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 Undergraduate Course 

BSc (Hons)

Diagnostic Radiography with Foundation Year

View Key Course Details

A career in Healthcare means you will be making a difference to the lives of other every day.

Top20for student satisfaction - Medical Technology and Bioengineering subject areaComplete University Guide 2026
1stfor graduate prospects (outcomes) - Medical Technology and Bioengineering subject areaComplete University Guide 2026

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Explore our specialist facilities

Gain practical, hands-on experience in our real world learning facilities. You will develop new skills and knowledge in your subject, supported by our expert teaching team.
  • ► Diagnostic imaging suite
    The Fujifilm Advanced Visionary X-ray Suite, the first of its kind to be installed in a university in the UK.
  • ► NHS Standard mock hospital ward
    The hospital ward is complete with teaching facilities, a nurses station and simulated learning patients to provide a lifelike taste of working in a modern hospital.

What you will study

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax in the Union Social Space, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

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Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

From day one you’ll get all the benefits of being a University of Derby student, plus extra support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence.

Our teaching team includes qualified health professionals with experience of working in clinical or community settings. Many hold external roles with hospitals, the College of Radiographers, the Health and Care Professions Council, and other universities.

Work placements

Clinical placements are an integral part of your study and make up roughly 50% of this programme. You will be allocated to a placement with the majority of these being in the East Midlands. Find out more about placements and what they involve with our placements information page.

Person offering support to a student Person offering support to a student with a laptop Student smiling with tutor Tutor smiling with student and laptop

Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme →

Personal Academic Tutoring

At the University of Derby, every student is assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) from the very start of their degree journey. This dedicated tutor becomes a key figure in your academic life, offering guidance, support, and insight to help you make the most of your university experience. Whether it's through one-to-one meetings or more informal catch-ups, your PAT will work with you to explore your strengths, address any challenges, and help you achieve your full potential. This relationship is designed to ensure you're not just succeeding academically, but also growing as an individual, developing the skills and confidence you'll need for your future career.

Your PAT will provide tailored advice to support your academic journey, whether that's by discussing your work, helping you set goals, or exploring career options. These regular meetings give you the space to reflect on your progress, understand where improvements can be made, and build on your strengths. At Derby, we want you to feel both challenged and supported. Your PAT will encourage you to push your boundaries, think critically about your work, and develop a proactive approach to your studies.

But it's not just about coursework. Your PAT will also help you identify extra-curricular opportunities, whether that's joining clubs, gaining work experience, or developing new skills outside of your course. These experiences not only enhance your CV but also give you the confidence to tackle future challenges. In short, your Personal Academic Tutor will be there to guide you every step of the way, ensuring you leave university with more than just a degree — but with a wealth of experiences, skills, and the knowledge that you're ready for the next chapter of your life.

Building Strong Industry Connections

We believe that real-world experience is an essential part of academic success. Our partnerships with leading organisations across various sectors ensure our students gain valuable insights, hands-on opportunities, and access to the latest industry innovations.

Through collaboration with our industry partners, we bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, preparing our graduates to thrive in competitive global markets.

Careers

Graduates from the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography degree are able to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council as a diagnostic radiographer, as long as you meet the HCPC’s requirements, fully prepared to work in the rapidly expanding field of medical imaging.

Many graduates from the BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography degree go on to secure jobs at their placement hospitals and build on the skills they have gained on the course to become advanced practitioners.

Extensive careers guidance is integrated at every stage of the course, including CV writing and interview skills. There are annual recruitment days held at the University where you will have the chance to meet prospective employers.

Opportunities for further study

We offer an exciting range of postgraduate courses to help you take your qualifications, skills and experience to the next level or to pursue new directions within the profession. These include our innovative MSc Medical Ultrasound which features a flexible part-time pathway as well as a fast-track full-time pathway.

You could also consider various postgraduate qualifications specialising in areas such as osteoporosis and falls management, bone densitometry reporting, and radiographic image analysis of the appendicular skeleton.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

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94%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

2nd
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2026.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story. We're here to help prepare you for life after university. We'll tailor your talents and help you build the tools that will set you apart when you are ready to look for your first graduate role.

Our staff have valuable and varied experiences in the workplace and beyond. And we have great links to industry. This means you'll have opportunities to apply your learning. You'll find work experience that's directly relevant to your studies, including placements and real projects set by businesses.

Our promise

We promise to provide an inclusive approach; supporting, advising and guiding you on your employability journey to success. We will listen to your needs and signpost opportunities for you to engage with up to three years after graduation.

Find out more about our Careers and Employability services

Entry requirements

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

Contextual admissions

At the University of Derby, we aim to attract the very best students to join us and to support their progression to university to ensure they reach their full potential and achieve their ambitions. We believe the very best students come from all backgrounds and we want to build a community that reflects our society.

What is a contextual offer?

Contextual offers are used by universities and colleges to take account of a student’s individual circumstances. Employing contextual offers at the University Derby will allow our admissions team to identify applicants with the greatest potential to succeed in higher education and be an exceptional Derby student. This makes the application process fairer and builds confidence in students about their ability to be part of our academic community.

We will use the information in an application form and may either reduce grade requirements or give extra consideration when deciding whether to give a contextual offer. We will also support these students through information, advice and guidance, outreach activities and on-campus visits before and during the application process.

What is the criteria?

Typical criteria may include one or more of the following:

  • Students who are care experienced
  • Students who are estranged from their families
  • Students who are refugees or asylum seekers
  • Students whose parents/carers are in the UK armed forces

*Please note students need to declare they meet one of these criteria on their application.

Find out more about our admissions policies

2026/27
2027/28

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2026 entry.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points80
A LevelCDD
T LevelPass (C or above in the core)
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths, English and double Science grade 4/C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15
English language requirementsIELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each skills area)

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2027 entry.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points80
A LevelCDD
T LevelPass (C or above in the core)
BTECMMP
GCSEGCSE Maths, English and double Science grade 4/C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15
English language requirementsIELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each skills area)

Additional entry requirements

Fees and funding

2026/27
2026/27Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,535 per year*

N/A

International

N/A

N/A

*This is the fee for the Foundation Year. Subsequent UK fees are £9,535 per year. Subsequent International fees are £17,500 per year.

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional costs and optional extras

We're committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

Included in your fees
  • Travel will be reimbursed if it exceeds travel to and from the University campus base
  • Uniforms 
  • Markers, name badges and ID holders
  • Radiographic Technique DVD 
  • Printing and binding of clinical portfolios
  • DBS Check
  • Health Screening and vaccinations 
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
  • Travel to three week elective placement in Year Three if out of usual placement rotation
  • Suitable footwear for skills sessions and placements approx. £40
Optional costs not included in your fees
  • Theatre Shoes approx. £20
  • Text books to supplement anything available through the library various prices depending on content
  • Printing costs of course materials if a hard copy is desired approx. 5p per sheet
  • Attendance at conferences such as UKRC or ECR
  • Society & College of Radiographers student membership if desired approx. £48 

How to apply

  This course is now closed for applications for September 2026. Register your interest to be the first to hear if places become available.

Register your interest

* Indicates a required field

 

Due to the popularity of this course, and to ensure that each applicant is treated fairly, admission to this course is assessed via a gathered field approach. This means that we let candidates know if they have been successful at the end of January or the end of March, when applications go through our assessment processes following interview.

You will receive your interview outcome at one of two stages; either at the end of January or at the end of March, when all interviews have taken place. The same criteria will be applied to all candidates irrespective of whether you are interviewed in the first gathered field or the second gathered field.

For more information about gathered field, visit our Admissions by Gathered Field webpage.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.

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Full-time

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