Curious about studying Diagnostic Radiography with Foundation Yearat Canterbury Christ Church University? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
Main Site
Full Time
Sep 2026
4 Year
for Graduate Prospects in the subject area of Medical Technology & Bioengineering. (Complete University Guide Subject League Table 2026)
Get ready with a foundation year and learn the foundational skills and knowledge to complete a full Honours degree. You'll be able to embark on this qualification without meeting the level 3 entry requirements, giving you the opportunity to study at degree level through this four year course.Embark on a career in diagnostic radiography with an HCPC accredited degree from Canterbury Christ Church University. With a Diagnostic Radiography degree, you'll play a crucial role in frontline healthcare to provide diagnosis of injury or disease. From day one, you’ll learn in our purpose-built radiography suite with access to clinical-grade simulation equipment. With an emphasis on both theory and practice, you’ll develop the practical skills and confidence needed to thrive in a range of healthcare settings.
What you’ll learn- Put skills into practice in our dedicated radiography room and mobile machine. - Assess and interpret X-rays to support diagnosis. - Work alongside doctors and nurses in NHS placements from your first year. - Develop communication and patient care skills for professional healthcare practice. - Understand anatomy, pathology, and the science behind medical imaging. This challenging and innovative course will give you opportunities to lead, manage, and develop entrepreneurial and strategic skills, which will set the foundations for you to progress in your career. By studying diagnostic radiography at CCCU, you’ll graduate ready to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and step confidently into a career that truly matters.
Professional accreditationThe course is approved by the statutory regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the College of Radiographers. Upon successful completion of our BSc (Hons) Diagnostic Radiography degree, you will be eligible to apply for registration with Health and Care Professions Council as a diagnostic radiographer. You will have gained qualifications that meet the Governments criteria for "fitness to practice" along with a unique set of transferable skills enabling you to work in a rewarding and progressive career both within the UK and abroad.
Specialist facilitiesAs a healthcare student, you will have access to our specialist, industry-relevant, simulation facilities. These simulation suites allow you to practise hands-on skills in a fully-equipped, realistic hospital environment. Our cutting-edge clinical-grade radiography simulation equipment has a dedicated radiography room and mobile machine allowing simulated learning in a realistic purpose-built environment.
Future CareerOur students go on to lead exciting careers both in the UK and abroad and we're proud to have taught students who have achieved awards including the national Society of Radiographers ‘Student of the year award’ and the ‘Work the World’ award for elective placements abroad in developing countries. Canterbury Christ Church University is the first institution to offer postgraduate opportunities in clinical reporting for radiographers and has developed a national and international reputation for research in this area.
This module will help you discover where you fit into the big picture of both university life and the wider world. You'll be introduced to the differences between university, school, and workplace training. Here, you will have the opportunity to extend and deepen your understanding in ways that are both disciplined and limitless. Through a combination of lectures, seminars, and guided online learning, you'll explore the relationship between your studies and the world around you. You will examine how various disciplines, including your own, approach contemporary challenges such as building sustainable futures and managing the opportunities and risks of Artificial Intelligence.
These are bite size modules designed to help you settle in and obtain core skills such as critical thinking, digital literacy, and sustainability. You’ll engage with contemporary, thought-provoking topics and issues whilst maximising your chance of success right from the start of your studies.
This module is designed to ensure a smooth transition into higher education, emphasising the importance of well-being for successful study. You will be introduced to university life and supported in developing the personal and academic skills essential for degree-level studies. The module covers learning theory and helps develop your information literacy, written communication, and digital skills. It will also familiarise you with key higher education terminology, uncovering the hidden aspects of university life, and increasing your awareness of relevant processes and procedures. You will also be encouraged to explore the wider determinants of health and well-being, raising your awareness of the social and environmental factors that impact everyone’s health.
This module aims to nurture compassion, strengthen interpersonal connections, and enhance adaptability. You will be introduced to the development of professional communication skills, which will continue to evolve throughout your degree studies and throughout your professional career. You will be supported in respecting cultural differences and practices, enhancing your ability to communicate with a range of audiences within the health and social care sector. This exploration will equip you with knowledge and strategies to protect your well-being as you navigate professional relationships throughout your studies and career.
