Overview

Diagnostic radiographers play a vital role in modern healthcare. They use imaging technologies such as X-ray, computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound to help diagnose illness and injury, supporting patients throughout their care journey.

Advances in imaging technology mean diagnostic radiographers play an increasingly important role in helping healthcare teams diagnose, treat and monitor patients.

This accelerated two-year MSc is designed for graduates who already hold a bachelor's degree and want to become highly skilled diagnostic radiographers. Whether you're looking to build on your existing knowledge or move into a new area of professional practice, you'll develop the technical expertise, scientific knowledge and clinical skills needed to succeed in modern healthcare.

Combining academic study with practical learning, the course prepares you for the realities of modern diagnostic radiography practice. You'll learn in both the classroom and clinical environment, applying your knowledge in real healthcare settings.

Through this course, you’ll benefit from extensive clinical placements. You'll complete around 1200 hours of clinical placement across Scotland, gaining experience in a wide range of imaging environments, including at specialist centres such as the Royal Hospital for Children and the Institute of Neurological Sciences. Working alongside experienced radiographers, you'll build the confidence, technical expertise and professional judgement needed for practice.

Just as importantly, you'll develop the professional values that underpin excellent healthcare, including compassion, dignity, respect, openness and accountability, preparing you to provide high-quality patient care throughout your career.

Small cohort sizes provide a personalised learning experience and close support from an experienced teaching team. You'll also develop your skills in our modern X-ray simulation facilities before applying them in clinical practice.

When you graduate, you'll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), opening the door to careers across the NHS, private healthcare, national screening programmes and specialist imaging services.

Why study Diagnostic Radiography (Pre-registration) at GCU?

Learn in real clinical environments from your first year of study, undertaking with around 1200 hours of placement across Scotland, including specialist hospitals.
Build confidence before placement in our modern X-ray simulation suite, developing your technical skills in a safe, supportive learning environment.
Benefit from small cohort sizes, giving you personalised support from an experienced teaching team throughout your studies.
Graduate ready for professional practice with an accelerated two-year master's that combines scientific knowledge, technical expertise and compassionate patient care.
Learn from experienced radiography academics and practising professionals, with guest lectures from experts and service users bringing current clinical practice into the classroom.

Health and Care Professions Council

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The College of Radiographers

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What you will study

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Year 1

Anatomy and Physiology for Radiographers

Preparation for Radiographic Practice

Radiographic Principles 1

Practice Education 1

Professional Practice Education and Application 2

Radiographic Principles 2

Interprofessional Collaborative Practice within Health and Social Care

Pattern Recognition in Radiography

Year 2

Radiographic Principles 3

Dissertation

Professional Practice Education and Application 3

Professional Practice Education and Application 4

Radiographic Principles 4

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

When you graduate, you'll be eligible to apply for registration as a Diagnostic Radiographer with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), allowing you to practise across the UK.

Diagnostic radiographers work in a wide range of healthcare settings, including:

NHS hospitals
community healthcare services
national screening programmes
private practice.

As an essential member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team, you'll use advanced imaging technology to support diagnosis, treatment and ongoing patient care.

Our graduates have gone on to work in a variety of specialities both within the UK and worldwide, such as:

computed tomography (CT)
magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
nuclear medicine
breast imaging or image interpretation.

Others have completed further postgraduate study to become qualified sonographers.

Many of our graduates have gone on to work internationally, with diagnostic radiography offering career opportunities in the UK and around the world. Professional and regulatory requirements vary between countries, so if you plan to practise outside the UK, you should check the requirements with the relevant body in your intended country of practice.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	2 years	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	2 years	Jan 28	Glasgow	Enquire

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Standard entry requirement

Prospective applicants should normally be expected to possess:

A recent (in the last five years) first class or upper second honours degree

In addition, applicants should normally have:

Knowledge of the research process and research methods.

All applicants should provide a personal statement of suitability which details contact with diagnostic radiographers. Statements should offer clear evidence of the applicant’s understanding of Diagnostic Radiography and how it differs from other health and social care professions. Clear links should also be made to their own personal attributes and skills with the demands of the profession.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Learning and teaching methods

You'll develop your knowledge and skills through a range of learning experiences, including:

lectures and tutorials
practical classes and simulation-based learning
clinical placements across a range of healthcare settings
independent and collaborative learning
interprofessional learning with other health and social care students.

From your first year, you'll apply your learning in both university and clinical settings, building confidence before progressing into practice.

This is an intensive programme, combining academic study with clinical placements throughout the year. You will not follow standard university holiday periods and study continues across all three terms. You will have a scheduled break between December and January, but there is no summer break and holiday time is more limited than on other university courses.

Assessment methods

Assessment is designed to help you develop both academic knowledge and professional competence.

Throughout the course, you'll complete a range of:

individual and group assessments
case studies
reports
presentations
reflective work
portfolios
practical tasks
practice-based assessments.

Formative assessment and regular feedback support your development as you progress through the programme.

Learn from experts

You'll be taught by experienced radiography academics who have significant clinical experience and practising professionals, with guest lectures from experts across the profession also contributing ot the delivery of the programme. Service users and carers also contribute to your learning, helping you understand the impact of diagnostic radiography from the patient perspective.

Clinical placements

Clinical placements are embedded throughout the course, and you will undertake around 1,200 hours of practical experience. Placements can take place in a range of locations across Scotland, including remote and rural areas, giving you experience of diagnostic radiography across different healthcare settings.

In addition, you will gain experience in a number of specialist centres such as the Royal Hospital for Children and the Institute of Neurological Sciences. You’ll work alongside experienced radiographers to develop the skills and confidence needed for professional practice.

At the end of Year 2, you will undertake a five to six-week elective placement. You’ll arrange this placement yourself, giving you the opportunity to explore an area or location that interests you. Electives can take place across the UK or overseas, with international placements a popular choice among students.

This is an intensive course that combines academic study with substantial periods of clinical placement. Holiday periods are limited, and placements may take place during periods that would normally be university holidays.

Placements are unpaid. You’ll be responsible for any travel and accommodation costs, which will vary depending on where your placement is based.

Interprofessional Simulation Centre

Our Interprofessional Simulation Centre (ISC) is a state-of-the-art teaching facility where health and social care students learn through realistic, hands-on experience. The Centre supports nursing, paramedic, allied health and social care training.It includes lifelike hospital wards, simulated home and care environments, an ambulance and specialist spaces such as X-ray, radiotherapy and physiotherapy clinics.

As a diagnostic radiography student, you’ll benefit from our on-campus simulated digital X-ray suite, where you can safely practise using real X-ray equipment before going on clinical placement. You’ll also take part in practical workshops across the ISC, including in simulated operating theatre, intensive care and ward environments.

These realistic environments give you opportunities to practise real-life situations, review your learning and build your skills before applying them in clinical practice.

Please note: We use video and audio recording of students during practical exercises in our teaching and assessment. Students applying to study health related courses should be aware that there will be times when they will be recorded and these recordings may be viewed by programme staff, students, and external examiners for learning and assessment. This is not an optional component of the course.

Related courses

BSc (Hons)

Diagnostic Imaging

If you've got a passion for healthcare, and are motivated and driven to make a real difference to patients, this course can lead to a rewarding career in diagnostic radiography.

MSc

Medical Imaging

Advance your radiography career with MSc Medical Imaging. Choose a general degree or specialise in CT, MRI, AI or Ultrasound - the Ultrasound pathway also welcomes other registered healthcare professionals. Open to UK and international students.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus of their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.