Radiation Therapy

Radiation Therapy is a four-year Honours Bachelor degree that prepares you to plan and deliver radiotherapy treatments for patients with cancer and other conditions. You study anatomy, physiology, oncology, radiation physics, and radiobiology, developing a deep understanding of how ionising radiation interacts with human tissue. A significant portion of your training takes place on clinical placement in national cancer centres across Ireland, where you work alongside experienced radiation therapists using state-of-the-art linear accelerators and treatment planning systems. You also gain experience in imaging technologies, patient care, and quality assurance procedures. A typical week combines lectures and laboratory sessions on campus with scheduled clinical placement hours, where you progressively take on greater responsibility for patient-facing treatment delivery.

Entry to the BSc (Hons) in Radiation Therapy at Trinity College Dublin is through the CAO, and points requirements are consistently high, reflecting strong competition for a limited number of places. You will typically need to meet a minimum Leaving Certificate requirement of six subjects, including Mathematics and a laboratory science subject such as Biology, Chemistry, or Physics, ideally at Higher level. Higher-level Biology and Chemistry are particularly advantageous given the biological and physical sciences content of the programme. Applicants may also enter through a relevant QQI Level 5 or Level 6 FET award in Science or Health Sciences, subject to the college's specific QQI entry requirements. Mature applicants aged 23 or over may apply directly through the CAO mature entry route, and the HEAR and DARE access schemes are available for eligible applicants from socioeconomically disadvantaged backgrounds or with disabilities.

Demand for radiation therapists in Ireland remains strong due to continued investment in cancer services and an ageing population with rising cancer incidence. The HSE and private providers such as the Bon Secours Group regularly recruit graduates, and waiting lists for cancer treatment mean staffing is a national priority. Graduate employment rates for this programme are consistently high, with most graduates securing posts within months of qualifying. Salary scales for staff-grade radiation therapists in the public sector follow HSE pay agreements, typically starting in the region of €36,000–€42,000 gross per annum, rising significantly with seniority.