Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Honours) (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 more than 1,750 hours of clinical placements, complemented by an in-depth theoretical component taught by our award-winning teachers.

As part of your studies you will also independently develop a research proposal, conduct a research project and write a thesis under the supervision of one of our researchers.

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.

This honours degree is only available to students studying the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) who have met the grade point average (GPA) requirements and have been made an offer into the degree.

What you'll need 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.

Entry requirements

Admission 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.

This program is for students of the University of South Australia studying in Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) with a competitive GPA.

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

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.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

As a medical radiation science student, you will benefit from our strong industry links. You will also learn from experienced medical radiation professionals on campus and during work placements. Work placements offer the opportunity for you to build practical skills and enables and encourages the building of valuable industry networks and relationships.

Throughout your studies, clinical specialists will also come on campus to teach you about current technologies and practices such as Positron Emission Tomography (PET) Imaging. You will also work alongside leading researchers when you complete an independent research proposal, project and thesis.

We host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Your career

In Australia, growth for medical radiation science professionals has been on the rise with career prospects continuing to look very strong, with an expected 11,000 job openings over the next five years.1 You should enjoy working with people, with 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 may also gain employment in specialist areas such as:

• brachytherapy
• stereotactic radiotherapy.

1Australian Government Department of Jobs and Small Business, 2023 Small Business Projections.

This honours degree is only available to students studying the Bachelor of Medical Radiation Science (Radiation Therapy) who have met the grade point average (GPA) requirements and have been made an offer into the degree.

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

As a medical radiation science student, you will have access to our state-of-the-art on-campus Virtual Environment Radiotherapy Training (VERT) suite. We're one of only seven universities in Australia to host VERT, a three-dimensional treatment room where you are able to treat virtual patients using equipment identical to equipment used by practitioners in real-life. You will also have access to software packages for planning.