Apply for this course
Please select when you would like to start:
If you're a UK applicant wanting to study full-time starting in September, you must apply via UCAS unless otherwise specified. If you're an international applicant wanting to study full-time, you can choose to apply via UCAS or directly to the University.
If you're applying for part-time study, you should apply directly to the University. If you require a Student visa, please be aware that you will not be able to study as a part-time student at undergraduate level.
Why study this course?
Looking to study a degree that helps people to improve their physical function? This Physiotherapy BSc degree will teach you how to support individuals with a range of circumstances including injury, diseases and the impact of ageing to optimise their movement and function, and to make a good recovery.
This hands-on physiotherapy degree has been developed in collaboration with our highly experienced partners, from a wide variety of health and social care settings, to create a comprehensive and exciting curriculum. You’ll learn about common conditions treated by physiotherapists and develop core skills to provide effective physiotherapy treatments to individuals, groups and populations who have or are at risk of developing long-term health conditions.
You’ll gain invaluable experience through a variety of practice placements opportunities across the NHS, private and third sector to prepare you for a career as a physiotherapist. We’ll also introduce you to the most up-to-date scientific knowledge of the human body, health and disease, research underpinning contemporary physiotherapy theory and practice, and health promotion practice used to promote population health so you’ll be ready to hit the ground running after graduation.
Course modules
The modules listed below are for the academic year 2024/25 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.
Year 1 modules
Year 2 modules
Year 3 modules
Applied Science 1
This module currently runs:autumn semester - Monday
autumn semester - Monday morning
(core, 15 credits)
No module details availableRead full details
Applied Science 2
This module currently runs:spring semester - Monday
spring semester - Monday morning
(core, 15 credits)
No module details availableRead full details
Evidence-based practice 1: Study skills and personal development, digital literacy and skills
This module currently runs:autumn semester - Thursday afternoon
(core, 15 credits)
No module details availableRead full details
Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 1: Long Term conditions
This module currently runs:all year (September start) - Tuesday
all year (September start) - Tuesday morning
(core, 30 credits)
This module is the first of two Physiotherapy Theory and Practice modules (PT4000 & PT4052) in the first year, and it is aimed at developing basic understanding of clinical science related to Physiotherapy practice. PT4000 module introduces students to core knowledge of long-term conditions, basic skills for assessing, treatment and overall management of individuals with long term conditions within a biopsychosocial framework.
The module will introduce students to common long-term conditions, their aetiology, presentations, impacts on individuals from diverse socio-economic backgrounds within the UK health and social care structure, and explore the framework for managing them. It will also develop core hands-on skills for assessing, treating and evaluating effective physiotherapy when working with individuals with long-term conditions affecting musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological problems within a multi-disciplinary context.
Furthermore, it will prepare students for evidence based clinical reasoning and problem solving through engagement with the theoretical evaluation of human movement and functioning with practical skills development. The module will consider contemporary healthcare frameworks, particularly the implementation of multi-disciplinary approaches, to facilitate and enable individuals for recovery, rehabilitation, reablement and self-management of individuals with long-term conditions.
The module will run alongside Applied Science 1 (PT4050), Applied Science 2 (PT4054), Evidence-based practice 1 (PT4053) to enable students integrate their underpinning scientific knowledge of human functioning for physiotherapy practice.
Read full detailsPhysiotherapy Theory and Practice 2: Acute conditions
This module currently runs:all year (September start) - Wednesday afternoon
(core, 15 credits)
No module details availableRead full details
Practice Education 1
This module currently runs:autumn semester - Thursday morning
spring semester - Thursday
spring semester - Thursday morning
(core, 15 credits)
Practice Education 1: Introduction to clinical practice module (PT4W50) is the first practice education module on this course.
PT4W50 is aimed at preparing students for practice education, completing their mandatory training requirements, and providing their first opportunity to experience a practice placement setting. Learning and teaching aims of the module are achieved through a clinical simulation programme with mandatory training sessions in the first semester, and a longitudinal one-day a week placement in the second semester.
The clinical simulation is focused at supporting the development of core clinical skills and attitudes such as communication, professionalism, empathy, patients’ assessment, clinical reasoning, management of patients and safety. This is delivered through a wide range of teaching approaches including simulated practice with debriefings, group discussions, guided study, workshop and patient educator sessions. In addition to these sessions, students will complete mandatory training which further prepares them for their first placement.
In the second semester, students will be allocated to a one-day-a week placement to practice their developing skills in a clinical practice setting. The placement will also be supported by weekly debrief sessions.
Specifically, in this module, you will:
1. Acquire knowledge of common settings used in practice education and understand the expectations of students working in these settings.
