Former student Daniel Kilgour talks about studying diagnostic radiography at the University of Sydney.
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The Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) provides you with the knowledge and skills to use the latest technology to produce high-quality medical images that can assist medical specialists and practitioners to describe, diagnose, monitor and treat a patient’s injury or illness.
During this four year degree, you will:
There are no majors for this course.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
My qualification is
Prospective domestic students apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) for a Commonwealth supported place. Refer to the UAC website for key dates. Separate scholarship deadlines apply, visit the scholarships website for details.
For other useful information, visit our How to apply page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Current students applying to transfer from a diploma to a bachelor's degree must apply through UAC.
Refer to the UAC website . Separate scholarship deadlines apply visit the scholarships website for details.
Semester 1 (March)
Visit the How to apply page for detailed information on if you need to apply directly to the University or through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). If you are a direct applicant, when you are ready to apply select the `Apply’ button on this course page.
Current University of Sydney students applying to transfer from one bachelor's degree to another apply directly to the University. The exact process will depend on the course you are currently in and the course to which you wish to transfer. For more information visit the Change your course page.
Application dates
Direct applicants:
Applications open - 15 March of the preceding year
Applications close - 31 January of the commencing year*
*Offers are made on a first come first serve basis. As places are limited, please note that we will close the online application early when the course is full.
We strongly encourage international applicants to apply as early as possible to allow time for visa and travel arrangements. Separate scholarship deadlines apply - visit the scholarships website for details.
UAC Applicants: Refer to the UAC website
Semester 1 (March)
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) is a four year full-time course which consists of 174 credit points of core units and 18 credit points of electives, including one International Health unit of study. You will complete 192 credit points to be awarded the degree.
An essential component of the course is the 48 week clinical education program commencing in the second year of your study, and continuing in the third and fourth year. You will undertake at least one rural or regional (non-metropolitan) clinical placement during the clinical program.
As a diagnostic radiography student, you will learn to work closely with other medical and allied health practitioners and to employ a range of technologies to produce medical images that can help provide an accurate diagnosis and sound patient care.
Explore the Medicine and Health Postgraduate Handbook to learn more about what you will study as part of this degree:
Mandatory work component = 1680 hours.
This translates to 35 hours per week.
This mandatory work component must be completed as part of the award requirements for the course.
Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography)
| Year | Sem | Unit of study | ||||
| 1 | 1 | Structure, Function and Disease A | Foundations of Biomedical Science | Health, Behaviour, and Society | Medical Radiation Physics | |
| 2 | Structure, Function and Disease B | Health Physics and Radiation Biology | Imaging Technology 1 | Foundations of Work Integrated Learning | ||
| 2 | 1 | Radiographic Science 1 | Radiographic Evaluation 1 | Image Optimisation and Processing | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 1 | |
| 2 | Radiographic Science 2 | Radiographic Evaluation 2 | Imaging Technology 2 | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 2 | ||
| 3 | 1 | Imaging Through the Lifespan | Radiographic Science 3 | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 3 | Health and Indigenous Populations | |
| 2 | Professional Issues and Leadership | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 4 | Select one from: FHS Abroad, Health and Globalisation; or International Health | Elective (as approved) | ||
| 4 | 1 | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 5 | Radiographic Evaluation 3 | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 6 | Elective | |
| 2 | Comparative Imaging | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 7 | Professional Project (Capstone) | Radiography Work Integrated Learning 8 | ||
Click here to download a full copy of the sample study plan with elective units.
Mathematics as well as one of either Biology, Chemistry or Physics is recommended.
Admission to this course is on the basis of the following criteria:
The Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) course does not have a guaranteed ATAR. The ATAR information provided is an indication only and the actual required ATAR for entry may be higher or lower depending on student demand and availability of places in the course each year.
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants. For details, visit admission pathways.
The bridging course in physics may be beneficial for students commencing this course.
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary to be able to achieve the core learning outcomes of a course. They are specific to a particular course or discipline. To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements for this course.
If you’ve already completed university-level or equivalent subjects, you may be able to apply for credit for previous study.
An essential component of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) is clinical education. It provides an opportunity for the student to integrate the knowledge acquired in the professional units of study with the practical skills attained in the workplace. To broaden the student's clinical skills, candidates are placed in a variety of radiology centres to enable a breadth of experience in procedures, examinations and equipment.
In year 3 semester 2 candidates have the opportunity to take part in the FHS Abroad program which involves academic study and a four to six-week placement with non-government organisations and other development agencies in one of a small number of countries in South and South East Asia. This 6 credit point unit of study offers a hands-on understanding of global health challenges in an overseas community through work with two well established Australian volunteer agencies.
The
Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) is accredited by the
Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia and is an approved program of
study for general registration.
"Diagnostic Radiographer" is a protected title in Australia. Graduates
of diagnostic radiography programs are required to register with the Medical
Radiation Practice Board of Australia.
The current registration conditions for this degree program do not require any
period of supervised practice after graduation.
Members of the public may make a notification to the Australian Health
Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) about the conduct, health or performance
of a practitioner or the health of a student enrolled in this degree program.
Practitioners, employers and education providers are all mandated by law to
report notifiable conduct relating to a registered practitioner or student.
More information can be obtained from the Medical Radiation Practice Board of Australia.
Studying diagnostic radiography gives graduates the opportunity to work in a range of settings, such as small regional hospitals, large metro imaging departments and private radiology centres. Career opportunities include:
Honours can broaden your career options and is your pathway to a higher degree by research in the health sciences. Honours study allows you to specialise in an area of personal interest, develop your research skills and make a significant contribution to the development of knowledge within the profession. You will study under the supervision of an academic staff member.
Honours is available to diagnostic radiography students as an integrated pathway through the final three semesters of the degree. Students will receive an invitation from an academic coordinator to express their interest during the second semester of their second year. Entry into honours is competitive and based on students' past academic performance.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Science (Diagnostic Radiography) who do not choose the honours pathway and wish to further their study in this area may consider the Master of Medical Imaging Science or Master of Health Technology Innovation.
