Course description

This vocational degree, developed and taught by our School of Healthcare in collaboration with University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust, is challenging and demanding but also incredibly rewarding – just like a career in radiography.

Radiographers work with nurses, radiologists and other healthcare professionals, creating detailed imagery and data through a variety of techniques, which clinicians can then use as the basis for accurate diagnosis of medical conditions. Almost 40 million imaging tests take place in the UK each year.

On this degree you will develop your knowledge and skills through a mix of academic study and work-based learning. About 50% of your time will be spent on placement in hospitals, where you will be taught, supervised and assessed – by dedicated, experienced professionals – to ensure you have the skills and knowledge to step into the professional environment.

The remaining 50% of the course will be spent in lectures and seminars, studying the fundamental topics which underpin the profession, including radiation sciences, imaging technology, anatomy and pathology, and the legal, ethical and professional codes that govern clinical practice.

You’ll benefit from outstanding facilities. We have a state-of-the-art X-Ray room at the nearby Leicester Royal Infirmary that gives you the chance to train in a genuine clinical setting alongside professionals. Our Clinical Skills Unit allows you to undertake interprofessional training alongside our other healthcare students, including life support.

On completing this course, you will be eligible to apply to become a Registered Diagnostic Radiographer.

Students on this course are eligible for a grant of at least £5,000 a year, which you do not need to pay back.

This course is part of the Higher Education Pathway for Armed Forces, which recognises the qualifications, skills and experience of ex-armed forces personnel.

Please note that this three-year course runs on its own timetable (see Teaching and Learning section for details) rather than the standard university academic year.

Entry requirements

We have a dedicated state-of-the-art Samsung digital plain film X-ray Academic Room situated in the Leicester Royal Infirmary, where students can learn in a real clinical environment. In addition to this, an anatomical phantom that mimics human anatomy will be used to practice positioning and radiation exposures for plain film imaging. The University’s Clinical Skills Unit allows you to undertake interprofessional training alongside our other healthcare students, including life support. Our partner hospitals also have state-of-the-art clinical skills centres and libraries where you can continue your studies.

Placement

As a Diagnostic Radiography student at Leicester, 50% of your time is spent on placement in hospitals across Leicester and Leicestershire (University Hospitals of Leicester), Northampton or Corby.

During your placement

You will be taught, supervised, and assessed by dedicated, experienced professionals ensuring you have the skills and knowledge to step into the Radiography profession. You will experience a varied work environment in all areas including projection (plain film), theatres, intervention, A&E, CT and MRI. You will also work in specialist placements areas such as Nuclear Medicine, Ultrasound, Mammography and Oncology for up to two weeks. Radiography is a competency driven profession and therefore you will log your achievements throughout placement to keep a record of your progress.

Additional financial support whilst on placement

For placements outside Leicester, UK students are entitled to reimbursement from the NHS Learning Support Fund for some of the additional costs of attending, including travel expenses and accommodation. Please note this is not available for international students.

Placement areas

Currently students complete placements in the following areas; however, we are consistently expanding and exploring new placement opportunities so this may change.*

• University Hospitals of Leicester
• Coalville Community Hospital
• Hinckley and Bosworth Community Hospital
• Loughborough Hospital
• Melton Hospital
• Spire Hospital Leicester
• Rutland Memorial Hospital (Oakham)
• St Luke's Hospital (Market Harborough)
• Nuffield Leicester
• Kings Heath Community Diagnostic Centre (Northampton)
• Corby Community Diagnostic Centre (from September 2025 or when main CDC is fully operational)
• Northampton General Hospital (PET-CT)
• Leicester Glenfield Hospital (PET-CT)

*placements are allocated by the school of Radiography and are dependent on availability. For further information on placements in Radiography, please contact radiography@le.ac.uk.

Maisie is in the second year of her degree:

Why did you choose to study Radiography at Leicester?
"Working in a healthcare setting is very rewarding, and for diagnostic radiography specifically, I like the fact that there are many future career paths I can go into - for example cross-sectional radiography is very different to interventional radiography, which is very different from reporting radiography. It gives you endless opportunities, so it is very difficult to get bored in this career. I also personally wanted to move away from my home town to push myself to be more independent. Leicester isn’t too big to feel overwhelmed, but big enough to still have places to go. There are also big cities close by to be able to have trips out to, like Birmingham."