This module provides a scientific foundation for your future studies. You will be introduced to the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology, with a focus on the main body systems. You will explore the structures of the human body and physiological processes, gaining an understanding of how these systems interact and develop across the lifespan. You will be supported in building your confidence and competence in applying your numeracy skills to real-world scenarios, preparing you for further studies in health and social Care.
This module will be focused on the development of academic and professional skills for transition to higher education. A wide range of different activities will be used to assess and develop skills including reading, writing, information technology, library searching and problem-solving. You will be encouraged to reflect on your personal development as university students and as adult learners. Effective time management will be encouraged, as will be the development of personal resilience for learning within higher education.
This module aims to provide you with an orientation to foundational human sciences, normal anatomy and physiology, and the major theories and frameworks linked with a biopsychosocial conceptualisation of health. The module provides a foundation on which profession-specific content will develop, focusing increasingly on abnormal human sciences in common and then more complex and rare conditions.
This module explores the concept and practice of inter-professional working. You will be encouraged to reflect on developing a professional identity as an allied healthcare professional (AHP) before exploring the roles and responsibilities of the range of other health and social care professionals and organisations that support care in community and hospital settings.
This module introduces you to the underpinning science relevant to radiography, specifically how X-rays are produced and controlled. You will learn core radiation physics including exposure factors during X-ray generation, interaction with matter and the impact upon optimal image formation.
This is a clinical practice module where you will integrate your theoretical knowledge to (hospital) practice, whilst gaining a range of radiographic skills.
This module advances your knowledge and understanding of the scientific method. Specifically, the module will provide you with the ability to apply systematic approaches to identifying, critiquing and applying the evidence-base for practice within their profession. In this way, you will develop a foundational knowledge of research methods (required for critical appraisal) and competence with critical appraisal.
You will be introduced to a range of common pathologies in a case study format, beginning with the referral to the imaging department to the pathology’s appearance, treatment and progression. The module will broaden your perspectives on the patient pathway for a range of pathologies and specific diagnostic techniques used in practice.
This module builds upon the radiation physics taught in Year 1 and introduces theories applied to radiation protection for service users and staff. Topics include the justification of ionising radiation exposure, effects of radiation on the human body (radiobiology) and methods of radiation limitation, optimisation and measurement (dosimetry). In addition to this, the module explores the associated legislation upon which diagnostic radiographers base their legal duty to protect patients.
This module introduces you to common traumatic and pathological conditions affecting the appendicular and axial skeleton and their appearances on radiographs. By the end of this module you should be able to use a robust search strategy to write a preliminary clinical evaluation which supports the patient care pathway and highlights urgent findings on a radiographic image.
This is a clinical practice module where you will integrate your theoretical knowledge to (hospital) practice, whilst gaining a range of radiographic skills.
This module is linked to the leadership pillar of professional practice, providing you with the opportunity to link the improvement of health and care services to your personal and professional leadership development. As an interprofessional module, you will be able to work with students from other professional groups to bring profession-specific and transferable skills and insights to resolve real-world challenges. These challenges will be collated from service partners, which together with the design of the assessment strategy, will enable you to build further connections with employers.
This module examines complex trauma and pathological disease on radiographic image examinations. At the end of the module you should be able to autonomously write a Preliminary Clinical Evaluation statement to support the care pathway of the patient based on interpretation of the radiographic image.
This module goes beyond projectional radiography and explores a range of other imaging modalities such as Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Nuclear Medicine (NM), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), Ultrasound (US), Mammography and Dual Energy Absorptiometry (DEXA). This module develops practical knowledge of these imaging modalities and the clinical reasoning for their use.
This is a clinical practice module where you will integrate their theoretical knowledge to practice, whilst gaining a range of radiographic skills to enable them to meet the HCPC Standards of Proficiency.
4.2Established in 1962, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) is renowned for its industry-responsive courses, trainin...
