Best Universities for Radiography in the UK 2027
The University of Lincoln ranks first for radiography in 2027, followed by the University of Exeter in second. The University of Worcester, Bangor University, the University of Liverpool and the University of Portsmouth share third place. The Unifresher ranking compares 29 universities with complete subject-level data across eight supplied measures.
Radiography is a regulated healthcare profession with two main routes: diagnostic radiography and therapeutic radiography. Students therefore need to compare much more than the headline rank. The exact HCPC-approved programme, clinical placements, simulation facilities, patient-contact training, radiation safety, support and total cost of studying all matter.
Why this ranking is student-first: radiography students spend substantial time in clinical settings as well as university. Unifresher combines teaching and support with graduate outcomes, affordability, safety and the wider student environment so applicants can build a realistic shortlist.
Top universities for radiography in 2027
The podium contains six universities because four share third place. Lincoln leads overall, Exeter has the highest graduate-earnings figure in the complete ranking, while Worcester, Bangor, Liverpool and Portsmouth each reach the same third-place score through different combinations of support, teaching and student-life measures.
University of Lincoln
Lincoln
Lincoln leads the ranking with £28,000 graduate earnings and 86% academic support.
University of Exeter
Exeter
Second overall and the highest-earning university in the published radiography table.
University of Worcester
Worcester
Joint third with 88% teaching quality and £28,500 graduate earnings.
Bangor University
Bangor
Joint third, with perfect support and the lowest cost-of-living index in the ranked table.
University of Liverpool
Liverpool
Joint third, with 93% teaching quality and the joint-highest social-life result.
University of Portsmouth
Portsmouth
Joint third and one of the strongest course-delivery results in the ranking, with 98% support.
How the radiography ranking works
Eight supplied measures create the final comparison
The final score is built from the per-metric ranks supplied in the radiography dataset. Higher overall totals rank more strongly. Cost of living is treated as an affordability measure, so a lower cost index receives the stronger per-metric position.
Radiography University Rankings 2027
Search or sort all 29 ranked universities. The wider table also shows the safety, cost, social-life and pub-density measures contributing to the supplied score.
| Rank | University | Graduate earnings | Satisfaction | Teaching | Academic support | Safety index | Cost index | Social life | Pubs / sq mile | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Lincoln Lincoln | £28,000 | 78% | 89% | 86% | 74.41 | 63 | 76 | 7 | 92 |
| 2 | University of Exeter Exeter | £32,500 | 79% | 82% | 91% | 66.71 | 67 | 78 | 6 | 91 |
| 3 | University of Worcester Worcester | £28,500 | 79% | 88% | 92% | 61.79 | 65 | 73 | 8 | 89 |
| 3 | Bangor University Bangor | £28,500 | 76% | 90% | 100% | 73.47 | 59 | 68 | 0 | 89 |
| 3 | University of Liverpool Liverpool | £28,500 | 71% | 93% | 100% | 51.45 | 68 | 84 | 11 | 89 |
| 3 | University of Portsmouth Portsmouth | £28,500 | 77% | 96% | 98% | 47.27 | 68 | 79 | 10 | 89 |
| 4 | University of Hertfordshire Hertfordshire | £28,500 | 71% | 97% | 96% | 78.31 | 70 | 74 | 1 | 88 |
| 5 | University of Plymouth Plymouth | £26,000 | 75% | 95% | 98% | 59.14 | 67 | 77 | 4 | 87 |
| 6 | University of Suffolk Ipswich | £28,500 | 76% | 93% | 94% | 60.89 | 63 | 70 | 4 | 86 |
| 7 | University of the West of England, Bristol Bristol | £29,000 | 74% | 93% | 90% | 57.03 | 73 | 82 | 9 | 84 |
| 8 | Canterbury Christ Church University Canterbury | £29,000 | 73% | 88% | 94% | 68.66 | 70 | 71 | 1 | 75 |
| 9 | Sheffield Hallam University Sheffield | £28,500 | 73% | 93% | 86% | 57.09 | 68 | 79 | 2 | 74 |
| 10 | University of Leicester Leicester | £28,500 | 73% | 85% | 92% | 53.65 | 68 | 77 | 6 | 72 |
| 11 | University of Hull Hull | £28,000 | 76% | 91% | 89% | 43.77 | 63 | 74 | 7 | 71 |
| 12 | University of Gloucestershire Cheltenham, Gloucester | £28,500 | 76% | 88% | 87% | 61.91 | 69 | 72 | 1 | 70 |
| 12 | University of Cumbria Carlisle | £28,000 | 77% | 89% | 80% | 64.45 | 62 | 69 | 0 | 70 |
| 13 | Coventry University Coventry | £23,500 | 72% | 94% | 100% | 38.29 | 67 | 76 | 5 | 67 |
| 14 | University of Brighton Brighton | £28,500 | 72% | 72% | 78% | 60.55 | 79 | 82 | 11 | 66 |
| 15 | London South Bank University London | £32,000 | 68% | 92% | 96% | 44.41 | 91 | 75 | 7 | 64 |
| 16 | University of Bradford Bradford | £28,000 | 71% | 93% | 88% | 40.97 | 60 | 73 | 3 | 63 |
| 17 | University of Derby Derby | £28,500 | 74% | 82% | 69% | 56.57 | 66 | 74 | 7 | 60 |
| 18 | Cardiff University Cardiff | £28,000 | 71% | 68% | 66% | 60.30 | 66 | 83 | 4 | 59 |
| 19 | University of Leeds Leeds | £28,000 | 74% | 73% | 58% | 54.87 | 68 | 84 | 3 | 55 |
| 20 | Teesside University, Middlesbrough Middlesbrough | £28,500 | 78% | 84% | 68% | 49.78 | 73 | 75 | 6 | 54 |
| 21 | Keele University Newcastle-under-Lyme | £25,500 | 81% | 82% | 65% | 51.24 | 64 | 74 | 2 | 53 |
| 22 | University of Huddersfield Huddersfield | £26,000 | 74% | 82% | 84% | 35.54 | 63 | 75 | 3 | 48 |
| 23 | Buckinghamshire New University High Wycombe | £32,000 | 70% | 88% | 85% | 50.46 | 73 | 70 | 1 | 47 |
| 24 | University of Salford Salford | £28,000 | 73% | 66% | 69% | 39.42 | 68 | 78 | 5 | 43 |
| 25 | Birmingham City University Birmingham | £28,000 | 69% | 83% | 83% | 36.06 | 70 | 78 | 4 | 42 |
What the radiography ranking shows
Lincoln ranks first
The University of Lincoln leads with a score of 92.
