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Students
Tuition Fee
Per year
Start Date
Medium of studying
On campus
Duration
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Laboratory Science | Kinesiology
Area of study
Health | Natural Science
Education type
On campus
Timing
Full time
Course Language
English
Intakes
Program start dateApplication deadline
2023-09-01-
About Program

Program Overview


Our Physiotherapy (pre-registration) Master's degree will develop your clinical leadership knowledge and skills over 3 different practice areas; including musculoskeletal, cardio respiratory and neurology. You will learn in specially built clinical skills rooms, with specialist space so you can get the best training possible.

The MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) is a qualifying programme for graduates with a suitable and relevant first degree and gives you an accelerated route into the profession. It is not for those who have already completed a qualification in Physiotherapy.

This course is

not open

to International students.

What's covered in this course?

Development of key skills, including communication, research and professionalism will enable you to become a compassionate and competent practitioner who can deliver effective, evidence-based and quality-driven care.





Accredited By

This course is accredited by:





  • Why Choose Us?

  • Funding

    - Allied health profession students will receive at least £5,000 a year in additional funding for maintenance and associated study costs.

    Download the funding FAQs

  • You will study at the region’s largest provider of qualified health and social care professionals to the NHS, and upon successful completion of the MSc (Pre-registration) Physiotherapy confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
  • You will build your knowledge through a combination of academic and practice placement learning opportunities, blocks of practice placements - covering both traditional and emerging environments across multiple specialities, will enable you to be work ready for a diverse range of career opportunities within the physiotherapy profession
  • You will be taught in a small cohort by specialist lecturers

    who are practising physiotherapists and can provide a relevant, up-to-date research informed curriculum with real life case studies.
  • We work in partnership with service users and carers to inform the design of the programme as well as involving them in aspects of delivery, enabling you to directly interact with, and learn from, service users and carers

  • You will develop effective team working and communication skills through inter-professional learning, projects and placements enabling you to facilitate group education and to work within a multi-disciplinary team.




  • Studying with us during the Covid-19 pandemic

    The University has put in place

    measures in response to Covid-19

    to allow us to safely deliver our courses. Should the impact of the pandemic continue in future years, any additional or alternative arrangements put in place by the University will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the

    student contract

    .

    Program Outline

    Level 7

    In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 180 credits):

    This is one of the two inter-professional modules in the programme, delivered by HCPC registered healthcare professional tutors and other specialists from Birmingham City University. This module will emphasise the underpinning philosophies of inter professional collaboration and communication within health and social care, enabling shared learning across professional boundaries and facilitating the contextualisation of the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed to deliver optimal care within a dynamic healthcare environment.

    This module is designed to enhance your prior knowledge of the structure and function of the human body, in order to build a foundation for physiotherapy practice with the emphasis on a client centred approach. Taught in parallel with neuromusculoskeletal integrated practice, the content of the module is focused around four main themes; structure and function, pathophysiology, movement analysis and exercise in health and rehabilitation.

    This module is designed to prepare you for practice within the field of neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy. Taught in parallel with the Foundations of Physiotherapy practice module which incorporates the study of musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology, this module will encourage you to integrate this knowledge to the assessment, treatment and management of common problems affecting the musculoskeletal system. The role of evidence based education and advice to clients and their carers as part of a management plan will be explored.

    This module is designed to prepare you for practice within the field of cardio respiratory physiotherapy. A range of learning and teaching opportunities will enable you to develop a systematic understanding of the anatomy and physiology of the cardio respiratory system in both the non-diseased and disease states and understand the physical, psychological and social impact of acute and chronic cardiorespiratory pathology and dysfunction on the client and their relatives/carers.

    This module is designed to prepare you for practice within the field of neurological physiotherapy by facilitating you to develop a reflective, problem- solving approach to the management of children and adults with neurological conditions. A range of learning and teaching opportunities will enable you to develop, integrate and synthesise your knowledge and understanding of neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, neuropathology and human movement to assess, plan, execute and evaluate rehabilitation programmes for individuals with a broad range of neurological dysfunction. The importance of clinical reasoning will again be emphasised (building upon skills introduced in previous modules) enabling you to select and apply appropriate therapeutic interventions underpinned by the principles of evidence based practice. Emphasis will be placed on evaluating practice through seeking evidence of personal and treatment effectiveness.

