Radiography

UCD is one of Europe’s leading centres of excellence for radiography and diagnostic imaging. You will follow an innovative curriculum that is constantly evolving to meet the needs of modern healthcare. The course is delivered in a state-of-the-art, interdisciplinary environment by expert staff from within UCD School of Medicine and throughout our nationwide clinical training network. 

First Year

In your first year, you will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of radiation science and technology, human anatomy and radiographic technique. You will also interact with patients at one of our teaching hospitals.

• Anatomy 
• Practice of Radiography 
• Technology of Radiography 
• Healthcare Imaging and Information Systems 
• Clinical Placement  
• Professional Skills 
• Elective Module 

Second Year 

During your second year, you will develop and refine your scientific knowledge, undertake physiology modules and build your expertise with regard to radiographic equipment and examination. You will undertake a block of clinical education at the end of semester two.

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Practice of Radiography
• Technology: Radiology Informatics
• Radiographic Image Interpretation
• Clinical Placement
• Radiation Protection
• Paediatric Radiography
• Professionalism
• Elective Module 

Third Year 

In your third year you will deepen your knowledge of radiographic technique. It is at this point that the study of pathology begins. It is also the stage at which new diagnostic technologies are introduced including computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound, and radionuclide imaging.

• Computed Tomography
• Ultrasound
• Research and Evidence Based Practice
• Mechanisms of Disease
• DXA and Mammography
• Clinical Placement
• Cross Sectional Anatomy
• Interventional Radiology

Throughout year four, the study of pathology is integrated with and underpins a critical approach to imaging techniques and radiographic image evaluation. Students also submit a dissertation towards the end of stage four. There is an option to select an international study option.

• Professional Completion
• Legal Medicine
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging
• Nuclear Medicine
• Research Project
• Systematic Pathology
• Erasmus opportunities 
• Clinical placement

Learning methods include lectures, small group tutorials, interactive demonstrations, virtual reality simulation and hands-on clinical learning. Assessment methods include written and practical skills-based exams, image-based and continuous assessment, report writing and oral presentations. Individual and group assessments foster team skills required for professional working.

View our video to find out more information about our (opens in a new window)Radiography degree.

World-Class Imaging & Clinical Facilities

Radiography will first be demonstrated in UCD’s own imaging facilities before you progress to performing examinations on patients. The diagnostic imaging area, unique to Ireland, contains a networked Picture Archive and Communication System (PACS) that allows storage of, and access to, diagnostic images from all diagnostic and biological imaging modalities.

It is designed to be compatible with similar systems used in hospitals, and has clear advantages for the education of all health care professionals and unlimited potential in research. A teleconference equipped lecture theatre permits simultaneous interactive lecture broadcast on campus and across several clinical education sites.

Network of Teaching Hospitals

Our network of teaching hospitals will also play an integral role in your training and you will work alongside radiography colleagues to learn and refine your professional skills.

Handling radiographic equipment will first be practiced in UCD’s own imaging facilities, before you progress to performing examinations on patients, under professional radiographer supervision.

You will be assigned a clinical pathway in First Year to cover your four years of study. This pathway will encompass teaching hospitals both in Dublin and outside of Dublin. These pathways have been specifically tailored to meet your educational and clinical needs of becoming a radiographer.

You will undertake in excess of 1,000 hours of hospital-based training over the course of the degree in some of our 23 clinical training centres across Ireland.

You may apply for a three-month Erasmus exchange with one of our European partner institutions (including Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia and Sweden).  Further elective opportunities include visiting the USA and Austria.

Diagnostic imaging is a growth area in Ireland and internationally. All graduates in the past five years obtained employment as radiographers. Radiographers can also be employed outside of the radiology department as clinical applications specialists, sales specialists and hospital management.

Some graduates proceed to PhD studies. Diagnostic imaging offers exciting opportunities to pursue research and/or to develop specialist clinical skills.

Comprising more than 2,200 full-time enrollments of Irish and International students and representing over 150 different nationalities, our large and culturally diverse student community is the heartbeat of the School. 

When deciding what course to choose I knew I wanted something both STEM and healthcare related, and radiography was the perfect blend of that.

The course offers the perfect balance of academic knowledge and hands-on clinical training, allowing me to build my confidence and competence in real healthcare settings.

I have had the opportunity to work in various areas, including general X-Ray, theatre, CT, ultrasound and MRI to name a few, in four different hospitals which has helped broaden my understanding of the crucial role a radiographer partakes in a patient’s diagnostic and therapeutic pathways.

Corinne, Student

Meet our Students

Irish/EU Applicants

For more course information visit this page.

Irish/EU Applicants will be required to apply via the Central Applications Office (CAO) system and will be required to present their State or International School Leaving Examination. For information pertaining to CAO and Admissions, please visit (opens in a new window)myUCD.

Non-EU Applicants

Non-EU Applicants will be required to apply directly to  UCD International Admissions and will be required to present their relevant School Leaving Examination results (e.g. ACT, SAT, etc), two letters of reference and a short personal statement.

Programme Requirements

Students must fulfil a number of specific programme requirements in addition to meeting academic criteria for admission.

These are as follows:

• Health Screening
• Garda Vetting
• Commitment to Ethical & Professional Conduct including Confidentiality
• Requirements for Participation in Clinical Education

For more detailed advice, refer to our Programme Requirements.