FAQ: Before You Apply

Do I need Physics?

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

Does the classification of my degree matter?

A 2:2 with honours is a minimum. However, the higher the classification the more competitive your application will be. Having double degrees, or master's degrees makes you more competitive.

The full list of accepted disciplines is on the course page.

FAQ: Making a Strong Application

What can I do to improve my chances?

• Get the best degree classification you can.
• Organise a visit to a radiation oncology department. Reflect on what you see.
• Watch our video.
• Understand how your honours project could relate to radiation therapy, and consider how the research you carried out in your degree might apply — think about the transferrable skills you developed.
• Take the free online course on life, health and radiation.
• Take the free online course An Introduction to Radiation Oncology: From Diagnosis to Survivorship.
• Consider what personal qualities you think you need to be a radiation therapist, why you want to be part of the radiation therapy programme, and how you will apply what you have previously learned in your first degree to radiation therapy.
• Visit the postgraduate expo.

FAQ: How Selection Works

Offers are based on the combination of application and interview.

What the interview panel scores, and what the 800-word motivation statement must cover, is set out under Interview Details on the course page.

FAQ: Placements

Are you assigned hospitals, or do you have to find placements yourself?

All placements will be arranged for you.

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/radiation therapists. Placements will be spread across both public and private departments within the region.

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

FAQ: Life as a Radiation Therapist

Could you describe a typical day?

It very much depends on the area that you are working in, e.g. treatment or pre-treatment (where you plan patients' treatment), but it would involve working within a small team of radiation therapists. You would be dealing with other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, physicists, allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists etc.

If you were working on a treatment unit you would be working to a schedule where you would be dealing with patients over their course of treatment, so you would be involved in positioning them for their radiation therapy treatment, and managing their side effects. You see people over a number of weeks so you do build up relationships with patients and their families.

The role involves both patient care aspects and also dealing with technological aspects due to equipment, imaging etc.

Where are the jobs?

There is currently a demand for radiation therapists in Ireland. Radiation Therapy is an expanding area. Currently in Ireland radiation therapy departments are located in the major cities: Dublin, Cork, Limerick, Galway and Waterford. At the moment there are a number of them actively recruiting.

How much does it pay?

Pay scales change all the time. The HSE pay scales are the current source. Wages can be supplemented by some on-call work. Private salaries vary and have different terms and conditions.

The clinical and non-clinical areas graduates progress into are listed under Skills and Careers on the course page.