Program Overview

Comments from academic peers from other universities include:

"The programme compares highly favourably with similar programmes that I am familiar with at other institutions."

"A highly contemporary professional course that more than meets the requirements of academic and professional regulatory bodies."

"The performance both from an academic and clinical perspective across each student group is reflective of an outstanding level of student support."

"Students are producing a very high standard of work across all three levels."

"I was particularly impressed with some of the writing skills of students in their second year. Written assignments tend to be reduced in courses these days and this may impact on the dissertation in Year 3."

"Feedback to the students was detailed."

"The integration of contemporary policy and professional issues, clearly linked to employment and employability contributes to keeping the programme content highly relevant."

"Quite rightly a very highly regarded pre-registration programme in the UK."

Attendance

Three years, full-time. In addition, two placement blocks occur in summer semesters.

Start dates

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

You will work both individually and in groups. You will be taught in lectures (approx. 60 students), seminars (approx. 20 students) and practical classes (approx. 20 students). The majority of the course is delivered in practical classes where you will learn and practise the various practical skills needed by a physiotherapist. In these classes, you will alternate between taking on the role of physiotherapist and patient.

You will be assessed in a variety of ways, such as sit-down class tests, practical skills tests, presentations, oral tests, essays, dissertation, etc. You will also be assessed on your performance on placement.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise.  The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff.  This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.