Therapeutic radiographer

You’ll be a source of hope and care for those diagnosed with cancer. Using radiotherapy, you’ll collaborate with other healthcare professionals to create individual treatment plans that blend technical expertise with emotional support for your patients.

Working life

As a therapeutic radiographer, you’ll be part of a team helping people who are dealing with cancer. Based in a hospital, you’ll work with patients and colleagues to design treatment programmes and support patients until their treatment ends. From taking an initial X-ray, to using a CT scanner or a linear accelerator, you’ll use some of the most complex and advanced technology to treat tumours. Therapeutic radiographers are also central to a wider multidisciplinary team, working and consulting with colleagues across various departments.

Lily Aston

therapeutic radiography student
I’ve already secured my job at Royal Stoke University Hospital for when I graduate so that’s where I will kick start my career!

Entry requirements 

To become a therapeutic radiographer, you must first successfully complete an approved degree or masters in radiotherapy. Degree courses take three or four years full time, or up to six years part time. There are also some postgraduate programmes that can take two years. Once you’ve completed your degree, you need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can start practising. The other option is to apply for an apprenticeship degree.

Entry requirements for an undergraduate course are typically:

  • two or three A levels, including physics, chemistry or biology/human biology
  • five GCSEs (grades A-C), including English language, maths and science.

Or the equivalent qualifications:

  • a BTEC, HND or HNC, including science
  • a relevant T level
  • a relevant NVQ
  • a science-based access course
  • Equivalent Scottish or Irish qualifications.

Annual payments

If you're eligible, you’ll receive at least £5,000 a year towards your studies while at university. And because therapeutic radiography is a shortage specialism you’ll receive an additional £1,000 a year. Your personal circumstances may mean you could receive more. And the good news? You'll never have to pay it back. Find out more. 

A bursary might also available through the College of Radiographers Valerie Carr Award. Take a look

Degree apprenticeship

A degree apprenticeship is another way to become a therapeutic radiographer. Apprenticeships give you the chance to earn a living while gaining your qualification. Your employer and the government will pay the tuition fees, so apprenticeships aren’t eligible for student grants.

Must-have skills 

Don’t forget - academic qualifications aren't everything. You’ll need to be interested in new technologies, be safety-conscious and have excellent observational skills. But this isn’t just a role for the technologically-minded. Along with planning and delivering treatments, you’ll offer emotional support to patients and their carers and will need to have an easy-going manner to reassure patients who are nervous about their treatment.

Training and career development

Once you’ve qualified, you’ll have annual Continuing Professional Development (CPD) check-ins, where well discuss your career aspirations and plan how we can help you to achieve them, so you’re always moving forward. Youll be encouraged to join The Society of Radiographers where you can take courses, conferences and seminars. 

You may also choose to specialise in treating certain cancers, work with children or with new, emerging technologies such as proton beam therapy. Research, teaching or management are other career pathways.

Pay and benefits

Your standard working week will be around 37.5 hours and may include a mix of shifts, such as nights, early starts, evenings and weekends. As a therapeutic radiographer, you’ll be paid on the Agenda for Change (AFC) pay system, typically starting on band 5.

You’ll also have access to our generous pension scheme and health service discounts, as well as 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays.

  • Displaying 1 - 5 of 20 matches

    Radiotherapy and Oncology

    Ulster University

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      3 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Radiography (therapeutic)
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      028 7012 4221
    • Region
      Northern Ireland
      Admissions address
      Shore Road
      Newtownabbey
      BT37 0QB
      United Kingdom

    Radiotherapy and Oncology

    Bristol, University of the West of England

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      3 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Radiography (therapeutic)
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      +44 (0)117 32 83333
    • Region
      South West
      Admissions address
      Glenside
      Bristol
      BS16 1DD
      United Kingdom

    Radiotherapy and Oncology

    University of Hertfordshire

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      3 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Radiography (therapeutic)
    • Contact details
      01707 284800
    • Region
      East of England
      Admissions address
      University Admissions Service
      College Lane
      Hatfield
      AL10 9AB
      United Kingdom

    Radiotherapy and Oncology

    Glasgow Caledonian University

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      4 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Radiography (therapeutic)
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      0141 331 8630
    • Region
      Scotland
      Admissions address
      Cowcaddens Road
      Glasgow
      G4 0BA
      United Kingdom

    Radiography (Radiotherapy and Oncology)

    AECC University College

    View course Opens in a new window
    • Qualification
      Bachelor of Science (with Honours) - BSc (Hons)
      Study mode
      Full-time
      Duration of the course
      3 Years
      Leading to a career in
      Radiography (therapeutic)
    • Contact details
      [email protected]
      01202 436200
    • Region
      South West
      Admissions address
      Parkwood Campus
      Parkwood Road
      Bournemouth
      BH5 2DF
      United Kingdom
  • Find a vacancy

Register for more details about becoming a therapeutic radiographer

We’ll email you a step-by-step guide to help you on your way to joining us

Sign up

Other roles that may interest you

Make a comment or report a problem with this page

Help us improve

This form is for you to tell us about something that could be improved about the website or if there's anything wrong, incorrect or inaccurate with what you see. 

If you have a query about a career in the NHS, please visit our contact us page and call or email us.