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Radiotherapy Dosimetry and Planning
Key information
Course Leader: Naomi Brown - n.2.brown@herts.ac.uk
Level: 7
Credits: 15
Mode of delivery: Online. Number of Learner Hours: Independent 150 hours
Available places: 40
Dates
- 28/09/2026
Fees and Funding
£945.00
The price quoted above is for a 15 credit module in the 2026/27 academic year and applies to students who are assessed as Home fee payers ONLY. Fees will differ for students assessed as Overseas fee payers. Fee assessment decisions follow UKCISA (UK Council for International Student Affairs) guidance, which is based on UK law and government regulations. Further information on who will pay Home or Overseas tuition fees can be found here: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/will-i-pay-home-or-international-tuition-fees
Once confirmed, a student’s fee status will normally remain the same for the duration of their course. However, information regarding fee reassessment is available here: https://ask.herts.ac.uk/will-i-pay-home-or-international-tuition-fees#FeeReassessment
Eligible students may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Student Loan. Please note that to access this funding, you must enrol on the full MSc programme; funding is not available for individual modules or interim awards (for example, a Postgraduate Diploma). Further information is available at: https://www.gov.uk/masters-loan
Further details, including tuition fee amounts, fee policy and payment deadlines, can be found here : https://www.herts.ac.uk/study/fees-and-funding/fee-information/fees-and-finance-policy-documents
If you require further information or have any questions regarding fees, please contact: cpdhealth@herts.ac.uk
Entry Requirements
Access to a Dosimetry planning computer is necessary to produce Radiotherapy plans, however a full rotation into Dosimetry is not required
A minimum of 2 years post-qualification experience is recommended.
Course Overview
Please note that if you apply for this module, it may be necessary to process your registration under module code 7HSK2215. This will not affect the content studied nor the assessment methods, it is purely for our administrative
Course Details
This module aims to enhance your understanding of the principles of radiotherapy dosimetry and radiobiological factors affecting dose distribution.
The learning outcomes will be achieved through a blend of electronic and distance learning and online discussions. The material will provide you with the basic knowledge and understanding of radiotherapy planning and the principles and regulations which govern planning practices. You will also learn to appreciate how radiobiology principals affect the choices we make with regards to plan choice, dose fractionation and how we know if a plan is clinically acceptable.
Using an inquiry−based approach, students will gather a wide range of evidence and information in order to thoroughly explore the module topics. Through critical evaluation and analysis of the evidence base they will consolidate their knowledge and understanding of radiotherapy planning and dosimetry and the radiobiological concepts that inform dose prescription. Formative feedback and assessment embraces assessment activities so that students have the opportunity to develop the necessary skills for successful achievement.
Course content includes:
• Review of imaging anatomy
• Evidence supporting current radiotherapy techniques
• Terms used in radiotherapy planning
• Principles of radiotherapy planning including those related to IMRT and adaptive planning techniques and other areas of Radiotherapy
• Factors that affect isodose distribution and beam application for a variety of common treatment sites
• Methods of evaluating radiotherapy plans
• Use of evidence base to support plan evaluation and dose prescription
• Radiobiological concepts related to radiotherapy planning, such as cell survival curves, response to radiation, OER, LET, radiation effects, fractionation, 5R's of radiobiology and future clinical applications
This course is facilitated by Ruth Rowse, who guides you through your learner journey, using on-line activities and tasks to support your learning.
Learning Outcomes
Knowledge and understanding:
Successful students will typically...
Critically appraise the dosimetric principles and evidence underpinning radiotherapy planning theories and techniques.
Skills and Attributes
Successful students will typically...
Make informed judgements on the appropriateness of images used in localisation and planning to evidence clinical treatment decisions.
Apply effective critical evaluation on a range of radiotherapy plans and dose prescriptions, considering anatomy, radiobiological concepts and dosimetric principles presented with reference to the appropriate evidence-base.
Assessment
Coursework 1, 100%: Typically, a 15-minute narrated power point critical Evaluation of one of the plans you have produced
Coursework (Pass/fail)
Typically, generation of three clinical plans, with a reflection associated with each one
What our students say
“The resources are great, and I have really improved my understanding of planning”
Learning outcomes
Learning Outcomes Knowledge and understanding:
Successful students will typically...
1. Critically appraise the dosimetric principles and evidence underpinning
radiotherapy planning theories and techniques.
Learning Outcomes: Skills and Attributes
Successful students will typically...
1. Make informed judgements on the appropriateness of images used in
localisation and planning to evidence clinical treatment decisions.
2. Apply effective critical evaluation on a range of radiotherapy plans and
dose prescriptions, considering anatomy, radiobiological concepts and
dosimetric principles presented with reference to the appropriate evidence-
base.
Assessment
Typically a 3000-word critical appraisal of a of a treatment plan.
This course is facilitated by Ruth Rowse who guides you through your learner journey, using on-line activities and tasks to support your learning.