Radiography Courses Details Update, Eligibility, Scope and Job Prospect
Radiography Courses: Radiography is one of the most promising career options in the paramedical field. Employment prospects for radiographers are good, both within the country and overseas.
If you want to see yourself as a radiologist, then you can refer this article for a complete guide on courses, eligibility, scope and job prospect. I will be discussing the following with you
- Radiography and Radiographers
- List of Courses in Radiography
- What’s their Salary?
- Institutes/Colleges
- Jobs & Career Opportunities
- About the Salary
- Frequently Asked Questions
Radiography and Radiographers
Radiography is a paramedical professional course, offered to individuals who will one day perform diagnostic tests in medical treatment with the use of radiation.
In simple terms, radiography may be described as the science of taking images of the internal and hidden portions of the human body to diagnose diseases and ailments. This includes the use of ultrasound, X-ray, CT scan, MRI, etc.
This profession calls for considerable technological expertise. Radiographers work as a part of the healthcare team in the Diagnostic Imaging Department, Accident & Emergency, Intensive Care Unit and Operating Theatre.
Radiographers, in short, are trained to take x-rays, MRIs, CT scans, etc. Sometimes, radiographers are also involved in giving radiotherapy treatment to cancer patients. Radiographers who can also perform the ultrasound test are known as sonographers.
A career in radiography can be very promising. The demand for radiographers has increased considerably in recent times, with significant technological development in medical sciences, creating new job opportunities.
(Please note that radiographers are different from radiologists. Radiologists are doctors who specialize in interpreting diagnostic images like X-rays, MRI and CT scans. They can also perform interventional procedures (such as an angiogram or biopsy).
Radiography Courses Details: List of Courses in Radiography
Bachelor’s Degree Courses
Well, known Bachelor’s Degree radiography courses available in India are-
- B.Sc. Medical Imaging Technology
- B.Sc. Medical Technology (Radiography)
- B.Sc. Radiography
- B.Sc. Radiography and Imaging Science
- B.Sc. X-Ray Technology
- B.Sc. Medical Radiologic Technology
- B.Sc. Radiology and Imaging Technology
It is evident from the list of courses that Bachelor’s Degree radiography programs are variants of Bachelor of Science course. Let us check out more details about Degree courses.
Duration: The course duration is 3 years.
Eligibility criteria: “10+2 Science stream passed with PCM (Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics) subjects from a recognized board” is the minimum qualification set by the majority of institutes offering this course.
Note: In the case of some institutes, 10+2 passed with Science stream subjects will also do the trick! Minimum aggregate mark criteria, if present, is generally around 50% aggregate marks in Science subjects.
Admission process: Depends on the institute. It could be a merit-based admission process or direct admission process.
If the merit-based admission process is followed in an institute, marks scored by a candidate in board exam and/or relevant entrance test will be taken into consideration.
Some reputed institutes are also known to conduct their own private screening/entrance test and interview.
PG courses and further studies: Pursuing the PG course enhances one’s skills and also could help one specialize in disciplines within the field of radiography.
M.Sc. and PG Diploma courses are well known PG course formats available in front of graduates. For further advanced studies, one could choose a relevant Ph.D. program.
M.Sc. or PG Diploma programs can be pursued by graduates to specialize in areas within the field of radiography. Some such well-known areas of specialization include-
- CT Scan
- Fluoroscopy
- Angiography
- MRI
- Mammography
- Sonography
- Surgical Radiography
Diploma Courses
Diploma courses are shorter in duration when compared to Degree courses that have been mentioned above. Diploma Radiography courses are offered by numerous private and Government institutes in India. Let us check out some of the popular courses-
- Diploma in Radio Imaging Technology
- Diploma in X-Ray Technology
- Diploma in CT Scan Technology
- Diploma in MRI Scan Technology
- Diploma in Medical Radiography
- Diploma in ECG Technology
- Diploma in Diagnostic Radiography
Duration: Depending upon the institute and the nature of the program, course duration could be anywhere between 1-2 years. A standard Diploma in Radiography course is 2 years long.
Eligibility criteria: “10+2 Science stream passed from a recognized board” is the minimum qualification set by the majority of institutes offering this course. Note: In the case of some institutes, just being 10+2 passed will also do the trick! Minimum aggregate mark criteria, if present, is generally around 50% aggregate marks in Science subjects.
Admission process: Depends on the institute. It could be a merit-based admission process or direct admission process. If the merit-based admission process is followed in an institute, marks scored by a candidate in board exam and/or relevant entrance test will be taken into consideration. Some reputed institutes are also known to conduct their own private screening/entrance test and interview.
PG courses and further studies: Valid Diploma qualification holders may secure admission in relevant B.Sc. courses discussed in the previous section. After completing a Bachelor’s Degree course, one may then go for advanced courses like M.Sc./PG Diploma and Ph.D.
Certificate Courses
Certificate radiography courses are not as valuable or detailed as their Degree and Diploma counterparts. But certificate courses are pretty short when it comes to course duration. They also help acquire key radiography technician skills.
Such a course can help one get an entry-level technician job at diagnostic labs. Certificate in X-Ray Technology, Certificate in Diagnostic Radiography and Certificate in Radiography Technician are some of the popular certificate courses related to the field of radiography, which is available in India.
Duration: Depending upon the institute, course duration could be anywhere between 3 months to 1 year.
Eligibility criteria: 10+2 or 10th passed (depending upon the norms set by the institute) from a recognized board.
Admission process: Depends on the institute. It could be a merit-based admission process or direct admission process.
What’s their Salary?
In India, the average starting salary of a radiographer ranges between Rs.7,000 – Rs.10,000 per month in government/private hospitals. However, earnings are more in private practice as compared to salaried jobs.
