BSc Radiography

BSc Radiography is the common name for Bachelor of Science in Radiography. As an undergraduate course, it can be applied for by aspirants after they have completed their 10+2 education. Radiography is an allied course of medical sciences and a bachelor's programme in the field provides technical competence to enrolled students in handling machinery and equipment used in the medical sector. 

The duration of BSc Radiography is between three and four years. Interested students can apply for the course with the help of scores obtained in entrance exams such as NEET UG, AIIMS, or independent college entrance exams. There are part-time courses available along with full-time courses and one cannot pursue online courses in this area.

BSc Radiography can help students to pursue entrepreneurship or become technical research assistants for medical research projects in areas of cancerous diseases. There is also an option to pursue higher education in Radiography. In India, the best colleges for BSc Radiography courses are AIIMS, CMC Vellore, and KPC Medical College and Hospital. The course can cost students anywhere from INR 6,000-10,00,000 depending on their university and duration.

Here are the highlights of BSc Radiography courses in India:

Radiography is an allied course to medical sciences. It deals which the technical equipment used to provide imagery or digital representation of the anatomy and physiology of the patient,  for example, an X-ray, and sonography. Medical equipment is a huge part of diagnosis and treatment procedures, however, the doctors and other medical staff do not have competent knowledge to work the same. 

While the importance of medical equipment is enough to establish the importance of Radiography, let us find out some other reasons why one should choose BSc Radiology:

• Persistent Demand: There is a need for medical technicians who can work with complex machinery which is used for the treatment of patients. Moreover, many advancements in medical sciences are dedicated to finding technological solutions to support the treatment process. This creates a persistent demand for radiographers and going out of the job or not having any employment options is not in sight.
• Moderate to High Salaries: The persistent demand combined with the expertise required to operate required machinery makes the job of a radiographer an important one. They are hence paid well. Moreover, with experience, these salaries grow. If the machinery is too complex to work through, then the radiographer hired is paid extremely well for their assistance in using the same.
• Scope of Entrepreneurship: The area of radiography allows an option to start one's own business. Radiographers can set up their own outsourcing business. They can tie up with hospitals and clinics for their job services, which will allow them to have an outlet within the hospital premises. Alternatively, they can open a lab where they complete radiography needs as directed by the doctor of the patient.
• Wide Career Scope: There is a wide range of opportunities available for radiographers, especially in the current era of digitalisation. As complex machinery becomes a part of almost every speciality and research project, it becomes inevitable to hire radiographers who are experts in working the same. The number of opportunities also allows for career advancement opportunities for radiographers.

BSc Radiography courses are technically inclined courses. Hence, it is not possible for teaching structures to be available in distance formats, that is in the form of private and online education. Students need to attend their classes in person to successfully attain their degrees. 

The type of in-person courses available for students of radiography are:

• Full-time Courses: Full-time courses are the most common and recognised type of BSc Radiography courses available for students interested in the field. They need to attend their classes as scheduled for the day in a typical working week for a period of three to four years.
• Part-time Courses: There are part-time courses available for students who cannot schedule their daily hours to attend all the classes. However, as mentioned above, the course is a technical one and many subjects require the personal presence of students. Hence, even in part-time courses, students have to attend their classes in person. In the case of part-time courses, the course completion takes two to three years more than the usual duration.

The nature of the application of BSc Radiography courses requires students to have a high level of expertise. It is hence important that students enrolling for the course have the capability to cope with the study material, rigorous training, and eventually the responsibilities of their job profiles. This is why entrance exams may be conducted for admission to such courses. Some of the popular entrance exam scores accepted by Indian medical colleges offering BSc Radiography courses are:

• NEET-UG: Students who have completed their 10+2 education in biology, chemistry, and physics are eligible to sit for the medical colleges’ entrance exam of NEET for undergraduate degrees. Students who wish to pursue Radiography can use their NEET UG scores to apply for admission to their chosen medical colleges.
• AIIMS BSc Courses Entrance Examination: AIIMS BSc Courses Entrance Examination is conducted by AIIMS Delhi for admission to undergraduate medical and allied courses. Students who wish to pursue BSc Radiography courses at AIIMS can use the test scores for application. Owing to its reputation, the test scores are acceptable by medical colleges nationwide.
• State Entrance Tests: While NEET UG is a national-level entrance test, there are various state-level entrance tests conducted for admission to medical colleges coming under state jurisdiction. Students can use these test scores to apply to relevant colleges, such as Andhra Pradesh Engineering, Agriculture, and Pharmacy Common Entrance Test (AP EAPCET).  
• College Entrance Tests: Many medical colleges in India conduct their own independent entrance tests as well. In order to get admission to these colleges, students need to appear for the same. Some of the popular independent entrance tests are Common University Entrance Test (CUET), Delhi University Entrance Test (DUET), etc.

The eligibility criteria of BSc Radiography courses are simple and straightforward. In order to get considered for admission to medical colleges offering BSc Radiography, students need to have:

• Completed their 10+2 from a recognised board of education in India,
• An aggregate of 50% or above in 10+2 education,
• Completed their 10+2 in biology, chemistry, and physics as mandatory subjects, and
• Equivalent or higher marks than mentioned cut-off score in the acceptable entrance test.

Students who had different subject combinations in their 10+2, other than Biology, Chemistry, and Physics can also apply for BSc Radiography courses if they fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• Should have completed their 10+2 education,
• Must have obtained an aggregate of 50% or above in 10+2,
• Must have completed a two-year certificate or diploma course in Radiography, 
• Must have scored an aggregate of 50% or above in certificate or diploma course, and
• Should have obtained equivalent or higher marks than mentioned cut-off score in the accepted entrance test.

