Science and Instrumentation of Computed Tomography

Computed tomography (CT) uses ionising radiation to produce sectional images of the body. In order to operate the equipment in a safe and competent manner, you must be equipped with the appropriate knowledge of science and instrumentation. This will allow you to understand the hazards involved in this speciality and how to operate the equipment safely and thus select the most appropriate imaging parameters for each individual patient's condition and diagnostic problem.

The assessments associated with this course require you to be able to evaluate CT equipment, assess quality assurance procedures and understand scanning parameters. This can only be achieved through dedicated clinical time within a CT department.

Who is it for?

This course is designed for radiography practitioners working in computed tomography (CT).

Timetable

Term 2 - 2026/7 (provisional dates)

Induction event (not compulsory for CPD students) : Wednesday 14 January 2027 (Online)
Jan: 18, 19 and 20 January 2027
Feb: 1, 2 and 3 February 2027
March:  8 March 2027 (Online)
May: Tuesday 17 May 2027 (in-person exam)

Please note that all dates are due to take place in person except where signposted that this will be online.

Benefits

This course equips participants with the appropriate knowledge of science and instrumentation that’s necessary for competent and safe CT practice.

This short course module is designed to be flexible in allowing you to study and reach your goals at your own pace. Our health CPD courses are credit-bearing modules that contribute to a University degree or award.

Transfer course credits towards postgraduate taught degree

As a health care professional, once you've completed this course you could offset 30 credits as part of a postgraduate programme, continuing your study with further modules to make up a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) 60 credits, Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) 120 credits or Master of Science (MSc) 180 credits qualification (all credits must be awarded within five years of study commencing).

Course aims

To enable you to have an understanding of the principles of CT and associated instrumentation so that you can apply this knowledge to the clinical situation and become a confident, reflective and critically aware practitioner. You will then be in a position to provide a quality service and contribute to the advancement of CT.

Content outline

• the evolution of CT technology, including helical/multi-slice scanning, principles and applications. CT data collection, acquisition and conversion of signal
• CT image reconstruction
• reformatting, manipulating and displaying the image
• radiation hazards and safety
• legislation and radiation dose measurement
• performance and quality control of CT systems
• the CT Department - design and equipment selection future trends in CT.

By the end of the course you will be able to:

Knowledge and understanding:

• Discuss the underlying principles of CT, including scanning parameters, image formation, image manipulation and associated artefacts.

Skills:

• Justify the selection of CT equipment for a variety of clinical installations and procedures with respect to economic constraints
• Discuss the recent advances and future trends in CT equipment design and operation
• Critically evaluate current research and literature in CT
• Form a reasoned argument in support of specific procedures, equipment and quality assurance activities within CT
• Evaluate the potential hazards of clinical CT and justify the need for quality assurance processes to monitor equipment performance.

Values and attitudes:

• Demonstrate respect for the intellectual work of others by accurate and appropriate referencing.

Assessment

You will sit an unseen examination to assess knowledge of CT including examination of your knowledge and understanding of scanning parameters, image formation, image manipulation and associated artefacts.

You will be required to produce a poster on an advanced and/or future aspect of CT.

Teaching

This course is taught through lectures supported by student-led seminars and presentations, self-directed study and web-based learning.

Learning Routes

This module has two routes namely, "CPD for attendance only" and "CPD for credits":

1. CPD “for attendance only” route: for students that wish to take this module as attendance only, this will grant you access to all lectures and online learning materials on Moodle. However, this route does not include the assessments, therefore you will not achieve any academic credits upon completion. A 25% discount is applied to the module fee. You will also receive a certificate of attendance at the end of the academic term.

2. CPD “for credits” route (Attendance & Assessment): for students that wish to take this module with assessments, this route will grant you access to all the lectures and online learning materials on Moodle. Upon successful completion of the assessment, you will have achieved the respective academic credits, as per individual module (there will range from 15 to 30 credits). No discount is applied to the module and the full fee will need to be paid.

For attendance only: 25% discount applied to the full fee (Please note: fees for overseas students will be a different rate, as per original fees on website)

For credit: (Attendance & Assessment): Full fees apply, as per individual module.

This course is provided by the School of Health & Medical Sciences.

Credits

This course is worth 30 credits toward eligible programmes.

This course is open as CPD to everyone in the UK , Europe and beyond or as part of our Master’s programme, with certain entry conditions, as you can find below and on the website.

• Applicants will normally hold a BSc (Hons) degree (2:2 or above) in Radiography or an equivalent discipline from a UK institution
• Appropriate professional qualifications e.g. Diploma of the College of Radiographers
• International qualifications in Radiography will have to be reviewed by our international team - they may only be acceptable if equivalent to a level 6 UK degree (BSc degree). Both originals and certified translations will have to be submitted to our programme team, before your application can be considered
• A clinical placement for an average of three days per week in a clinical MRI/CT department is required. Applicants should have a minimum of one year of clinical experience in the clinical speciality in which they wish to study before starting the course and should continue in clinical practice while on the programme. A clinical experience (CE1) form will need to be emailed to our programme team, completed and signed by the department manager, before your application can be considered
• Non-standard entrants will be considered on a case-by-case basis, subject to availability of places on the programme (early application is recommended). Interviews might be arranged for these candidates, if the programme team feels necessary.

English requirements

If your first language is not English, one of the following is required:

• A first degree from a UK university
• A first degree from an overseas institution recognised by City, University of London as providing adequate evidence of proficiency in the English language, for example, from institutions from Australia, Canada or the United States of America.
• International English Language Test Service (IELTS) a score of 7.0 is required with no subtest below 7.0
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) score 72 required
• TOEFL 100 overall with 24 in Writing, 20 in Listening, 19 Reading and 20 Speaking
• Other evidence of proficiency in the English language, which satisfies the board of studies concerned, including registration with your professional regulator.