition fees

Additional course costs

Compulsory

•  Accommodation costs during clinical placements - indicative prices are: £230-£560.
• Transport to clinical placements (students can claim if eligible for NHS Bursary and travel costs): up to £600 per placement

Eligible students for an NHS Bursary can claim all, or part depending on circumstances. EU students who are not eligible for an NHS Bursary cannot claim it (in this case the figures quoted are top-end and depend upon placement venue and distance travelled).

Optional

Society of Radiographers student membership. Indicative fee for the first year is £163

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

How to apply