Overview

As a physiotherapist, you make a real difference to the way people function physically, socially and psychologically, using therapeutic intervention to optimise their abilities. This is achieved through health promotion, preventative healthcare and rehabilitation.

From September 2020 all new and continuing students on this course will receive a £5,000 maintenance grant each year if they’re eligible. They will not need to pay it back.
Full details here

This course equips you with the knowledge and skills so that on completion, you can apply for membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and register with the Health and Care Professions Council.As with all healthcare professionals, the public place high levels of expectations and trust in their physiotherapist. To work in this sector it is essential that you are able to demonstrate the core values embedded within the NHS Constitution:

• working together for patients
• respect and dignity
• commitment to quality of care
• compassion
• improving lives
• everyone counts.

You learn to apply your knowledge and understanding of contemporary physiotherapy practice, and you gain the skills to be a safe, autonomous and professional practitioner. Core skills underpinning physiotherapy include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, movement analysis and electrotherapy. Throughout the course, as part of the placement experience, you will be required to participate in a shift pattern rota or work weekends.This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The School is committed to the development of quality courses and to the enhancement of the student experience. To that end the Student Voice is central to the design and delivery of the learning experience. We invite you to provide feedback at key points in your student journey and ensure that we respond to your feedback through our 'you said, we did' approach.

Course details

In your first year you gain a real understanding of what underpins physiotherapy practice. This includes anatomy, physiology, practical skills and handling techniques which prepare you to work with a broad spectrum of client groups. Professional regulations, governance and ethics of practice are also explored. You will undertake a three-week assessed clinical placement at the end of Year 1.

In Year 2 you enhance your core knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning in contemporary physiotherapy practice. Learning also takes place in the clinical environment with the allocation of two five-week assessed clinical placements, which allow you to develop the links between theory and practice. You undertake a research methods module to help you formulate a question for your dissertation.

In your final year you carry out a research project based on physiotherapy-related issues. You further develop and consolidate your knowledge and skills to prepare you for employment as a contemporary physiotherapy practitioner. There are a further three assessed clinical placements in a variety of settings and with a range of client groups, which may include paediatrics, elderly care, learning disabilities and mental health services in addition to acute, medical, musculoskeletal and neurological areas.

You develop your professional identity and understand the role of the physiotherapist in the delivery of health and social care in context. You develop skills in effective appraisal of evidence, development of professional behaviour and communication and compilation of a CPD portfolio.

Assessment is through written assignment and a practical examination.

Foundation Skills for Physiotherapy Practise

We introduce you to the core clinical skills and understanding of treatment principles that underpin practice. You integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, with that of pathology, exercise and rehabilitation. This knowledge is applied to a diverse range of client groups.

Assessment is through a written assignment and a practical examination.

Foundation of Functional Anatomy For Physiotherapy Practise

You develop the functional anatomical knowledge and biomechanical principles, which underpin normal movement and the neuromusculoskeletal components of clinical practice. Structural anatomy is related to common movement tasks incorporating a problem solving approach.

Assessment is through a written assignment and a practical examination.

Introduction to Physiology for Physiotherapist

You cover the basic physiology needed by physiotherapists through weekly lectures and practical sessions. You are introduced to the underpinning physiology of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems, and explore physiological concepts in our well-equipped physiology laboratories. Threaded through this is the physiology of the healing process for soft tissues and bone, and the consequences when healing is prevented. The assessment for the module is a written exam, taken in June, with an informal exam earlier in the year in February.   

How you learn

There is a range of diverse learning and teaching methods used throughout the course which includes keynote lectures, seminars, small group work as well as practical skills sessions. You are given constructive feedback to enhance your learning opportunities. You are encouraged and supported to engage in self-directed learning throughout the duration of the course. You must complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical practice successfully to comply with the regulations of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Clinical placements enable you to assess and treat clients with varied clinical conditions, in a range of hospital and community settings. During placements you are supervised by experienced clinicians and receive visits from University tutors. Clinical placements are arranged by academic tutors and you will be required to travel for some placements.

How you are assessed

Assessment is varied and reflects module learning outcomes. You are assessed by written assignments, oral presentations and practical examinations. In the interests of professional safety, you must complete all modules successfully to demonstrate:

• conducting assessment and treatment procedures safely and effectively
• satisfactory clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills
• satisfactory skills in communication and team working
• evidence of appropriate selection and appraisal of methods of critical enquiry.

Career opportunities

Opportunities are available for employment within the NHS, private sector or charitable trusts – in hospitals, GP surgeries, schools, industry and in the community. You could also consider a career working in clinical research or teaching, in the UK or overseas.