STUDY

Postgraduate

MSc Diagnostic Radiography (Pre-registration)

X-ray of spine
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: N/A
Start date: January 2025
Duration: Full-time two years
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: Qualifications and experience will be considered on an individual basis
Institution code: S82
UCAS code: N/A
Start date: January 2025
Duration: Full-time two years
Location: Ipswich
Typical Offer: Qualifications and experience will be considered on an individual basis

Closed to international applications 2025. Reserve list open for UK applicants.

Overview

Are you enthusiastic about science and technology? Are you looking for a diverse, challenging and rewarding career working with people? Diagnostic radiography could be the profession for you.

Diagnostic radiographers play a crucial role in healthcare, with the Society of Radiographers (2021) estimating that 90% of inpatients will interact with a diagnostic radiographer during their NHS treatment pathway. This accelerated two-year, full time master’s degree programme is aimed at current graduates and designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and practical experience to provide safe, high-quality care to patients requiring imaging. If you do not already have an undergraduate degree, you could apply for our three-year BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography course – click here to learn more 

Diagnostic radiographers produce high quality images to aid in the diagnosis and monitoring of injury, illness and disease. They employ a range of equipment across a variety of healthcare settings, including: 

  • Projection radiography (X-ray) in outpatients, inpatients and the Emergency Department (ED)  
  • Dental radiography 
  • Mobile radiography 
  • Computed Tomography (CT) 
  • Fluoroscopy, which includes imaging during interventional procedures and in the operating theatre  
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) 
  • Ultrasound 
  • Mammography (breast imaging) 
  • Nuclear Medicine 
  • Dual Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)

Practice Placement

Practice placement is invaluable in a rapidly evolving field, enabling you to apply the theory taught at the University to your interactions with patients in the NHS. Your practice placements make up approximately 50% of the course. We do our best to place you in your preferred placement hospital, however, we cannot guarantee this. We encourage students to stay in accommodation at their placements site and our Practice Educators, who are based at each site can help students to book accommodation. Our regional NHS partners are: 

Our experienced team of HCPC-registered diagnostic radiographers will support you to develop and hone the interpersonal, technical and problem-solving skills you need to care for patients. We embed the NHS Values into everything we do. These values underpin the expectations of our staff and students and will be assessed at interview. You can learn more about the NHS Constitution here.

Further information about the University's relationship with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Society and College of Radiographers (SCoR) is available in the PSRB register.

The University of Suffolk is world-class and committed to our region. We are proudly modern and innovative and we believe in transformative education. We are on the rise with a focus on student satisfaction, graduate prospects, spending on academic services and student facilities.

2nd

in the East of England for Graduate Prospects

The Complete University Guide 2024

6th

in the UK for spend on academic services

The Complete University Guide 2024

3rd

in the UK for Postgraduate Study

WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2023

Course Modules

You will learn through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials and workshops, directed and independent learning. You will undertake simulation sessions in our contemporary imaging suite on campus and image real patients in practice placement. 

You will be assessed in academic and practice placement. We use a variety of methods including examinations, viva voces, case studies, presentations, posters, seminars and Practice Assessment Documents (PAD). 

Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Radiography lecturer using imaging equipment

This module provides an introduction to diagnostic radiography including anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging of the skeletal system, respiratory system, and regions of abdomen. You will also learn about working in the NHS, complete your mandatory training and e-learning for health training. Essential introductory physics will be covered including the IR(ME)R (2017) regulations.

This module will cover the rest of the physics content, cross-sectional imaging – with an emphasis on CT, and to include MRI and US.  Anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging of the remaining body systems will be covered in this module.

This module will cover trauma imaging, imaging in the operating theatre, mobile imaging, service user needs, and working in a multidisciplinary team.

This is your first practice placement module which runs for the whole of the first year and encompasses assessment of competency in practice.

This module explores a range of professional issues and the wider implications of current government initiatives and policies and critically reflects on the NHS constitution, principles and values.  Aspects and experience of role transition will also be discussed, underpinned by recent research and input from alumni.  

You will be introduced to the principles of leadership, teaching and learning and supporting and developing others. The roles of supervision and mentoring learners in the practice environment will also be scrutinized, alongside the evolving roles of the diagnostic radiographer.

20 credits

This module will start with a recap on research methods alongside a formative research proposal. The project will take the form of a service evaluation or audit which will be practice led.

40 credits

This module includes current issues – enhanced, advanced and consultant practice. Initial radiographer commenting and reporting is also a part of this module.

This is your second practice placement module which runs for the whole of the second year and encompasses assessment of competency in practice.