2. Complete mandatory learning and develop core skills required in practice-based learning.
3. Develop understanding of assessment processes and documentations used in physiotherapy practice-based learning.
4. Practice assessment, clinical reasoning, and management skills in preparation for the first placement.
5. Attend a longitudinal placement to utilise the knowledge, skills, and attitudes acquired in your academic studies.
6. Have opportunity to develop professionalism and inter-professional understanding in a real clinical environment.
Professional Practice 1: Professionalism and Reflective practice
This module currently runs:autumn semester - Wednesday morning
(core, 15 credits)
No module details availableRead full details
Applied Science 3
(core, 15 credits)Applied Science 3 runs in the first semester of the second year and builds on the knowledge of Applied Sciences developed in the first year. It extends students knowledge of biological (anatomy and physiology), biomechanical, and psychosocial aspects of human sciences required to understand conditions affecting health and wellbeing, within a biopsychosocial context. This is facilitated through engagement with the core sciences of anatomy, pathology physiology, kinesiology, psychology, and sociology. Specifically, the module develops an understanding of human functioning, including the exploration of dysfunction and recovery processes.
Applied Sciences 3 (PT5050) runs in the first semester and covers anatomy, physiology, and psychosocial topics. Anatomy topics will introduce important concepts of neuroscience including the structure and function of the central nervous system with particular emphasis on the cortex, basal ganglia, ascending and descending pathways, sensory receptors, and pain pathways; spinal neuroanatomy as well as spinal gross anatomy: joint structures, musculature, ligaments, and other spinal tissues. Physiology topics will cover topics in neuroplasticity, CNS neurotransmitters, cardiorespiratory physiology. Psychology contents will include exploration of illness behaviours with regards to adherence, behaviour change approaches, and motivational interviewing and advanced communication skills.
Evidence-based practice 2: Research methods and critical appraisal
(core, 15 credits)Evidence Based Practice 2: Research Methods and critical appraisal module extends students’ learning and development in the research pillar of clinical practice.
In this module, students will be introduced to principles of scientific enquiry, research processes, critical evaluation of clinical practice, clinical audit, and quality evaluation. They will explore approaches for data collection in quantitative and qualitative research, and clinical audits. In addition, they will practice and develop skills to analyse collected data and interpret these in group workshops.
Furthermore, the module will provide opportunities to practice critical appraisal of different research designs used in evidence-based practice and quality assurance of clinical services.
Specifically, in this module, you will:
Acquire knowledge of the common approaches used to develop research evidence to engage in evidence-based clinical practice.
Practice qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and interpretation to evaluate patient’s health and response to interventions.
Explore and practice using different tools them to evaluate the trustworthiness of findings from common quantitative and qualitative research designs.
Explore approaches used to evaluate service outcomes such as clinical audits and governance for quality management.
Consider the ethical and governance framework for clinical research.
Physiotherapy theory and practice 3: Clinical Rehabilitation
(core, 30 credits)Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 3 module extends students’ knowledge and practice skills in the second-year by building on the foundation developed in the first year’s Physiotherapy Theory and Practice modules 1 & 2. It will run alongside Applied Science 3 (PT5050) and Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 4: Health promotions and wellbeing (PT5052) modules.
In this module, students will extend their capabilities for applying clinical science to the assessment, treatment, exercise prescription & self-management of contemporary musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological problems encountered in clinical practice across the lifespan.
As a skills module, students will utilise a case-based approach to develop sound evidence-based clinical reasoning and hands-on skills for the management of patients with common and diverse clinical problems. In addition, the module will provide an opportunity to relate the management of patients’ presentations with referral processes and specialist pathways.
Furthermore, the module will facilitate and develop skills to evaluate effective physiotherapy when working in clinical practice.
Physiotherapy theory and practice 4: Promoting Health and Wellbeing
(core, 15 credits)Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 4: Promoting health and wellbeing builds on the foundation of Physiotherapy theory and practice 1 & 2, and compliments Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 3, in progressing the education pillar of clinical physiotherapy practice.
This module will run in the second semester of year two of the course to provide students with opportunities to add to their clinical physiotherapy practice, a consideration of the role of lifestyle risk factors and wider health determinants on wellbeing of individuals. Furthermore, through the health promotions aspect of this module, students will be able to develop skills for their role in promoting health for different clinical populations.
Specifically, in this module, you will:
Acquire the knowledge of the contributions of lifestyle factors and how social, economic and environmental factors can influence a person’s health and wellbeing.
Develop understanding of the contributions physiotherapists can make to health promotion, health education and preventing ill-health.
Acquire the knowledge about how to reduce health inequalities through their professional clinical practice.
The skills to facilitate discussions about health risks with their clients and undertake brief interventions including education on major lifestyle risk factors and behaviour change).
Acquire the knowledge about the importance of occupational health and immunisation requirements
Practice Education 2
(core, 15 credits)Practice Education 2: Developing clinical practice 1 module is the second practice education module, and the first of two placement experiences this year. It is aimed at progressing students’ professional practice skills alongside learning theoretical contents in the second year. In this module, the longitudinal placement model used in the first year is progressed by providing an opportunity for students to work in another clinical setting for two days weekly.
The module commences with two weeks of 2-days a week clinical simulation aimed at preparing students for their longitudinal placement. This period of clinical simulation will enable students to complete mandatory training requirements before going on a two-day a week longitudinal placement in a clinical setting for 8 weeks, to complete a total of 150 practice hours. This longitudinal placement will provide students with the opportunity to continue their professional development in practice settings, working with practice educators. Doing a longitudinal placement alongside academic modules will allow students to practice concepts and skills developed in the University in a real-life clinical setting.
