BRad in Diagnostics

Radiography is a healthcare science profession that involves medical imaging and treatment. It is a rapidly growing occupation in modern healthcare. The University of Pretoria offers an undergraduate programme in diagnostic radiography and postgraduate degrees in three professional fields, namely diagnostics, radiation therapy and nuclear medicine. During training, students are exposed to all facets of healthcare. Training takes place at primary, secondary and tertiary institutions. Students have the opportunity to interact with teams of healthcare professionals where, as valued members, they obtain a better understanding of the holistic approach to patient care.

Personal characteristics a radiographer should display include  a genuine desire to help sick and injured patients, as well as excellent time management, to ensure a balance between time for leisure and time for studies. In the course of a day, many decisions regarding patient care are taken. Self-discipline and responsibility are essential, and candidates should enjoy good health as the work entails considerable physical movement while supporting and assisting patients and manipulating the equipment.

Programme content

The BRad programme requires four years of full-time study, followed by one year of compulsory community service.

Clinical tuition takes place in the radiology departments at Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Kalafong Academic Hospital, Pretoria West Hospital, Mamelodi Hospital, Tshwane District Hospital, as well as at some private radiological practices. More clinical training facilities will be added to this list to accommodate and increase the intake of students. Students are allocated to these centres to gain the compulsory clinical experience needed to competently conduct various radiographic examinations and procedures.

Students will be expected to practice on public holidays and after hours on a rotational basis.

Categories of radiography offered at the University of Pretoria:

  • Diagnostic radiography: The diagnostic radiographer is an essential member of the health team and is responsible for forming and capturing the diagnostic images of a patient referred by a medical practitioner for a specific radiographic procedure. X-ray procedures vary in complexity and range from simple skeletal examinations to sophisticated, high-technology examinations during which different imaging modalities are used. In the latter cases, X-rays and computers may be used to produce images. Fractures, brain tumours, haemorrhages and blood clots are only a few of the medical problems diagnosed by these sophisticated devices. Diagnostics is offered at both the undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
  • Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine: Radiotherapy  entails the use of high-energy radiation in the treatment of benign and malignant tumours. Nuclear medicine entails the administration of a radiopharmaceutical substance to a patient to demonstrate the anatomy and functioning of organs, as well as the physiology of certain diseases. The University of Pretoria offers Radiation Therapy and Nuclear Medicine at honours level. These categories of radiography are offered at tertiary hospitals and selected private healthcare centres.
  • The Department will be introducing a BRadHons degree in ultrasound in the near future.

For more information, please consult the Faculty webpage.

  • Disclaimer: This publication contains information about regulations and programmes of the University of Pretoria. Amendments to or updating of the information may be effected from time to time without prior notification. The accuracy, correctness or validity of the information contained here is therefore not guaranteed by the University at any given time and is always subject to verification. The user is kindly requested to verify the correctness of the information with the University at all times. Failure to do so will not give rise to any claim or action of any nature against the University by any party whatsoever.

Career Opportunities

Radiographers, academics and researchers


Programme Code

10137100


Closing Dates

  • SA – 31/07/2020
  • Non-SA – 31/07/2020

Admission Requirements

  • The following persons will be considered for admission: a candidate who is in possession of a certificate that is deemed by the University to be equivalent to the required National Senior Certificate (NSC) with university endorsement; a candidate who is a graduate from another tertiary institution or has been granted the status of a graduate of such an institution; a candidate who is a graduate of another Faculty at the University of Pretoria; and a candidate who is currently studying at a university.
  • Admission to Health Sciences programmes is subject to a selection process.
  • Grade 11 final examination results will be used for the conditional selection of prospective students.
  • For selection purposes, the sum of the results in six subjects, including English, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, is calculated.
  • Life Orientation is excluded in the calculation of the Admission Point Score (APS).
  • Candidates should note that their conditional admission will be revoked if their APS drops by more than two points in their final school examination results.
  • PLEASE NOTE that compliance with the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee admission to any programme in this Faculty.
  • Selection queries may be directed to click here
  • A student who is made an offer but does not accept it cannot defer the offer and must reapply to be considered in the following year.

Transferring students (university experience)

  • The applications of students who are studying towards a tertiary qualification or have obtained a tertiary qualification must meet the following requirements regarding school subjects and performance levels: They must be in possession of an NSC for degree studies/full exemption certificate and must have attained a performance level of 5 (or 50% HG if completed prior to 2009) for Mathematics and Physical Sciences (or Life Sciences, if required).
  • If the subjects were not passed in Grade 12, the equivalent subjects (Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics) must be completed at the tertiary level. University students do not have to submit any non-academic performance record or CV. In their case selection is based on the results attained in the qualification(s) previously completed, ie they will be considered on the basis of their results achieved in higher education.
  • The completion of only a three-year diploma or certificate is not considered as university experience, but will be considered in the school-leaver category and admission will be based on the applicant’s Grade 12 results.

Qualifications from countries other than South Africa

  • A limited number of places are made available to citizens from countries other than South Africa, with those from SADC countries being given preference. Permanent residents of RSA are not categorised as foreign students. Applications from citizens from countries other than South Africa may also be considered if they are:
  • citizens or permanent residents of countries which have relevant government to government agreements with South Africa
  • asylum seekers or refugees

University of Pretoria website click here

Minimum requirements

Achievement level

English Home Language or English First Additional Language

Mathematics

 

Physical Sciences

APS

NSC/IEB

AS Level

NSC/IEB

AS Level

NSC/IEB

AS Level

4

D

4

D

4

D

30

*  Cambridge A level candidates who obtained at least a D in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the Cambridge system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.

*  International Baccalaureate (IB) HL candidates who obtained at least a 4 in the required subjects, will be considered for admission. Students in the IB system must offer both Physics AND Chemistry with performance at the level specified for NSC Physical Sciences in the table above.

 


Selection Process

  • Sixty (60) first-year students are selected annually.
  • Only first-choice applicants are considered.
  • Conditional selection is based on the final Grade 11 results.
  • Candidates must also comply with the minimum admission requirements.
  • Candidates are required to maintain their Grade 11 averages (in terms of which they were conditionally selected) in the final school examination and ensure that the APS does not drop by more than two points.

Duration of study

4 years, full-time.


Faculty Notes

As an international role-player focusing on healthcare in Africa,  the vision of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Pretoria is to maintain health standards through quality education, research and community service. Since its inception, it has grown to be one of the largest health training institutions in the country and boasts an undergraduate and postgraduate student corps of over 6 000.

Students who join this Faculty will be part of a new generation of health professionals. The Faculty’s training is outcomes-based and problem-orientated – a unique way of looking at patients and their health.


Enquiries about the programme

Click Here
How to apply

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