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Diagnostic Radiography (Graduate Entry)  (MDSJ)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Medicine
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Dr Allison McGee
Overall Programme Credits:
180
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 80 Electives: 0
Stage 2
Core/Option: 70 Electives: 0
Stage 3
Core/Option: 30 Electives: 0
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 80
Stage 2: 70
Stage 3: 30

Curricular information is subject to change.

This accelerated radiography training programme has been developed to allow graduates from a wide variety of academic backgrounds to study with us. The content of the accelerated radiography programme supports a robust learning of basic sciences and incorporates a wide range of radiography training that has been developed with respect to requirements for radiography training as published by CORU, the Health and Social Care Professions Regulator, and by the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy.

The overall purpose of the programme is to develop radiography graduates who are patient-centred, competent and safe diagnostic imaging practitioners with a strong professional identity and understanding of their role in the wider healthcare context and their contribution as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Graduates of the programme will demonstrate well-developed autonomous learning skills with the capacity for continued advancement of their professional knowledge and practice, in an evidence-based, research oriented and international context. Students will develop the competence to practice as radiographers whilst on clinical placement in our dedicated hospital sites, ensuring graduate clinical excellence. We aim to provide a supportive learning environment to foster and develop excellence in radiography/ diagnostic imaging, which is both dynamic and research-informed, to match the rapidly expanding and ever-changing field that is radiography. The programme learning environments ensure appropriate access to cutting-edge imaging technology both on campus and across the national clinical sites, with diverse and innovative approaches to both teaching and assessment employed to ensure an optimum learning experience for all students. Teaching methods include didactic, simulation-based and experiential learning through clinical placement, with a focus on active learning through practical hands-on skills labs. Associated assessment strategies include practical, oral and written assessments including individual and group work to foster teamwork and collaboration.


1 - Competently undertake and appraise specific diagnostic imaging examinations.
2 - Adhere to best practice safety and quality guidelines relevant to clinical practice.
3 - Demonstrate their acquisition of the relevant knowledge underpinning scientific principles, radiography/ diagnostic imaging practice, technology and clinical practice.
4 - Communicate effectively within the multidisciplinary healthcare environment.
5 - Integrate professional values and standards in their daily practice and promote these in a wider societal context.
6 - Understand their role and responsibilities as an autonomous professional throughout their clinical practice.
7 - Act as reflective practitioners and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning.
8 - Demonstrate and apply an evidence-based approach to all aspects of radiography/ diagnostic imaging practice.
9 - Apply the relevant skills to facilitate engagement with research and clinical audit.
10 - Work effectively, both independently and as part of a team.
11 - Apply problem-solving skills across a wide range of clinical scenarios.
12 - Engage with the professional education of students, colleagues and other health professionals to foster an ethos of continued learning and knowledge sharing.
13 - Competently undertake and appraise specific diagnostic imaging examinations
14 - Adhere to best practice safety and quality guidelines relevant to clinical practice
15 - Acquired the relevant knowledge of underpinning scientific principles, diagnostic imaging practice, technology & clinical practice
16 - An ability to communicate effectively within the multidisciplinary healthcare environment
17 - Integrate professional values and standards in their daily practice and promote these in a wider societal context
18 - Demonstrate an understanding of the roles and responsibilities as an autonomous professional throughout their clinical practice
19 - Act as reflective practitioners and demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning
20 - Demonstrate and apply an evidence-based approach to all aspects of diagnostic imaging practice
21 - Acquired the relevant skills to engage with research and clinical audit.
22 - Demonstrate an ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a team
23 - Apply problem-solving skills across a wide range of clinical scenarios
24 - Engage with the professional education of students, colleagues and other health professionals to foster an ethos of continuing learning and knowledge sharing

There will be the possibility for students to undertake international elective opportunities at various stages during the programme.

UCD is Ireland’s Global University and its largest university with a track record in empowering students to enter a diverse range of careers that reflects the most diverse curriculum on the Island of Ireland. Consistently, over 90% of graduates are employed or in further study or training 9 months following course completion. The QS World Ranking on Graduate Employability has placed UCD at number 1 in Ireland for Graduate Employability since 2018. On the global stage UCD leads the Irish higher education sector and is the only Irish university to be ranked inside the world’s top 80 for Graduate Employability.

At University College Dublin we are aware that for many students, programme outcomes in terms of graduate jobs and career options is important. The purpose of this statement is to help you understand and appreciate the range of skills you may develop during your time at UCD and how you may develop your employability. Visit the UCD Careers Networks website and MyCareer, the UCD Career management Platform, to access career information, internships and graduate roles as well as information about the range of initiatives, supports and events available to you.