Students can get admission to BSc Radiography courses in India on basis of their previous academic performance. This academic performance can be either of merit in their 10+2 education, or enough to satisfy the cut-off score in their applied entrance test.

Merit-Based Admission Process

In the case of the merit-based admission process, students’ performances in their 10+2 education and certificate or diploma courses are considered. As per the Indian educational standards, students need to have an aggregate of at least 85% or above to be considered meritorious for bachelor’s courses. 

If the university from where the certificate/diploma has been completed is highly competent, then an aggregate score of 65% and above is considered meritorious enough for direct admission.

The direct or merit-based admission process can be defined as:

Step 1: Shortlist the colleges which offer BSc Radiography courses and whose eligibility criteria can be satisfied.

Step 2: Compile all the relevant documents, such as the 10th final mark sheet and all the mark sheets acquired in the 11th and 12th standards.

Step 3: Fill out the application form along with compiled documents while stating the intention of getting direct admission on the basis of eligibility criteria mentioned by the college.

Step 4: Await the confirmation letter with either the enrollment ID or asking for the first semester’s fee submission.

Entrance-Based Admission Process

Students who are unable to satisfy the eligibility criteria for direct or merit-based admission to medical colleges shall have to use the entrance tests to apply for BSc Radiography courses. The entrance-based admission process has been mentioned in detail below:

Step 1: Shortlist the colleges and check the acceptable entrance tests and respective cut-off scores, if already mentioned.

Step 2: Attempt the acceptable entrance test and await the results of the same.

Step 3: Compile the application documents, such as the 10th, 11th, and 12th final mark sheets. The scorecards of certificate/diploma courses are also required when applying on their basis.

Step 4: On scoring equivalent or more than the cut-off score, fill out the application form and submit it along with the entrance test scorecard and other compiled documents.

Step 5: Await the confirmation letter or admission lists.

Here are some of the top Indian medical colleges for BSc Radiography courses, along with their respective fees:

BSc Radiography courses due to their core study are more relevant in global areas where technology is advanced. Hence, there is a scope for good career opportunities along with research opportunities, especially in developed and developing nations.

Here are some of the top foreign universities which provide BSc Radiography courses and the countries they are located in:

BSc Radiography course fees are dependent on the type of college one seeks enrolment in. As is the norm in India, government colleges charge a much minimal fee, however, it is extremely hard to get a seat in them. The overall course fees are also affected by the course duration.

Here are some of the parameters which identify the course fee for BSc Radiography courses in India:

BSc Radiography syllabus is designed to cover the deeper aspects of diagnostic and therapeutic radiography. The syllabus structure is highly affected by the exam type and course duration. However, in all cases, the concepts and subjects cover the same topics and follow the same methods of teaching. The course is delivered through a combination of theoretical and practical teaching methods.

Here is the common syllabus of a three-year BSc Radiography course:

First Year

Second Year

Third Year

A graduate of BSc Radiography can pursue a career in the field as a Radiographer or Radiographist. Here are some of the job options available to graduating students:

• In-house Radiographer at hospitals, 
• In-house Radiographer at clinics,
• Junior or Senior Technician at Radiography Labs,
• Radiographer at Research Centres,
• Teaching Assistant at medical colleges offering BSc Radiography courses,
• Own an independent Radiography Lab,
• Job at Lab Equipment outsourcing and maintenance companies,
• Technician and Advisor at pharmaceutical companies, etc.

As previously established, a graduate of BSc Radiography courses can pursue a career in either diagnostic or therapeutic radiography. Additionally, they may establish their laboratories as independent businesses. Here are the popular job profiles of a BSc Radiography graduate and their annual salaries in India:

In India, the top recruiters of BSc Radiography graduates are:

• AIIMS,
• Medical Coding Solutions,
• Infinity College of Education,
• Manipal Health Enterprises,
• Super NDT Services,
• Dr D. Y. Patil Medical College Hospital and Research Centre,
• Institute of Advanced NDT Technology, etc.1

To have a successful career as a Radiographer, the following skills are necessary:

• Technical Skills: These are a given requirement for radiographers. They need to work with digital machinery to aid the doctor in diagnosing the patient's woes. To properly operate the machinery, they need to have a skill and a general understanding of how the machines work.
• Analytical Skills: Sometimes the radiographers need to assist doctors in understanding the imagery produced by the radiography machines. This is especially common when the technology is still new and in the initial testing processes. In this case, radiographers also require analytical skills to help doctors properly diagnose the results shown by the technology used.
• Observational Skills: Radiographers work with the technological support of medical sciences. The complex nature of science is reflected in the technology used as well. Hence, radiographers need to have good observation skills to understand the work and decode the same for the doctor or patient, as the case may be. 
• Medical Knowledge: While working in the medical sector, it is inevitable to not be knowledgeable about the terms and other relevant aspects. Radiographers need to communicate with doctors, nurses, other medical staff, and patients on a regular basis. Hence, it is important that they understand the language and even the working structure at the hospital and clinics.
• Management Skills: It is not possible for radiographers to work on a single project or patient during the whole day. They not only need to be accurate while generating digital imagery for the patients but while drawing the supporting report as well. Moreover, the number of patients will also require a semblance of work balance and prioritisation. These factors make it important for radiographers to have management skills.
• Visionary Mindset: While this is not applicable to technicians working on the basic levels of radiography in the medical sector, this skill is relevant for career advancement in the field. As the expertise grows, radiographers need to assist with research and experiments in the medical sector. They also need to provide input on how the technology can be made more supportive and advanced. Hence, as key team members of research projects, they need to have a visionary mindset.