Becoming a Medical Physicist: My Route to the NHS Scientist Training Programme

The MSc in Medical Physics with Radiobiology at the University of Oxford’s Department of Oncology equips students with the interdisciplinary knowledge needed to advance in medical physics, radiation oncology, and related fields. By blending core principles of physics, biology, and clinical practice, the course offers a distinctive perspective on the science underpinning cancer treatment and imaging.

After discovering a passion for applying physics to medicine, Eve Charlesworth  chose Oxford’s MSc programme as the next step toward a clinical career. Following the course, Eve successfully secured a place on the highly competitive NHS Scientist Training Programme, beginning her journey to becoming a registered clinical scientist.

Can you tell us about your background?

I arrived in Oxford after doing an undergraduate degree in Physics at the University of St Andrews. During my time in St Andrews, I took a module on concepts in atomic physics and magnetic resonance, which developed my interest in the applications of theoretical physics to practical topics such as magnetic resonance imaging. My final year project focused on investigating intracellular protein dynamics, which involved a lot of new biology! As a result, I wanted to pursue a master's at the frontier of physics and biology.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

After listening to a presentation by a radiotherapy physicist at a careers fair I thought medical physics might be a good fit for me due to its interdisciplinary nature. I did some researching online and found the medical physics course at Oxford, which perfectly blended fundamental physics topics with radiobiological principles. The addition of radiobiology is pretty unique to this course and is essential in understanding many of the decisions made in medical physics, such as fractionation in radiotherapy, allowing for a deeper understanding of the subject.

What did you enjoy most about the course?

My favourite part about the course was the lectures! We covered a range of topics which combined physics, biology, and chemistry: from radiotherapy physics and nuclear medicine to molecular radiobiology topics on DNA repair mechanisms and genome instability. Some stand out lectures included those on the patient pathway which involved developing a deeper understanding of the experiences of patients throughout their cancer treatment. The course also does a great job of highlighting the broader context surrounding cancer treatment meaning you obtain both a comprehensive and macroscopic understanding.

How has the MSc in Medical Physics with Radiobiology helped you to achieve your career goals?

After finishing the MSc at Oxford, I have started the NHS Scientist Training Programme at Oxford University Hospitals Foundation Trust. This will enable me to become qualified as a registered medical physicist in the UK, and it has been a really interesting experience seeing all of the skills and knowledge I learnt throughout the course in clinical practice. The MSc gave me a well-rounded and detailed understanding of many aspects of medical physics, equipping me with the knowledge to pursue a career in medical physics. Many of the lectures were delivered by either academics or experienced clinical scientists working within hospitals, which helped me gain a better insight into the job role. 

What is your top tip for students wanting to study here?

The workload can get pretty hectic, so make sure you stay motivated and organised. Additionally, the dissertation project is a great way to collaborate with a variety of people within the department outside of your course, who may have different insights to you, so make the most out of this experience.

As well as engaging in all aspects the course has to offer, make sure you make the most out of your time living in Oxford, as the year goes by very quickly! Getting involved in college life and joining different clubs/societies (like rowing!) means that you will have a really exciting and unique year. Oxford is a lovely place to live, and I have really enjoyed my time here.

The MSc in Medical Physics with Radiobiology provides a unique opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the scientific foundations behind modern cancer therapies. Through a comprehensive academic curriculum and close engagement with clinical experts, Eve built the skills and confidence to take the next step towards a career as a registered medical physicist.

For more information and application details, please visit the Graduate Admissions webpage.