Student profiles

Some current and recent students explain what it's like to study Radiography, Therapeutic BSc (Hons).

Sophie Main

I’d always wanted to be part of the caring profession but couldn’t quite decide what I wanted to do until I read through Kingston and St George’s prospectus and found therapeutic radiography.

“The course started in September and the first term was a common foundation programme, where we studied alongside people doing other health disciplines such as physiotherapists, nurses, medics and midwives.

“After that we started to learn about the most common cancers. There's a variety of work: some of it is facts and figures regarding different cancers, as well as learning about patient care and communication. Some of the work is undertaken in groups and some of it is guided study, where you're given a subject and time off to go away and learn about it independently.

“The clinical placements are great. You get a real feel for what life will be like once you're qualified, as well as putting the theory you've learnt into practice. I always understand the theory a lot more after being on placement because I can see the way everything works.

“I've thoroughly enjoyed the course (even the stressful times ended up being positive ones – and that’s the truth). I’ve not only developed a career I love, but in the process had the best time of my life and met some fantastic people.”

Christina Gonzalez-Castro

Anna Burton

"My name is Anna, I grew up in Wimbledon, South London, and still live here!

"I'm studying therapeutic radiography, which is a three year course and I'm in my third and final year.

"My advice for students coming on this course is just to stick with it. The first term can be a shock, but it settles down after that, and it really is worth it in the end.

"I chose to study at St George's because of the brilliant reputation it has, the location as it was close to home already, and the opportunity to mix with lots of different medical and health-professional students.

"The social life at George's is really varied, there are always different events going on to cater for all kinds of tastes and hobbies. Plus the SU bar is great and really cheap!

"In the future I would love the opportunity to work abroad, and then to either work as a research radiographer or at Macmillan support."

Ohe Amoah-Kusi

"My name is Ohe and I am currently studying Therapeutic Radiography (Radiotherapy) at St George’s University of London. As a young man I was always fascinated with the human body and how it works, therefore, anatomy and physiology seemed like an obvious area of study to pursue. Radiography covers exactly that; which started my passion for helping people with medical problems.

"Radiography is an interesting career as it uses ionising radiation to accurately target cancer cells and inhibit their growth. Radiographers use a linear accelerator which is a complex, sophisticated machine which produces the highly energising x-rays. As Radiotherapy is given in daily fractions over several weeks, we see the patients on a day to day basis; so this allows us to build a good rapport with them.

"The course is structured well. We have a lot of clinical placements throughout the course, which enables us to combine our theoretical knowledge with practice in order for us to be proficient radiographers. The placements also allow us to gain an insight into the demands of the role of a Radiographer and the clinical expectations required.

You also have mentors who are there when you need support in anything you are struggling with, even at your clinical placement. The mentors are very friendly and easily approachable which makes the course even more enjoyable as you know you have support whenever you need it.

"The degree is not easy, so in order to do the course you need to have excellent communication skills, determination and ambition. If you consider yourself to have these traits then Radiography is the profession to choose.

"Over the past two years, I have enjoyed myself at the University and at my clinical placement, and I am looking forward to qualifying and start my working life as a Therapeutic Radiographer."

View more student profiles on Kingston's website.

Get more information about life as a radiography student at the joint Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences website.