Program Overview

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MSc - Physiotherapy (Pre-registration)

Course Overview

Building on your existing academic skills, you will learn profession-specific skills which meet the needs of your future employers. You'll complete over 1000 hours of clinical practice placements, taking advantage of our exceptional industry links across North West England, Southern Scotland, the Isle of Man and more. You'll develop your examination, assessment, treatment and leadership skills, allowing you to graduate with a strong profile.

Our professionally-experienced tutors provide you with theoretical backing and hands-on opportunities in our physiotherapy and simulation suites. Whilst learning, you will be able to work with other Institute of Health students, as you would in a professional role.

On completion of this accelerated degree, you will be eligible to apply for membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This will open up a variety of employment opportunities in the NHS, private and sporting sectors.

On this course you will...

• Complete practical learning in simulated clinical environments, facilitated by experienced physiotherapy staff. Enhancing your learning and preparing you for a clinical environment.
• Learn the practical skills needed in the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal, respiratory and neurological conditions.
• Complete a range of practice placements within various settings allowing you to experience the nature of the profession and the different specialisms that it covers.
• Get to know your classmates well and receive close tuition, support and guidance from our friendly lecturing team.
• Become a practising physiotherapist in only two years, rather than the traditional three.
• Be able to apply for membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health and Care Professions Council. Membership of these governing bodies enables you to enter the clinical environment as an autonomous practitioner.

Key Details

• Recruiting to: UK / RoI / Settled in UK, EU / EEA / International
• Course Location: Carlisle - Fusehill Street
• Institute: Institute of Health
• Delivery Style: In-Person
• Course Duration: Full-time: 2 Years
• Course Start Point: September
• Award: MSc

Minimum entry requirements

• 2:1 Honours degree
• An existing BSc (Hons) degree in a relevant science-based subject, at 2i (upper-class second) level or higher. Examples of relevant subjects include sports rehabilitation, sports therapy, human biology, biomedical sciences, anatomy and physiology, etc.
• OR
• An existing qualification in nursing, midwifery or relevant Allied Health Profession, gained through study to BSc (Hons) level.
• A recognised practitioner qualification in e.g: osteopathy or chiropractic.

Tuition fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025/6 year, subsequent year fee is subject to inflation)
• £16,900 - International (2025/6 year, subsequent year fee is subject to inflation)

Course Structure

What you will learn

The programme will equip you with all the skills you need to practice whether you choose to work in the NHS or the independent sector. The programme is designed to ensure that you graduate with a strong clinical profile, professional and academic curiosity, a critical approach to clinical practice and a wide range of transferrable leadership skills, all of which are in high demand from employers.

By the end of the programme, you will not only be able to practice safely and effectively, but will be able to offer creative solutions to complex issues in practice through engaging with current evidence and reflecting on your practice placement experience.

Year one

• Applied Science for Physiotherapy
• Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice
• Neuromusculoskeletal Care Pathways
• Project Design
• Acute Care and Rehabilitation Pathways
• Physiotherapy Placement 1: Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice
• Physiotherapy Placement 2

Year two

• Complex and Enduring Conditions across the Lifecycle
• Enhancing Service and Innovation
• Research Project
• Physiotherapy Placement 3
• Physiotherapy Placement 4
• Physiotherapy Placement 5: Negotiated Placement

Teaching & Assessment

How you will learn

The programme’s philosophy is based on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s (CSP) Accreditation of Qualifying Programmes in Physiotherapy: Quality Assurance processes document (2022). The programme is also based on the values the University of Cumbria prides itself on (Towards 2030 Strategic Plan), alongside NHS principles and values:

Completion of this programme will equip you with all the skills you need to practice whether you choose to work in the NHS or the independent sector.

We adopt a blended learning approach, which uses a combination of taught sessions, seminars, online activities and peer group discussions which offers flexibility and enhances your student experience.

How you will be assessed

Modules use formative and summative assessment so you progress through a module in a structured and constructive way and build knowledge for practice coherently and logically. Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on your performance is provided before the submission of the final, summative assessment – though this does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded.

Summative assessment encourages progressive development through feedback and reflection, which is of relevance to either further academic progression or your future employment needs.

Selection Criteria

Non-standard entrants are required to demonstrate the ability to benefit from and to successfully complete the course.

These candidates will need to show evidence of continuous professional development within the last 5 years; relevant work experience; and demonstrate the motivation and ability to succeed. All applicants will need to provide evidence of academic ability to Level 6.

Fitness to practise and health requirements

All offers of a place are subject to satisfactory health screening. Further information will be provided following the offer of a place.

Disclosure and Barring Service check

If you are offered a place we require you to comply with an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) background clearance check.

Values Based Recruitment

From 1 April 2015, all Higher Education Institutions delivering NHS funded training programmes will be required to assess students for their values using the core requirements set out in the Values Based Recruitment (VBR) framework. This assessment will take place as part of our recruitment process.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• £9,535 - UK (2025/6 year, subsequent year fee is subject to inflation)
• £16,900 - International (2025/6 year, subsequent year fee is subject to inflation)

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses.

Funding

You may also be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

If you're eligible, you can get access to:

• A Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year
• Parental Support of £2,000, if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
• Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses
• Exceptional Support Fund (Students experiencing financial hardship)

Additional Costs

• Books and Journals: Students need to spend approximately £100-£200 a year on textbooks and scripts although this cost can be reduced considerably by sourcing second hand copies of books.
• Stationery: Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use.
• Clothing and Equipment: The following equipment should be purchased: Adult Stephoscope: Tytan Professional Series Deluxe Stethoscope 9, 8” Plastic Goniometer and a tape measure.
• Field Trips: You may wish to attend a conference (optional not part of the course) again the costs vary and depend on whether you go to a one day or several day event, the costs will vary depending on where the venues are and the cost of accommodation you choose. With conference fees, travel and accommodation you will need to budget from anywhere between £250 and £750.
• Other: At the start of your course, you will complete an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Services. This is paid for by you (the applicant/student.) and is not covered by the University. Please note, you will also have to pay the cost of any additional checks for example, if you lose your certificate. If you suspend your studies for a year or more you will also have to pay for a new criminal records check. Occasionally placement providers request an additional check if the certificate is more than one year old. If this is the case, you will need to pay for the additional check.