Working in the UK as a Radiographer

The UK has a significant need for healthcare professionals across a wide range of specialisations and areas of expertise. Radiography is one area where NHS jobs UK are abundantly available, both on a temporary and permanent basis across the country. Jobs for skilled and qualified radiographers are in high demand from central London to the outer reaches of Scotland and Ireland.

If you are considering moving to the UK from Australia, New Zealand, or elsewhere globally, Globe Locums has a wide range of different radiographer jobs available. With 100s of locum and permanent healthcare jobs in the UK on our platform, we are the best place to start to find a radiographer position that suits you. Register today to find the right radiography jobs in the UK for you.

How to register to work in the UK

If you have plans to work in the UK from Australia, New Zealand, Europe or any other country, you'll now need to follow the new immigration processes put in place following the UK's exit from the EU. Whether you are planning to live in the UK permanently or you are seeking a temporary working holiday in the UK, you'll need to apply for a work permit ahead of time to do so.

You'll also need to meet other required standards and qualifications to work in the UK as a radiographer. If you have plans to travel to the UK to work, you must have the equivalent qualifications and experience to be eligible to work.

You should also take the time to decide which visa you would like to apply for to work in the UK, as some may require an offer of employment before you can live and work in the country. The exception is the Youth Mobility Scheme visa, which we've covered in more detail below.

Requirements for radiographers working in the UK

What are the requirements to work as a radiographer in the UK? To be eligible for employment, you'll need to have the following:

Qualifications

Radiographers in the UK must hold the necessary education or degree in their specific field to be eligible to practise. Typically, this takes the form of a three-year Bachelor of Science degree, though equivalent degrees may be an acceptable stand-in for this specific qualification. If you don't meet these qualifications, you will not be able to be a practitioner of radiography in the UK.

Registration with HCPC

In addition to qualifications, you'll also be required to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can accept a radiography job. The HCPC examines your specific case individually to determine whether you meet particular Standards of Proficiency. Part of these checks also includes testing your proficiency in English, with a high level of proficiency required for successful registration.

What visas are available?

The visa you choose to work in the UK will depend entirely on your individual goals and plans. If you would like to live and work in the UK permanently and have a career in radiology, the visa you apply for would be different to if you have accepted a temporary position in the UK, or if you'd like to apply for healthcare jobs in the UK on a working holiday. We've covered some of the most common visa options below:

Can I work in the UK on a permanent visa?

If you want to move to the UK, you can do so under a skilled worker visa or a health and care worker visa. In each case, you will have to pay a specific application fee for your visa to be processed, and you will be required to have a job offer lined up before your visa is granted.

Often, radiographers looking to relocate to the UK will visit on a holiday basis, allowing for applications and interviews to prepare for a permanent working visa. A permanent visa can also allow dependants and spouses to come into the country with you to live.

What temporary visas are available?

Temporary visas, also known as T5 visas, are the alternative for people moving to the UK on a non-permanent basis. There is a range of different temporary worker visas, but only a select few apply to healthcare. If you'd like to work temporarily, you would either need to be in a Government Authorised Exchange program for a fellowship or training, or you could use the Youth Mobility Scheme visa route.

What is the Youth Mobility Scheme Visa?

This two-year visa is the most common solution for young professionals looking to temporarily live and work in the UK. The YMS visa offers the opportunity to live and work in the UK for up to two years to replace the working holiday visa. It is worth noting that the countries eligible for the YMS visa are slightly more limited than they used to be.

You do not need to have a job offer in place for this visa, and you must be between the age of 18-30 to be eligible. You will need to have at least £2,530 in savings for your application to be accepted, and you will be unable to take family members with you to the UK.

Life as a radiographer in the UK

What is life like as a radiographer in the UK? While your experience may depend on the job you choose or the area you work in, here is what you can expect when moving to the UK to practise as a radiographer:

Accommodation

If you plan to stay in the UK permanently, you may wish to make long-term arrangements for your accommodation, such as purchasing a home. Short-term rental may also be an option if you plan to work in a temporary position for a year or more within the UK without moving to other areas over time. Specific permanent jobs or contracted roles may offer accommodation as part of your contract, though this may be more common in short-term, temporary positions.

There may be a few options available for those working as a locum in the UK. Certain positions may provide accommodation on-site or close by, while larger hospitals or clinics may be able to advise on temporary lodgings near your workplace. Speak with Globe Locums for details on roles which offer this. If you plan to work and travel across the UK during your time in the country, this may be the best option to find suitable accommodation without being tied into a longer-term rental contract.

Bank accounts

When you work within the UK, you will often be required to have a UK based or compatible bank account to pay your salary. Your choice of bank is down to your personal preference, though the easy setup and management of online banking services may be more suited to your requirements than a permanent bricks-and-mortar bank in the UK. If you plan to stay on a holiday visa, you may inquire about an international bank account.

We discuss bank accounts and other things to look into in our Working Holiday Checklist.

Remuneration

Based on recent figures, the average salary for radiographers in the UK is currently £40,336 (checked in November 2021). Radiographers in cities such as London or Manchester may receive higher pay in the region of £43-47,000, while more rural positions may pay a slightly lower rate.

If you would like to work in the NHS, remuneration for radiographers can vary according to the level of experience and seniority. Someone newly qualified would be considered Band 5, while radiographers with seniority and management experience may rise to Band 8a. Pay can be anywhere between £30,000 to £51,000 from the bottom to the top end of the scale.

If you choose to work on a Locum rate or as an hourly temporary worker, pay may also vary depending on the employer you select and the urgency of your placement. For more important about locum remuneration, get in touch with our specialist team today.

Do you have plans for moving to the UK from Australia, Ireland, Canada or anywhere else in the world? Globe Locums is the ideal way to find healthcare jobs that suit your experience and qualifications. We can pair you with the ideal role.

From temporary placements to long-term career moves, we can support you in finding work in the UK. Register today to discover hundreds of vacancies in your specialist field.