Healthcare Science

Radiation physics in a healthcare context is a discipline that sits at the meeting point of physics, biology and medicine. It concerns the use of ionising and non-ionising radiation for the diagnosis and treatment of disease, and the science of protecting patients and healthcare workers from harmful exposure. The physics underpinning X-ray imaging, computed tomography, nuclear medicine and radiotherapy is sophisticated and demanding, and the professionals who apply it must combine technical mastery with careful clinical judgement.

This three-year full-time degree at Swansea University provides the specialist training needed to work as a radiation physics technologist in the healthcare profession. You will study the physical principles of radiation generation and detection, the biology of radiation's interaction with living tissue, the instruments and techniques used in clinical measurement, and the regulatory and safety frameworks that govern radiation use in medicine. Alongside the physical sciences content, you will develop the practical laboratory skills and the communication abilities that clinical environments require.

Graduates are prepared for careers in the NHS and private healthcare as radiation physics technologists, working in medical physics departments alongside clinical scientists, radiographers and clinical oncologists. The work spans diagnostic imaging, radiotherapy physics, radiation protection and equipment quality assurance. The degree also provides a strong foundation for those who wish to pursue further study or training toward registration as a clinical scientist, or to progress into research roles in medical physics or radiation biology.