Radiography apprenticeships at University of Cumbria: reflecting on what we have learnt so far

Hayward, Tim, Bradshaw, Kimberley ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5322-2238 , Hemmings, Laura, Mataka, Samantha and Youll, Michael (2025) Radiography apprenticeships at University of Cumbria: reflecting on what we have learnt so far. In: UK Imaging and Oncology Congress 2025 (UKIO 2025): Community & Consciousness: One Health, 2-4 June 2025, Liverpool ACC, UK.

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Abstract

Background: The radiography ‘top-up’ degree apprenticeship programme at the University of Cumbria has successfully created a unique opportunity for Assistant Practitioners to progress their careers. Building on the skills obtained through their foundation degree, students ‘earn as they learn’ to qualify for HCPC registration after 18 months of intense study. Commonly, students on this pathway remark that they are not academic and have reservations about being able to complete the programme. Despite this, students consistently achieve excellent results, evidenced in the programme’s attainment data.

Purpose:
- Discuss the importance of radiography apprenticeship provision in higher education.
- Provide an overview of the radiography ‘top up’ pathway at the University of Cumbria.
- Reflect on our own journey with the programme and what we, as a team, have learnt so far.
- Reflect on plans for the future.
- Celebrate our student success stories.

Summary of Content: This submission aims to reflect on our apprenticeship programme, the approaches we utilise in our teaching and reflect on the success rates of our apprenticeship students. As well as discussing the importance of radiography apprenticeship provision, we aim to share the lessons we have learnt from running our own programme, in order to share best practice and new ideas with other educators.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Poster)
Departments:	Institute of Health > Medical Sciences
Additional Information:	Tim Hayward, Kimberley Bradshaw, Laura Hemmings, Samantha Mataka, Michael Youll, all Senior Lecturers/Lecturers in Medical Sciences/Medical Imaging at the University of Cumbria, UK.
Depositing User:	Kimberley Bradshaw
Date Deposited:	20 Mar 2025 12:13
Last Modified:	24 Mar 2025 09:15
URI:	https://insight.cumbria.ac.uk/id/eprint/8725

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