Simulation in Radiography Education: What the 2025 CoR Guidance Means
The 2025 College of Radiographers guidance recommends 120 hours of simulation-based education. Here is what that means for radiography programmes.
The College of Radiographers has released updated guidance on practice-based learning hours for pre-registration diagnostic and therapeutic radiography programmes (July 2025).
You can read the full document here:
https://www.collegeofradiographers.ac.uk/document-library/update-on-practice-based-learning-hours-for-pre-registration-diagnostic-radiography-and-therapeutic-radiography-programmes
This update introduces a clear structure:
- 1,200 hours of practice-based learning
- plus 120 hours of simulation-based education
This is not a minor adjustment. It formalises the role of simulation within radiography education.
Key takeaway: Simulation is now a defined requirement
Simulation has been part of radiography education for some time, but often in an informal or supplementary capacity.
The 2025 guidance changes that.
Simulation is now:
- explicitly recommended
- quantified in hours
- expected within programme design
This means every programme must now answer:
How are simulation hours being delivered in a structured, measurable way?
Why simulation is being prioritised
The guidance links simulation directly to workforce and capacity challenges.
It highlights:
- increasing student numbers
- expansion of training pathways
- pressure on clinical placement environments
It also states that current approaches do not fully address these limitations.
This is the core issue facing radiography education.
Clinical environments cannot scale fast enough to meet demand. Simulation is being positioned as part of the solution.
What counts as simulation in radiography education?
Simulation-based education in radiography typically includes:
- virtual imaging environments
- structured clinical scenarios
- radiation safety training without exposure
- repeatable procedural practice
The key requirement is not the format. It is that simulation:
- supports learning outcomes
- is measurable
- can be integrated into programme delivery
What the 120-hour simulation recommendation means in practice
The recommendation creates a new layer of responsibility for education providers.
Programmes must now ensure that simulation is:
- Planned within the curriculum
- Delivered consistently across cohorts
- Measured and recorded
- Linked to competency development
Ad hoc simulation sessions will not meet this requirement.
This is a shift from occasional use to structured implementation.
Flexibility in delivery remains
The College of Radiographers continues to support an outcomes-based approach.
This means:
- programmes are not restricted to a single teaching method
- delivery can be adapted as long as learning outcomes are achieved
This creates space for simulation to be integrated in different ways, including:
- pre-clinical preparation
- reinforcement of clinical learning
- assessment and remediation
The role of immersive simulation
Immersive simulation introduces additional capabilities that align with the new guidance.
It allows students to:
- practise imaging techniques without patient risk
- repeat rare or complex scenarios
- develop positioning accuracy and decision-making
- receive immediate feedback
For institutions, it enables:
- scalable delivery across large cohorts
- consistent learning experiences
- measurable performance tracking
- reduced reliance on clinical placement availability
These are the exact pressures identified in the guidance.
The evidence base is still evolving
The document notes that simulation research is still developing and that recommendations will be updated as evidence grows.
This is important for two reasons:
- there is no single prescribed model yet
- institutions have flexibility in how they implement simulation
There is also an opportunity for programmes to contribute to the evidence base through structured use of simulation.
Why this matters now
From August 2025, new programmes seeking approval will need to demonstrate:
- 1,200 practice-based learning hours
- inclusion of simulation within programme design
Existing programmes will also need to align over time.
This makes simulation a practical requirement, not a future consideration.
A structural shift in radiography education
This guidance reflects broader changes across healthcare education:
- increasing demand for trained professionals
- constrained access to clinical environments
- the need for scalable, repeatable training methods
Simulation is now part of the structure of radiography education.
The question is no longer whether it should be used.
The focus is now on how effectively it is implemented.
Frequently asked questions
How many simulation hours are recommended in radiography training?
The College of Radiographers recommends 120 hours of simulation-based education in addition to 1,200 hours of practice-based learning.
Does simulation replace clinical placement hours?
No. Simulation is recommended in addition to clinical hours, not as a direct replacement.
Why is simulation important in radiography education?
Simulation helps address limited clinical placement capacity while allowing students to practise skills safely, repeatedly, and in a controlled environment.
Can VR be used to deliver simulation hours?
Yes, if it supports learning outcomes, is measurable, and is integrated into programme delivery. The guidance allows flexibility in how simulation is delivered.