    This second inter professional module will consolidate the links between your personal and professional development, whilst encouraging and enhancing a lifelong commitment to the concept of continuous quality improvement in a dynamic and ever-changing health and social care environment.

    Through a flexible provision, you are encouraged to reflect critically upon your personal experiences as well and health and social care practice, and to appraise and apply concepts from the literature on best practice to issues of relevance for your profession and the needs of the service user.

    This module builds upon your prior learning related to neuromusculoskeletal, respiratory and neurological physiotherapy and evidenced based practice gained from your year one modules and practice placements to further develop and integrate your knowledge, skills, behaviours and values with a focus on more specialist and complex, multi-pathological presentations. Attention is given to the further development and application of your clinical reasoning skills, the use of measurement and outcomes and understanding your role in Interprofessional collaboration throughout the client journey across a range of health and social care settings.

    This double module forms the final component of your Healthcare Professional MSc. It provides you with the opportunity to complete a piece of work around a topic of interest in order to demonstrate competence in the planning, execution, analysis and evaluation of a Research Project, a Systematic Review, or an Audit or Service Evaluation linked to practice.

    The focus of this module is on facilitating independent, critical study in your professional practice discipline. It will also serve those of you who wish to embark on Doctoral studies in the future. This module involves 400 hours of study.

    Practice Placements

    You will complete a minimum of 1000 practice placement hours across the programme to meet the requirements of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), the professional body. This will be divided into weeks of practice placement time, with 12 being coordinated across the first year (2 X 6 week blocks) and 18 weeks (3x6 weeks) in the second year.

    The purpose of the practice placement component of the programme is to enable and support students to develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviour to manage a broad range of conditions relating to human movement through the practical application of academic learning. It should also enable the student to develop their understanding of the wide range of individuals who may benefit from physiotherapy and the diverse settings in which physiotherapy may be provided. Dedicated to providing students with a broad range of practice placement experience, the programme recognises and celebrates the differences in service configuration and the ways in which that the physiotherapy workforce is engaged. Therefore, the emphasis is on the overall profile of practice placement experience that each student undertakes.

    For each placement, each student is assigned a named Practice Educator/s who is an HCPC registered Physiotherapist. The CSP supports a range of models of supervision, therefore the Practice Educator may be responsible for more than one student at any time. The Practice Educator will plan the placement and supervise the student(s) although other members of their team may contribute for maximum experience and learning.

    The practice placement learning component of the programme has been developed with valuable input form stakeholders and in line with the Learning and Development Principles for CSP Accreditation of Qualifying Programmes in Physiotherapy (2015), HCPC Standards of Proficiency for Physiotherapists (2013) and the HCPC Standards of Education and Training (2014).

    Practice placements will usually be based Practice Placement Providers in the greater West Midlands region, however, you may occasionally be allocated to other locations throughout the UK, depending on Practice Placement demand and availability. All placements that are external to the University will involve travel away from the main site. Depending on location, some placements may require you to seek more local accommodation, which may incur a cost. BCU cannot guarantee that you will be allocated as soon as you are eligible to progress to a Practice Placement, however, every effort is made to ensure that you are placed as soon as possible.

    Placements are compulsory and if you do not successfully meet the professional capabilities for all four placements, you will not meet the requirements for successful completion of the programme.

    You will be required to fund all costs relating to placements, for example travel to and from the placement site, car parking charges and accommodation costs (if you choose to seek more local accommodation).

    Download course specification

    Download now

    This postgraduate physiotherapy degree course will be delivered full-time over two years, with each year comprising 45 weeks of learning – this is required to incorporate your practice based placements.

