ObjectivesThe aim of the course is to provide graduates with the skills and knowledge to apply critical appraisal to day to day practice and promote reflective and evidence based practice. Students following the postgraduate diploma route will gain experience of research project management.
Entry requirementsA minimum of an Honours Degree in Radiotherapy Radiography Or: Other qualifications which may be deemed equivalent to the above eg: Diploma of the College of Radiographers.
This course is for radiotherapy radiographers working in clinical practice who wish to extend their knowledge and research skills and advance their practice within a range of radiotherapy related subjects.
Applications are invited from international applicants who are able to secure a clinical placement for the duration of the intended course of study. Individual modules from the course can be studied in isolation for continued professional development activity.
From September 2007, the mode of study for some modules will change. In the past, the entire course has been studied by day release with students attending the University for 12 consecutive half days per module but in the future some modules will be offered over week blocks and/or through distance learning.
The postgraduate radiography courses include a work based learning module which can be individually tailored to meet clinical practitioner and clinical department needs.
Course content
Students must obtain 60 M Level Credits in order to receive the award of Postgraduate Certificate, 120 M Level Credits in order to receive the award of Postgraduate Diploma and 180 M Level Credits in order to receive the award of MSc.
Students following the Radiotherapy postgraduate programme may select modules from the module pool set out in the table below to design their own individual programme of study that reflects their clinical needs and career aspirations.
Students undertaking Computed Tomography and Medical Magnetic Resonance modules as individual options must be able to gain access to scanner time for the duration of the module.
Teaching and assessment
The course involves a variety of learning and teaching methods. These include some formal lectures as well as class based workshops, student discussions, presentations and self directed learning tasks.
September 2007 saw WebCT introduced into some modules. This enables students to complete some aspects of individual modules online.
Self-study is also a vital area of study at this level. Students must be aware that many hours of their own time are needed to complete the course and the week to week background tasks that support their studies. For a 15 M Level credit module some 120 hours of self study will be required in addition to the time dedicated to attend lectures.
Once enrolled, students have five years in which to complete the entire course. Some students decide to only study one module per term, spreading the course out and allowing time for other commitments. If department funding is an issue, students may enrol initially in the Certificate course and then carry on to the Diploma or MSc if and when funding permits.
Assessments cover a range of types depending on the module studied, many of which have a clinical element to them. They are designed to promote skills that will be useful in clinical practice and necessary for the practitioner of the future.
Examples are:
* an oral presentation of a piece of work, either a case study or poster
* completing a reflective learning portfolio
* unseen examinations
* formulating a business plan or research proposal
* situational analysis
* design and evaluate a teaching programme