Access to HE Radiography Course (Access to HE Diploma)

Develop the research literacy that academic study in a scientific field demands. You explore strategies for locating reliable sources – from peer-reviewed journals to NHS and government publications – and practise reading critically, evaluating the credibility and relevance of information before drawing it into your own work.

Build the technical writing skills required across both scientific and professional contexts. You learn to structure a report with clarity and precision, use formal register appropriately, and present data and findings in a way that meets the expectations of a university-level audience, establishing good practice before the graded units begin.

Develop confidence in the algebraic reasoning that underpins quantitative problem-solving in physics and radiographic science. You revisit the manipulation of equations, substitution, and rearrangement, building the mathematical fluency needed to apply formulae accurately in topics such as wave behaviour, electricity and radiation dosimetry.

Develop the numerical literacy needed to interpret and communicate quantitative information in scientific and clinical contexts. You explore how data is presented in tables, graphs and charts, practise performing accurate calculations, and build the analytical habits that support rigorous scientific reasoning throughout the programme.

Investigate the structure of the atom and the nuclear physics that makes diagnostic and therapeutic radiography possible. You examine atomic models, radioactive decay, types of radiation and their properties, and the principles of nuclear stability, providing the theoretical grounding essential for understanding how X-rays and other imaging modalities are produced.

Study the structure and function of cells as the biological foundation for understanding how ionising radiation interacts with living tissue. You examine cellular organisation, the cell cycle and the mechanisms of DNA replication and repair, building the biological context needed to appreciate radiation protection and its clinical rationale.

Explore the anatomy and physiology of the heart and circulatory system as essential background knowledge for diagnostic imaging. You examine cardiac structure and function, blood flow through the systemic and pulmonary circuits, and the clinical significance of key vessels and structures visible on common radiographic projections.

Investigate the bones, joints and skeletal muscles that form the most frequently imaged structures in clinical radiography. You examine the anatomy of the axial and appendicular skeleton, the physiology of muscle contraction, and the clinical presentation of common conditions – from fractures to joint disease – that a radiographer encounters in practice.

Explore the chemistry of matter at a particle level, examining how atoms combine and react within the context of radiographic materials and contrast agents. You study chemical formulae, bonding and the properties of different substances, building the chemical literacy needed to understand contrast media, developer chemistry and radiation interactions.

Develop the quantitative chemistry skills that underpin calculations in radiographic science and beyond. You explore Avogadro's number, molar mass and stoichiometry, practise performing mole-related calculations, and apply the mole concept to understand concentrations and reactions relevant to the use of chemicals in medical imaging.

Survey the range of imaging modalities used in modern clinical practice, including X-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound and nuclear medicine. You examine the physical principles behind each technology, their clinical applications and the factors that guide a referring clinician's choice of modality – establishing the breadth of perspective expected of a contemporary radiographer.

Examine the production and properties of X-rays and their behaviour as they pass through human tissue. You study the physics of X-ray generation, the interaction of radiation with matter, image formation and the principles of radiation protection, providing the core scientific knowledge on which clinical radiographic practice is built.

Investigate wave behaviour as the physical foundation for understanding the full electromagnetic spectrum, including the X-ray and gamma-ray regions relevant to radiography. You examine wave properties such as wavelength, frequency, amplitude and speed, explore the phenomena of reflection, refraction and diffraction, and consider how wave principles apply to ultrasound imaging.

Develop a working understanding of classical mechanics and energy transfer as applied to scientific instrumentation and clinical contexts. You examine Newton's laws, kinetic and potential energy, work and power, building the physical reasoning needed to engage with the more advanced topics in electricity, radiation and imaging science.

Explore the principles of electric circuits, current, voltage and resistance that are fundamental to understanding how X-ray equipment functions. You examine Ohm's law, series and parallel circuits, electromagnetic induction and the role of transformers, providing the electrical physics knowledge essential for a radiographer entering clinical training.

Develop the practical and methodological skills required to design, carry out and evaluate a scientific investigation. You examine the principles of experimental design – including variables, controls and ethical considerations – analyse data using appropriate methods, and communicate findings in the report format expected in higher education science programmes.