BSc Radiology, short for Bachelor of Science in Radiology, is a three-year undergraduate degree wherein a range of paramedical subjects and topics are covered. Training and qualifying students in the area of using radiology equipment to evaluate and diagnose different illnesses and issues in the human body. As an undergraduate course, a BSc in Radiology will provide the basic knowledge and skills required to enter the professional field of radiology. Requiring such expert understanding and knowledge, the programs is specifically designed for students with a strong background in science and technology. Admissions to such technical medical programs would often require students to have cleared an entrance test conducted either at the national, state or university level.
The BSc Radiology subjects and topics will be determined by the individual university or college offering the course. However, most universities will cover similar subjects and topics in the field, with additional subjects they deem appropriate for better knowledge. Some of the subjects for BSc in Radiology include Radiography apparatus, Human anatomy, Pathology and physiology, Radiography for medical use, Processing techniques for images, Advanced imaging modality instruments Echography and Doppler and many more topics. Apart from these subjects, universities may also define certain credit requirements like project and dissertation submissions as well as elective subjects to earn the degree at the end of the course. On completion of the course, graduates can find a range of profiles fitting their qualifications, primarily in the medical field, however, other fields like forensic sciences and archaeology may also be other fields wherein Radiology graduates can find work.
BSc Radiology Course Highlights
The table below illustrates the highlights involved in a BSc Radiology course –
Name of Degree | BSc in Radiology |
Type of Degree | Undergraduate |
Duration of Degree | 3 years |
Entrance Exams | MERIT BASED |
Eligibility Criteria | 10+2 in Science stream with Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and Mathematics |
Admission Procedure | Entrance Exam/Merit-Based |
Cutoff | MERIT BASED |
Fees for the Entire Course | INR 10,000 to INR 10 lakhs (depending on the university) |
Average Salary | INR 2 – 6 lakhs per annum |
Job Profiles | X-Ray Technician, Radiographer, Therapy Radiographer, Radiation Protection Specialist, Medical Image Analyst |
Top Recruiters | AIIMS, Columbia Asia, Apollo Hospital, CMC, Medanta, Fortis Hospital, Manipal Hospital |
Why Choose BSc Radiology?
An entryway into the medical field without having to dedicate several years of intensive research and studying in the field of medicine, BSc Radiology is perfect for those who find themselves squeamish with certain aspects of medicine. This along with many other elements are some of the reasons why you should choose BSc Radiology as the course of choice for higher studies. Outlined here are some of these reasons why BSc in Radiology is the course for you:
- High Demand: With a growing need for medical support in a country with well over a billion people residing, the demand for skilled and qualified radiologists continues to grow. Therefore, the career opportunities in the field are immense for skilled and qualified radiologists.
- Increasing Technological Advancements: With a growing need for Radiology in the medical sector, innovations and advancements are continuously being made to make Radiological processes more efficient and effective, requiring highly skilled and qualified professionals.
- Industry Growth: With an increasing demand for radiologists and technological advancements, experts claim that the industry is expected to grow at a rate of 8.7% from 2020 to 2027.
- Varying Career Prospects: Graduates of a BSc Radiology course will be able to choose from a range of job roles, not only in the medical sector but also in forensic sciences, allowing them the opportunity to expand their career prospects.
- Good Salary Packages: While the initial salary package may leave much to be desired, however, a skilled and qualified radiologist will be able to quickly climb the career ladder and earn good salary packages with a few years of experience
- Opportunity to Run a Clinic: Unlike many paramedical roles, Radiologists will be able to run their radiology clinics, allowing them to become vendors to numerous hospitals. However, huge investments will be required to acquire the proper equipment to run a profitable clinic.
The benefits of becoming a radiologist are multi-fold, both from an academic and professional standpoint. However, to become the best in the field, graduates will need to expand their knowledge and skills by earning the right skills and qualities that make them crucial to the medical sector.
BSc Radiology Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must have a clear idea about the eligibility criteria for BSc in Radiology Course before they apply to any institution and plan to build a career in this field. The eligibility criteria for BSc in Radiology are as follows:
India
The minimum eligibility criteria to complete the BSc Radiology course in India are as follows
Academic Requirements | Candidates must have cleared their 10+2 examinations from a recognized board of education and from a registered institution Students must study in the science stream in order to qualify for a BSc in Radiology Course Candidates must have secured a minimum aggregate of 50% or above in order to qualify for BSc in Radiology Physics, Chemistry, and Mathematics must be the compulsory core subjects for the students |
Admission Requirements | Applicants must pass the entrance examinations like NEET UG that are conducted at the national level in order to take admission to BSc Radiology courses |
Age Limit | The minimum age of the applicants while applying for admission to BSc Radiology courses in India is 17 years as of 31st December of the applying year |
Eligibility Criteria for BSc Radiology Abroad Admission
The following are the eligibility criteria that are required to be fulfilled for admission to the BSc in Radiology courses abroad:
- Clearing basic requirement English proficiency tests such as TOEFL, IELTS, and so on;
- Clearing SAT or ACT and passing several stages of interviews, as required by the university;
- Passing 10+2 from a recognized institution and board of education;
- Passing 10+2 with good marks in the range of a minimum of 60%;
- Submitting Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letter of Recommendation (LORs), academic CV (if applicable), and academic transcript;
- May need to provide a letter of intent in case of certain universities abroad.