    There will be a minimum of 1,000 hours in practice placements, ensuring that you have sufficient opportunity to achieve the required practice competencies, such that successful completion will ensure you can practice as an autonomous newly qualified practitioner.

    We'll embed professional development throughout the course, ensuring that you are committed to the ethos of lifelong learning, and are prepared to meet the continued professional development requirements for the profession

    1,000 ...hours in practice placements


    Student Consent to act as a model during the programme

    The development of practical and clinical skills is integral to your development as a physiotherapist. Participation in interactive practical classes (which involves the teaching, learning and practice of such skills) is therefore essential to your education as a physiotherapist. Students are asked to act as ‘models’ or ’service users’ for these teaching and learning processes, both in the university and during practice placements. Acting as a model may, by necessity, involve the removal of clothing that enables adequate observation and/or examination of the body. Therefore, before commencing practical classes, all students are given detailed information regarding this issue and are required to sign the relevant section of a consent form.

    There are some circumstances in which it is possible for us to arrange for some students to work only with students of the same gender, in classes, but it is not possible to provide separate classes for the genders or to screen off sections of rooms to separate the genders. Please be assured that the programme team is willing to make any reasonable adjustments in order to overcome or minimise any concerns over such issues.

    The issue of consent will be explained in more detail during the induction week and revisited throughout the programme. If you feel that there is an issue which may have an impact on your ability or willingness to act as a model, please contact the programme leader to discuss this. We will make every effort to put mechanisms in place to address your concerns.


    Uniform and Equipment

    You may be required to wear a uniform for practice placements. You will be fitted for the required uniform on commencement of your course. Given that your programme involves placement opportunities with the National Health Service (NHS), we wish to bring standard NHS advice to your attention with respect to dress code. For purposes of minimising the spread of infection and of cross contamination, this (dress) code includes the requirement that a short sleeved uniform is worn in many hospital and clinic contexts. Should you wish to discuss any concerns in connection to this prior to starting the course, please contact the programme lead in the first instance.


    Additional costs that students may incur related to their studies are outlined below;


    Student Membership of The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

    BCU encourages all students on the programme to become student members of the CSP. Students are responsible for paying the student membership fee. The fee for student membership of the CSP is currently £39 per year. For further information regarding student membership including benefits and fees, visit the

    CSP website

    .

    Information regarding membership of the CSP will be provided during the induction week and so please do not join prior to attending the induction week.


    DBS clearance

    Costs associated with obtaining DBS clearance are payable by you. If you have lived outside the UK for six months or more in the past five years, you will also need to obtain a criminal record check from the country you were living in. For applicants living in the Republic of Ireland, we will need to see an Irish Garda clearance. You are required to pay for the cost of obtaining this clearance. The cost varies by country.


    Books

    Students are instructed to wait until they have started the course before purchasing any books, as individual module co-ordinators may make particular recommendations and students may also be able to borrow books as required the University library.


    Printing and photocopying costs

    In addition to any book purchases, the MSc Physiotherapy programme utilises a range of bespoke teaching including worksheets, support notes and quizzes. All of this material will be available in electronic format, through Moodle sites. You will also be expected to access additional literature sources (i.e. scientific journals, government publications), as part of your directed and self-directed learning. You may wish to print some of this teaching material and literature and take account of the additional cost of doing so.


    Costs associated with Practice Placement

    You will be required to fund all costs relating to placements, for example travel to and from the placement site, car parking charges and accommodation costs (if you choose to seek more local accommodation).


    Health and Care Professions Council

    This course is approved by the

    Health and Care Professions Council

    , and will give you eligibility to apply for registration if you successfully complete the course.

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    About University
    PhD
    Masters
    Bachelors
    Diploma
    Foundation
    Courses

    Birmingham City University


    Overview:

    Birmingham City University (BCU) is a large and diverse university located in the heart of Birmingham, England. It boasts over 31,000 students from over 100 countries, emphasizing practice-based learning.


    Services Offered:

    BCU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

      Accommodation:

      Seven halls of residence with various on-campus and inner-city living options.

