Careers with this subject
Physiotherapists work with a wide range of conditions to help improve patient’s overall mobility and quality of life. These can be grouped into five main categories:
- Cardio respiratory
Relates to the action of both the heart and lungs. Some of the conditions physiotherapists work with include COPD, Cystic fibrosis, post organ transplant and chest infections. - Musculoskeletal
Relates to the muscles and the skeleton. Disorders that physiotherapists see frequently are lower back pain, fractures, nerve related pain, persistent pain conditions and Arthritis. - Neurological
Comprising of the anatomy, functions and disorders of the nerves and nervous system. Some of these conditions include Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, and Parkinson’s disease. - Diverse patient groups
Physiotherapists work with a wide range of different people. For example, amputees, paediatrics, occupational health, rheumatology, palliative or end of life care, and learning disabilities. - Physical problems
Some of the conditions physiotherapists might see are patients with a loss of a limb, impaired balance, reduced strength, lack of sensation in a limb, reduced confidence with mobility, loss of movement, a need to return to a sport, the control of movement, persistent pain, reduced vision and reduced awareness.
- people with complex needs or multiple medical conditions
- people who are recovering from surgery
- acutely unwell people in need of ventilator support
- people with cardio respiratory problems
- people with musculoskeletal problems
- people with neurological problems
- people with diet-related conditions such as diabetes
- people with age related conditions.
- Public Health in NHS hospitals
- in imaging departments
- communities
- sports teams
- at a school
- private practice
- Armed Forces
- GP surgeries
- nursing homes
- education and academia
- research
- leadership roles
- voluntary roles.
Key features
- Experience excellent placement opportunities in a variety of clinical settings, which have ranged from acute teaching hospitals to the community, sports clubs and the Armed Forces. This includes a full placement in your first year with all placement marks potentially contributing towards your degree classification.
- Learn to study independently and in small groups with our enquiry-based learning curriculum.
- Achieve your potential as an autonomous practitioner with highly developed problem-solving skills.
- Benefit from extracurricular experience by providing supervised physiotherapy support at our pop up clinics, such as local sports events.
- Explore, collaborate and contribute to research informed practice, with a physiotherapy team engaged in research at an international level.
- From 2023, students in Plymouth can train and practice their professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place.
- Graduate armed with the skills and experience to find employment in a variety of environments – from the NHS to private practice, armed forces to sports clubs working locally or internationally.
- On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. As a successful graduate, you’ll be able to progress from student to full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Course details
Year 1
- In your first year, interprofessional learning with students from other healthcare disciplines will give you an insight into what it is to be a ‘professional’. You will enjoy Physiotherapy modules relating to anatomy and physiology as well as the importance of health promotion and exercise. You will develop your understanding of applied movement science and evidence based Physiotherapy practice and embark on a rewarding clinical placement.
Core modules
Anatomy and Physiology for Health and Well-being (PHY401)
This module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology relevant for health and wellbeing to the professional practice of Physiotherapists.
Applied Movement Science (PHY402)
Students are introduced to understanding and assessing the biomechanics of human movement andon to the anatomy and physiology for health and well-being module. Using a mixture of learning and teaching methods, further areas of movement science and functional anatomy are explored, including kinematics, kinetics, posture, proprioception, neuromuscular control and gait in relation to common functional and postural deficits.
Principles of Physiotherapy Practice (PHY403)
This module introduces the students to physiotherapy in the areas of cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological practice. Simulated case scenarios will facilitate the students’ learning related to specific patient problems encountered in these areas of physiotherapy practice.
Evidence-Based Physiotherapy Practice (PHY404)
This module introduces students to principles of evidence-based physiotherapy practice. This includes the identification, understanding and application of evidence in practice, following a patient-based approach through the use of clinical based scenarios for conditions commonly seen by physiotherapists.
Preparation for Practice (SOHP401)
This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and the inherent standards expected of them. The characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.
Practice Placement Year 1 (PHY407)
This is the students first practice placement during which the student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.
Year 2
- In your second year, you will learn about the rehabilitation of patients with cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological conditions. You will take increased responsibility in practice, utilising your theoretical knowledge and developing the confidence and personal skills required to be an autonomous Physiotherapist.
Core modules
Physiotherapy Practice 1 (PHY501)
This module builds on the physiotherapy practice skills from year 1 and develops practical rehabilitation skills around management and recovery, with a primary focus on musculoskeletal conditions commonly seen by physiotherapists.
Physiotherapy Practice 2 (PHY502)
This module builds on the physiotherapy practice skills from year 1 and develops practical rehabilitation skills around management and recovery, with a primary focus on neurological and cardio-respiratory conditions commonly seen by physiotherapists.
Readiness for Rehabilitation (PHY503)
This module provides theoretical underpinning of rehabilitation practice, considering factors influencing rehabilitation and recovery from the context of the ICF.
Living and Staying Well (PHY504)
This module will provide practical rehabilitation skills focused around management of long-term conditions. The module will include a range of conditions, but will be organised into three overarching themes: Supporting people at diagnosis and early stage management, maintaing participation and optimising quality of life.
Project Studies (SOHP503)
This module develops knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning. The content is designed to enable the students to understand different research designs, to evaluate the research literature and to prepare them to undertake research at undergraduate level. Meets all or part of HCPC Standards of Proficiency: 2b.1, 3a.
Practice Placement 2 (PHY509)
This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 5. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.
Practice Placement 3 (PHY510)
This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 5. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.
Final year
- In your final year you will study more complex case scenarios in the key areas of Physiotherapy practice. You will have the opportunity to undertake a supervised project in an area of your choice. During your placements, emphasis is on the levels of professional mastery and fitness for practice that you will require for registration and employment.
Core modules
Complex Case Management (PHY601)
This module develops students’ critical evaluation of physiotherapy management within inter-professional teams across an array of patient pathways and settings (acute to community), building on knowledge from previous modules. Mental health and social reintegration aspects of complex case management will be explored and critically evaluated.
Contemporary Physiotherapy Practice (PHY602)
This module develops students’ critical evaluation and application of emerging and contemporary physiotherapy practice to?improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment, monitoring and management of acute and long-term conditions.
Public and Global Health (PHY603)
This module will enhance students’ knowledge and awareness of contemporary UK public health and global health issues relevant to the physiotherapy profession. Students will explore the challenges affecting public and global health and the potential for physiotherapy to affect positive change.
Inter-professional Working in Health and Social Care (SOHP602)
Students will explore, in depth, areas of inter-professional working to include quality enhancement of service provision and the patient experience.
Project (SOHP605)
This module consolidates knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice and lifelong learning. The content will support the students to undertake research at undergraduate level, to discuss their findings in the context of the contemporary evidence base and to evaluate the implications of their activities on their future practice.
Practice Placement 4 (PHY606)
This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 6. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.
Practice Placement 5 (PHY607)
This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 6. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:
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