Radiotherapy and Oncology

There is an increasing demand for graduate therapeutic radiographers in the health service, especially those who can do clinical research.

Your studies focus on applying theory to clinical practice and we encourage you to question and analyse, not simply accept theories without thought. You analyse and evaluate your clinical practice to learn and improve your skills.

During the course you learn to use software and systems for treatment and treatment planning.

You also learn to apply theory to practice and tailor the treatment to the patient by accurately targeting high dose radiation beams and sparing surrounding normal tissues.
 
We normally base our teaching in our modern, £13 million, purpose-built Robert Winston Building on our Collegiate Crescent Campus. It has teaching rooms that reproduce the work environment of hospitals and other related settings. These complement our latest teaching and clinical equipment and technology.

Our immersive visualisation suite comprises state of the art imaging technology and uses the virtual environment for radiotherapy training (VERT) system to create a life size 3D replica of a clinical environment. This enables you to develop vital practical skills in realistic clinical situations.

We recognise and emphasise that radiotherapy treatment is never given in isolation. A therapeutic radiographer is part of a team including caring professionals such as nurses, dieticians and oncologists. Decisions about a patient’s care and treatment always take into account their views, the expertise and opinion of other team members and sound scientific principles.

You study some interprofessional education modules alongside students from other health disciplines, such as nurses and paramedics. This shared learning experience allows you to develop teamworking and understand the contribution different professionals make.

Clinical practice placements make up more than half of the course and take place at

• St James’s University Hospital, Leeds
• The Royal Derby Hospital, Derby
• James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough
• Leicester Royal Infirmary, Leicester
• Lincoln County Hospital, Lincoln
• Freeman Hospital, Newcastle
• Nottingham City Hospital, Nottingham
• Queens Centre for Oncology and Haematology, Castle Hill Hospital, Hull
• Weston Park Hospital, Sheffield

As part of the course you complete a level 2 award in understanding health improvement which provides you with a certificate from the Royal Society of Public Health. We are currently the only university in the UK that offers this as part of our healthcare courses

Your student membership fees for the Society and College of Radiographers are paid, enabling you to access to the services they provide.

For more information please visit our radiotherapy and oncology website at www.shu.ac.uk/radiotherapy

We also offer a PgDip Radiotherapy and Oncology in Practice. This is a two year fast track award for graduates in a health and social care or science subject wanting a career in radiotherapy.