Assistant Radiographic Practice (Clinical Imaging) (CertHE)
- Subject area: Radiography
- UCAS code: Direct entry
- Next intake: September 2025
- Duration: 1 years
- Mode: Full time
Why study this course
Our one-year programme is the only course of its kind in South Wales and is accredited by the Society of Radiographers and is an exciting opportunity to extend your role as an NHS support worker to become an Assistant Practitioner and a valued member of the radiography team.
As a clinical imaging assistant practitioner you will be responsible for providing care for patients from new born children to the elderly, producing images to be used in the diagnosis of injury and disease. By the end of the programme you will have a thorough knowledge of the professional and clinical aspects of assistant radiographic practice in the clinical imaging environment, including an awareness of the wide range of imaging technologies in use today.
People are at the heart of our practice and the development of skills to aid your care of individuals is a central focus of the programme. The School provides an interdisciplinary environment, with opportunities for shared learning and inter-professional education. Therefore, opportunities to learn with and from other healthcare students, especially in respect of person-centred care will be part of the programme.
The Certificate in Higher Education Assistant Radiographic Practice (Clinical Imaging) programme is designed to educate practitioners for a challenging and changing career. The programme is delivered on a block release basis, which will see you studying alongside the undergraduate students, whilst still remaining in paid employment.
Assistant practitioners perform protocol-limited tasks under the direction and supervision of a radiographer. This programme will prepare you to work in clinical imaging, but you may work in other radiographic imaging areas in accordance with the NHS Health Board’s agreed protocols.
You will receive close academic support from experienced personal tutors and be taught and supported by experienced staff whilst sharing ideas within a close-knit class. You will also benefit from placements supported by experienced radiography placement educators while undertaking clinical practice in your employing organisation.
The programme aims to produce clinical imaging assistant practitioners who:
- recognise the importance of knowledge and understanding to their current and future professional practice;
- develop the skills necessary to deliver high quality care to service users;
- integrate their academic and clinical learning effectively;
develop their knowledge and understanding within an evidence based framework.
Applying for 2025
Subject area: Radiography
Entry requirements
We accept a combination of A-levels and other qualifications, as well as equivalent international qualifications subject to entry requirements. Typical offers are as follows:
A level
See 'Other essential requirements'
Extended/International Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ/IPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
- Our grade range covers our standard offer and contextual offer. We carefully consider the circumstances in which you've been studying (your contextual data) upon application. Eligible students will be given an offer that is lower than the standard offer (usually the middle or lower end of the advertised grade range).
- Where there is no grade range advertised and/or where there are selection processes in place (like an interview) you may receive additional consideration in the selection process.
Learn about eligible courses and how contextual data is applied.
International Baccalaureate
See 'Other essential requirements'
Baccalaureate Wales
From September 2023, there will be a new qualification called the Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales (level 3). This qualification will replace the Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (Welsh Baccalaureate). The qualification will continue to be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
Other essential requirements
You must have a minimum of five GCSEs grade A-C (or grade 8-4) including English, Maths, and one GCSE science subject (Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Psychology). Applicants who have not followed a traditional or focused programme of study may be considered on individual merits on a case-by-case basis.
Selection or interview process: Applicants are invited to apply to be a student assistant practitioner by the employing institution. Candidates that wish to apply for the post are interviewed by a panel consisting of both relevant academic and organisational staff.
Additional Requirements: To enter the programme you must be employed as a student assistant practitioner or support worker position in a Radiology department. We are unable to accept applications from individuals who do not work in a radiology department or have not secured the support and backing of their departmental radiology services manager. There is no minimum experience requirement.
Accomodation: You may need to arrange accommodation in Cardiff during your academic blocks, this will usually be reimbursed by your employer, so you should check with them prior to booking a term-time residence.
Health screening: All successful applicants will be required to have a satisfactory health screening prior to enrolment on this programme which is conducted independently by the University’s Occupational Health Department. There will be a need to adhere to any immunisation requirements identified. Full guidance on this will be provided after you have submitted your application.
Enrolment conditions: During your application to the programme you will be required to demonstrate that you meet the SCoR (2013) good health and character, fitness to practise requirements by providing a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. Enrolment on to the course cannot take place until a satisfactory disclosure has been received from the Disclosure and Barring Service. Delay in returning the DBS form may also compromise an applicant's university accommodation options. Those who are known to be travelling overseas at the relevant time should endeavour to authorise another individual to deal with this correspondence on their behalf.
