B.Sc in Radiology: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

BSc Radiology Overview

BSc Radiology is an undergraduate programme that lets students be a part of the healthcare sector once you graduate. It is a three-year degree course that includes scanning and taking pictures of the body following certain careful protocol. This helps in diagnosing diseases and is therefore responsible for the advancement of the medical sector to a great degree. 

The BSc Radiology subjects are designed in such a way that by the end of the course, students become adept at the different ways of radiographic imaging and can extract all the detailed information from them. To pursue a career in Radiology, candidates must have passed their 10+2 in the Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics as preferred subjects. 

Admissions to the top colleges and universities that offer BSc in Radiology courses are conducted through examinations or are merit-based. Students who wish to go for further studies in this sector can go for MSc, MPhil, PhD in this field. 

BSc Radiology provides a stable career and ample job opportunities such as radiology technician, radiography, assistant radiologist, medical image analyst and more. Read on to find out all the pertinent details about the BSc in Radiology programme including its benefits, colleges offering the course, syllabus, admission process, entrance exam and so on. 

BSc Radiology Course Highlights

The following is a list of the highlights when it comes to a BSc in Radiology Course. This three-year programme is one of the most upcoming and in-demand courses for young enthusiasts looking to get into the world of medicine. It is also a fantastic opportunity to build a stable and interesting career in the healthcare industry. 

The table below illustrates the highlights involved in a BSc Radiology course -

When to do a BSc Radiology Course?

Knowing when to start preparation for a BSc in Radiology course is the primary step towards reaching the goal of bagging a stable and well-paid job in the healthcare sector. This will enable all aspiring candidates to get admission in the top rated colleges and universities offering and consequently, to get a good job in a reputed hospital or nursing home where both the salary and the work environment will be holistic and good for further career development. 

The following offers an idea as to when one must start with their preparation to bag a admission in BSc Radiology: 

• Candidates can take admission in BSc in Radiology courses after qualifying their 10+2 or 12th grade standard examination from the Science stream (with Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics);
• Candidates can also pursue a BSc in Radiology course if they have completed a valid diploma course in the same or related field. Through lateral entry, candidates can get admitted in the second year of the BSc in Radiology degree programme.

Who should do a BSc Radiology Course?

Candidates must know why they should even go for a BSc in Radiology course when there are other programmes available in the healthcare sector. To give a proper understanding, given below are the types of candidates who should do a BSc Radiology course:

• Candidates who are interested in working in the healthcare sector or the medical industry, but do not want to deal with the requirements it takes to become a doctor or pursue a nursing career.
• Candidates who want to pursue a career in the radiology department of a hospital or nursing home, working on X-Rays, MRIs and so on.
• Candidates who have interest in diagnosing diseases by looking at the scan reports of patients can consider a BSc in Radiology as a viable programme.
• Candidates who might someday want to work in the archaeology industry where MRI and other imaging techniques have high importance.
• With a BSc in Radiology, candidates can also work in the forensic department of any crime branch. Candidates who are interested in assisting the police can also look into radiology as a viable career option.

What are the Benefits of Choosing a BSc Radiology Course?

There are several reasons for candidates to choose a career in radiology. To get ahead in that direction, candidates should definitely opt for a BSc in Radiology course. The following points are all the benefits of choosing a BSc in Radiology course: 

