This page answers frequently asked questions for potential applicants to the MSc Diagnostic Radiography.

Choose a question from the list below. If your question is not answered here, email mirt@ucc.ie.

Do I need to have studied a specific degree?

Yes, a STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) background is required. Your degree should have BSc in front of it. Then it is ok. If it is a BA it is excluded.

It must be an Honours degree, level 8.

There is no extensive list, but some common degrees include:

• regulated health sciences such as Nursing, Occupational Therapy, and Speech and Language Therapy
• applied sciences such as Genetics
• Health Sciences of any type
• General science such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer science, Exercise and sports science, and Agricultural science
• any technology, engineering and maths

However, the better qualified the better. Having double degrees, or master's degrees makes you more competitive.

If you have a level 7 degree you are not eligible. If your degree is not STEM you are not eligible.

We require a level 8 Honours Degree in Science. So previous students in this situation have taken a 1-year MSc in Anatomy at UCC and this is a suitable qualification.

What classification of degree do I need?

A 2:2 with honours in a level 8 degree is the minimum. Pass degrees are ineligible. However, the higher the classification, the more competitive your application will be.

For the most up-to-date entry requirements, see Entry Requirements on the course page.

Do I need Physics?

No, we will teach you the physics needed in the course.

Is it competitive?

Yes, the course is oversubscribed each year, with approximately 4 applicants for each place. It is important that you pay attention to your application, complete all elements of it, make it an example of your best work. It is a good idea to have others read over your applications to ensure that it demonstrates clear motivations applicable to Diagnostic Radiography. If you are unsuccessful, you can re-apply the following year. Common issues with rejected applications include:

• Too short, rushed, with insufficient detail to judge motivation
• No mention of hobbies, achievements, extra-curricular learning
• It is copied and pasted from another application and refers to another course.
• It has spelling mistakes and grammatical errors.
• It focusses on what you have done in the past, not on your motivation to do Diagnostic Radiography.
• It is unspecific, shows little knowledge of what the job actually entails

What can I do to improve my chances?

1. Get the best degree classification you can
2. Organise a visit to an X-ray department. Reflect on what you see. If you cannot visit a department, look up online resources.
3. Visit our website, understand the course structure and fees
4. Understand how your honours project could relate to medical imaging
5. Take the free online course on life, health and radiation and one on patient-centred care approaches within diagnostic radiography
6. Consider what personal qualities you think you need to be a radiographer
7. Consider why you want to be part of the radiography programme
8. Consider how you will apply what you have previously learned in your first degree to Radiography
9. Consider how the research you carried out in your degree might apply to Radiography. Consider the transferrable skills you developed.
10. Visit the UCC Post Grad Expo
11. Complete all aspects of the application form. We want to hear about your volunteering, your extra-curricular learning, your part-time work, medals, certificates, prizes, your overall achievements
12. Some applicants have undertaken the 1-year MSc in Anatomy at UCC
13. Some applicants have worked for a year and increased their work experience
14. Some applicants have gotten work experience as a HCE in Radiology to improve their knowledge and confirm their motivation.
15. Some applicants take up other non-academic or work-related activities: community support, coaching, volunteering work, hobbies that exceed expectation.
16. Some applicants get help with their motivational statement, have others read it, improve it, so that it clearly explains their reason for applying for the course and shows evidence of understanding of what is required to study the course.

Where do I apply?

You can apply for postgrad courses through UCC Apply - the online application portal. Search for code MSCDR.

What is the selection process?

1. Apply online from October onwards - the official application dates are on the course page.
2. Shortlisting happens on a rolling basis and is based on degree classification and written application.
3. Interviews happen on a rolling basis and are online, 20 minutes long.
4. 60 places are offered based on the combination of the application and the interview.
5. The course usually begins in the last week of August - the official start date is on the course page.

What is the course structure?

It is a 2-year, full-time master's with 3 semesters per year. See the course page.

For placement, are you assigned hospitals or do you have to find the placements yourself?

All placements will be arranged for you.

The course alternates between blocks of academic lectures followed by blocks of clinical placement where students have the opportunity to put their learning into practice in the clinical setting.

In the clinical departments there would be clinical tutors who would meet you and guide you through each placement in conjunction with the clinical radiographers.

Placement locations, the placement block pattern, and the travel, accommodation and uniform costs you should budget for are on the course page.

