Computed Tomography

The MSc Computed Tomography (CT) course is aimed at radiographers working in clinical CT. It has been developed to encompass contemporary technological advances in CT and to provide a platform for discussion of clinical and evidence-based CT practice.



The course aims to foster the individual, personal and professional development of the postgraduate radiographer, in order to achieve a high level of competence in CT scanning. It endeavours to cultivate a critically questioning approach to CT practice and fosters the necessary skills to apply knowledge in relation to complex decision-making. It also encourages radiographers to advance research in the field of CT.



The MSc CT leads to a UCD Level 4 award (equivalent to NQAI Level 9) and takes sixteen months to complete. It is delivered in five modules: two technology modules, two professional practice modules and one advanced CT Imaging module. The technology and professional practice modules are shared with the Graduate Diploma in CT.



Developments in CT scanning have opened up new clinical applications and have led to improvements in the diagnosis of disease. The MSc CT builds on appropriate existing clinical practice skills to enable radiographers to become specialists in CT imaging. This course confers clinical competence and thus there is an emphasis on the development of clinical skills and integration of theory and practice. During the course, students must undertake a minimum of 900 clinical hours under the guidance of a named clinical supervisor to gain the necessary specialist clinical skills in CT scanning.



What Will I Learn?

• 1. Analyse the CT principles underpinning justification, optimisation and dose constraints so as to keep radiation doses as low as reasonably achievable (ALARA);

• 10. Initiate and implement constructive change in the workplace or in the wider CT profession.

• 2. Apply the most appropriate CT imaging protocol to an individual patient and perform image processing (MPR/MIP/VRT) on CT data-sets;

• 3. Demonstrate intellectual depth, breath and adaptiveness in relation to routine and multiphasic CT clinical practice and technology topics;

• 4. Evaluate and critique CT protocols and images;

• 5. Integrate and apply new CT knowledge to clinical CT practice and employ critical thinking and problem solving skills to clinical CT practice;

• 6. Work as part of a team or individually to develop communication & presentation skills.

• 7. Synthesise individualised protocols based on given clinical scenario’s;

• 8. Demonstrate knowledge & understanding of current CT reconstruction methods and clinical applications such as dual energy, cardiac, spectral and perfusion CT imaging;

• 9. Perform manipulation of CT data sets including Cardiac, Angiography and Colonography CT data-sets.



NFQ Level: 9 (90 credits)

Level: Graduate Taught

Award: Master of Science

Stage 1 Options - A) 4 of:

Year One Core Modules

RDGY40590: Technology of Computed Tomography I

RDGY41200: Professional Practice of CT I

RDGY40610: Technology of Computed Tomography II

RDGY41210: Professional Practice of CT II



Stage 1 Options - B) Min 1 OF

Year 2 – UCD and RPL) all students will register to RDGY40840 in September.

RDGY40840: Advanced Computed Tomography Imaging

Criteria for standard entry applicants

• This programme is open to any radiographer with at least one year post qualification experience.

• Candidates must have Department of Health approval to practise radiography in Ireland or Health Professions Council approval to practise radiography in the UK & Northern Ireland.

• Candidates are required to undertake a minimum of three months of clinical experience in CT scanning prior to commencing the course and provide documented evidence of this.

• Candidates must arrange their own clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 925 hours gaining practical experience in CT over the duration of the course.

• Candidates are required to arrange for a suitably qualified clinical supervisor to oversee their clinical experience. Details must be provided to the Academic Programme Co-ordinator during first week of course.

• A clinical hours declaration form (available below) must be signed by your Radiographic Services Manager, indicating agreement to provide the requisite number of clinical hours during the course and confirming the requisite pre-course clinical experience in CT pre-clinical hours declaration form (available below). This must be submitted together with other necessary documentation specified in the on line application process.



Eligibility criteria for applicants with an existing postgraduate qualification in CT

• Candidates holding an existing Graduate Diploma or equivalent in CT who wish to pursue the award of MSc in CT may, subject to approval by the Academic Programme Director and Graduate Taught Programmes Committee, apply for accreditation of prior learning for part of the 90 credits required for the award of MSc. Applications will be considered on an individual basis once they have satisfied the entry requirements and the Universities accreditation of prior learning policy. Applicants may sometimes be required to do additional modules to RDGY40840 in order to gain the full award of MSc CT.

• Applicants must have maintained a work practice record in CT since obtaining their Graduate Diploma qualification and they must provide evidence of the same. Transcript of results and Course Syllabus / Curriculum documents must be provided by applicants who obtained their CT qualification from a University other than UCD.

• Applicants must arrange their own clinical placement and provide evidence of an agreement to spend a minimum of 305 hours of their clinical time in CT during the course of this module. This must be signed by the Radiographic Services Manager, indicating agreement to provide the requisite number of clinical hours during the module.

• Applicants who have undertaken their Graduate Diploma at UCD must rescind their UCD-awarded Graduate Diploma before the award of MSc CT is awarded.

• Please contact the programme director for further information.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme.



Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page (https://tinyurl.com/2ae2ffax) for further information. Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

16 months full-time.

Delivery: On Campus

X075: Master in Computed Tomography Full-time

Master of Science



Full-Time: Commencing September 2025

Graduate Taught