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UCC Postgraduate courses

Radiation Therapy

Course Fact File
CodeMSCRT
Duration2 Years Full-time
Teaching ModeFull-time
QualificationsMSc
NFQ LevelLevel 9
FeesSee Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing DateRolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing DateOpen until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date9 September 2024

Course Outline

The MSc Radiation Therapy is an intensive pre-registration programme for students with a primary degree in a subject other than Radiation Therapy. The programme uses the learning and teaching methods that best support students to develop the knowledge, skills, application of knowledge and skills, and professional attributes commensurate with practice. The aim of this programme is to provide each student with an excellent academic and clinical educational experience.

The constantly evolving nature of healthcare requires that our programme not only prepares students for current healthcare practice but that it produces graduates who will act as agents for future change and progress. The type of people suited to radiation therapy are problem solvers and critical thinkers who possess the analytical skills necessary to work in a highly complex and rapidly evolving field. Communication skills, oral and written, are essential. However, to be a radiation therapist, you must be able to attain more than just academic and technical proficiency. You must possess the compassion and sensitivity necessary to provide for the physical and psychological comfort of the patient. You must be able to communicate effectively with your fellow health care professionals as well as the patients and their families. If you have these qualities, this exciting and challenging field can offer you great satisfaction and career security.

We, therefore, aim to equip our graduates with the clinical and research skills, and professional attributes required to work and develop as competent clinicians, researchers and agents for change within the evolving healthcare environment. The Radiation Therapy programme is situated in the School of Medicine, part of the College of Medicine and Health. 

Clinical Placement

Practice Education is an integral component of the programme and students are required to undertake clinical placement throughout the two years of the programme. Clinical placements will mostly take place in Cork University Hospital, Bon Secours Radiotherapy (in partnership with UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre) and UPMC Hillman Cancer Centre at Whitfield Hospital, Waterford. Please note that placements are dependent on availability and capacity, and therefore may vary during the programme.

Course Content

The course comprises 120 credits of taught components taken over two years, together with clinical placement blocks in each year.

Year 1
CodeModule NameCreditsSemesters
RA6101 Biological Sciences for Health Professionals 10 1
RA6102 Treatment Planning, Localisation and Verification 10 2 & 3
RA6103 Medical Radiation Science and Radiobiology (RT) 10 1
RA6004 Principles of Research          10 2 & 3
RA6105 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 1 10 1 & 2
RA6106 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 2 10 2 & 3
Year 2 
CodeModule NameCreditsSemesters
RA6107 Advanced Imaging and Radiation Science Application   10 1
RA6108 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 3 10 1
RA6109 Principles and Practice of Radiation Therapy 4 10 2 & 3
RA6010 Service Provision and Healthcare Management 5 2
MH6032 Effective Communication in Healthcare  5 1
RA 6012 Research Dissertation 20 1, 2 & 3

Academic Programme Catalogue

See the Academic Programme Catalogue where you can search for the complete and up-to-date content for this course. Note that the modules for all courses are subject to change from year to year. For complete descriptions of individual modules, see the Book of Modules.

Course Practicalities

This programme is a 2-year full-time course taken over three semesters per year. Students attend lectures daily, with some dedicated time to independent learning. Assessment consists of a combination of formative and summative assessments, in-class tests, presentations, essays, practical assessments and work placement assessments.

Clinical Placements

There are two clinical placement blocks in semester 2 and 3 of year 1 and two clinical placement blocks in year 2. Students must engage in supervised clinical practice to meet regulatory requirements. 

 

Why Choose This Course

This dedicated Graduate Entry programme offers an intensive route for graduates from any clinical or science-related discipline to gain a recognised qualification in Radiation Therapy. This postgraduate course will prepare graduates for success in a competitive jobs market. This programme is approved by Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator – CORU and, upon completion, students will be eligible to apply for CORU registration. They will also be eligible for membership of the Irish Institute of Radiography and Radiation Therapy (IIRRT). This currently is the only MSc (Pre-Registration) Radiation Therapy programme in Ireland.

Radiation Therapists are key members of a team of professionals involved in the delivery of a course of treatment to patients with a cancer diagnosis. The role can be both physically and mentally demanding but also very rewarding. It involves building positive, nurturing relationships with patients on a long-term basis.  Radiation Therapists must have good interpersonal and communication skills to deal with patients and families at a very stressful and traumatic time. They must also be detail orientated as the role requires precise calculation and safe operation of sophisticated equipment. They must also be capable of working within a multi-disciplinary team in the assessment, planning and treatment of patients.