University of Exeter
Exeter has the highest graduate-earnings figure at £32,500.
Keele University
Keele records the strongest student-satisfaction result at 81%.
University of Hertfordshire
Hertfordshire leads teaching quality with 97%.
Three universities score 100%
Bangor, Liverpool and Coventry all reach 100% for support.
Median earnings are £28,500
The midpoint across all 29 graduate-earnings figures is £28,500.
What this ranking tells you about studying radiography
Radiography is not one interchangeable course. Diagnostic radiographers produce and interpret medical images to help diagnose injury and disease, while therapeutic radiographers plan and deliver radiotherapy for people with cancer. Both are regulated routes with substantial clinical education, patient contact and professional responsibility.
Lincoln leads the complete ranking
The University of Lincoln ranks first with a score of 92. Its current Diagnostic Radiography BSc is a three-year professional course designed around imaging technology, anatomy, patient care and clinical practice. The key lesson for applicants is that the overall position should start the shortlist, then the exact approved programme and placement structure should decide whether the course fits.
Why Unifresher looks beyond reputation: radiography students spend large parts of their degree in clinical practice and need reliable teaching, supervision and support. Living costs and travel can also matter more than on a classroom-only degree because placements may involve early starts, shifts and journeys to partner hospitals.
Exeter combines second place with the highest earnings figure
Exeter records £32,500 graduate earnings and ranks second overall. For 2027 entry it offers Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography) as a three-year BSc and an integrated four-year MSci route. Students comparing those options should look at the additional master's-level study, clinical learning and whether the longer route matches their career and funding plans.
The four-way tie for third contains very different course choices
Worcester, Bangor, Liverpool and Portsmouth all score 89, but applicants should not treat them as identical. Worcester and Bangor currently advertise diagnostic radiography routes, while Liverpool offers both Diagnostic Radiography and Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology. The ranking position therefore needs to be paired with a modality decision before a meaningful shortlist can be built.
HCPC approval is essential to check
Radiographer, diagnostic radiographer and therapeutic radiographer are protected professional titles. The UK education route into the profession is through an HCPC-approved pre-registration programme followed by an application to the HCPC Register. The HCPC currently lists approved diagnostic and therapeutic programmes separately, so always search the exact course rather than relying on a university-level claim.
Clinical placements should be one of the biggest comparison points
Ask where placements take place, how far students may need to travel, whether there are weekend or shift requirements, how supervision works and what happens when a placement is far from the university. Worcester currently states that students spend 50% of its three-year Diagnostic Radiography BSc on clinical placement, illustrating how central practice learning can be to the degree.
Diagnostic radiography goes beyond taking X-rays
Students may learn conventional radiography alongside CT, fluoroscopy and other imaging pathways, with later opportunities to specialise after qualification. Strong courses should combine imaging physics and anatomy with patient positioning, communication, image evaluation, radiation protection, evidence-based practice and safe decision-making.
Therapeutic radiography is a distinct cancer-care profession
Therapeutic radiography focuses on radiotherapy planning and treatment rather than diagnostic imaging. Liverpool's current programme, for example, combines radiotherapy physics and technology, radiobiology, oncology, patient care, professional practice, research and clinical placements. Students interested in cancer care should compare therapeutic programmes specifically rather than assuming a general radiography course covers the same professional route.
Simulation facilities matter, but they do not replace clinical learning
Imaging and radiotherapy simulation can help students practise positioning, equipment use, communication and decision-making in a controlled setting before or alongside placements. Ask what equipment students use, how often simulation is timetabled and how scenarios connect to later clinical competencies.