Opportunities are also there in gulf countries and the Middle East countries. In these countries, radiographers get salaries between Rs.30, 000 – Rs.50, 000 per month. In the UK, the average starting salary of a newly qualified Radiographer is around £17,000 per year which is much more than what it is in India.
Radiography Courses Details: Institutes/Colleges
Ansari Nagar, New Delhi
Course: 3-year B.Sc. (Radiography) degree
Eligibility: Those students who have passed B.Sc. can look for admission in some of the
Southern hospitals where they provide one-year diploma courses in which local
students are given preference.
Poddar Management and Training Institute
B-31, Tilak Nagar, Jaipur-302004
Course: 2 years program in Radiography
4th T Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore – 560 041
Ph: 080-26961933, 26961935
Website: http://www.rguhs.ac.in/
Course: B.Sc. Radiography
Department of Radiology, Radiotherapy, Radiodiagnosis & Radiation Medicine
Delhi-110095
Website: http://www.du.ac.in
Course: M.D. in Radiodiagnosis
P.G. Section, 215, IV floor
Service Block Building
Tata Memorial Hospital, Parel
Mumbai – 400 012
Fax: 022-4146937
Tel.: 24177000 Ext. 4665
Website: www.tatamemorialcentre.com
Course: PG Diploma in Radiotherapy Technology, MD Radiodiagnosis, Radiotherapy
Plot No. EL-182, MIDC-TTC, Electronic Zone
Behind Nelco, Shape, Navi Mumbai-400 710
Maharashtra, India
Tel: 27610921/22/23, 27612324, 27631508
Tel: 32936355, 65160805, 65168100/8200
Fax: +91-(22)-27612044
Course: NDT Radiography Testing Level I Certification Training
Eligibility: Candidate should have a minimum of High-school level education
Duration: 40 hours
Sector-12, Chandigarh PIN- 160 012, INDIA
Phone: EPBAX: 0091-172-2747585
Fax: 0091-172-2744401, 2745078
Email: [email protected]
Website: http://pgimer.nic.in/
Dhanvantri Nagar, Gorimedu, Pondicherry – 605 006, India
Telephone Exchange (keyboard) Lines: (0413) 2272380 – 90 (11 lines), 2272132,
2272181, 2272337, 2272339, 2272342, 2272738, 2272142(Casualty)
Telex: 0469-244 JIP IN
Fax: (0413) 2272067 (Director), 2272066(Dean), 2272735(M.S.)
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: http://www.jipmer.edu/
Jobs & Career Opportunities
A career in working as a radiology technologist is a smart choice!
It is a demanding profession.
The career and job opportunities in the field of radiography are very extensive. The demand for radiographers has been increased in recently, with the development in technologies the medical science created a new and wide scope in radiology.
In India, the radiographers can work both in private & government hospitals. Numbers of jobs are available on part-time and full-time work.
After completing your course you will become a radiographer. The radiographers perform the ultrasound test which is known as sonography. The employment prospects for radiographers are vast, both within the country and overseas.
Radiographers are constantly in demand in various health centers like nursing homes, hospitals, diagnostic centers as well as super-specialty hospitals.
The radiology field is expanding vastly in the area of medicine. Due to advances in computer technology, this field gets the advantage as it is closely linked to modern imaging.
You are provided with the job as per your specialization, experience, and skills. There are several career paths available in the radiology field.
Job Profile in Radiography:
- Radiology Technician
- Radiology Assistant
- Radiologist
- Radiology Technologist/Radiographer
- Radiology Nurse
- Ultrasound Technician / Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- MRI Technician
- CT Tech / CAT Scan Technologist / CT Scan Technologist
Common working places where a radiologist can work:
- Government Hospitals
- Private Hospitals
- Public Health Centres
- Diagnostic Labs
- Nursing Homes
There are lucrative jobs for the radiologists. Mostly, radiologists are required in hospitals.
In India, Radiology is growing at a rapid pace!
About the Salary
How much does a radiologist make?
A radiologist will get the salary depending upon their job titles. The average pay of a radiologist is $ 79,037 per year. In India, an average salary of Rs 545,630 per year has been paid to the Physician / Doctor, Radiologist.
A physician/Doctor/Radiologists need not think about salary, their salary is good as compared to other professions.
Radiography Courses Details FAQ
Ques.: What are the educational requirements?
Ans.: Radiologists are physicians, so you will need to receive an undergraduate degree (Bachelor of Science, for example) and then attend medical school to get an M.D. You will then need to pass a licensing examination, and complete at least 4 years of graduate medical education (residency).
The following are some reference books on how to get into medical school. They books may be available at a local public library or can be purchased from many book stores:
- The AAMC Official Guide to Medical School Admissions
- Barron’s Guide to Medical and Dental Schools
- Medical School Admissions: The Insider’s Guide
Some medical schools have pre-med programs for undergraduates. Knowing the requirements for medical school is important when choosing an undergraduate school.
Ques.: Where can I find a list of medical schools?
Ans.: Try searching online at sites like:
Association of American Medical Colleges
Liaison Committee on Medical Education
Ques.: How much money does a Radiologist earn?
Ans.: Refer to the Physicians and Surgeons section in the online Occupational Outlook Handbook from the U.S. Dept. of Labor
Ques.: Can you direct me to other sources of information for medical students?
Ans.: If you’re interested in a radiologic subspecialty, you might wish to contact a related organization.
Many universities require you to have visited an imaging or radiotherapy department before they will accept you onto the program. If you’re having difficulty arranging an observational visit, your chosen universities should be able to help. Contact the diagnostic or therapeutic radiography admissions tutors directly and ask for their help.
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CSN Team.
