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L6Apprenticeship4311 approved provider
The Level 6 Diagnostic radiographer, and the 1 provider delivering it.
Obtaining images of a high diagnostic quality using a range of complex imaging equipment.
About this apprenticeship
What this apprenticeship covers
Apprentices train to become autonomous, HCPC-registered practitioners who produce diagnostic-quality images using X-ray, CT, fluoroscopy, interventional radiology and cross-sectional imaging equipment. The programme covers patient assessment, obtaining informed consent, radiation protection, image evaluation and clinical decision-making. Apprentices also learn to work with vulnerable groups including children, patients with cognitive or physical limitations and those receiving end-of-life care, and develop the professional and legal accountability expected of a registered Allied Health Professional.
Day-to-day responsibilities
A trainee diagnostic radiographer works across imaging departments, wards, emergency departments, theatres and intensive care units. They position patients for X-ray and other imaging procedures, operate complex equipment safely, evaluate the images produced and determine whether further action is needed. They interact daily with patients, carers, porters, nurses, doctors and medical physicists. Shift patterns include evenings, nights and on-call work to support a 24/7 service, and some rotations may involve satellite or mobile imaging units.
Career outlook
Completing this apprenticeship leads to registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and the job title of diagnostic radiographer, the standard entry-level grade in NHS bands or equivalent private sector roles. From there, practitioners typically progress to senior and specialist radiographer positions, with routes into advanced practice, reporting radiography, departmental management or clinical education. Employers include NHS acute trusts, private hospitals, independent diagnostic centres and mobile imaging providers. Demand is consistent given imaging's central role across almost every clinical pathway.
1 approved provider
Sorted by achievement rate.
Health Sciences University
Health Sciences University (HSU) is a specialist health sciences institution offering a range of und...
Career outcomes
Roles after completion
Graduates register with the Health and Care Professions Council and enter practice as qualified Diagnostic Radiographers. In this role they carry out plain film X-ray examinations, support CT and fluoroscopy procedures, and contribute to on-call and out-of-hours rotas from day one. Some move directly into band 6 positions within the NHS, while others take up staff radiographer posts with private imaging providers or independent sector treatment centres.
Progression paths
Within three to five years, many radiographers specialise in a particular modality, moving into roles such as CT Radiographer, MRI Radiographer, or Fluoroscopy and Interventional Radiology Radiographer. Others pursue reporting qualifications and progress to Reporting Radiographer, producing formal image reports alongside radiologists. Longer-term paths split between clinical specialism, for example Advanced Practitioner or Consultant Radiographer, and operational leadership roles such as Superintendent Radiographer or Head of Imaging Services.
Where these roles sit
The majority of posts sit within NHS acute trusts, where imaging departments operate around the clock across general, specialist, and teaching hospitals. Independent sector employers include private hospital groups, mobile imaging companies, and community diagnostic centres, a growing part of the UK imaging landscape. Opportunities also exist in military healthcare, research institutions, and overseas health systems that recognise HCPC registration or equivalent credentials.
How it's assessed
How the apprenticeship is assessed
Learning takes place in a real clinical workplace, with the apprentice gaining practical experience across diagnostic imaging environments alongside structured off-the-job study. Throughout the programme, the apprentice builds evidence of competence across the knowledge, skills and behaviours required for autonomous practice as a registered radiographer. Before final assessment, a readiness check (commonly called a gateway) confirms that the apprentice and their employer are satisfied that sufficient competence has been demonstrated. Final assessment then determines whether the apprentice can independently perform the role to the required standard. Assessment models for many standards are currently being updated, so check the standard's gov.uk page for the current specification.
What learners need to prepare
Building a strong record of workplace evidence from early in the programme makes gateway preparation far less pressured. Apprentices should document clinical encounters, reflection on practice, and evidence of professional conduct as they occur, rather than retrospectively. Working closely with the employer and training provider to track progress against the knowledge, skills and behaviours means gaps can be addressed in good time. Because the role requires HCPC registration on completion, readiness for professional accountability should be treated as an ongoing responsibility, not just an endpoint.
Choosing a provider
What good looks like
Providers delivering this apprenticeship should have a strong working relationship with NHS trusts or private healthcare employers, because the clinical placement quality will largely determine whether a graduate is ready to register with the HCPC. Look for achievement rates above 75% on the FATP profile: completion matters here, as an apprentice who doesn't finish cannot practise. High employer satisfaction scores are a meaningful signal that the provider is genuinely supporting imaging departments rather than leaving employers to manage training alone. Ask specifically whether the provider holds accreditation from the Society and College of Radiographers, which is the professional benchmark for radiography education programmes.
