Radiography FAQs
What is the qualification?
BSc (Hons) (NFQ Level 8)
What are the entry requirements?
Typical CAO Point Range 555
What is the duration of the programme?
4 Years
How many students are on the course?
130 (2026-27)
What are the entry requirements?
Leaving Certificate:
O6/H7 in English, Irish, Mathematics, a third language, a laboratory science subject and one other recognised subject
Healthcare Screening & Garda/Police Vetting: Candidates are required to undergo a mandatory healthcare screening process & Garda/Police vetting.
What are the entry requirements for international students?
Click below for equivalent entry requirements information for:
Why is this course for me?
Radiographers are responsible for producing high-quality images to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. While radiography is a caring profession, it’s also one that requires considerable technological and scientific expertise in both the production of images and the responsible delivery of ionising radiation. If you’re interested in science and you want to use your knowledge to care for people, Radiography at UCD may be a perfect fit for you.
Our aim is to prepare graduate radiographers to meet the everyday challenges arising from ongoing advances in diagnostic imaging and healthcare.
What are the Career & Graduate Study Opportunities?
Diagnostic imaging is a growth area in Ireland and internationally. All graduates in the past five years have obtained employment as radiographers. As well as the traditional hospital-based career, some radiographers are employed as applications or sales specialists.
An increasing number of graduates are now undertaking PhD studies. Diagnostic imaging offers successful graduates exciting opportunities to pursue research and/or to develop specialist clinical skills.
Is Professional Work Experience Included on the programme?
Radiography will first be demonstrated in UCD’s own imaging facilities, including virtual radiography before you progress to performing examinations on patients. Teaching hospitals also participate in your training and you’ll work alongside radiography colleagues to learn and refine your professional skills. You will undertake in excess of 1,200 hours of hospital based training over the course of the degree programme in one of our 19 clinical training centres across Ireland.
What will I study?
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
Fourth Year
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.
Are there international study/training opportunities?
Erasmus opportunities exist in fourth year, where you may spend a three-month period in one of our current partner institutions in Austria, Belgium, Finland, Greece, the Netherlands, Norway, Malta, Portugal, Slovenia, Sweden and the UK. Further elective opportunities, including to the USA, are available at various stages within the programme.
What are radiographers?
They are healthcare professionals involved in all aspects of imaging in hospitals, x-ray, CT, MRI, ultrasound, and increasingly interventional imaging with radiologist colleagues.
What do the students study?
Modules based on every aspect of radiography along with essential medical topics such as anatomy, physiology and pathology in each year.
First and second year contents covers the fundamentals of radiography including essential physics (covered within the Technology modules) and so you don’t need physics or biology from LC – it is not needed
There are four categories of topics
- Technology – equipment
- Practice – how to undertake exams
- Clinical practice – hospitals on clinical placements
- Then, additional medical topics, anatomy, physiology, pathology + electives (optional modules) that can be unrelated to radiography – UCD horizons.
How many hours on average do you do each week on the course?
Typically approximately 15 – 18 hours per week in face-to-face contact – lectures, practical labs, cals and various activities. For everyone 1 hour face-to-face you should be doing 2 – 3 hours on persona study to read more on topics to do assignments etc.
What is the difference between radiography and radiology?
Radiography is the healthcare profession where you perform the imaging by using specialist equipment to take diagnostic images of patients.
A radiologist is a medical doctor who does specialized training to do radiology and reports on the images used.
What kind of money does a radiographer make?
Graduate / basic / staff grade radiographers in the public sector (HSE) in Ireland start of at about almost 44,000 euro & go up an increment each year. After 3 years of experience they can apply for a senior radiographer role starting at 57,000 which also has annual increments. Clinical specialist roles are usually 4-5yrs experience & a postgrad specialisation in that modality start off at 63,400. Public salaries are based on a 35hr week.
These salaries exclude overtime & on-call shifts.
Private sector normally start off at the public HSE payscales however do not have annual increments. They normally do a review after every year or two in which salary increases may be agreed. Normally they operate on a 35hr or 37.5hr week - depends on contract.
Our degree in UCD is coru approved. Upon graduation students can apply for registration & can work immediately when that comes through.
What is work placement like?
You go on placement in first year in Jan and then in March. You learn how to take x-rays of the extremities and trunk. There are a lot of legal requirements in radiography so you learn what they are and how they apply to practice.
You are also involved in CT, MRI, ultrasound, nuclear medicine. You get a lot of experience in A&E too – GP and A&E imaging requirements are needed.
Placement can be hard work but it is where you link theory with practice and learn the intricacies and art of radiography so is very enjoyable.
You are not just shadowing, you are applying the skills you have learned
Placements are 9am – 5pm, typically in block week placements, shadowing a radiographer and working with them.
Can you transfer into Radiography?
Unfortunately as a regulated profession which is accredited by CORU, it is not possible to transfer into the programme as core modules have to be completed.
What makes students want to choose radiography?
Students who like science in school and want to work with people in healthcare with a technology aspect.
