BSc Medical Imaging Technology

BSc Medical Imaging Technology or Bachelor of Science in Medical Imaging Technology is a four-year undergraduate degree that students can pursue after completing class 12 in India. This course includes processes and techniques involved in taking images of human anatomy for clinical diagnostics and analysing them for treatment plans. Any method that enables medical personnel to see the inside of the body or regions that are not readily visible to the naked eye falls under the broad concept of Medical Imaging Technology. Visualising these structures can help with disease diagnosis, therapy planning, and execution—for example, by image-guided intervention—as well as monitoring and surveillance.

Students interested in this course do not have to take any mandatory entrance exams since the admissions are merit-based only. In India, these courses are delivered both in offline and online modes. Some of the top colleges in India offering Medical Imaging Technology courses are Sharda University, Hindustan Colleges of Technology and Science, Chitkara University, Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Guwahati University, Ansal University, etc. On average, the course fee for BSc Medical Imaging Technology ranges from INR 10,800 to INR 1.6 LPA. Graduates in this field earn a decent average starting salary of INR 2.5 to 6 LPA.

Given below are the significant highlights of the BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses:

The medical industry has a promising future in the Medical Imaging Technology field. Its graduates get a wide range of employment prospects and a chance to be a part of a dynamically evolving medical field. After completing a BSc degree, graduates have the option of pursuing a higher degree in a related subject, such as radiography, physiology, or cardiology or pursuing research. The most sought-after master's degree programmes include the MPhil and MSc in Medical Imaging Technology. Through such courses, students have better chances of landing jobs in the healthcare and hospitality sectors

BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses are offered to prospective students in three different formats: distance learning, full-time, and part-time. Details are discussed below:

Full-Time BSc Medical Imaging Technology 

• This full-time three-year course requires students to attend classes in person, submit regular assignments or projects, and take their semester exams on campus. The benefit of attending a full-time BSc Medical Imaging Technology degree course is that students will have much greater exposure, experience, and profound knowledge owing to direct interaction with professors and fellow students.

Part-Time BSc Medical Imaging Technology 

• For students who are unable to attend regular classes, some colleges offer part-time BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses. Depending on the type of course, part-time classes may be offered online, in the evening, or on the weekends. The benefit of the part-time course is that individuals can also complete it while working, conducting research, etc.

Distance BSc Medical Imaging Technology 

• Distance BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses may be offered by a few institutions or colleges in India. The course was designed after taking into consideration the principles of distance learning. Candidates who cannot afford to attend classes on-campus or who are working full-time and cannot take time off to enrol in a full-time course should take this course.

Having discussed BSc Medical Imaging Technology, let us take a look at another course called BSc Radiology. BSc in Radiology is pursued by students who are interested in practising diagnostic tests and treatments using radiation such as ultrasound, x-rays, magnetic resonance imaging, etc. Students often confuse the two courses, so here is a table clearly outlining the main differences between Medical Imaging Technology and Radiology:

In India, every institution that offers a medical degree in imaging technology has fairly identical entry requirements. The qualifying requirements may include criteria like an age limit, minimum grades from prior fields of study, mandatory subjects, and more. Students must fulfil the minimal prerequisites to guarantee admissions such as completing basic schooling or the option for Science in class 12. Apart from this, here are some of the basic eligibility criteria for the BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses:

• The minimum academic requirement is a 10+2 in the science field, with optional coursework in English, Chemistry, Physics, Biology, and Mathematics.
• Minimum overall aggregate requirement is 50%, including subjects like Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.
• Students may be required to complete a pre-university course in radiography or radiology from a recognised board in the country.

Admission to the BSc Medical Imaging Technology programme is offered only on a merit basis in India. Most of the colleges do not require any entrance exam qualification for this course. Applicants only need to showcase their academic prowess and wait for the cut-off lists for colleges. As mentioned above, candidates need to meet the minimum eligibility criteria of completing senior secondary exams or class 12 board exams with specific subjects. 

Although the admissions procedure differs from one college to another, the application process for most colleges is generic.

How To Start Applying?

• Applications for the BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses are accessible online through the university's official website or in person at the admissions office. Applicants should have all the required documents, including class 10 results and ID verification ready, before submitting an application.

What is the Selection Process?

• Regardless of the specialisation, the selection process for the BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses in India is usually the same. The ultimate selection of candidates is often made by colleges based on the applicant's final aggregate and other merits. Additionally, some universities may interview prospective applicants prior to admissions to see if they have strong communication skills.

In India, a majority of the medical institutions and colleges do not require entrance exam qualification or NEET UG rank. These are also not a part of the admission criteria to BSc Medical Imaging Technology course. A few colleges may conduct separate university entrance exams to assess a student's aptitude, but there is no entrance exam specifically for the course.