English language requirements
GCSE
Grade C or grade 4 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 90 overall with a minimum of 17 for writing, 17 for listening, 18 for reading, and 20 for speaking.
PTE Academic
At least 69 overall with a minimum of 59 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
II: at least two Distinctions and two Merits.
III: at least a Pass in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
Criminal convictions
You will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required.
If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.
Other qualifications from inside the UK
BTEC
See 'Other essential requirements'
T level
Acceptance of T Levels for this programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Academic School. Consideration will be given to the T Level grade/subject and grades/subjects achieved at GCSE/Level 2.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Interview or selection process
The programme is aimed at recruiting Radiography Support Workers employed by NHS Trusts in Wales. The recruitment process involves joint selection interviews by Cardiff University and respective Radiology Services Managers or their appointed representatives.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
Tuition fees are funded by Health Education and Improvement Wales (HEIW). Students in NHS employment will continue to receive their salaries from their employer. Applicants domiciled in Wales with NHS employment as a support worker are eligible for funding.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees in the second and subsequent years of a course as permitted by law or Welsh Government policy. Where applicable we will notify you of any change in tuition fee by the end of June in the academic year before the one in which the fee will increase.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the undergraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
NHS employment is a required part of this course. Therefore, this course is not available for international students.
Additional costs
If not available from the employing organisation, applicants may be required to meet the costs of obtaining an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Certificate if this is not already held for their employment.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Living costs
We're based in one of the UK's most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Course structure
The programme is modular in format and consists of academic and clinical modules. The programme consists of 120 credits of 4 x 30 credit modules.
The academic year consists of 2 academic (16 weeks total) and 2 formal clinical blocks (14 weeks total). Student attendance at all sessions is mandatory for both academic and clinical blocks. As employees of external HNS organisations, students have an annual leave entitlement for their respective organisation and will therefore also attend clinical practice during University holiday periods.
The number of hours /credits for the clinical based module is, at 460, increased in comparison with the 300 hours expected for academic based modules. Completing the 460 hours enables the students to have sufficient time and experience in each of the relevant practice areas to develop the competencies required by the SCoR.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2025/2026 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2025.
Year one
The programme runs over a calendar year and comprises 25% academic-based and 75% work-based learning.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Practice and Patient Care in Radiography | HC1223 | 30 credits |
| Imaging Technology | HC1224 | 30 credits |
| Practice of Imaging | HC1225 | 30 credits |
| Clinical 1 | HC1226 | 30 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
The programme has been designed to focus on the integrated relationship between all of the subjects and topics with a key focus on application of theory to the practice of clinical imaging in all modules.
Due to the practical nature of radiography, the programme has been purposefully structured to enable 40% of your time to be spent in clinical practice, facilitating the practical integration of theory to clinical practice.
Diverse learning and teaching methods are used throughout to reflect module content, students' developing knowledge and growing expertise. All modules have a formalised teaching and learning structure which employ a range of formal lectures, tutorials, workshops and practical skills sessions. A focus on directed self-study enables development of a student centred approach to learning.
Practical workshops utilising both the Radiography Imaging suite and imaging simulation software will help you to develop skills and consolidate your learning.
Resources will be available online and during lectures and tutorials to help you and you will be actively encouraged to seek evidence from literature to help support and inform your ideas.
Opportunities to hear directly from service users and carers will be provided throughout your study to enable you to understand experiences from the perspective of those that have a personal insight. This will help to develop your professional practice.
In keeping with the professional clinical environment, great emphasis is placed on working in a multi-disciplinary team. There are opportunities embedded in the programme for shared and inter-professional education and you will have the opportunity to engage with students from a range of other healthcare disciplines.
This programme offers elements of provision through the medium of Welsh if you are Welsh speaking. You will have the opportunity to have a Welsh speaking personal tutor and have your personal tutor meetings conducted through the medium of Welsh. You can request Welsh speaking clinical placements and you will also be able to submit coursework and have feedback and submit summative assignments in Welsh.
How will I be supported?
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your studies who you will have regular meetings with. They will provide pastoral support and academic guidance throughout the programme. In addition, you will be assigned an academic supervisor who will support you in the development of your research project.