BSc Radiology Course Admission Process
BSc in Radiology admissions are undertaken in a way similar to other medical degree courses. There are two types of admission processes for a BSc in Radiology course. The first one includes the merit-based admission process where universities that offer a BSc in Radiology programs let candidates get admitted in the undergraduate course via the marks they secured in their 10+2 from a recognised board and institution. The second is admission to the undergraduate course in Radiology through entrance examinations available at various institutes or on a national level.
BSc Radiology Course Merit-Based Admission
The following are some of the pertinent points required for admission in BSc Radiology based only on merit:
- For merit-based admissions, candidates need to provide academic transcripts like their Class 12 board exam certificates and scorecards.
- Candidates must have cleared their class 12 board exams in the stream of science, with a focus on Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Mathematics.
- Some universities may consider participation in extra-curricular activities as a positive towards the candidates.
- Some universities may conduct a personal interview and/or group discussion as part of the selection process.
It is important to read the admission guidelines and processes of each university before submitting the application form, in order to enhance the chances of successful admission.
BSc Radiology Course Entrance-Based Admission
The following are some of the pertinent points required for admission in BSc Radiology based on the entrance examinations that are conducted:
- Some BSc Radiology courses may require entrance tests scores like AIIMS at many popular universities and colleges in India. However, some colleges may conduct their entrance exams for admissions or even accept state-conducted entrance test scores.
- Candidates must prepare and appear for the test on the scheduled date and time to expand their university options.
- Depending on the selection process of the university, candidates will either be selected based on a cut-off score or a selection process defined by the individual university.
- Candidates will also need to meet the basic eligibility criteria for BSc in Radiology, i.e. Class 12 graduates in the stream of science (PCM-B), earning a minimum of 50% aggregate in the board exams.
Difference between BSc Radiology Course and Other Courses
There are many courses that students can consider other than BSc in Radiology. These include BSc in Radiography, BSc in Imaging Technology and more. The eligibility criteria for these programs are very similar. Candidates who are interested can choose a course by looking at their field of interest, fee structure, course details, syllabus and so on.
BSc Radiology vs BSc Radiography
BSc in Radiology and BSc in Radiography are both three-year undergraduate programs which deal with imaging, scanning and medical analysis of the same in order to diagnose a patient in the best way possible.
There are, however, certain key differences in the two fields. BSc in Radiography ensures that you get proper training in the ways to handle all medical imaging equipment such as X-Rays, MRI Scanners, Sonographs, Fluoroscopes, Ultrasound Scanners, PET Scanners and so on. This field of study does not require too much talent or specialisations and the risks involved are minimal at large.
BSc Radiology, on the other hand, is not only concerned with the medical imaging equipment but also deals with the diagnosis of a patient. Therefore, candidates who study BSc in Radiology are almost equivalent to a specialised doctor profession who are liable to diagnose patients and recommend further recourse. This field of study requires talent and is at large, a bit riskier.
Parameters | BSc in Radiology | BSc in Radiography |
Duration | 3 years | 3 years |
Syllabus | Physiology, Basic Science Anatomy, Radiobiology, Radiation Physics, Principle and Practice of Radiotherapy | Biochemistry, Computed Tomography, Imaging Techniques, Microbiology, Pathology, Physiology, Radio diagnosis |
Admission Process | Merit-based/Entrance Exams | Merit-based/Entrance Exams |
Course Overview | Deals with modern medical imaging technology Deals with the diagnosis of the disease like a specialised doctor | Deals with efficient taking of images through medical imaging technology Deals with the maintenance of all medical equipment |
Average Salary (for freshers) | INR 2 – 6 lakhs per annum | INR 2 – 5 lakhs per annum |
Job Opportunities | Radiology Expert / Imaging Technician / Nuclear Medicine Technologist / Radiologist Technician | All diagnostic centers and hospitals require radiographers |
BSc Radiology Top Colleges in India
Recent developments in the world of medical imaging technology and radiology have opened up a wide space for more and more recruitments. This has led to several students from all over India to opt for the 3 year undergraduate degree in Radiology and its applied fields. Several BSc in Radiology Courses have opened up in colleges all over the country, in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, New Delhi, West Bengal, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and so on.
The following are some of the best BSc in Radiology Colleges in India where candidates can take admission in BSc in Radiology, along with their tuition fees.
Name of the College | Location | Tuition Fees |
AIIMS (All India Institute of Medical Sciences) | New Delhi | INR 6,775 (total) |
Swami Vivekananda Institute of Engineering and Technology | Chandigarh, Punjab | INR 70,000 (annually) |
Vivekananda Global University | Jaipur, Rajasthan | INR 60,000 (annually) |
CMC | Vellore, Tamil Nadu | INR 49,480 (total) |
JIPMER (Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research) | Puducherry | INR 7,620 |
Gulzar Group of Institutes | Ludhiana, Punjab | INR 55,000 (annually) |
Swami Rama Himalayan Institute (SRHU) | Dehradun, Uttarakhand | INR 49,000 – INR 2,06,000 (total) |
NIHER | Patna, Bihar | NA |
Om Paramedical and Technical Education (OPTE) | New Delhi | INR 30,000 (annually) |
Sri Sathya Sai Medical College and Research Institute, (SSSMCRI) | Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu | INR 30,000 (annually) |
BSc in Radiology Course Fee
The course fee for BSC in Radiology degree program varies from one college to another depending on several factors. Some of the factors determining the BSc in Radiology course are; type of institution that is whether it is private or public, the types of equipment available, the state where the college is situated and other facilities available at the college, etc.
Type of Institution | Fee Range (in INR) |
Government BSc Radiology Colleges | 12,000 – 2,00,000 |
Private BSc Radiology Colleges | 1,40,000 – 3,00,000 |