Specifically, in this module, you will:
Complete mandatory training and develop core skills required in practice-based learning.
Attend a longer longitudinal placement to integrate your theoretical knowledge, skills, and attitudes for managing service users in a variety of clinical conditions.
Have opportunities to engage with clinical governance processes in place to quality assure service provisions.
Have opportunities to accumulate more practice hours required for your professional training.
Practice Education 3
(core, 15 credits)Practice Education 3: Developing clinical practice 2 module is the third practice education module on this course and provides the second of two placement experiences this year. It is aimed at further extending students’ limit of practice in the second year through a block placement experience.
The module will prepare and support students to be successful in their block placement experience. In the module, students will have opportunities to prepare for their block placements through clinical simulation activities using case studies examples from the concurrently running physiotherapy theory and practice modules (PT5000 & PT5052).
Specifically, in this module, you will:
Develop assessment and management skills in clinical simulation sessions.
Attend a block placement to further consolidate your theoretical knowledge, skills, and attitudes for managing service users in a variety of clinical conditions.
Have opportunities to engage with clinical governance processes in place to quality assure clinical services.
Have opportunities to accumulate more practice hours required for your professional training.
Professional Practice 2: Team working and interprofessional practice
(core, 15 credits)Professional practice 2: Team working and interprofessional practice (PT5051) module will progress knowledge and skills learnt in the first year’s Professional practice 1 module in the leadership and management pillar of clinical practice.
Its focus will be further development of communication and collaboration skills for effective working with service users and other healthcare professions. It will introduce advanced skills required for team working, managing conflicts and effective communication in challenging clinical scenarios. This will prepare students for inter-professional working and collaboration in practice. Students will also continue the exploration of HCPC standards of proficiencies and standards of conduct, performance and ethics that relates to working with interprofessional collaboration and team working.
Specifically in this module, you will:
Develop communication skills to a higher level and enable communication in more complex scenarios with both service users and other members of the MDT.
Introduce inter-professional education and collaboration with other healthcare students.
Acquire the knowledge around managing conflict and whistleblowing.
Develop skills in networking and collaboration
Evidence Based Practice 3: Advancing Physiotherapy Theory and Practice
(core, 30 credits)Evidence Based Practice 3: Advancing physiotherapy practice module completes the research pillar of clinical practice for physiotherapy students.
In this module, students will be provided with an opportunity to utilise the knowledge they have acquired in their research pillar for the investigation of a clinical question in practice or recommended as a research priority in physiotherapy practice or healthcare delivery. With appropriate support, students will refine their identified research ideas, and use appropriate frameworks to develop a research proposal to investigate their clinical question.
Specifically, in this module, you will:
Develop skills to identify contemporary issues in clinical physiotherapy practice to investigate for evidence based practice.
Develop skills to propose appropriate research questions to investigate identified gaps.
Identify appropriate research designs to investigate problems in clinical practice.
Utilise existing frameworks to plan an internally valid research proposal.
Physiotherapy theory and practice 5: Management of complexity in clinical practice
(core, 30 credits)No module details available
Practice Education 4
(core, 15 credits)Practice Education 4: Consolidating Clinical Practice 1 is the fourth practice education module and the first of three, level 6 placements in the final year.
The module will support students’ transition to level 6 placements, consolidate their clinical experience by developing capacity for autonomous practice, and develop their ability to manage caseloads within limits of their own safe and effective clinical practice. Students will have opportunities to do this within another contemporary healthcare setting and increase their mandatory clinical practice hours for graduation. Students will also explore opportunities within this placement to develop appropriate leadership behaviours within their scope of practice and competence.
Students will complete a clinical simulation preparatory period in the University including case-based practice sessions and mandatory training before going out on a 5-week clinical placement.
Practice Education 5
(core, 15 credits)Practice Education 5: Consolidating Clinical Practice 2 is the fifth practice education module and second level 6 placement in the final year.
The module will provide opportunities for students to continue the development of their clinical practice through expanding their limits of clinical practice in another contemporary healthcare setting. Students will consolidate their skills for managing larger caseloads as they practice becoming autonomous physiotherapy practitioners.
Students will be allocated to another five-week block placement to practice theoretical knowledge and skills for the management of patients with different clinical conditions. Students will also have opportunities to consolidate their developing professionalism and inter-professional working with other healthcare professionals. Furthermore, they will have the opportunity to use this placement to demonstrate appropriate leadership behaviours within their scope of practice and competence.
Practice Education 6
(core, 15 credits)Practice Education 6: Consolidating Clinical Practice 3 is the sixth practice education module and include the final level 6 placement in the final year.
The module will give students an opportunity to consider their overall practice development and identify a specialist area of practice they would like to experience to extend their limit of practice for their future career aspirations.
Students will be supported to plan, seek, and attend an elective placement in their self-selected specialist area to complement their clinical skills profile to boost their employability after graduation. Placements options such as specialist, leadership, service improvement, public health, etc will be discussed with students to consider for their elective placement.
Professional Practice 3: Leadership and Service improvement
(core, 15 credits)No module details available