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University of Bedfordshire
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
UK, LU1 3JU
"I am now training at one of the UK’s top teaching hospitals to be a radiographer."
Mary loved the pathology module in her degree at Luton so much that it inspired her to study radiotherapy, the treatment of cancers and tumours with radiation.
There’s a world shortage of radiographers and fierce competition for the limited number of training places.
She beat the competition to do a post-graduate diploma at Southbank University in London, with most of her time spent training at one of the country’s oldest and best known teaching hospitals, St Thomas’. When she completes the two-year course, she will be a state registered therapeutic radiographer.
“I am really enjoying it,” said Mary. “Partly because it’s not just in the classroom, I spend most of my time in hospital, it’s 70 per cent clinical placement.
“It is so interesting and inspiring. You see all these people come in – some are going to die and you want to do your utmost for them for the time they are alive.”
“Southbank is the only university that does this kind of diploma, it’s the Government’s short route to become a radiographer if you have a science degree.
“I’m one of only 13 to get on the course and I am the youngest – everyone else seems to have got their degree three years ago and have been working in the science field of some sort while I’ve only just graduated!” said Mary.
“As well as having a good degree, you have to pass a clinical assessment, being observed at work for a day. The competition is so fierce – it took me five months just to organise that one day.
“Now I’ve started the course, I’ve found it a lot more challenging. But the harder it gets, the more I enjoy it!”
Mary has never been one to turn down a challenge. She chose to do her pharmacology course at the University of Luton when she got married and lived in the area. She then moved to Essex and had to commute to continue her degree. By the time she reached her final year, she had a three-month-old baby to look after too.
Mary added: “She’s now 18 months old as I’m training, so that’s a challenge but at least I’m closer now and that makes it easier.”
Choosing this field of work was less taxing. She said: “I always loved the sciences at school, which is why I chose a science degree. I knew I wanted to be something in the health and social sector but I didn’t know what. I needed to work with people and be on the go all the time.
“When I did my pathology module, we covered a lot on cancers and I really enjoyed it and I got my best grade for it in my final year. I talked to hospitals and the more I found out, the more I loved it.
“When I qualify, I’d like to work at St Thomas’. If you are going to work in the NHS, it’s the top hospital but there’ll be a lot of competition.”
Interview took place in 2003.
Apply» Faculties & Departments» Division of Science» Student Alumni Profiles» Mary Sahyoun: BSc Hons Pharmacology and Immunology