Course Modules 2024

You will learn through a combination of lectures, small group tutorials and workshops, directed and independent learning. You will undertake simulation sessions in our contemporary imaging suite on campus and image real patients in practice placement. 

You will be assessed in academic and practice placement. We use a variety of methods including examinations, viva voces, case studies, presentations, posters, seminars and Practice Assessment Documents (PAD). 

Full downloadable information regarding all University of Suffolk courses, including Key Facts, Course Aims, Course Structure and Assessment, is available in the Definitive Course Record.

Radiography lecturer using imaging equipment

This module provides an introduction to diagnostic radiography including anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging of the skeletal system, respiratory system, and regions of abdomen. You will also learn about working in the NHS, complete your mandatory training and e-learning for health training. Essential introductory physics will be covered including the IR(ME)R (2017) regulations.

This module will cover the rest of the physics content, cross-sectional imaging – with an emphasis on CT, and to include MRI and US.  Anatomy, physiology, pathology and imaging of the remaining body systems will be covered in this module.

This module will cover trauma imaging, imaging in the operating theatre, mobile imaging, service user needs, and working in a multidisciplinary team.

This is your first practice placement module which runs for the whole of the first year and encompasses assessment of competency in practice.

This module explores a range of professional issues and the wider implications of current government initiatives and policies and critically reflects on the NHS constitution, principles and values.  Aspects and experience of role transition will also be discussed, underpinned by recent research and input from alumni.  

You will be introduced to the principles of leadership, teaching and learning and supporting and developing others. The roles of supervision and mentoring learners in the practice environment will also be scrutinized, alongside the evolving roles of the diagnostic radiographer.

20 credits

This module will start with a recap on research methods alongside a formative research proposal. The project will take the form of a service evaluation or audit which will be practice led.

40 credits

This module includes current issues – enhanced, advanced and consultant practice. Initial radiographer commenting and reporting is also a part of this module.

This is your second practice placement module which runs for the whole of the second year and encompasses assessment of competency in practice.

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WHY SUFFOLK

2nd in the UK for Career Prospects

WUSCA 2024

3rd in the UK for spend on academic services

Complete University Guide 2025

4th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Guardian University Guide 2024

Entry Requirements

home-masthead-th

Career Opportunities

Registration with the Health & Care Professions Council to work as a Diagnostic Radiographer in the UK within the NHS or private practice.

Graduates may also travel with this qualification and work overseas.

Your Course Team

Deana Hazeldene

Deana is Course Leader for MSc Diagnostic Radiography and co-ordinates radiography student clinical experience as Practice Placement Lead.

Deana Hazeldene staff profile photo

Professor Ruth Strudwick

Ruth is Head of Allied Health Professions and Associate Professor in Diagnostic Radiography.

Ruth Strudwick staff profile photo

Dr Hollie Hadwen

Hollie is Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography and the PgC in Advanced Practice and Reporting in Computed Tomography Colonography.

Hollie Hadwen staff profile photo

Jerome Atutornu

Jerome is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Allied Health Sciences. He graduated from University of Suffolk in 2012.

Nancy Sims

Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography and is passionate about contributing to enhancing the quality of care that diagnostic radiography service users receive.

Nancy Simms staff profile photo

Jo Shuttlewood

Jo is Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography and previously worked at a specialist Neurological Centre of Excellence specialising in Neuroradiography.

Jo Shuttlewood staff profile photo

Gemma Spelman

Gemma is a Diagnostic Radiographer by background and before joining the university was a Senior Radiographer at her local hospital.

Gemma Spelman staff profile photo

Gemma Vass

Gemma is Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography and has expertise in Musculoskeletal Appendicular and Axial reporting.

Gemma Vass staff profile photo

Imogen Diggens

Imogen is a Lecturer in Diagnostic Radiography.

Imogen Diggens staff profile photo

Joseph Purdey

Joseph joined the University of Suffolk in 2023 as a Diagnostic Radiography Lecturer.

Joseph Purdey staff profile

Fees and Funding

UK Full-time Tuition Fee

£9,870

per year
International Full-time Tuition Fee

£18,470

Inclusive of placement fee

How to apply

Applying for a postgraduate programme is simple, you can apply using the link below. You can also find out more about what to include on your application and how to contact us for support during the process on the Postgraduate Study link.

Apply Now Postgraduate Study
Close-up of a student writing

Beatrice McCabe, BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography

"For me, being able to put what we learn in lectures into practice whilst on placement is so rewarding."

read more
Headshot of Beatrice McCabe

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