About Diagnostic Radiography (msc) in University College Cork

The MSc Diagnostic Radiography is an accelerated pre-registration programme for students with a primary degree in a subject other than diagnostic radiography. The programme uses the learning and teaching methods that best supports students to develop the knowledge, skills and professional attributes commensurate with radiography practice.

The aim of this programme is to provide each student with an excellent educational experience both in the academic and clinical environments.

The constantly advancing and evolving nature of healthcare requires that our programme not only prepares students for current healthcare practice but that it produces graduates who will act as agents for future change and progress.  We therefore aim to equip our graduates with the clinical and research skills, and professional attributes required to work and develop as competent clinicians, researchers and agents for change within the evolving healthcare environment. The diagnostic radiography programme is to be situated in the School of Clinical Therapies, part of the College of Medicine and Health. The College is located in the western end of the UCC campus and enjoys state of the art facilities where radiography will be co-located.

Clinical Placements will take place in the hospitals of the South /South West Hospital Group and some private centres; these include Cork University Hospital, Mercy University Hospital, University Hospital Waterford; Kerry General Hospital; South Tipperary General Hospital; South Infirmary-Victoria University Hospital; Bantry General Hospital; Mallow General Hospital and the Bons Secours Hospital Cork.

Why Choose This Course

This was the first MSc (Pre-Registration) Diagnostic Radiography programme in Ireland.  Some students accepted on the MSc in Diagnostic Radiography may be part sponsored by the Health Service Executive South\South West Hospital Group (SSWHG). The selected students will be funded 5,000 Euro’s per annum towards the total fee of 11,000 Euro’s.  The sponsorship from the SSWHG is subject to agreeing a commitment to working in the SSWHG hospitals as required and assigned for 2 years post completion of the programme.

This dedicated Graduate Entry programme offers an accelerated route for graduates from any clinical or science related discipline to gain a recognised qualification in diagnostic radiography. This postgraduate course will prepare graduates for success in a competitive jobs market.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Clinical education is an integral and invaluable component of the programme. It is strongly embedded within the course structure. Preceding campus-based studies provide the skills and knowledge which students require in order to be prepared for their placements. The course will offer a balance of university and practice-based experiences with students completing over 1200 hours of clinical placement in sites around the South/South West hospital Group (SSWHG) and other private hospitals in the South/South West region of Ireland. This experience will provide the students with all the necessary skill set to work in other hospitals both in Ireland and abroad.

Skills and Careers Information

When students complete this programme they do so as a Diagnostic Radiographer.  This programme is not approved by CORU.  However, UCC will engage with CORU to seek course approval.  Following qualification, and only when successfully registered with CORU, they will be eligible to work as a diagnostic radiographer within any hospital that provides a Diagnostic Radiography Imaging Service.

In addition to developing the necessary technical and practical skills required for safe and effective clinical practice the graduate will develop a deep and critical understanding of the profession, vital for shaping the future of radiography. These graduates will facilitate the practice and development of radiography in an evidence based environment. During the course you build on a wide base of transferable clinical skills which may enable you to specialise in a specific area of Diagnostic Radiography following successful graduation.

Examples of areas which radiographer may progress to include:
● Advanced Practitioner
● Consultant Practitioner
● Management
● Teaching-Academy and Clinical
● Doctoral Research

Examples of clinical areas which radiographer may progress to include:
● Computed Tomography
● Magnetic Resonance Imaging
● Positron Emission Tomography
● Ultrasound
● Angiography
● Nuclear Medicine

Academic qualification equivalents

• Applicants should have an honours degree in a related subject.
• Indian applicants will normally be required to achieve a first class/first division mark in their undergraduate programme at a good institution of higher education in India. At the discretion of academic departments, students with degrees awarded by top universities such as the University of Mumbai, University of Delhi, University of Calcutta, and the University of Pune, may be accepted with high second class/high second division marks. 

English language requirements (one of the below):

• IELTS: 6.5  Minimum individual sections 5.5
• TOEFL: TOEFL 90  Listening - 17; Reading - 18; Speaking - 20; Writing 17
• PTE: 63 Minimum individual sections 51

University College Cork Highlights