BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging

Key information

Why choose this course?

  • Study image interpretation modules with specialist radiographers
  • Gain experience in our onsite CT scanner and X-ray rooms
  • We have over 25 years experience graduating radiographers
  • Develop clinical skills during time in our dedicated university imaging labs and spending time on clinical placement working with qualified practitioners.
  • Study with other health professions. Interprofessional modules taught reflect the multi-professional, team approach in healthcare today.
  • Excellent Career Prospects. 95% of graduates are in work or doing further study 15 months after the course (Graduate Outcomes, 2019/2020)

What's the course about?

Diagnostic radiographers play a vital role in healthcare by producing patient centred imaging services for the diagnosis and treatment of injuries and disease. Our BSc (Hons) in Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging delivers the knowledge and clinical experience you require to become a skilled and competent diagnostic radiographer and reflects the rapidly changing face of healthcare in the UK.

This is a full-time three year vocational degree where Radiography students will learn a wide range of subjects to enable our graduates to be safe and confident practitioners, able to deliver high quality care to patients. You will learn human anatomy, physiology and pathology, using radiographic images, along with an understanding of the equipment used to image patients. During your training you will develop excellent communication skills and learn to work in a team environment putting the needs of the patient at the centre of everything you do. In addition, you will acquire an appreciation of research methods with respect to diagnostic radiography and the importance of evidence-based practice in relation to the profession.

The degree is delivered with student spending time each year at the University campus studying and gaining practical experience at our affiliated NHS hospitals developing where students become competent in the knowledge and skills they have been learning.

Your main campus is College Lane  

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.   

What will I study?

You will be taught by our team of highly qualified academics who are all registered practitioners with postgraduate and teaching qualifications. Each year you will study five modules designed to promote learning through a variety of activities including lectures, seminars and tutorials.

We have the benefit of our own dedicated X-ray rooms and CT scanner on campus to enhance clinical skills education and state of the art computer laboratories used for image evaluation and interpretation teaching.

In year 1 and 3 there is the opportunity for shared lectures and seminars during the inter-professional modules allowing you to collaborate and learn with student on other health profession programmes at the university.

All your modules will be supported through a web-based learning platform aimed to guide you through your journey as a student. This is a mobile friendly platform which is design with the student in mind with interactive maps to show you around when you first arrive, and access to timetable, teaching resources and assessment details. In addition, it will provide you with access to all the news, events and services in the wider university community.

Check out our student blogs

Unibuddy icon

Student Blogs

Vanessa- Unibuddy

Alumni headshot

Alumni Stories

Khan Asghar Iqbal

Meet Khan Asghar Iqbal who is saving lives everyday as a Newly Qualified Paramedic (NQP). He is currently working for the Welsh Ambulance Service Trust.

Read more stories Find out more about this course
Current job roleNewly Qualified Paramedic
Year of graduation2018
Course of studyBSc (Hons) Paramedic Science

A unique degree and experience

Khan says his ambition to work in London and move out of his hometown in Cardiff was a key factor in choosing to study at the University of Hertfordshire. However, his course also provided a unique combination of theoretical and practical study which Khan says, 'prepared me to put my knowledge into practice while out on placement each term. The course also gave me a glimpse of future opportunities for paramedics such as teaching, management and advanced practice.'

The vocational nature of the degree enabled him to transition smoothly into his chosen career providing him with the essential professional skills and hands on experience he required to excel as a paramedic. He says, 'The course gives you the knowledge to make lifesaving decisions but also gives you more advanced knowledge regarding complicated conditions and the various medicines that come with each patient.'

Khan speaks fondly of his time at the University and says, 'I truly miss everyone I became friends with on my degree. Some of the nights out in the Forum were the best I've ever had and they will be everlasting memories, with friends both on and off of my course. I really came out of my shell and comfort zone and it has made me into the confident and outgoing person I am today.'

Get your dream job

Khan says that being a paramedic is the 'best job in the World' and, although he has just started his career, he hopes to go onto postgraduate study and experience new cultures by travelling.

Alumni headshot

Alumni Stories

Jordan Murtagh

Meet Jordan. Driven by a passion for science and technology, he decided to move from Ireland to study radiography at Herts.

Read more stories BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging
Current jobCT Radiographer at the Bristol Royal Infirmary
Year of graduation2020
Course of studyBSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging
A picture of Jordan Murtagh

Finding his passion

Jordan had a keen interest in science and technology at school, and after doing work experience at a hospital in his native Ireland he discovered that radiography was perfect for him. His next step was to choose which university he wanted to go to.

Jordan explains, ‘I had several options. I could have stayed in Ireland, but I saw the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and Imaging course at Herts and was keen on it. I attended an open day and an interview, and my first experience was positive. The staff made me feel at home and everyone was welcoming. Current students were also at the open day to answer any questions I had, and we were given a tour of the facilities which are great.’

As an international student, the University’s proximity to London and its airports was important to Jordan, as it allowed him to travel back to Ireland easily to visit family and friends.

Immersing yourself

Jordan had a fantastic time at Herts, which he credits to his lecturers and friends he made along the way. Jordan says, ‘My lecturers made learning enjoyable and taught us in different ways. There were group exercises, image interpretation workshops, and lectures – and you were always encouraged to get involved in learning activities.

‘I went on placement too and the structure of it was great - it prepared me well for clinical practice as a qualified radiographer. I had a lecturer who would often check in to see if I was doing all right and I was assigned a clinical coordinator at the hospital who I could always rely on for support.’

Jordan immersed himself more in extracurricular activities during his second year and started playing rugby at Herts. He also frequented the gym and pool at Hertfordshire Sports Village on the de Havilland campus. Jordan adds, ‘Getting involved in your course or a club makes such a difference. I now live in the UK and many of my friends here are Herts graduates too. Because Herts is a campus-based university, it’s easy to make friends and meet new people.

‘This is true even in an academic sense. I will always remember graduating and being told by a lecturer that I was now their colleague, which added to the huge sense of pride I had completing the course.’

An exciting future in radiography

Jordan is now a CT Radiographer at the Bristol Royal Infirmary. He says that the future of his profession is exciting, and he is looking forward to seeing how artificial intelligence will improve treatments for patients in the future.

His advice to Herts students and soon-to-be graduates is to, ‘Be curious. Don’t be afraid to ask questions or get something wrong. Making mistakes is often where we learn the most. And most importantly, get involved and immerse yourself in your course and the student experience. Taking the initial step is difficult, but you will thank yourself afterwards.’