Level 3 Diploma in Medical Imaging and Radiology

1. Foundations of Medical Imaging and Radiology : Introduces the role of diagnostic imaging, fundamental radiological terminology, basic anatomy for imaging, patient pathways, imaging departments, healthcare professionals and the contribution of medical imaging to clinical diagnosis and treatment.

2. Radiation Physics and Principles of Image Formation : Develops knowledge of X-rays, electromagnetic radiation, radiation production, interactions with matter, attenuation, exposure factors, image formation, contrast, resolution and the scientific principles underlying diagnostic imaging.

3. Diagnostic Imaging Modalities and Equipment : Examines the principles, applications and basic equipment of conventional X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, ultrasound and other diagnostic imaging technologies, including their strengths, limitations and common clinical applications.

4. Patient Care, Communication and Imaging Procedures : Covers patient identification, communication, dignity, privacy, consent awareness, preparation for imaging, positioning principles, infection prevention, accessibility, patient reassurance and safe interaction before, during and after imaging procedures.

5. Radiation Protection and Imaging Safety : Develops understanding of radiation hazards, justification, optimisation, dose awareness, shielding, protective equipment, controlled areas, occupational protection, patient protection, pregnancy considerations and prevention of unintended exposure. WHO identifies justification and optimisation as the fundamental principles of radiation protection in medical imaging.

6. Image Quality, Quality Assurance and Clinical Risk : Covers image-quality characteristics, common artefacts, repeat analysis, equipment performance, quality-control principles, quality-assurance documentation, clinical risk, incident awareness, error prevention and the relationship between diagnostic image quality and radiation exposure.

7. Applied Medical Imaging and Radiology Practice : Requires learners to integrate their knowledge through an applied assessment involving an imaging modality, patient pathway, radiation-safety issue, image-quality problem or quality-improvement activity, supported by evidence-based recommendations and professional reflection.

• Develops foundational knowledge of medical imaging and radiology.

• Builds understanding of radiation physics and image formation.

• Introduces the major diagnostic imaging modalities and their uses.

• Develops patient-centred communication and imaging-care awareness.

• Strengthens radiation protection and imaging-safety knowledge.

• Develops awareness of image quality and quality-assurance principles.

• Builds understanding of clinical risk and safe imaging practice.

• Provides a foundation for further medical-imaging and healthcare education.

• Supports development toward appropriate imaging-support roles, subject to local scope-of-practice requirements.

The qualification is suitable for:

• Learners seeking foundational knowledge in medical imaging and radiology.

• Healthcare-support personnel working within or alongside diagnostic imaging services.

• Medical-imaging assistants and healthcare support workers.

• Learners preparing for further study in radiography, medical imaging or healthcare science.

• Healthcare professionals developing additional knowledge of imaging technologies and radiation safety.

• Individuals interested in diagnostic-imaging support and related healthcare careers.

Assessment Format: Written examination, medical-imaging case studies, radiation-physics activities, modality assignments, patient-care scenarios, radiation-protection assessments, image-quality exercises and an applied Medical Imaging and Radiology Practice assessment.

Total Questions: 40 questions, consisting of multiple-choice, short-answer and scenario-based questions, supported by assignments and applied evidence.

Passing Score: Minimum 50% in the written examination and successful completion of all mandatory unit assessments and the applied practical/project component.

Duration: 90 minutes for the written examination, with additional assessment time allocated to assignments, case studies and applied activities.

Certification: Level 3 Diploma in Medical Imaging and Radiology

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the Level 3 Diploma in Medical Imaging and Radiology may progress to:

• HiQual UK Level 4 qualifications in Medical Imaging, Radiology, Healthcare Science, Healthcare Technology or related disciplines.

• Higher education programmes in Diagnostic Radiography, Medical Imaging, Radiologic Technology, Healthcare Science or related healthcare disciplines, subject to the receiving institution's requirements.

• Specialist training in radiation protection, imaging equipment, image quality, healthcare technology and imaging quality assurance.

• Appropriate healthcare-support and imaging-service roles, subject to employer, jurisdictional and scope-of-practice requirements.

• Continuing professional development toward advanced study in medical imaging, radiography, clinical science, healthcare technology or healthcare management.

For regulated radiography practice in the UK, learners would need to complete the relevant approved education and training pathway and meet HCPC registration requirements; this diploma should not be presented as independently conferring professional registration.