• The radiology sector is one of the most growing areas in the world of healthcare. There are a ton of jobs available in the medical sector including Radiologist (MD), Radiology Technologists/ Radiographer, Radiology Technicians, Ultrasound Technician/ Diagnostic Medical Sonographer, MRI Technician, CT Tech/ CAT Scan Technologist/ CT Scan Technologist;
• As of 2019, India only has about 10,000 radiology technologists. For a country of around 136.6 crore people, this number is very low. Therefore, an influx of candidates who have completed their BSc in Radiology course will be needed to fill the gap. Otherwise, a shortage will arise in the next 5 years. Thus, there are plenty of stable jobs available in the radiology sector; 
• It is expected that there will be a tremendous increase in the radiology sector by the year 2026. The industry is expected to grow at a rate of 8.7% from 2020 to 2027. With government schemes and new technologies trickling in from abroad, the radiology industry in India is expected to absorb more and more new talent in the coming years;
• Another benefit of pursuing a BSc in Radiology is that the BSc in Radiology subjects are significantly easy and interesting to study. Even the topmost exam to get into the Fellowship of Royal College of Radiologists (FRCR) is fairly simple, with questions that students will like solving; 
• Another great benefit candidates can get if they pursue a BSc in Radiology Course is that aspirants can start their own clinic. They should, however, be sure to know that the imaging equipment needed come costly and therefore, opening their own clinic will require significant investment;
• The salary of a radiologist is also nothing to be sneered at - around INR 18 lakhs per annum is offered to those with some years of experience;
• Another interesting benefit includes the fixed working hours when it comes to pursuing a career in BSc in Radiology. Students do not have to be engaged all day, every day. Hospitals usually hire radiologists in their department for six days a week and a maximum of eight hours a day; 
• Being a radiologist affords students the respect they deserve and enables them to diagnose a disease at the earliest so that the doctor can then treat it as soon as possible, therefore saving the patient’s life in the process.

BSc Radiology Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a clear idea about the eligibility criteria for BSc in Radiology Course before they apply to any institution and plan to build a career in this field. The eligibility criteria for BSc in Radiology are as follows: 

• Candidates must have cleared their 10+2 or 12th grade examinations from a recognised board of education and from a registered institution with Science as their mandatory stream in order to qualify for a BSc in Radiology Course.
• Candidates must have secured a minimum aggregate of 50 per cent or above in order to qualify for BSc in Radiology, with the compulsory subjects of Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics.
• Candidates must clear all the required entrance examinations as specified by different institutions in order to study BSc in Radiology.

BSc Radiology Course Admission Process

BSc in Radiology admissions are undertaken in a way similar to other medical degree courses. This means that to get admission in a BSc in Radiology Course, the admission process is of two types. The first one includes the merit-based admission process where universities that offer a BSc in Radiology programme let candidates get admitted in the UG course via the marks they secured in their 10+2 from a recognised board and institution. The second one includes the admission to the UG course in Radiology via the entrance examinations available in different institutes or at a national level.

BSc Radiology Course Merit-Based Admission 

The following are some of the pertinent points required for admission in BSc Radiology based only on merit:

• There are several universities that take admission in their BSc in Radiology courses based on merit;
• The candidates who want to study in such BSc in Radiology Colleges must fill out the application form that will be released by most colleges during the months of May and June;
• The BSc in Radiology Colleges will then release their cutoff marks and merit list subsequently once they go through all the admission forms that have been submitted. After checking all of these important details, candidates are eligible to take admission in the respective colleges;
• The last step is to book the seat by paying the BSc in Radiology Fees as mentioned by the institute and confirm your admission.

BSc Radiology Course Entrance Based Admission 

The following are some of the pertinent points required for admission in BSc Radiology based on the entrance examinations that are conducted:

• There are several universities that take admission in their BSc in Radiology courses based on the entrance examinations that are conducted by the respective institutions or at a national level;
• The selection is performed using the marks that are obtained by a candidate in the entrance examinations;
• The candidates have to check out the BSc in Radiology Syllabus for the entrance examination. It mainly consists of the mandatory science subjects that are Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics. English is also included in some BSc in Radiology Colleges which hold their own entrance examinations; These questions are usually from the subjects mentioned above, especially from what is taught in classes 10 to 12;
• The candidates then have to check the different websites of the entrance examinations for all the exam notifications and then fill out the Application Form;
• After the admit card is released, students will have to appear for the entrance examination;
• Usually, both the board marks and the entrance marks are taken into consideration - 60% from the entrance exam and 40% from the marks secured in the board exam;
• If the candidate gets selected in the entrance examination, then they will have to appear for the counselling process, lock their allotted seats and then take admission; 

Make sure to pay the admission fee and keep the details for future reference. 

BSc Radiology Entrance Exams

NEET

National Eligibility cum Entrance Test is a national-level exam that is conducted to provide admissions to the premier medical institutions in the country. Several BSc in Radiology Colleges accept NEET Exam scores for offering admission to their BSc in Radiology and Imaging Courses. 

