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Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT)

Medical xray

Overview 

Radiation therapy uses radiation to treat disease. Most patients receiving radiation therapy are cancer patients. It’s a highly skilled profession and, because cancer affects so many people, qualified radiation therapists are in demand.

A degree in radiation therapy is a great choice. It combines a variety of learning from health science to technology, patient care and teamwork. It is taught from the Wellington campus of the University of Otago, next to Wellington Hospital. Students go on clinical placements at cancer centres around the country.

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Information for new applicants

Applications for 2021

Open: 1 August 2020
Close: 15 September 2020

You should apply in the first instance by selecting 'Health Sciences Undergraduate Professional Programmes through the Dunedin campus in 2020' from the drop down box above (even though Radiation Therapy is taught on the Wellington campus), and then select 'Radiation Therapy' from the list.

Further information regarding the guidelines for admission can be found on the following website.
Division of Health Sciences

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Contact details

Department of Radiation Therapy
University of Otago, Wellington
PO Box 7343
Newtown
Wellington 6242
Tel 64 4 385 5475
Email rtenquiries.uow@otago.ac.nz

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Subject area

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Programme Requirements

Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT)

Year Papers Points
1st year

RADT 121  Radiation Therapy Practice

RADT 122  Anatomy and Imaging

RADT 123  Radiation Therapy and Oncology 1

RADT 124  Radiation Therapy Planning Concepts 1

RADT 125  Healthcare Communication

RADT 126  Health and Human Behaviour

RADT 127  Radiation Technology 1

11

32

30

12

  8

  9

18
2nd year

RADT 211  Radiation Therapy Practice II

RADT 212  Principles of Research

RADT 213  Advanced Healthcare Communication

RADT 214  Radiation Technology II

RADT 215  Radiation Therapy and Oncology II

RADT 216  Radiation Therapy Planning Concepts II

60

  6

10

16

10

18
3rd year

RADT 311  Radiation Therapy Practice III

RADT 312  Literature Analysis

RADT 313  Professional Development

RADT 314  Radiation Therapy and Oncology III

RADT 315  Radiation Therapy Planning Concepts III

60

12

12

14

22

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Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT)

  1. Admission to the Programme

    1. Admission to the programme shall be determined by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee.
    2. Admission to the programme is limited to a number of applicants determined annually based on the number of clinical placements available.
    3. Applications for admission may be made under the following categories:
      1. Secondary School (see 1(f))
      2. One Year of University Study (see 1(g))
      3. Two or More Years of University Study (see 1(h))
      4. Graduate (see 1(i))
      5. Alternative (see 1(j)).
    4. In selecting Domestic students from categories 1(c)(ii-v) above, the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee will first select from those applicants who are seeking entry to the Radiation Therapy programme only and not also to one or more of the Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy or Physiotherapy programmes offered by the University of Otago, and who, normally, have achieved an average of B- (grade point average (GPA) of 4). (See Note (ii) below).

      Thereafter if Domestic places are still available in each of the applicable categories, the Committee will then select from the group of applicants who are seeking to enter Radiation Therapy and one or more of those other programmes.

      5. Notes:
      i. To be considered in the “Radiation Therapy Single Programme Preference” group, an applicant must specify that he or she is applying only for the Radiation Therapy professional programme by close of applications (15 September) for admission to Health Sciences Undergraduate Professional Programmes in the year prior to admission. Applicants in this group may apply for admission to other programmes excluding Dentistry, Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine, Pharmacy, and Physiotherapy at the University of Otago.
      ii. For guidance on how average grades are calculated, see Application for Admission to Radiation Therapy at otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/students/professional/radiation-therapy/index.html

    5. The University of Otago is committed to promote and facilitate academic equity for Māori students, and for students from other underrepresented groups, who have the potential to succeed academically.
      Applicants in any category (see regulations 1(c)) who have fulfilled the criteria as described in the Mirror on Society Policy and associated admissions entry requirements, may be considered in one or more of the Mirror on Society Category Groups.
    6. To be considered for admission under the Secondary School category, an applicant must
      1. have attained a satisfactory standard determined by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee in the National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 2 (or equivalent);
      2. have completed or be completing English or Te Reo Māori or Te Reo Rangatira or Classics or History or Geography or Art History; and Mathematics or Statistics or Calculus; and Physics or Biology, at NCEA Level 3 (or equivalents) with a minimum of 16 credits per subject; and
      3. have undertaken a Radiation Therapy Admissions interview and achieved a threshold level determined annually by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee. Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of their academic record.