Skills and Careers Information

When students complete this programme, they do so with an MSc in Radiation Therapy. Following qualification, and only when successfully registered with CORU, they will be eligible to work as a Radiation Therapist within any hospital or clinic that provides a Radiation Therapy Service.

In addition to developing the necessary technical and practical skills required for safe and effective clinical practice, the graduate will develop a deep and critical understanding of the profession, vital for shaping the future of radiation therapy. These graduates will facilitate the practice and development of radiation therapy in an evidence-based environment. During the course, the graduate will build on a wide base of transferable clinical skills which may enable them to specialise in a specific area of Radiation Therapy following successful graduation. Examples of areas which radiation therapists may progress to include:

  • Management
  • Teaching-Academy and Clinical
  • Doctoral Research
  • Clinical Trials and Treatment Planning
  • Quality Management

Examples of clinical areas which Radiation Therapists may progress to include:

  • Molecular Imaging
  • Computed Tomography
  • Advanced Radiotherapy Practice
  • Positron Emission Tomography
  • IMRT

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Applicants will hold a minimum of a Second Class Honours in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8), in Sciences, or a Health Sciences related discipline e.g. Pharmacy, Nursing, Public Health, Health Promotion, General Science, Neuroscience, Biomedical Science, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, Medicine, Genetics, Nutrition, Physiology, Sports Science, Social Science, Anatomy or equivalent to any of the above.

Interview Details

Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on:

  • Educational qualifications
  • Academic achievements outside of the curriculum, e.g. publications, conference presentations
  • Contributions beyond academia
  • Motivation: Applicants will submit a motivation statement as part of this application process. The motivational statement should be no longer than 800 words and will explain their motivation to become a Radiation Therapist, outline their research aspirations in Radiation Therapy and indicate how their previous degree will contribute to their research and the practice of Radiation Therapy.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview and each applicant will be scored by an interview panel on the basis of:

  • Communication skills and motivation
  • Clinical and academic qualifications and interests
  • Knowledge of the field

All applicants accepted onto the programme will need to have evidence of appropriate vaccinations for working in hospital environments.

Garda Vetting

Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, are subject to Garda Vetting.  Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared.

Fitness to Practise

This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.

Vaccinations

All applicants accepted onto the programme will need to have evidence of appropriate vaccinations for working in hospital environments.

For Applicants with Qualifications Completed Outside of Ireland

Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements. For more information see our Qualification Comparison page.

International/Non-EU Applicants

For full details of the non-EU application procedure visit our how to apply pages for international students.

  • In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.
  • Note that not all courses are open to international/non-EU applicants, please check the fact file above. For more information contact the International Office.
English Language Requirements

Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university-approved English language requirements. Visit our PG English Language Requirements page for more information.

Fees and Costs

Postgraduate EU and International Fees 2024/2025

See our Postgraduate EU and Non-EU (International) Fee Schedule for the latest information.

Deposits 

If your course requires a deposit, that figure will be deducted from your second-semester fee payment in January.

Fee payment 

Fees are payable in two equal instalments. First payment is at registration and the balance usually by the end of January.

How can I pay? 

See different options on our How Do I Pay My Fees? page.

Any questions? See the 'Contact Us' section on the Fees Office page.

Additional Costs

  • Students will need to incur the costs of travel to hospitals in Cork City, as well as clinical placement sites nationally, as and when necessary, throughout the 2 years. Students will need to incur the costs of accommodation during those block placements, (typically ranging from 4-12 weeks at a time).
  • Students will also incur the costs of uniforms which will be necessary for working on clinical placement.

 

How To Apply

1. Check dates

Check the opening and closing dates for the application process in the yellow fact file boxes at the top of this webpage. The UCC online application portal usually opens around mid October.

2. Gather documents

Scanned copies of supporting documents have to be uploaded to the UCC online application portal and include:

  • Original qualification documents listed on your application, including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC.
  • Any supplementary items requested for your course, if required.

3. Apply online

Apply online by clicking the red 'Apply Now' button below. Note most of our courses have a non-refundable €50 application fee.

Any questions? Use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Note

As part of the online application process you will be asked to include the following:

  • Enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
  • In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning, and professional training relevant to this programme.
  • Describe your motivation and readiness for this programme. Please upload relevant certificates of achievement.
  • Upload certification of current registration with the appropriate professional body.

 

Deposit

Please note that successful EU applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €500 on acceptance of their place.

 

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on this course. 

The closing date for non-EU applications is Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.

Apply Now

For queries regarding course content or timetables please contact

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