University of Newcastle radiation therapy students have secured three of four $12,500 scholarships offered this year by the Townsville Cancer Centre.

Third-year students Kylie Robbie, Stevie Fielding and Brock Ditton will begin their scholarships in 2011 and second-year student Melissa Barlow will take up hers in 2012.

Newcastle students are held in high regard by the centre, with six of eight scholarships awarded to students in the past three years.

As part of the scholarships, students complete a third-year clinical placement at the centre and are employed for a two-year term after completing their studies.

"We have forged strong links with the Townsville Cancer Centre and our students are valued for their professionalism," said program convenor Shane Dempsey. "The program exposes students to the clinical environment from the very beginning and our students are comfortable working in multi-disciplinary teams and communicating with patients."

The director of the Townsville Cancer Centre's Radiation Therapy Services, Aniko Cooper, said University of Newcastle graduates were held in high regard by their colleagues.