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University of South Australia (UNISA)

Adelaide , South Australia ,Australia

Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy)

This is the only degree of its kind in South Australia, preparing you for a rewarding career in the highly specialised field of radiation therapy.

Radiation therapists work alongside radiation oncologists and medical physicists to plan and deliver radiation treatment, primarily to cancer patients. Using dedicated radiotherapy treatment planning software, radiation therapists model radiation doses and operate radiation equipment to accurately deliver high energy ionising radiation treatments.

As a radiation therapy student, you will learn in state-of-the-art on-campus facilities, including our Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training (VERT) suite, where you will gain valuable hands-on experience. Further practical experience is gained during field placements. You’ll complete over 1,750 hours of clinical placements, complemented by an in-depth theoretical component taught by our award-winning teachers.

With a suite of state-of-the-art radiation therapy technology located on-campus, it's easy to see why this degree is so highly regarded both nationally and internationally.

High achieving students may be considered for the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) (Radiation Therapy) program in the third year.

Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant National Board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.

During your first year you will focus on basic sciences at the core of the study and practice of medical radiation science. You will cover a range of topics, including anatomy, physiology, pathology and radiation physics. These core subjects offer an introduction to medical radiation and the scientific principles surrounding it.

Applying these concepts to professional practice occurs through clinical placements, which begin in your second year and continue through third and fourth year.

Throughout your studies you will take part in regular pre-clinical preparation workshops to further extend your skills as you move into advanced areas of practice.

You will also complete an honours project in your final years under the supervision of an experienced researcher and report on this project through a thesis and oral presentation. This will allow you to develop advanced research skills and complete training courses in research methods and ethics.

Campus Information

Adelaide- City East

Study in the heart of the city centre, in an area rich in history and culture. City East is home to modern health science facilities.

Intakes

  • Feb
  • July

Application Processing Time in Days: 14

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

In Australia, growth for medical radiation science professionals has been on the rise with career prospects continuing to look strong1.

To be successful in this field, you should enjoy working with people and technology, helping sick or injured people, working a variety of hours, be interested in the human body, being challenged by new ideas, and being part of a team.

Radiation therapy professionals work in a variety of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • private practice
  • medical equipment companies
  • research and development

You can also gain future employment in specialist areas such as:

  • brachytherapy
  • stereotactic radiotherapy

PSW Opportunity

Bachelor Degree or Masters by Coursework Degree - 2 years - 3 years (Adelaide)

Masters by Research - 3 years - 4 years (Adelaide)

PhD qualification - 4 years - 5 years (Adelaide)

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education

  • Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent
    AND
  • Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
  • Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE,
    or
  • Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

OR
Higher education study

  • Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
  • Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
    OR

Vocational Education and Training (VET)

  • Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Diploma level or above
    OR

Work and life experience

  • Qualify for Special Entry, or
  • Complete a 12-month UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
  • Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past.