AIIMS

All India Institute of Medical Sciences conducts the AIIMS entrance exam for BSc in Radiology Courses. The entrance exam scores are important for admission to the BSc in Radiology, MSc in Radiology and other courses. This is one of the most prestigious entrance exams for admission to BSc in Radiology Course in the best BSc in Radiology Colleges in the country. 

BSc Radiology Types

There is expected to be a boom in the healthcare sector over the next couple of years. More and more radiologists and imaging technicians will be required by 2023, enabling lots of aspirants to get stable jobs in the radiology industry. This will propel many students interested in the medical and paramedical stream to seek admission in the top BSc in Radiology colleges in India. Looking at the popularity of the BSc Radiology programmes, the courses are offered by different colleges as Full Time, Online and Distance Mode. 

BSc in Radiology - Full Time Course 

The following are the criteria for admission in the full time course of BSc in Radiology that all candidates need to go through before applying:

• BSc full time courses are available for all those candidates who have secured 50% in their 10+2 or 12th grade from a recognised institution and board of education;
• The duration of the full time course is 3 years;
• Most of the admission takes place via merit-based rank list. But, there are certain BSc in Radiology Colleges that take admission based on entrance examinations;
• The course fee ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 10 lakhs.

BSc in Radiology - Online Course 

The following are the criteria for admission in the online course of BSc in Radiology that all candidates need to go through before applying:

• There are a host of different educational websites that offer online BSc in Radiology courses. These include Coursera, Udemy, Emagister and more;
• Usually, an online BSc in Radiology Course has a duration of a few weeks to three months, depending on the kind of information you want to absorb;
• There are a few self-paced courses available as well;
• The fees for BSc in Radiology online courses range from INR 20,000 to INR 30,000;
• Online courses usually do not get the credit they deserve even today. It is always beneficial to take a look at all the fine details of the course offered before joining it.

BSc in Radiology - Distance Course 

The following are the criteria for admission in the distance learning courses of BSc in Radiology that all candidates need to go through before applying:

• There are a host of different educational institutions that offer BSc in Radiology courses in a distance learning mode. These include Brainware, Vinayaka Missions Research Foundation, Atria University, The Global Open University, CMJ University, IGNOU and more;
• Usually, an online BSc in Radiology Course has a duration of up to 6 years, depending on the kind of information you want to absorb;
• There are a few self-paced courses available as well;
• The fees for BSc in Radiology online courses range from INR 20,000 to INR 60,000;
• Distance courses usually do not get the credit they deserve even today. It is always beneficial to take a look at all the fine details of the course offered before joining it.

Difference between BSc Radiology Course and Other Courses

There are many courses that students can consider other than BSc in Radiology. These include BSc in Radiography, BSc in Imaging Technology and more. The eligibility criteria for these programmes are very similar. Candidates who are interested can choose a course by looking at their field of interest, fee structure, course details, syllabus and so on. 

BSc Radiology vs BSc Radiography 

BSc in Radiology and BSc in Radiography are both three-year undergraduate programmes which deal with imaging, scanning and medical analysis of the same in order to diagnose a patient in the best way possible. 

There are, however, certain key differences in the two fields. BSc in Radiography ensures that you get proper training in the ways to handle all medical imaging equipment such as X-Rays, MRI Scanners, Sonographs, Fluoroscopes, Ultrasound Scanners, PET Scanners and so on. This field of study does not require too much talent or specialisations and the risks involved are minimal at large. 

BSc Radiology, on the other hand, is not only concerned with the medical imaging equipment but also deals with the diagnosis of a patient. Therefore, candidates who study BSc in Radiology are almost equivalent to a specialised doctor profession who are liable to diagnose patients and recommend further recourse. This field of study requires talent and is at large, a bit riskier. 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in India

Recent developments in the world of medical imaging technology and radiology have opened up a wide space for more and more recruitments. This has led to several students from all over India to opt for the 3 year undergraduate degree in Radiology and its applied fields. Several BSc in Radiology Courses have opened up in colleges all over the country, in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and so on. With an evolving medical sector, BSc in Radiology has emerged to be a top contender in the education and job market. All the Bsc in Radiology Colleges available in the following lists have been added after careful consideration of reviews provided. 

