Anyone trained to be a radiographer as a mature student?

[NormanSicily]

How was it?
It's something I'm seriously considering, but realistically, how likely am I to get on a course? My A levels (including a relevant science) were in 1994 (I do have a BA and an MA, but not in relevant subjects). Will I have to do some extra courses to apply? And how would the training fit in with family life?

Lots of questions! any experiences you'd care to share would be really helpful.

Following as I’ve applied to do this, coming to the end of my access course now.

@AngeloMysterioso Ooo, you are further along than me. Did you do access course due to no A levels, or time lapsed since getting them? and what is access course like duration etc). So many questions! Have you applied for entry this year to Uni?

@NormanSicily a bit of both- I have a-levels and half a degree (had to withdraw from uni for family reasons and ended up not going back) but none science-based, and I left 13 years ago so I wanted to get back into the swing of learning without diving head first into the degree. The AC is a 1-year course, very assignment-heavy but no end of year exams. It’s been hard, but that’s more because I have a toddler and no private study time whatsoever! I have applied and been accepted onto a course at both unis I applied to, although I’m now pregnant so will have to defer a year.

To do radiography where I am (for Portsmouth uni), without A levels or completely 'the wrong, low grade A levels' you need, I understand maths and English GCSE or equivalent ('functional' seems okay) plus a 1-2 year access course which both a local 6th form and a local tech run, full or part time.

The people I know who are on these courses work as HCAs in the X-ray departments during the day. This may have helped them into the access courses? Not sure, but at least they know what they are letting themselves into! 😂

My caveats re:radiography- it appears to be moving ever closer to 12-14 hour shifts, and seven day working. The PT opportunities are ever fewer as all modalities move towards at least 'long-day' working, 7/7.

Nursing is also tough BUT there are many more non-12/14 hour inc Nights career opportunities out there with that. Or Occupational Therapy?

I'm a rad of 37 years. I'm not entirely sure I'd enter the profession today, though you'll never be out of a job!

@AngeloMysterioso congratulations on all counts! I need to find out if an access course would be a good idea for me, I finished the MA in 1999, so a long time ago! I think I'll just have to bite the bullet and risk sounding like a twit and ring someone up and ask. Maybe I'll give a false name!

@Miljea thanks for the info. I have four A levels (ABBC), with the relevant science at grade B, plus an BA and MA in non-science subjects. I'm wondering if my application would be successful on this basis alone, or if I'd need to do an access course. I'm aware of the passage of time since my last formal learning, gulp!

Re: how will the training fit into my family life?

It won't. Not necessarily. You may have placements all over the shop. You may, as our students have begun to- to have to 'shadow' working radiographers, on their 12-14 hour shifts, including nights and weekends.

Coal-face NHS HCP jobs are increasingly non-family-friendly, one reason why there are so many vacancies. And a plundering of the developing world.

And please don't forget how the 'heroic NHS' has been offered a 1% pay rise.

They won't keep clapping you for long.

[quote NormanSicily]@Miljea thanks for the info. I have four A levels (ABBC), with the relevant science at grade B, plus an BA and MA in non-science subjects. I'm wondering if my application would be successful on this basis alone, or if I'd need to do an access course. I'm aware of the passage of time since my last formal learning, gulp![/quote]

Academically, no problem; you shouldn't need an access course at all with those credentials. But the uni might want you to demonstrate how 'passionate' you are about radiography (hence the HCA route); or they might be grateful for a paying 'bum on a seat' who doesn't need teaching basic maths and English...

As an aside, we love maturely qualified staff. Able to talk to patients, strike up a rapport, have more common sense!

@Miljea, aw thanks, I'm banking on that as a selling point!

@AngeloMysterioso turns out the uni admissions want be to do an access course too. Can I ask which course you have just completed please?