The following is a list of popular BSc Medical Imaging Technology colleges in India:

• Sharda University, Noida
• Manipal University, Manipal
• Hindustan Colleges of Technology and Science, Chennai
• Guwahati University, Guwahati
• Chitkara University, Chandigarh
• Asian Institute of Medical Sciences, Faridabad
• Ansal University, Gurgaon
• AJ Institute of Medical Science and Research Center, Mangalore
• Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore
• Vydehi Paramedical College, Bangalore (under Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Center)
• Jamia Hamdard University, New Delhi
• SRM Institute of Science and Technology (SRMIST), Chennai
• M.S.Ramaiah University of Applied Sciences, Bangalore

The following are the top BSc Medical Imaging Technology colleges in India segregated by their respective states and cities:

With the advancement of technology and the invention of new gadgets fairly regularly, the demand for medical imaging technologists is growing worldwide. Thus, there is a multitude of job opportunities not only in India but also in other parts of the world. Studying abroad provided students with access to the best educational system and technology. Therefore, candidates pursue bachelor's in Medical Imaging Technology or related subjects abroad and majorly choose countries like the US, UK, or Canada.

Depending on the country, type of programme, and college, the course duration could be three to four years with compulsory practical or internship as part of the curriculum. In addition to receiving a global education in terms of subject matter and different cultures, BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses abroad offer access to some of the best resources, faculties, and facilities. However, before choosing where to study, it is important to do a complete analysis and research considering different nations have distinct healthcare systems, especially if students plan to live abroad after their studies.

The table below shows the top colleges to study BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses abroad along with their respective countries:

Fees for BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses depend on several criteria. These include - the type of institution, faculty, location, infrastructure, demand, and facilities. In India, the BSc Medical Imaging Technology course fee typically ranges from INR 60,000 to 4 LPA. The following table indicates course fees for top colleges in the country:

The following pointers list the course syllabi for a handful of the most popular BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses. Although there may be slight variations for a few colleges, the majority of colleges across the country adhere to the main crux of the curriculum. The following are a few subjects that the students have the opportunity to study in the field of BSc Medical Imaging Technology:

• Radiographic Anatomy
• Radiographic Photography
• Fundamentals of Imaging Technology
• Communication Skills
• Basics of Anatomy
• General Principles of Hospital Practice and Care of Patients
• Radiographic Techniques

As mentioned, the BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses last four years, including one year of compulsory internship, and is stretched out across six semesters. The list of BSc Medical Imaging Technology semester-wise syllabus is provided below:

Graduates of BSc Medical Imaging Technology can pursue a master's degree and choose to specialise in any imaging modality. Additionally, they can find employment as imaging technologists in both public and commercial institutions with radio diagnostic facilities. 

Individuals can also work as application specialists for businesses like GE Healthcare, Seimens, Philips, etc. that manufactures medical imaging equipment. Graduates might choose to pursue research in the area of medical imaging technology as well as teaching jobs at educational institutions both nationally and internationally.

The future of medical imaging appears to lie in the application of machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). If the necessary skills are eventually mastered, employment opportunities for Medical Imaging Technologists would rise dramatically.

Job Profiles for BSc Medical Imaging Technologists

Students who want to work in the trading industry after completing their studies have a lot of job options. The job roles for BSc Medical Imaging Technology graduates will vary depending on the specialisation they have chosen. Graduates of this field have many employment prospects with competitive salaries and benefits as:

• Radiographer
• Medical Image Analysis Scientist
• Lab Technician
• Ultrasound Technician
• Radiologic Technologist
• Mammographer
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist
• Computed Tomography (CT) Scan Technologist
• Nuclear Medicine Technologist
• Diagnostic Medical Sonographer

Leading Recruiters for BSc Medical Imaging Technology Graduates

Government and commercial hospitals, nursing homes, and diagnostic centres hire graduates with a BSc in Imaging Technology. Several leading recruiters for graduates of the BSc Imaging Technology courses are listed below:

• AIIMS
• Apollo Hospitals
• Aster Healthcare
• Dr Reddy Laboratories
• Fortis Hospital
• Homi Bhabha Cancer Hospital and Research Centre
• Hosmet Hospitals
• Max Hospitals
• NIMHANS
• Padma Shree Diagnostic Centres

Nowadays, one of the most lucrative but hugely important industries in the world is the medical field. However, it might be argued that it is valuable since it has an impact on people's lives as it images the forthcoming defects in the human body for clinical diagnostics and analysis. The following table outlines the estimated average annual of a BSc Medical Imaging Technologist:

Graduates of the BSc Medical Imaging Technology courses must possess a variety of demanding and soft skills to be successful in their professions. Students may not always be able to learn these skills in a traditional classroom environment. Instead, these are qualities that can only be discovered via practice. To gather as much experience as they can, students should always attempt to step outside of their comfort zone and learn something new about their field. Skills that make you the best Medical Imaging Technologist include:

• Research skills
• Ability to work under pressure
• Quantitative analysis
• Analytical skills
• Interpersonal skills
• Observation skills
• Technical skills/equipment operation
• Critical thinking
• Knowledge of Biology
• Communication skills