Red flags to watch for
Be cautious if a provider is running large cohorts but achievement rates are declining year on year, since this can indicate stretched clinical placement capacity or poor learner support. Vague answers about how simulation or skills labs supplement placement time is another warning sign: radiography requires hands-on exposure across multiple modalities, including CT, fluoroscopy and plain-film radiography, before an apprentice can practise safely and independently. Providers who cannot clearly explain how they support apprentices working night and on-call shifts, or who show low apprentice satisfaction scores, deserve scrutiny before you commit.
Questions to ask before you commit
- Which NHS trusts or private imaging departments do you work with as placement partners, and how do you quality-assure those placements?
- How does your programme cover all the key modalities, including CT, fluoroscopy and plain-film radiography, given that apprentices will need broad exposure before HCPC registration?
- Is the programme accredited by the Society and College of Radiographers?
- What is your current achievement rate for this apprenticeship, and how has it changed over the last two years?
- How do you support apprentices who are working unsociable hours, including nights and on-call shifts, while maintaining their academic study?
- What happens if an apprentice's placement provider cannot offer access to a specific modality required by the standard?
- Can you connect us with employers or graduates from previous cohorts so we can ask about their experience?
Common questions
What entry requirements does a candidate need to start a diagnostic radiographer apprenticeship?
Candidates typically need level 3 qualifications such as A-levels or equivalent, with science subjects being particularly relevant. They must be employed in a suitable clinical setting where they can gain hands-on imaging experience throughout the programme. Employers should check the specific academic requirements set out in the occupational standard on the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE) website, as entry criteria can vary by training provider.
How long does the apprenticeship take and how does training fit around the job?
The typical duration is around 36 months, though the current off-the-job training requirements are subject to revision under ongoing Skills England reforms. Apprentices remain employed throughout, working in a diagnostic imaging department while completing academic and practical learning. Check the current specification on gov.uk for up-to-date requirements on training time, as figures may have changed since this page was last updated.
How is the apprenticeship assessed and what is the gateway?
Before taking the end-point assessment, the apprentice must pass through a gateway, where the employer and training provider confirm the apprentice has demonstrated the required knowledge, skills and behaviours. Assessment models for many standards are being updated, so the exact format may differ from earlier versions. The current assessment plan is published on gov.uk and sets out what the apprentice must demonstrate to achieve competence as a registered practitioner.
How does an employer pay for a diagnostic radiographer apprenticeship?
The funding band for this standard is £24,000, which caps what the government will contribute. Levy-paying employers draw training costs from their digital apprenticeship service account. Non-levy employers, typically SMEs, pay 5% of training costs and the government covers the remainder. If the apprentice is aged 16 to 18, smaller employers with fewer than 50 staff may pay nothing at all. Costs are paid directly to the training provider, not as a wage supplement.
What does a diagnostic radiographer apprentice actually do day to day?
Apprentices work in diagnostic imaging departments, conducting X-ray, CT and fluoroscopy examinations, assessing and obtaining consent from service users, and evaluating image quality to determine next steps. They interact with patients across a wide range of conditions, including children and those with complex needs, as well as nurses, doctors and other allied health professionals. They also cover mobile imaging on wards, including emergency, intensive care and operating theatre settings, and contribute to shift-based and on-call rotas.
What can a diagnostic radiographer do after completing the apprenticeship?
Completing the apprenticeship leads to eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a diagnostic radiographer. From there, practitioners can progress into specialist areas such as CT, MRI, interventional radiology or breast imaging. With experience, routes open into advanced and consultant practitioner roles, management, education or research. Some go on to postgraduate study. The registration requirement means this qualification carries the same professional standing as other entry routes into the profession.
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Curated by Alex Lockey, FATP founder and editor. Last reviewed: .
Sources include the apprenticeship's official specification on apprenticeships.gov.uk, Skills England guidance, IfATE archive records, DWP funding bands, and provider data sourced directly from the public Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Standard reference: 431.
Some sections on this page were drafted with AI assistance from published source data and reviewed by a human editor before publication. See our editorial methodology for how we maintain this content. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.