On placement you will be supported by departmental clinical staff, practice educators and clinical lecturers. A named clinical tutor is assigned to each placement department.
Additional support will be provided by the Student Support centre for advice and guidance, financial, counselling and well-being, disability and international student support. Further support can be accessed via the Student Advice service at Student Union for independent advice on university procedures and advocacy while the Skills Development Service and the library can offer guidance and tuition for all aspects of academic and skills development.
You will have access through the Learning Central Virtual Learning Environment to relevant multimedia material including presentations, lecture handouts, lecture capture recordings of lectures, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion forums. The virtual learning environment which is accessible via desktop and mobile devices, allowing you to access electronic resources from anywhere. Dedicated computer labs, student study rooms, campus-wide Wi-Fi networks, printing facilities and a dedicated Healthcare library are available year-round. Staff are available onsite to assist students and provide support and advice.
You will have individual access to dedicated diagnostic imaging simulation software, available on any windows based device enables students to practice and undertake self or tutor directed learning tasks, as often as required for their own learning needs, in either their own or self-study time.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed in a variety of ways throughout your study to make sure that you have the opportunity to learn and improve upon your formative assessments and to showcase your skills and knowledge base through different assessment methods.
The summative assessment of the programme incorporates written assignments, formal unseen examinations, objective structured practical assessment (OSPE), practical clinical assessment and assessment of professional behaviours.
Assessment is designed to ensure that you have attained knowledge and understanding of the fundamental principles of assistant radiographic practice in clinical imaging. Clinical education is assessed by the use of a clinical competency portfolio and observed assessment of practical clinical skills.
Summative clinical assessments will be undertaken by either two clinical lecturers or a clinical lecturer and a practice educator. Assessment by two experienced staff using a detailed marking outlines and criteria ensures consistency in marking across sites.
Feedback
We will provide you with feedback on your work in a variety of formats. These will include oral feedback during tutorials, feedback provided during lectures, written feedback provided through online module discussion forums, and electronic written feedback on assessed coursework through Feedback Studio.
You will be provided with summary written feedback in relation to examinations and you can discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor. During clinical placements you will be supported on your progress by mentors/clinical teachers who will provide verbal and written feedback on your clinical performance.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below and are aligned with the Society and College of Radiographers Education and Career Framework for the Radiography Workforce (2013).
Knowledge & Understanding
- Apply the core knowledge and skills associated with safe and effective assistant radiographic practice in clinical imaging, with due regard to radiation protection, organisational assistant practitioner protocols and the ethical, social, political and legal aspects of care.
Intellectual Skills:
- Appreciate and understand research evidence including healthcare guidelines, and apply to individuals’ needs and personal/professional experience to provide effective practice in line with clinical guidelines and protocols.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Adhere to the role of operator within IRMER (2017 or subsequent amendments) as required within professional practice.
- Be aware of the impact of culture, equality and diversity on practice and ensure the provision of patient centred care in a non-discriminatory manner.
- Work effectively with all members of the Radiology team (Inter-professional) as well as other healthcare professionals (cross-professional boundaries).
Transferable/Key Skills:
- Demonstrate a wide range of effective communication skills, including verbal, visual and written, and adapt these skills to ensure a collaborative approach to giving and receiving of information to a diverse range of audiences.
- Apply effective reasoning skills in the application of professional activities within the scope of practice as defined within the employing organisation.
- In accordance with SCoR requirements, take responsibility for own lifelong learning within a Continuing Professional Development (CPD) framework.
Careers and placements
Career prospects
On completion of the course, Assistant Practitioners will be able to seek employment in Clinical Imaging areas of radiographic practice.
Assistant Practitioners in Clinical Imaging perform non-complex diagnostic radiographic procedures on ambulant adult patients. Their work is mainly based in General X-ray rooms where they perform many of the basic radiographic examinations. They may work in other radiographic imaging areas in accordance with the NHS Health Board’s agreed protocols.
Placements
Students will undertake required clinical placement learning with a minimum number of 460 attendance hours required by all students, which will be monitored through your clinical professionalism records. Placement lengths allow students sufficient opportunity to develop the required skills but also provides some flexibility should they need to pay back hours.
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
