Therapeutic Radiography

Therapeutic radiography is the healthcare profession responsible for planning and delivering radiotherapy treatment to patients with cancer. It sits at the intersection of science, technology, and patient care, requiring practitioners who are technically precise, scientifically literate, and capable of building therapeutic relationships with people who are often at a frightening and difficult point in their lives. The profession is central to cancer treatment pathways and plays an increasingly important role as radiotherapy techniques become more sophisticated and more targeted.

At Birmingham City University, you will study therapeutic radiography over three years full-time, developing the knowledge and skills needed to work with patients of all ages in clinical radiotherapy settings. The programme covers the physics and technology of radiation treatment, anatomy, oncology, treatment planning, and the biological effects of radiation, alongside the professional and communication skills that patient-facing clinical work demands. A significant proportion of your time will be spent on clinical placement, working in radiotherapy departments under the supervision of qualified practitioners.

This practical component is central to the degree: therapeutic radiography can only be learned in context, and the clinical placements give you the direct patient experience and technical competence that employers and regulatory bodies require. The typical entry tariff is 136 UCAS points, and the programme leads to eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Graduates register as therapeutic radiographers and work primarily in NHS cancer treatment centres and oncology departments. With experience, therapeutic radiographers develop into specialist practitioner roles, taking on advanced responsibilities in treatment planning, image guidance, and patient review. Some move into education, research, or management roles within radiotherapy services.

The profession is consistently in demand, and its importance to cancer care means that qualified practitioners are valued across the UK health service.