You get to see all aspects of the hospital and not just the radiology department.
It is also a highly employable degree – 100% employments. It is a worldwide qualification that allows you to travel.
We have 17 – 18 Erasmus partners in the EU and some places in the US.
What is the hardest part of the course form a student point of view.?
The time management aspect of placement can be challenging to juggle. You have clinical placements and placement exams, assignments and the rest of normal life. Time management.
Is the material on the course difficult?
It depends on what you enjoy more. If you love biology you’ll love anatomy physiology and pathology, for example.
What is your favorite part of the course?
Working with people and placements are students favorite – it can be hard and tiring but it shows what your job will be like and it’s putting everything into practice.
Are there specific degrees required for GER?
Any degree but with a research component – 2.5 years in GER. 25 places each year.
What are the facilities like?
We have a fully equipped radiography room as well as a dedicated virtual reality lab for practicing radiography technique.
Who pays for accommodation if your placement is outside Dublin?
We use 19 different hospitals around Ireland – UCD does not pay for accommodation except in certain circumstances where by you might have two accommodations to pay for.
Can you specialize in ultrasound?
Yes following completion of the basic radiography degree you can do a post graduate diploma or masters to specialize.
What is the drop out rate?
Less than 5% (generally quite low)
Is there any chemistry?
No – not as a core module but you can choose to do this as an elective like you can with languages etc.
Would the claims that radiation causes cancer worry you? Are you confident in the safety aspect.
Staff are very well protected in radiography departments as radiation safety is highly regulated by law so radiographers receive minimal radiation dose through good and safe practice. Radiographers have to wear dosimeters which are monitored on a monthly basis.
The radiation patients get from x-rays is also very small but ranges depending on the examination type. For example a chest x-ray is equivalent to three days worth of background radiation you get in everyday life.
Do you need to be good at maths?
No – basic maths is fine.
What’s the different between radiography and radiation therapy.
Diagnostic radiography is used to diagnose conditions. Radiation therapy is used to treat a known cancer.
Can you become a radiologist after you study radiography?
You would need to do medicine first.
Why would a student drop out?
They might have decided it wasn’t for them after not doing their research before applying.
What does a typical radiographer’s day look like?
Radiographers work a standard 9-5pm day (37.5 hour week) with the addition of on call requirements – as radiographers are needed 24/7– this typically results in perhaps one on-call session additionally each week. Radiographers are usually rostered to a different clinical area every two weeks to ensure they get to rotate through all areas of the radiography department regularly.
How many weeks placement are there each year?
Year 1: 4 weeks, year 2 – 8 weeks, year 3 – 12 weeks, year 4 – 14 weeks.
Do you have to have experience before you apply?
It is not a requirement but do your research before you apply.
Does UCD help with finding placements?
UCD centrally organises all hospital placements with our partner clinical sites. Placements are decided then as far as possible in line with student preferences – with all students rotating clinical sites for Stages 3 and 4.
In final year students complete an optional elective placement which is organized by students themselves typically in a hospital they hope to get employment in following graduation.
Can you transfer into medicine?
You can apply for medicine but you’d have to start from the beginning and have the HPAT.
Do you need to HPAT for Radiography?
Not for Radiography.
Are there any specific qualities a radiographer should have?
Empathetic and compassionate and an interest/inquisitiveness in science and how the body works. Being able to communicate appropriately with patients from all backgrounds.
Can you stay in the one place for the whole time?.
Students have one base clinical site in years 1 & 2 but then rotate to a different site for years 3 & 4 of the program. As students while in a hospital you would typically have weekly rotations through all the speciality areas – theatre, general, A&E and wards which is better to have variation.
Can you have a part-time job while doing this course?
Yes – if you can manage your time.
How often do you have exams?
End of semester and mid-terms – there are approximately two exams per module.
Are there many places for HEAR and DARE?
Yes – there are between 2 and 5 places for each of those programmes in radiography.
Is UCD the only college that does Radiography?
Yes, we are the only ones who do undergraduate entry in the Republic but UCC have a graduate entry programme.
Is it social?
Yes, it is a small enough cohort and so you get to know everyone and make friends quickly.
Have you had to do placements during summer or Christmas breaks?
Yes, in first year you do the placements during the academic breaks at Christmas and Spring.
In second year – students complete 7 weeks in the summer.
Do you need vaccines?
MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) vaccine X 2 doses: (Serology not accepted)
HEPATITIS B vaccines:
If you have not had the HepB vaccine, the vaccine course (3 doses) will be provided by UCD Student Health.
If you have had the HepB vaccines records of vaccination are required & you must bring them to your Health Screen appointment.
TB (Tuberculosis) blood test (IGRA/QuantiFERON/TSpot) within the last 2 years. Student health will only accept negative results. If there are any positive results this should be followed up locally before you come to UCD.
Varivax (Chickenpox) vaccine record is required if the pre-entry blood tests indicate so, if no record this vaccine can be provided by UCD Student Health Service.