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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Radiation Therapy

Course Fact File

Code	MSCRT
Duration	2 Years Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
Fees	See Fees and Costs for full details.
Closing Date	Rolling deadline. Open until all places have been filled. Early application is advised.
Non-EU Closing Date	Open until all places have been filled or no later than 30 June. Early application is advised.
Start Date	9 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 course includes a high level of student support including the psychosocial aspects both in the university and in the hospital environment. 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 to be situated in the School of Medicine, part of the College of Medicine and Health. The College is located in the western end of the UCC campus and enjoys state of the art facilities where Radiation Therapy will be co-located.

Clinical Placements will take place in the hospitals of CUH, Bons Secours Cork and UPMC Whitfield, Waterford.

Modules

Year 1

Code	Module Name	Credits	Semesters
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 

Code	Module Name	Credits	Semesters
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

Course Practicalities

This programme is a 2-year full-time programme over three semesters per year. Students may attend lectures from 9am to 5pm daily, with some dedicated time to independent learning, during semesters 1, 2 and 3. There are two clinical placement blocks in semester 2 and 3 of year 1 (18 weeks total) and two clinical placement blocks (18 weeks total) in year 2. Students must engage in supervised clinical practice to meet regulatory requirements. To broaden placement experience, students will undertake a three/four-week clinical placement in second year outside of the core placement sites.

Students will need to complete a short research proposal and complete a research project of limited scope.

Assessment will be by continuous assessment. This will consist of a combination of formative and summative assessments, in-class tests, presentations, essays, practical assessments, and work placement assessments.

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. Professional accreditation of the programme is ongoing so that 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. 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.

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Students will have opportunities to study for up to 4 weeks with our partners abroad. Currently, we can offer study abroad in Malta, Switzerland, and the UK. Clinical education is an integral and invaluable component of the programme. It is strongly embedded within the course structure. Preceding campus-based studies provide the skills and knowledge which students require in order to be prepared for their placements. The course will offer a balance of university and practice-based experiences. Clinical placements will mostly take place in public and private hospitals in the South/Southwest region of Ireland and other centres nationally.

This experience will provide the students with all the necessary skills to work in other hospitals both in Ireland and abroad.

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

Garda Vetting

Students or applicants in receipt of an offer on this programme will be 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.

Fees and Costs

Additional Costs

• Students will need to incur the costs of travel to hospitals in Cork City as well as Waterford when necessary, and to block placements throughout the 2 years. Students will need to incur the costs of accommodation during those block placements.
• Students will also incur the costs of uniforms which will be necessary for working on clinical placement.
• Students will be made aware of these costs on advertising material.

Deposit

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

How To Apply

As part of the online application process you will also need 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.
• Describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Upload certification of current registration with the appropriate professional body.
• Enter the names and email addresses of two referees.

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.

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