      Selection of applicants who have met these criteria will be based on academic merit. Final admission is subject to the fulfilment of the University’s entrance requirements and confirmation of satisfactory NCEA Level 3 results (or equivalents).

      7. Note: Applicants who have not yet completed NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) are initially considered on the basis of their NCEA Level 2 (or equivalent) performance and subjects taken for NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed NCEA Level 3 (or equivalent) within the last five years. Admission from Secondary School will be based on a scoring process similar to that used for Managed Enrolment.

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    7. To be considered for admission under the One Year of University Study category, an applicant must:
      1. have completed within the last five years one year of relevant university study in New Zealand, normally with a minimum average of B- (grade point average (GPA) of 4); and
      2. have undertaken a Radiation Therapy Admissions interview and achieved a threshold level determined annually by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee. Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of their academic record.

      Selection of applicants who have met these criteria will be based on academic merit in accordance with 1(d).

      8. Note: For guidance on how average grades are calculated, and the definition of ‘relevant study’, see Application for Admission to Radiation Therapy at otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/students/professional/radiation-therapy/index.html

    8. To be considered for admission under the Two or More Years of University Study category, an applicant must:
      1. not be a finalist but must have completed within the last five years two or more years of relevant university study in New Zealand, comprising at least three papers at 200-level, normally with a minimum average of B- (grade point average (GPA) of 4); and
      2. have undertaken a Radiation Therapy Admissions interview and achieved a threshold level determined annually by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee. Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of their academic record.

      9. Selection of applicants who have met these criteria will be based on academic merit in accordance with 1(d).

      Note: For guidance on how average grades are calculated, and the definition of ‘relevant study’, see Application for Admission to Radiation Therapy at otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/students/professional/radiation-therapy/index.html

    9. To be considered for admission under the Graduate category, an applicant must:
      1. have completed, normally in the minimum academic time, at least one of the following qualifications awarded by a university in New Zealand:
        • a bachelor’s degree; or
        • a bachelor’s honours degree; or
        • a bachelor’s degree, followed by a postgraduate diploma; and
      2. have undertaken a Radiation Therapy Admissions interview and achieved a threshold level determined annually by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee. Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of their academic record.

        3. Notes:
        i. The qualifying degree for the Graduate category will be the first university degree awarded to the applicant.
        ii. The grades obtained in a bachelor’s honours degree (if separate from the qualifying degree) or postgraduate diploma will be included in the GPA calculation, along with the qualifying degree.

        Applications must be received within three years of completion of the qualifying degree. Normally, the date of completion will be taken as the end of the teaching period in which the final paper or papers included in the programme are undertaken. Repeat applications within the eligibility period are allowed.

        The average grade for all papers in the qualifying programme must be at least B- (GPA of 4) (but see 1(e)). Selection of applicants who have met these criteria will be based on their GPA, and in accordance with 1(d).

        Notes:
        i. For guidance on how average grades are calculated, see Application for Admission to Radiation Therapy at otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/students/professional/radiation-therapy/index.html
        ii. Applicants offered a place under the Graduate category may be required to pass relevant papers, to a standard determined by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee, before being admitted.

    10. To be considered for admission under the Alternative category, an applicant must
      1. either
        2. hold a relevant degree from a New Zealand university, and no longer be eligible under the Graduate category
        or
        have completed a relevant degree at an overseas university at a standard of at least NZQF Level 7;
        or
        hold a relevant master’s or doctoral degree;
        or
        have a relevant qualification acceptable to the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee;
        or
        be an allied health professional who holds a relevant qualification and has completed no less than five years of full-time work in that allied health profession, of which at least two years must have been in New Zealand; and

      2. have provided a statement of interest and current curriculum vitae, and undertaken a Radiation Therapy Admissions interview and achieved a threshold level determined annually by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee. Applicants will be selected for interview on the basis of their academic record.

        3. Notes:
        i. Applicants seeking admission to Radiation Therapy with health-related professional experience will be required to demonstrate academic and/or professional experience in the relevant field, to a standard acceptable to the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee, as part of the selection process.
        ii. For guidance on the definition of relevant qualification, see Application for Admission to Radiation Therapy at otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/students/professional/radiation-therapy/index.html
        iii. Applicants offered a place under the Alternative category may be required to pass relevant papers, to a standard determined by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee, before being admitted.

