This page answers frequently asked questions for potential applicants to the MSc Radiation Therapy.

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

Do I need to study a specific degree?

The requirement is a Bachelor of Science. This includes any science (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Health Science, Computer science, Exercise and sports science, Agricultural science), as well as any technology, engineering and maths. Sometimes referred to as STEM.

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

What classification of degree do I need?

A 2:2 with honours is a minimum. 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.

What can I do to improve my chances?

1. Get the best degree classification you can
2. Organise a visit to a radiation oncology department. Reflect on what you see.
3. Visit our website, understand the course structure and fees
4. Watch our video
5. Understand how your honours project could relate to radiation therapy.
6. Take the free online course on life, health and radiation
7. Take a free online course on An Introduction to Radiation Oncology: From Diagnosis to Survivorship
8. Consider what personal qualities you think you need to be a radiation therapist
9. Consider why you want to be part of the radiation therapy programme
10. Consider how you will apply what you have previously learned in your first degree to radiation therapy.
11. Consider how the research you carried out in your degree might apply to radiation therapy. Consider the transferrable skills you developed.
12. Visit the post grad expo

Where do I apply?

You can apply for postgrad courses through the online UCC application system. Search for course code MSCRT.

What is the selection process?

1. Apply from October onwards at www.ucc.ie/apply
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. 15 places are offered based on the combination of the application and the interview.
5. The course normally begins in the first week of September.

What is the course structure?

See the website.

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/radiation therapists.

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

What are the fees?

See the website.

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.

What are the English language requirements?

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

Can I work part-time?

It is advised that you do not. This is a full-time course with three semesters per year. Working part-time will result in burnout.

Consider a student loan instead. This can ease the pressure during study and can be paid back when you are earning a graduate wage.

• Bank of Ireland
• AIB

Subject to approval, you can choose an interest-only repayment option and make minimum monthly interest repayments for the duration of your course. Interest-only repayment options may appear cheaper in the short term but will be more expensive over the term of the loan.

When you complete your course, you will begin making full repayments on the total amount you owe.

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 job opportunities will be available upon graduation?

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.

There are many options in terms of career pathways: clinical, academic, industry, clinical trials, etc.

Could you please describe a typical day for a radiation therapist?

It very much depends on the area that you are working in, e.g. treatment or pre-treatment (where you plan patients' treatment).

Each day involves working within a small team of radiation therapists. You would also be dealing with other healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses, physicists, and allied health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, dieticians 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, delivering radiation therapy 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, treatment delivery and imaging etc.

How can I find out more information about studying at UCC as a postgraduate student?

We are delighted to share with you a Handbook for Graduate Students 'Coming to Cork' (PDF), hosted on the COMH Graduate Studies webpage and on the Canvas site for COMH Postgraduate Research.

Header photo: Radiation therapy for cancer by Jakembradford, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped from the original.