Diagnostic Radiography or Medical Imaging

Diagnostic radiography is the degree behind the people who run X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound in hospitals. You learn how imaging works physically, how to position patients safely, how to protect them from radiation and how to recognise what a normal and an abnormal image looks like. Around half of the degree takes place in hospitals, so you graduate with real clinical hours, not just theory.

Depending on the country, the degree is called Diagnostic Radiography (UK), Medical Radiation Science or Medical Imaging (Australia, New Zealand) or Radiologic Sciences (USA). The content is largely the same.

Year 1: Foundations

• Human anatomy and physiology, with a focus on the skeleton, chest and abdomen
• Radiation physics and radiation protection
• Imaging equipment and image formation
• Patient care, communication and professional practice
• First clinical placement in a hospital X-ray department

Year 2: Advanced imaging

• Cross-sectional anatomy for CT and MRI
• Computed tomography and fluoroscopy
• Pathology: how disease and injury appear on images
• Imaging of children, trauma patients and the elderly
• Longer clinical placements across several hospital departments

Year 3: Specialisation and independence

• MRI, nuclear medicine and an introduction to ultrasound
• Image interpretation and preliminary reporting
• Research methods and a final-year dissertation
• Extended clinical placement in which you work almost independently

In Australia and New Zealand some universities add a fourth honours year or a supervised practice year before full registration.

• Coventry University (UK): approx. 20,600 to 24,300 € per year
• University of Hertfordshire (UK): approx. 20,500 to 21,600 € per year
• University of Portsmouth (UK): approx. 22,500 to 25,000 € per year
• University of Bradford (UK): approx. 24,500 to 27,000 € per year
• Queensland University of Technology (Australia): approx. 24,000 to 28,800 € per year
• Monash University (Australia): approx. 27,000 to 33,000 € per year
• Charles Sturt University (Australia): approx. 19,800 to 22,800 € per year
• Curtin University (Australia): approx. 22,800 to 27,600 € per year
• University of Auckland (New Zealand): approx. 23,900 to 31,800 € per year
• Thomas Jefferson University (USA): approx. 39,600 € per year

Radiographers work in hospitals, private imaging centres, emergency departments and screening programmes. With experience you can specialise in CT, MRI, mammography, interventional radiology or ultrasound.

Radiographers are on the shortage occupation lists of the UK, Australia and New Zealand, which makes it easier to stay and work after graduation.