Therapeutic Radiography

Therapeutic radiography, also known as radiation therapy, is the clinical discipline concerned with the use of ionising radiation to treat cancer and other conditions requiring targeted radiation delivery. Therapeutic radiographers work in radiation oncology departments, where they are responsible for accurately localising, planning, and delivering radiotherapy treatments using advanced technology including linear accelerators, image guidance systems, and computer-based treatment planning software. The role places therapeutic radiographers at the centre of the oncology multidisciplinary team, requiring both sophisticated technical knowledge and the ability to build supportive, compassionate relationships with patients who are frequently at a highly vulnerable point in their lives.

At London South Bank University, this three-year full-time degree includes a foundation year, providing a structured academic preparation for students entering from a range of educational backgrounds and ensuring all students have the scientific and academic grounding needed for the degree proper. Across the programme you will develop the knowledge and clinical skills needed for professional practice, including radiation physics, radiobiology, anatomy and oncology, treatment planning, imaging and verification, and the safe and accurate operation of radiotherapy equipment. Clinical placements in NHS and independent sector radiotherapy departments are integral to the programme, providing hands-on experience of planning and delivering treatments and developing the professional judgement and patient communication skills that the role demands.

You will learn to support not only patients but their families through the cancer journey, which is as important a dimension of the role as the technical one.

Graduates register with the Health and Care Professions Council as therapeutic radiographers and work in NHS cancer centres, specialist radiotherapy departments, and independent sector oncology providers. The profession offers a technically demanding and clinically meaningful career with strong employment prospects, reflecting the continued growth in cancer diagnosis and the expanding role of radiotherapy as a treatment modality. Career progression leads to advanced practice, specialist roles, management, physics support roles, and education.

Postgraduate qualifications are increasingly available for those who wish to develop specialist expertise or pursue research and academic careers in radiation oncology.