The following are some of the best BSc in Radiology Colleges in India where candidates can take admission in BSc in Radiology, along with their tuition fees.

BSc in Radiology City-wise Top Colleges in India

The metropolitan cities of India have a host of the best BSc in Radiology Colleges for all aspiring candidates. When it comes to studying BSc in Radiology and completing the BSc in Radiology Course fruitfully, it is not just the fees that matters. The distance of the college from a candidate’s home is an important factor in this process. Since many BSc in Radiology aspirants do not want to travel outside their home state in search of one of the good BSc in Radiology Colleges that are available, the following lists have been prepared for their benefit. All the Bsc in Radiology Colleges available in the following lists have been added after careful consideration of reviews provided. 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in New Delhi 

The following are the top Bsc in Radiology Colleges that operate in New Delhi: 

• AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences), New Delhi
• Jamia Hamdard, New Delhi 
• Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital and Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, New Delhi 
• Govind Ballabh Pant Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research, New Delhi 
• SGT University - Faculty of Engineering and Technology (SGTU), Gurgaon 
• Sharda University, New Delhi
• Delhi Institute of Technology and Paramedical Sciences (DITPS), New Delhi 
• Nimt Education Group, Greater Noida 
• Manav Rachna International Institute of Research and Studies, Faridabad, New Delhi 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in Mumbai 

The following are the top Bsc in Radiology Colleges that operate in Mumbai:

• Topiwala National Medical College (TNMC), Mumbai 
• D Y Patil University, Navi Mumbai 
• MGM Group of Institutions, Mumbai 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in Chennai 

The following are the top Bsc in Radiology Colleges that operate in Chennai: 

• Madras Medical College (MMC), Chennai 
• Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute (SRMCRI), Chennai 
• Government Kilpauk Medical College (GKMC), Chennai 
• MIOT International, Chennai 
• Liberty High Scans Private Limited (LHSPLA), Chennai
• Vijaya Educational Academy (VEA), Chennai 
• Scanworld Education and Research Institute (SERI), Chennai 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in Bangalore

The following are the top Bsc in Radiology Colleges that operate in Bangalore: 

• Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (VIMS), Bangalore 
• MS Ramaiah Institute of Applied Sciences, Bangalore
• Dr BR Ambedkar Medical College, Bangalore 
• Raja Rajeshwari Medical College and Hospital, Bangalore 
• Sapthagiri Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre (SIMSRC), Bangalore
• BGS Global Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore
• Bangalore Baptist College, Bangalore

BSc in Radiology Course in Abroad

Interested students can also choose to study a BSc in Radiology course abroad. The top countries for BSc in Radiology include the US, UK, the Netherlands, Canada and Germany. In these countries, radiology is often paired with nuclear medicine and medical imaging which cover areas such as neuroradiology, radiotherapy, interventional radiology, oncology and investigative radiology. 

To be able to study BSc in Radiology abroad, Indian students might have to take ACT or SAT along with English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE Academic. The duration of BSc in Radiology abroad ranges between three and four years with focus on the  vast topics of abdominal imaging, breast imaging, cardiothoracic imaging, among others.

Eligibility Criteria for BSc Radiology Abroad Admission

The following are the eligibility criteria that are required to be fulfilled for admission to the BSc in Radiology courses abroad: 

• Clearing basic requirement English proficiency test such as TOEFL, IELTS and so on;
• Clearing SAT or ACT and passing several stages of interviews, as required by the university;
• Passing 10+2 from a recognised institution and board of education;
• Passing 10+2 with good marks of the range of a minimum of 60%;
• Submitting Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LORs), academic CV (if applicable) and academic transcript;
• May need to provide a letter of intent in case of certain universities abroad.