This programme provides opportunities for students to develop in areas such as:
  • Writing
  • Researching
  • Oral Communication
  • Written Communication
  • Presentations
  • Teamwork
  • Professionalism, e.g. internships, work experience
  • Critical thinking
  • Self-awareness
  • Life-long learning


This programme supports students’ career development and employability through:
  • Career and professional development e.g. clinical placements
  • Professional accreditations
  • Development of critical thinking, problem solving skills and decision-making e.g. through individual and group projects and assignments
  • Development of self-reflection skills


Diagnostic imaging is a growth area in Ireland and internationally. Over the past five years, all graduates of this programme have obtained employment as radiographers. As well as the traditional hospital-based career, some radiographers are employed as imaging equipment applications or sales specialists.

An increasing number of graduates are now undertaking PhD studies. Diagnostic imaging offers successful graduates exciting opportunities to pursue research and/or to develop specialist clinical skills in their chosen area(s) of imaging.

Professional Work Experience

Radiography practice will first be demonstrated in UCD’s own imaging facilities, before you progress to performing examinations on patients. Teaching hospitals also actively contribute to your training and professional development and you will work alongside radiography colleagues to learn and refine your professional skills and clinical decision-making. Early clinical exposure during the second trimester will help ensure that you are professionally- and patient-focused early in your studies. You will undertake 1,200 hours of hospital-based training over the course of the programme, some of which takes place during the summer periods.

Radiography and Diagnostic Imaging,

UCD School of Medicine,

Room A222, 2nd Floor,

Health Sciences Building, Belfield, Dublin 4.



Tel: +353 1 716 6546

Email: diagnostic.imaging@ucd.ie


Stage 1

During year one, students are introduced to the fundamental concepts of radiation science and technology, human anatomy and physiology and radiographic techniques, together with the equipment for X-ray production and image formation and display. Students will explore the importance of evidence-based practice to healthcare delivery in general and with reference to the diagnostic radiography profession. Students undertake over 13 weeks of clinical placement during year 1 of the programme, when they will have an opportunity to interact with patients and clinical colleagues and develop their radiographic technique skills.

Stage 2

In year two, students will deepen their knowledge of radiographic technique, learning about the modifications required for paediatric radiography and for demonstrating specific disease processes. The principles and applications of the specialist imaging modalities are also studied, including magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), nuclear medicine, computed tomography (CT), ultrasound and interventional radiology. At this point, the study of human pathology also begins. The study of pathology is integrated with and underpins a critical approach to the use of imaging techniques and image evaluation. Again, a series of clinical placements will take place throughout the academic year and during the summer trimester; approximately 14 weeks in total.


Stage 3

In year 3, which is a single trimester in duration, students will complete their study of pathology and disease processes, undertake a capstone, professional completion module, a legal medicine and professionalism module, and complete additional practical clinical placements (approximately 9 weeks in total). This approach will enable students to integrate knowledge, clinical skills and decision-making in preparation for commencing their career as a diagnostic radiographer.

Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
Stage 1 Core Modules
ANAT10110 Clinical Human Anatomy I Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDGY10110 Practice of Radiography 1 Autumn  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDGY10120 Technology 1 Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDGY20260 Radiology Informatics Autumn  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ANAT10120 Clinical Human Anatomy II Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
ANAT20010 Clinical Human Anatomy III Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
PHYS20090 Principles of Physiology Spring  10
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDGY10070 Practice of Radiography 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDGY10130 Technology 2 Spring  5
Stage 1 Core Modules
RDGY20240 Clinical Practice 1: GER Summer  15
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30890 Clinical Practice of Radiography 2 - GER 2 Trimester duration (Spr-Sum)  10
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY20230 Radiation Protection Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY20270 Radiography Professionalism 2 Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30100 Magnetic Resonance Imaging Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30580 Ultrasound Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30620 Nuclear Medicine Autumn  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
PATH30070 Mechanisms of Disease Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30370 Radiographic Image Interpretation Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30530 Paediatric Radiography Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30590 Computed Tomography Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30640 Interventional Radiology Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30830 Practice of Radiography 4 Spring  5
Stage 2 Core Modules
RDGY30870 Introduction to Research and Evidence-based Practice in Radiography Spring  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
FLME30030 Legal Med & Professionalism Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
PATH30010 Systematic Pathology Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
RDGY30120 Professional Completion Autumn  5
Stage 3 Core Modules
RDGY30680 Clinical Practice 3 Autumn  15

See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

Module Weighting Info
 
  Award GPA
Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
BHRAD002 Stage 3 - 50.00%
Stage 2 - 50.00%
Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

3.68

4.20

Second Class Honours, Grade 1

3.08

3.67

Second Class Honours, Grade 2

2.48

3.07

Pass

2.00

2.47