What has been the highlight of your Leicester experience so far?
"From the course, getting the chance to go to a radiography convention (UKIO) in Liverpool with friends on the course, and all hanging out with each other outside of placement and lecture theatres. Getting to learn about the future of radiography whilst also doing an escape room, and winning things like apple watches! I would also have to say the friends I have made since moving here. You don’t just meet people from around the country, but from around the world too. I can easily say I have made life-long friends that I was lucky to meet here."

How would you describe the community and student life at Leicester?
"Leicester has a good sense of community, including students from this university, and others from De Montfort University. There are endless places to choose from if you fancy going out for a meal. Cities like Nottingham and Birmingham are close-by, which is amazing if you love a night out too."

What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting your course?
"The vast amount of washing to do! Having clean scrubs daily for when you are on placement can be a challenging task!"

What are you most looking forward to as you continue your studies at Leicester?
"Once I get a job in diagnostic radiography, the freedom of doing x-rays and scans with full confidence, without needing to be constantly supervised. I’m excited to continue to meet people and make new friendships, as well as further developing the friendships I have already made. Also, I’m just excited to continue living independently and making the best of my time at university."

Meda is in the second year of her degree:

Why did I choose to study Diagnostic Radiography at Leicester?
"I have always had a passion for science as a child and wanted to further my career in something interesting. As soon as I heard about radiography, it was a perfect match. This career opens many opportunities— the progression pathways are endless as there is always something new and exciting to learn about. I love the way my course is taught and will whole heartedly recommend studying this specific course at this university."

What has been the highlight of your Leicester experience so far?
"I would definitely say that the highlight is placement! Putting theory into practice is the most exciting part and is the thing I cannot wait for once placement starts again."

How would you describe the community and student life at Leicester? 
"The community is full of helpful people. I always say what you put in is what you will get out. Remain optimistic and perseverant, striving to become the best version of yourself and it will be reflected on the outside too!"

What is one thing you wish you had known before starting your course?
"The one thing I wish I knew was how challenging it would be at times. Develop proper time management so you can juggle a couple things at once healthily."

What are you most looking forward to as you continue your studies at Leicester?
"I am most looking forward to doing more theatre cases and learning more about the cross-sectional modalities and anatomy."

What are you looking forward in a Diagnostic Radiography career?
"Each day I am looking forward to becoming a sonographer! First, I would like to do some cross-sectional practice before progressing into sonography. I am thinking of specialising in vascular or obstetrics."

Fatima is in the second year of her degree:

Why did you choose to study Diagnostic Radiography at Leicester?
"I chose to study Diagnostic Radiography at Leicester because it has a great reputation for healthcare courses. The modern facilities that the University provides, like a simulation room for X-ray machine (Samsung) are perfect and modern. I also live in Leicester so the chance to do clinical placements in my hometown was a big reason for my choice. When I applied, everyone seemed friendly and supportive, which made me feel confident about studying here."

What has been the highlight of the course so far?
"The best part of the course been the clinical placements. They’ve allowed me to apply what I’ve learned in lectures to real-world scenarios, interact with patients, and gain confidence in using imaging equipment. The support from experienced radiographers and the chance to work as part of a healthcare team have been incredibly rewarding."

How would you describe the community and student life at Leicester?
"The community at Leicester is welcoming and diverse, making it easy to connect with people from all backgrounds. The student life is vibrant, with plenty of societies, events, and support services to make you feel at home. Everyone is friendly, and the support services are always there if you need help."

What are you most looking forward to as you continue your studies at Leicester?
"I’m looking forward to advancing my practical skills and learning about specialised imaging techniques like CT and MRI. I’m also excited about building more confidence in patient care and further exploring career pathways within diagnostic radiography."

What’s one thing you wish you had known before starting your course?
"I wish I had known how important it is to manage your time well. Balancing lectures, assignments, and placements can be tricky, so having a good routine early on would have been helpful."

What are you looking forward to in a Diagnostic Radiography career?
"I’m excited about becoming part of a healthcare team and using imaging to support patient diagnoses. I love the idea of working with the latest technology, learning new things, and making a positive difference in people’s lives."