      All applicants applying for admission under the Alternative category will be required to have achieved a minimum academic standard to be determined by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee.

      Selection of applicants who have met these criteria will be based on academic merit, and in accordance with 1(d).

    11. Admission to the programme shall be subject to applicants’ meeting an English language requirement as determined by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee. 

    12. Notwithstanding any of the above provisions, the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee shall have discretion to consider any applicant who, not having satisfied these regulations in a particular aspect, warrants admission to the programme for exceptional reasons.

    13. Any applicant who
      1. is, or has been, the subject of criminal charges; or
      2. is, or has been, subject to disciplinary proceedings of a tertiary institution or professional body; or
      3. has been found to have an issue (whether in connection with their mental or physical health, or their professional attributes or conduct, or otherwise) that compromises or is likely to compromise their fitness to practise; or
      4. is found to have failed to declare a matter covered by (m)(i)-(iii),

      may be declined admission to the programme by the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee on the recommendation of the Health and Conduct Review Group. Any offer of admission made before responses to medical tests or requests for information regarding an applicant’s health status or past conduct have been received is conditional on the information received confirming the applicant’s suitability for admission.

      14. Notes:
      i. See Application for Admission to Radiation Therapy at otago.ac.nz/healthsciences/students/professional/radiation-therapy/index.html
      ii. The due date for applications for enrolment in the first year course is 15 September in the year preceding desired entry.

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  2. Structure of the Programme

    1. Every programme of study shall satisfy the requirements set out in the Schedule of papers for the degree and shall normally be pursued over three years of full-time study.
    2. Candidates will not normally be permitted to enrol in any papers of a year until all papers of the preceding year have been passed.
    3. Candidates require a clinical placement before enrolling in a clinical paper.

  3. Duration of the Programme

    Candidates will normally be required to complete the programme in five years or fewer.

  4. Credits and Exemptions

    The Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations may grant such credits and exemptions as it deems appropriate for work done previously by a candidate.

  5. Examinations

    1. Every candidate must gain terms before being admitted to examinations.
    2. Candidates who fail to gain terms shall subsequently pursue a course of study approved by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations.
    3. A candidate who fails any paper may, on the recommendation of the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations, be admitted to a special examination.

  6. Withdrawal from the Programme

    1. Temporary withdrawal from programme
      1. A student who wishes to withdraw from the programme on a temporary basis must obtain the prior approval of the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations. Where temporary withdrawal is approved, re-admission to the programme remains subject to the approval of the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations. Any application for such approval needs to be made no later than 1 June in the year prior to that for which readmission is sought.
      2. Applications for temporary withdrawal and for readmission will be determined by the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations in accordance with the criteria and procedures set out in the Withdrawal and Readmission Guidelines.
    2. Permanent withdrawal from programme
      1. Students who withdraw permanently (including students who withdraw without prior approval and students who fail to communicate their intentions within 12 months of when they were last enrolled or for any other 12 month period) have no right to be considered for readmission.
      2. Despite the previous clause, the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations may allow a student who has permanently withdrawn to submit a fresh application under the regulations governing admission to the programme. In considering whether to allow such an application to proceed, the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations may have regard to all of the circumstances of the student’s withdrawal. Where an application is allowed to be made, the Radiation Therapy Admissions Committee may also have regard to those circumstances when considering the application.

  7. Exclusion from the Programme

    1. Any candidate who fails to complete the requirements for a paper in two academic years may be excluded by the Board of the Division of Health Sciences on the recommendation of the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations.
    2. Any student who, during the course of their studies, is
      1. subject to criminal charges;
      2. subject to disciplinary proceedings of the University or of a professional body; or
      3. found to have an issue (whether in connection with their mental or physical health, or their professional attributes or conduct, or otherwise) that compromises or is likely to compromise their fitness to practise; or
      4. found to have failed to declare a matter covered by (b)(i)-(iii),

      may be excluded from further study towards the degree by the Academic Board of the Division of Health Sciences on the recommendation of the Radiation Therapy Board of Studies and Examinations.

  8. Variations

    The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.

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