      Financial Support:

      Scholarships and financial aid programs to help students fund their education.

      Career Services:

      Support for graduate employment, self-employment, volunteering, mentoring, and graduate events and training.

      Learning Support:

      Resources and assistance for students with learning difficulties.

      Library Services:

      Access to the university library for alumni and students.

      Student Union (BCUSU):

      A student-led organization providing representation, activities, and support.

    Student Life and Campus Experience:

    BCU offers a vibrant student life with numerous opportunities to explore:

      Life in Birmingham:

      The university provides information and resources for students to navigate life in the city.

      Campus Facilities:

      Access to industry-standard facilities, innovative learning spaces, and social spots.

      Virtual Tours:

      Immersive 360-degree tours of the campuses to experience student life virtually.

      BCU Boost:

      A financial support package designed to simplify student life, including travel incentives, financial management tips, and discounts.

    Key Reasons to Study There:

      Practice-based Learning:

      BCU focuses on practical skills development and real-world application of knowledge.

      International Opportunities:

      The university offers international study opportunities and a diverse student body.

      Employability Focus:

      BCU emphasizes career readiness and provides resources to help students find employment.

      Gold for Student Experience:

      BCU has received the highest possible rating for student experience in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).

    Academic Programs:

    BCU offers a wide range of academic programs across various faculties:

      Arts, Design and Media

      Business, Law and Social Sciences

      Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment

      Health, Education and Life Sciences

      Royal Birmingham Conservatoire


    Other:

      Alumni Community:

      BCU has a strong alumni network with opportunities for engagement through events, mentoring, and international ambassador roles.

      Research:

      The university has research centers and projects across various disciplines, aiming to contribute to knowledge and the world.

      STEAMhouse:

      A unique space for innovation, enterprise, and skills development in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics.

      News and Events:

      BCU regularly publishes news and updates on its website and social media platforms.

    Total programs
    312
    Admission Requirements

    UK students

    Essential

    You must have an Honours degree with a 2:1 or above in a relevant discipline such as biological sciences, physiology, sports science, chemistry and psychology. This list is not exhaustive and applicants with other subjects will be reviewed on an individual basis.

    Please note, we may need to ask to see your undergraduate degree transcript and in some cases, will request further details about the content of individual modules.

    You must also have GCSEs in mathematics and English at grade C or above.


    International students

    Essential

    If English is not your first language, you must have an IELTS score of 7.0, with no element below 6.5.


    Other requirements

    Essential

    DBS Disclosure: satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Scheme (DBS) report

    If you have lived outside the UK for six months or more in the past five years, we will need to see a criminal record check from the country you were living in. For applicants living in the Republic of Ireland, we will need to see an Irish Garda clearance.

    Occupational Health Clearance: satisfactory occupational health clearance

    A strong interest in working as a registered Physiotherapist with a demonstrated understanding of the role and the skills required to be a registered practitioner. It may be advantageous to have a caring capacity.

    Any offer of a place is subject to satisfactory performance at interview.


    Accreditation for Prior (Experiential) Learning (AP(E)L)

  • Accreditation for Prior (Experiential) learning (AP(E)L) is a process by which individuals can gain credit towards qualifications based on past achievements. This can be gained either through formal study - Accreditation for Prior Learning (APL) or by learning through experience - Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL). Claims for accreditation should, where possible, be made prior to enrolment in the programme. Claims cannot be considered after the first six weeks of each stage of the programme. The responsibility for making the claim and providing the evidence rests with the applicant
  • It is important to be aware that any application for APL credit in respect of postgraduate studies must be based on prior learning or experience at a suitably advanced level. This means that it is not normally possible to accredit prior learning at level, even if the content may appear similar. Accreditation can be for entry onto a programme or credit for (s) within a programme
  • There are University Regulations which govern the amount of credit which can be allowed for any award. Therefore, in some cases, credit cannot be given even though you can provide evidence of appropriate prior learning. Staff in the Academic Development Department (ADD) will be able to advise on this: Tel: 0121 331 7011
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