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Upcoming Radiation Therapy events:

For Cancer Centre tours and information events, please visit:

Radiation Therapy events

View recordings of previous events:

Online information evening 2023
Virtual Cancer Centre tour

Overview of the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT)

The Bachelor of Radiation Therapy is a three-year full time programme designed to produce radiation therapists qualified to use radiation to treat disease. Most patients receiving radiation therapy are cancer patients. It is 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. Radiation therapy offers a challenging, satisfying and life-long career.

The first year of the course is spent studying academic papers including anatomy and imaging; cancer cell biology; health and human behaviour; healthcare communication; radiation technology; radiation therapy and oncology; radiation therapy planning concepts. Students also spend one week in a clinical department to see first hand what it is like.

In the second and third years, students continue to learn at the Wellington campus, and also in clinical placements to gain experience with a range of equipment and techniques, taught in two semester blocks. Currently clinical placements occur throughout New Zealand in cancer centres in Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.

At the beginning of second year, students also have four weeks of work experience in an oncology department before starting the clinical paper.

How to apply

Applications for the Bachelor of Radiation Therapy (BRT) for 2024 will open from 1 August to 15 September.

The course in detail

The course is full-time and takes three years of study to complete. In addition to the academic papers, there is a large component of clinical work within the degree, particularly in the second and third year.

First year

This year is spent at the University of Otago, Wellington campus in a class of about 30 students. During this first year, students spend two weeks in the clinical environment of a radiation oncology department.

Students complete the following papers:

Second year

The whole of the first semester is clinical, and then all of the second semester is taught at the Wellington campus.

Students complete the following papers:

Third year

The first semester is taught on campus in Wellington and the final semester is a clinical placement.

Students complete the following papers:

Join our mailing list

Join our prospective students' mailing list to get reminders about applications, upcoming cancer centre tours, and other events. Email us to join:
rtenquiries.uow@otago.ac.nz

Further information

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