Radiation Therapy

Course Outline
The MSc Radiation Therapy is an accelerated 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.

Why Choose This Course
This dedicated Graduate Entry programme offers an accelerated 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 on-going 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 Erasmus 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 with students completing over 1200 hours of clinical placement in sites in Cork University Hospital and other private hospitals in the South/South West region of Ireland.

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

Modules
Year 1, students take 60 credits as follows:
RA6101 Biological Sciences for Health Professionals
RA6102 Treatment Planning, Localisation and Verification
RA6103 Medical Radiation Science and Radiobiology
RA6004 Principles of Research and Research Methodology
RA6105 Professional Practice in Radiation Therapy 1
RA6106 Professional Practice in Radiation Therapy 2

Year 2, students take 60 credits as follows:
RA6107 Advanced Imaging and Radiation Science Applications
RA6108 Professional Practice in Radiation Therapy 3
RA6109 Professional Practice in Radiation Therapy 4
RA6010 Service Provision and Healthcare Management
MH6032 Effective Communication in Healthcare
RA 6012 Research Dissertation

Modules
Further details on the modules listed above can be found in our book of modules. Any modules listed above are indicative of the current set of modules for this course but are subject to change from year to year.

University Calendar
You can find the full academic content for the current year of any given course in our University Calendar.

Requirements
Applicants must satisfy the following:

1. Candidates 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.

2. Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on:
- Educational qualifications,

- Academic achievements outside of 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.

3. Shortlisted applicants will be invited for 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.

4. All applicants accepted onto the programme will need to have evidence of appropriate vaccinations for working in hospital environments.

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
This programme will be subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy.

English Language Requirements
Applicants that are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements.

For applicants with qualifications completed outside of Ireland:
Applicants must meet the required entry academic grade, equivalent to Irish requirements.

International/non-EU applicants
For full details of the non-EU application procedure please visit our how to apply pages for international students. In UCC, we use the term programme and course interchangeably to describe what a person has registered to study in UCC and its constituent colleges, schools, and departments.

For more information please contact the International Office.

Closing Date: 14 March 2022.

How Do I Apply

1. Choose Course
Firstly choose your course. Applicants can apply for up to two courses under one application. Details of taught courses are available on our online prospectus.

2. Apply Online
Once you have chosen your course you can apply online at the online application portal. Applicants will need to apply before the course closing date. There is a non-refundable €50 application fee for all courses apart from the Education - Professional Master of Education - (Secondary School/Post-Primary Teacher Training) which has a €100 application fee.

Applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Public Health Nursing must apply on the PAC website when the programme opens for applications.

3. Gather Supporting Documents
Scanned copies of the following documents will need to be uploaded to the online application portal in support of your application. Applicants may need to produce the original documents if you are accepted onto a course and register at UCC.

- Original qualification documents listed on your application including transcripts of results from institutions other than UCC

- Any supplementary items requested for your course.

Please log into the online application portal for more details.

4. Application processing timeline
Our online application portal opens for applications for most courses in early November of each year. Check specific course details.

5. Rounds
For courses that are in the rounds system (Irish and EU applicants), please check the rounds closing dates below.

Questions on how to apply?
Please use our web enquiry form to contact us.

Additional Requirements
Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

You may 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.

Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.

Please upload certification of current registration with the appropriate professional body.

Please enter the names and email addresses of 2 referees.
Deposit

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

Deferrals
Deferrals are not permitted on this course

The closing date for non-EU applications is 14 March 2022.

2 years full-time.

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