Radiotherapy and Oncology with Foundation Year

Study and practise the key principles of radiotherapy, oncology, physics and technology – guided by national and local legislation and policies. You’ll provide inclusive person-centred care throughout the course, ensuring you can effectively support people living with and beyond cancer. When you graduate you’ll be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a therapeutic radiographer.

If you don't meet the entry requirements for our BSc Radiotherapy and Oncology course, or you’d like extra preparation before starting degree-level study, we recommend you join the foundation course.

How you learn

Therapeutic radiographers are the only health care professionals registered to deliver radiotherapy treatment to patients who primarily have cancer – while also providing excellent care to all patient groups. On this challenging and supportive course you’ll develop core professional knowledge, practical skills, clinical reasoning, professionalism and leadership abilities.

You'll be taught by professionals who are active in their field of practice and research, providing cutting-edge, inter-professional practice knowledge and experiences. Through a blended approach to learning – on campus, online and on placement – you’ll develop key research skills and undertake projects to evaluate and develop health services. You’ll be able to work within new care models that support the integration of health and social care.

Key Themes

You’ll start by developing your knowledge and understanding of anatomy, imaging, radiation science and cancer. You’ll also explore radiotherapy techniques, their impact on patients and the principles of safe radiotherapy practice.

You’ll then learn to evaluate the management of cancer within the body systems studied – plus the role of imaging and radiotherapy planning. You’ll synthesise knowledge of the impact of cancer and its management on wellbeing to evaluate the role of information and support strategies – appraising oncology pathways that ensure a person-centred approach to care.

Finally you’ll critically evaluate the management of cancer with contemporary technologies in the body systems studied – exploring developments in treatment delivery and verification. Throughout this you’ll learn to appraise and evaluate practices aimed at improving the personalised care and survivorship experiences of those affected by cancer.

We’ll ensure the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) which governs the therapeutic radiography profession.

Applied learning

You'll gain real-world skills through simulated practice workshops using our state-of-the-art simulation suite – as well as through practice placements both in a radiotherapy department and the wider oncology setting.

There are also opportunities to gain experiences within the NHS. This may also include the voluntary and charity sector, hospices or equipment manufacturers. These learning experiences are designed to help you apply theory to practice – developing critical and ethical approaches to become life-long, competent professionals.