BSc Radiology Abroad Top Colleges

The following is a comprehensive list of the BSc in Radiology colleges where aspiring candidates can study abroad. The lists provided below have focused mainly on the USA, UK, Canada and Australia. The average fees to study BSc in Radiology in foreign universities is INR 8 to INR 50 lakhs. 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in USA 

The following are the top BSc in Radiology Colleges that operate in USA: 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in Australia

The following are the top BSc in Radiology Colleges that operate in Australia: 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in Canada 

The following are the top BSc in Radiology Colleges that operate in Canada: 

BSc Radiology Top Colleges in United Kingdom (UK)

The following are the top BSc in Radiology Colleges that operate in the UK: 

BSc Radiology Syllabus

BSc in Radiology is a developing field in the paramedical sector today. For those who aspire to be students of BSc in Radiology, it is pertinent to know exactly what to expect from the Bsc in Radiology Course. Apart from BSc in Radiology fees, the top colleges and admission procedure, aspirants also need to know the syllabus that the course structure demands. The following provides a detailed list of the BSc in Radiology Syllabus for all aspiring candidates. 

First Year BSc Radiology Syllabus

The BSc in Radiology Syllabus for the first year is as follows: 

Second Year BSc Radiology Syllabus 

The BSc in Radiology Syllabus for the second year is as follows: 

Third Year BSc Radiology Syllabus 

The BSc in Radiology Syllabus for the second year is as follows: 

BSc in Radiology Subjects

All the pertinent subjects belonging to the Science stream, such as Physics, Biology, and Chemistry are included in the BSc in Radiology Course. Mentioned below are the BSc in Radiology subjects that one should expect to study:

• Principles of Medical Imaging
• Medical Biochemistry
• Radiographic Technique
• Para-Clinic Training
• Human Anatomy
• Radiation Physics
• Radiographic Equipment
• Quality Control
• Diagnostic Radiology and the Drugs
• Community Healthcare
• Health and Indigenous Population

BSc in Radiology Course Required Skills

There are certain skills that will help students pass their BSc in Radiology course with flying colours. The required skills when it comes to a BSc in Radiology Course are as follows: 

Observational Skills: One of the most important skills for a radiologist - students must be able to observe all the details in reports and through medical imaging equipment to provide the best results. 

Organisational Skills: One must make sure that they are good at management because haphazardly kept reports and scans can prove dangerous for patients. 

Problem-solving Skills: Radiologists will be listening to people’s physical ailments and problems a lot. Hence, being understanding and finding solutions is in the job description. 

Interpersonal Skills: A radiologist might have to calm patients down or provide hope, while maintaining their professionalism and doing their job to the best of your abilities. 

Analytical Skills: Looking at reports and making an accurate diagnosis through proper analysis is a must for every radiologist. 

Research Skills: Not everything will be present in the textbooks that one must have read. Therefore, it is important to be able to conduct research when dealing with a difficult situation. 

Medical Knowledge: Having some basic medical knowledge is a must for every radiologist. 

BSc in Radiology Course Career Options

X-Ray Technician: X-Ray Technicians are required in hospitals, nursing homes, clinics and other diagnostic centres to operate the X-Ray machines and provide results and diagnoses. 

Radiographer: Radiographers are those professionals who use x-rays and other medical imaging devices in order to diagnose what disease a patient has. They serve the role of treating patients with the help of radiation and imaging techniques.

Therapy Radiographer: These radiographers serve in the oncology department of all hospitals and cancer clinics. They are at the helm of all those departments in hospitals in which  radiation is used to treat cancer. 

Radiation Protection Specialist: Radiation Protection Specialists generally serve in those  hospitals where they help to find out ways to lessen and stop damage caused by radiation. It is their responsibility to keep a check on the radiation levels present in X-Ray machines and so on. 

Diagnostic Radiographer: Diagnostic Radiographers are radiology professionals working in hospitals, nursing homes, or other diagnostic centres whose main job is to use their training in radiology to operate x-ray and ultrasound machines. This helps to diagnose the diseases in patients.

BSc Radiology Course Average Salary

Graduates in Radiology have a lot of opportunities now when it comes to career options as illustrated above. They can work in clinics, nursing homes, hospitals, labs and so on. The average salary that can be expected depends on work experience, skills, grades and more. 

BSc in Radiology Course Best Books

The following are some of the best books for those who wish to pursue a career in the field of radiology. These include:

• Unofficial Guide to Radiology: 100 Practice Abdominal X-Rays by Daniel Weinberg 
• Grainger and Allison’s Diagnostic Radiology: The Spine by Jonathan H Gillard 
• Textbook Of Radiology Physics by Singh Hariqbal