What are the English language requirements?

English language requirements can be found on the UCC postgraduate English language requirements page.

What are the fees?

See the course page.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is an important partner on this course. Both the Saolta University Hospital Group and the HSE South/South-West Hospital Group offer student sponsorships.

Where a student signs an agreement on registration to work for the HSE for two years after graduating, the HSE will sponsor the student for part-payment of fees. The amount is on the course page.

No special application is needed. You do not apply before the course starts. Applications happen after registration is complete.

Money matters are discussed in this video for UCC students.

It is also useful to look at the Student Finance 101 Manual. Explore how you can fund your studies at one of Ireland's leading research universities.

Can I work part-time?

Yes, you can. This is a full-time course with three semesters per year. Working part-time can result in burnout.

How much does it pay?

Pay scales change all the time. The HSE pay scales are available on the HSE website.

Wages can be supplemented by some on-call work.

Private salaries vary and have different terms and conditions.

What are the working hours of a diagnostic radiographer?

Radiography offers a career with variety, responsibility, patient contact, and excellent employment opportunities.

Diagnostic radiographers work in hospitals and imaging centres, producing medical images such as X-rays, CT scans, MRI scans, fluoroscopy examinations, and mobile imaging studies to help diagnose disease and injury.

A typical working week is around 35 to 39 hours, depending on the employer and department. However, unlike many office-based professions, radiography departments often operate for extended hours or on a 24-hour basis.

During training and early career

As a student and newly qualified radiographer, you would typically work shifts that could include:

• Early shifts (for example 8:00 am to 4:00 pm)
• Day shifts (for example 9:00 am to 5:00 pm)
• Late shifts (for example 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm)

In many hospitals, imaging services support emergency departments, trauma centres and intensive care units, meaning radiographers are required outside normal working hours.

Out-of-hours work

As your experience develops, you may participate in:

• Evening shifts
• Night shifts
• Weekend rotas
• Public holiday cover
• On-call services

For example, a radiographer on-call may be contacted during the night to perform emergency trauma imaging, CT examinations for stroke patients, or scans for critically ill patients.

What does a typical day look like?

No two days are exactly the same. A radiographer may spend a morning:

• Imaging patients attending outpatient clinics
• Performing chest and skeletal X-rays
• Assisting with fluoroscopy examinations

In the afternoon they might:

• Work in an emergency department imaging room
• Perform trauma radiography for people injured in accidents
• Carry out mobile X-rays on patients who cannot leave their hospital beds

This variety is one of the attractions of the profession.

What is the Work-life balance?

Although shift work can be demanding, many radiographers enjoy:

• Flexible rostering
• Compressed working weeks in some departments
• Opportunities for part-time work
• Enhanced pay for nights and weekends
• Good annual leave entitlement within the Irish public health service

Many radiographers find that the shift pattern provides greater flexibility for family life and personal commitments than a traditional nine-to-five role.

What is the Career progression?

Working hours may change as radiographers progress into specialist or advanced practice roles, such as:

• CT radiographer
• MRI radiographer
• Interventional radiographer
• Reporting radiographer
• Clinical specialist
• Practice educator
• Researcher or academic

These positions may involve more regular daytime hours, although some specialties continue to provide emergency services.

More examples of the areas graduates progress into are under Skills and Careers on the course page.

Message to a prospective UCC MSc applicant

As a diagnostic radiographer, you are at the centre of modern healthcare. Every day you meet patients from all walks of life, use advanced imaging technology, and contribute directly to diagnosis and treatment decisions. While the role involves shift work and sometimes unsocial hours, it offers significant variety, excellent career prospects, strong job security, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference to patients' lives.

For a student considering the UCC programme, radiography combines healthcare, patient interaction, anatomy, technology, and problem-solving, making it particularly attractive for those who enjoy both science and working with people.

Would it be considered a stressful and pressurising career?

It is a very individual thing. Stress comes from many sources, not just from work. However, one great thing about a career in diagnostic radiography is that you can adapt your career to life circumstances. Many radiographers choose to go part-time at some point during their career, to focus on other aspects of their life.

In the early stages of a radiographer's career, many radiographers take on extra hours to earn some extra money, and also often undertake a master's in a specific area such as ultrasound, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, nuclear medicine, interventional radiology, or other specialties.

What do former students advise?

Read a former student's blog post on preparing to start the course.