Professional courses usually have additional entry checks
Beyond academic grades, radiography programmes may require occupational health clearance, vaccination evidence, criminal-record checks, references, interviews or evidence that applicants understand the profession and its placement demands. Requirements vary by university and nation, so read the full admissions information rather than only the headline UCAS tariff.
Funding can materially change the cost comparison
Eligible students on pre-registration diagnostic and therapeutic radiography courses in England can currently receive a £5,000 NHS Learning Support Fund Training Grant each academic year plus a £1,000 Specialist Subject Payment. Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses may also help with qualifying placement costs. These schemes have eligibility rules and can change, so applicants should check NHSBSA for their intake year.
Graduate earnings need context
The published figures range from £23,500 to £32,500, with a median of £28,500. HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after course completion. Radiography is a professional healthcare route, but early earnings can still vary with nation, employer, working pattern, role, further study and whether graduates enter the NHS or another provider.
How to use the ranking when choosing a radiography degree
Choose diagnostic or therapeutic radiography first
These are distinct regulated careers. Check which pathway the university actually offers and whether it matches the role you want.
Verify HCPC approval for the exact programme
Use the HCPC approved-programmes search to check the course title, modality, study mode and current intake status.
Compare placements in detail
Ask about partner hospitals, travel, shift patterns, supervision, assessment and the range of imaging or radiotherapy experience.
Model placement costs and available support
Compare rent and travel alongside NHS Learning Support Fund eligibility, temporary accommodation and course-specific expenses.
Related Unifresher rankings and degree advice
Frequently asked questions
Which is the best university for radiography in the UK in 2027?
The University of Lincoln ranks first in the 2027 Unifresher radiography ranking with an overall score of 92. The University of Exeter is second with 91. The University of Worcester, Bangor University, the University of Liverpool and the University of Portsmouth share third place with scores of 89.
How many universities are included in the radiography ranking?
The published 2027 Unifresher radiography ranking compares 29 universities with complete subject-level results. The supplied measures are safety, student satisfaction, cost of living, social life, pubs per square mile, graduate earnings, academic support and teaching quality.
What graduate earnings are shown for radiography?
The graduate-earnings figures range from £23,500 to £32,500, with a median of £28,500 across the 29 ranked universities. The University of Exeter has the highest figure at £32,500. These are comparative graduate outcomes rather than guaranteed starting salaries.
When are graduate outcomes measured?
HESA Graduate Outcomes information is collected approximately 15 months after students complete their higher education studies. The figures describe outcomes at that survey point and should not be treated as guaranteed starting salaries.
What is the difference between diagnostic and therapeutic radiography?
Diagnostic radiographers use imaging such as X-ray, CT and other imaging techniques to help diagnose and monitor conditions. Therapeutic radiographers plan and deliver radiotherapy for people with cancer. They are distinct professional routes, so students should apply to the course that matches the role they want.
Do I need an HCPC-approved degree to become a radiographer?
To qualify through the UK education route, students should complete an HCPC-approved pre-registration programme in diagnostic or therapeutic radiography and then apply to the HCPC Register. Radiographer, diagnostic radiographer and therapeutic radiographer are protected titles.
Do all universities in this ranking offer both diagnostic and therapeutic radiography?
No. Course availability differs by university. Some providers offer diagnostic radiography only, some offer therapeutic radiography, and some offer both. Always use the current HCPC approved-programmes search and the university course page to verify the exact route.
How important are clinical placements in a radiography degree?
Clinical placements are a central part of pre-registration radiography training because students must develop safe patient-care, imaging or radiotherapy and professional skills in practice. Placement structures vary, so compare hospital partners, travel requirements, shift patterns, supervision and how much of the course is spent in clinical settings.
What financial support is available for radiography students?
Eligible students on pre-registration diagnostic and therapeutic radiography courses in England can currently apply for the NHS Learning Support Fund. The Training Grant is £5,000 per academic year and radiography attracts an additional £1,000 Specialist Subject Payment. Eligibility and funding rules can change, so check NHSBSA for the relevant academic year.
What should I look for in a radiography degree?
Compare the exact diagnostic or therapeutic pathway, HCPC approval, clinical placement partners, simulation facilities, anatomy and imaging science, radiation safety, patient communication, research training, teaching, academic support, travel requirements, occupational health checks and total living costs.
Radiography course, registration and funding information
- Unifresher university rankings methodology for wider ranking context.
- HESA Graduate Outcomes 2023/24 for the approximately 15-month graduate survey point.
- HCPC approved-programmes search for current diagnostic and therapeutic radiography programmes.
- HCPC regulated-professions guidance for protected radiographer titles.
- NHS Learning Support Fund Training Grant for current funding and the radiography Specialist Subject Payment.
- National Careers Service radiographer profile for professional routes and apprenticeship information.
- University of Lincoln Diagnostic Radiography BSc for current course information.
- University of Exeter Medical Imaging (Diagnostic Radiography) for 2027 BSc and integrated master's information.
- University of Worcester Diagnostic Radiography BSc for clinical-placement and course information.
- University of Liverpool Diagnostic Radiography BSc and Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology BSc for the two professional routes.
