Radiological Protection

Why study with us?

This new qualification has been specially designed for those who wish to enhance their career potential in the radiation protection sector. The course has strong academic content supported by a practical work-based element. It helps you to develop the skills you need to move from a practical or technical role to a professional career in Radiation Protection.

The course covers the academic requirements for legal recognition by the UK regulators as a Radiation Protection Advisor (RPA) or a Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA). This qualification is recognised by the Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) for TechRP membership status.

What can this course lead to?

If you successfully complete the foundation degree, you will be eligible to progress onto the third year of the BSc (Hons) Radiation Protection. This involves a further six modules over 18 months.

Resources and facilities

We have a great team of lecturers who are enthusiastic about sharing their extensive knowledge to build your radiation protection expertise. Small groups facilitate enhanced learning and close friendships.

Our facilities are based at the Energus Academy in West Cumbria which is a centre of excellence for skills training, education and business support equipped with a host of state-of-the-art facilities. The university’s Learning Gateway West provides a range of study and learning facilities such as free laptop loan with wireless internet as well as all the usual study facilities.

The university shares its radiation science laboratory facilities with other groups who are studying at the campus which broadens the range of equipment available to students and each module uses laboratory sessions to support the academic course input.

If you have not studied for a while or need help with modern study skills we have online help and advisors available.

Entry requirements See course specific entry requirements listed below.

More about levels and credits

Selection criteria

• One science A-level at grade C or above
• A minimum of five GCSEs grade A*-C (including English, Maths and Science)
• You will already be employed or have secured employment in work with a strong radiation protection component.

Equivalent academic qualifications in appropriate subjects will be acceptable. We recognise that many people who are interested in developing their career will have significant work-based experience and that some may not fully meet the academic entry requirements. All applicants will be considered on their individual merits.

Credit can be given for prior and experiential learning. If you have the evidence to indicate that you can meet the learning outcomes for up to two modules, you will be considered for exemption from them and automatically awarded the credits.

Costs

Click the links below to view fee information for your home location.

Home

The tuition fee for students starting study in the 2013/14 academic year is £6,200 (including an automatic £800 fee discount). This fee is billed annually. For part-time students, the annual fee is calculated based on the number of years you take to complete your course. For example, a student studying part-time for six years may expect to pay £3,100 per year (where the full-time option takes three years).

As a part-time UK student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 (if you're from England) or £15,795 (if you're from Scotland). For more information about student loans and grants, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Part-time students may be eligible for one of 40 NSP awards worth up to £3,000.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several awards and support funds available to our current students, including:

• Achievement scholarships
• Outstanding performance awards
• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year has been set at £6,200 (including an automatic £800 fee discount). The tuition fee for students starting study in the 2013/14 academic year is £6,200 (including an automatic £800 fee discount). This fee is billed annually. For part-time students, the annual fee is calculated based on the number of years you take to complete your course. For example, a student studying part-time for six years may expect to pay £3,100 per year (where the full-time option takes three years).

As a part-time EU student, you are entitled to a tuition fee loan which doesn’t have to be repaid until you start earning £21,000 a year (or the equivalent in your country). For more information about student loans, visit our student finance page.

Additional funding

National Scholarship Programme

The National Scholarship Programme is designed to support students with a household income of less than £25,000. Part-time students may be eligible for one of 40 NSP awards worth up to £3,000.

Additional contact information

For more information, email alan.marsh@cumbria.ac.uk or call 01524 385475.

Modules

Year one

• Overview of Radiation Protection
• Maths and Computing for Radiation Protection
• Physics for Radiation Protection
• Biological Basis of Radiation Protection

Year two

• Health and Safety at Work
• environmental Radiation Protection
• Ionising Radiations Legislation
• Radiation Protection for Employees

Year three

• Control of Radiation Exposure
• Communicating Radiation Risk
• Radiation Detectors
• Research Project

Course summary

We have worked closely with nuclear and non-nuclear sectors including industry, regulatory, medical and other academic partners. The syllabus has been constructed to give you a broad-based grounding in radiation protection.

The course is delivered by a combination of university staff and experts from the sector depending on the module you study. It is designed to link the experience you gain at work with the knowledge gained at university. Assignment and project titles will be developed with you and your employer to maximise the relevance of your work experience.

The course is offered part-time, allowing you to learn while you earn. It is designed so that you will only need to study one module at a time, with just one week of intensive university-based study per module making it accessible nationwide.

Each module requires only one week of classroom/laboratory study together with five weeks study in the workplace including assessment. while in the workplace, you will have a mentor to ensure that you get the most from on-the-job learning. You will also use this time to develop your portfolio to assist in obtaining RPA or RWA status.