Program Overview
This two-year MSc Physiotherapy course provides an excellent educational experience in both academic and clinical environments. It supports the development of graduates with the ability and desire to make a meaningful contribution within their communities. Students gain core knowledge and practical skills in physiotherapy practice, specializing in musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, and neurological conditions. The program emphasizes clinical teaching, enquiry-based learning, and authentic assessment tasks that mirror the skills required as a registered physiotherapist.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
This two-year accelerated MSc Physiotherapy course provides an excellent educational experience in both academic and clinical environments. It supports the development of graduates with the ability and desire to make a meaningful contribution within their communities. The program is divided into three key themes: clinical, professional, and evidence-based practice, which run throughout the program. These themes transition across the two years, ensuring that learning is applied and developed continuously to facilitate growth at each level of study. Practice-based learning is an essential part of this program, allowing students to experience a wide range of clinical settings and integrate theory and practice, developing clinical skills, professionalism, and leadership. Successful graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to apply to become a professional member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. It is not available to Physiotherapy graduates and is not a conversion course.
Outline:
Year One:
- Compulsory Modules:
- Applied Sciences Physiotherapy (PHTY410): This module provides students with the core knowledge and practical skills required in physiotherapy practice. It covers normal structure and function of bodily tissues, mechanisms of tissue healing, repair, and aging, and handling skills essential for safe and effective patient care.
- Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice (PHTY411): This module introduces students to the core knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct an assessment and implement a management plan for patients with conditions commonly encountered in physiotherapy practice. It covers communication skills, subjective and objective assessment, clinical reasoning, and management strategies. Assessment includes a 40-minute assessment demonstrating practical skills and theoretical knowledge, and a six-week practice placement (pass/fail).
- Evidenced-based Management of Medical, Surgical, and Rehabilitation Patients (PHTY412): This module advances students' knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct an assessment and implement a management plan for patients with medical and surgical conditions encountered in cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy practice. It covers pathologies related to medical and surgical practice, subjective and objective assessment, and innovative management strategies. Assessment includes a 1,500-word evaluation of a patient case study, a 30-minute practical assessment, and a five-week practice placement (pass/fail).
- Evidenced-based Management of Musculoskeletal Patients (PHTY413): This module advances students' knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct an assessment and implement a management plan for patients with musculoskeletal conditions encountered in physiotherapy practice. It covers pathologies related to musculoskeletal practice, subjective and objective assessment, and innovative management strategies. Assessment includes a 1,500-word evaluation of a patient case study, a 30-minute practical assessment, and a five-week practice placement (pass/fail).
- Research Methods in Healthcare Practice (HEAL417): This module enables students to develop a research proposal for a review of evidence, empirical project, clinical audit, or service evaluation. It covers the research journey, research question development, proposal development, and ethical requirements. Assessment includes a Research Proposal tailored to the student's area of interest and speciality.
Year Two:
- Compulsory Modules:
- Advancing Physiotherapy Practice (PHTY414): This module advances students' knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct an assessment and lead on holistic, innovative, individualised management plans for patients presenting with complex pathologies in various settings. It covers complex pathologies, subjective and objective assessment, and advanced management strategies. Assessment includes a poster presentation, a 60-minute oral assessment, and two five-week placements (pass/fail). Students undertake a piece of empirical research, a service evaluation/audit, or a review of evidence in their chosen field of interest.
- Healthcare Leadership and Service Delivery (PHTY415): This module provides students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills to become effective and innovative leaders in physiotherapy and healthcare practice. It covers leadership styles, resource management, workforce planning, service development, and implementing change in clinical practice. Assessment includes a written report on a proposed service development identified during placements.
Assessment:
Assessment methods include unseen written examinations, continuous assessment during practical sessions, 40-minute assessments, 30-minute practical assessments, 60-minute oral assessments, poster presentations, 1,500-word evaluations of patient case studies, six-week practice placements, five-week practice placements, and a Research Proposal.
Teaching:
Teaching methods include self-directed study, eLectures, tutorials, practical classes, case-based scenarios, blended learning, and a hybrid approach with a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. The program emphasizes clinical teaching, enquiry-based learning, and authentic assessment tasks that mirror the skills required as a registered physiotherapist.
Careers:
Graduate physiotherapists are a vital part of modern healthcare, with employment opportunities available in the UK and abroad. With an MSc qualification, graduates can fill senior leadership positions across a wide array of physiotherapy settings, for private or national healthcare providers.
Other:
The School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing has been at the forefront of healthcare education for over 100 years, and its Physiotherapy department is well-respected. The program provides specialist training with taught and clinical placement components. The University offers careers and employability support, including help with career planning, understanding the job market, and strengthening networking skills. It also provides a dedicated student services team, confidential counselling and support, and support for students with differing needs.
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year £9,250
International fees
Full-time place, per year £27,200 Tuition fees are for January 2025. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. You can pay your tuition fees in instalments. All or part of your tuition fees can be funded by external sponsorship. International applicants who accept an offer of a place will need to pay a tuition fee deposit.
University of Liverpool
Entry Requirements:
- For applicants from the United States:
- A bachelor's degree from an American university is required.
- A GPA of at least 3.0 is preferred, but applicants with a GPA of 2.8 may be considered on a case-by-case basis.
- For all other applicants:
- A 2:1 honours degree or above is normally required.
- This degree should be in biological sciences, health sciences, or sports-based disciplines.
- Applications from those with a 2:2 honours degree, who have relevant experience or further study, will be considered on an individual basis.
- GCSEs in Mathematics, English Language, and a Science at a minimum of grade 5 or C or above are required. (Equivalents will not be considered).
- You should demonstrate a good understanding of the scope of physiotherapy practice, including an awareness of the various settings a physiotherapist might work in. This could preferably be indicated by observation experience of physiotherapists working in a variety of clinical areas, or by other experience which can be related to the skills and qualities required to work in a physiotherapy environment.
- Experience in a paid or voluntary capacity working with the general public, children, older persons, or people with special needs will also help to strengthen your application.
- You should include a personal statement of no more than 700 words in support of your application. This should reflect on your understanding of the profession and relevant qualities valuable to a healthcare professional.
- An interview forms part of the selection process. The interview follows the values-based recruitment (VBR) process, and you will be expected to demonstrate the relevance of the NHS’ values and pertinent skills required to work as a physiotherapist.
- Please note: meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee a place on the programme as competition is high. You are encouraged to present the strongest possible application.
- Declaration of Criminal Background: You will understand that as a health sciences student, and when you qualify, you will be asked to treat children and other vulnerable people. If selected for interview, you will be provided with the appropriate form to complete.
- Health Screening: The University and the School of Health Sciences has an obligation to undertake health screening on all prospective healthcare students. Any offer of a place to study is conditional on completion of a health questionnaire and a satisfactory assessment of fitness to train from the University’s Occupational Health Service. This will include some obligatory immunisations and blood tests.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
- For international applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language:
- You can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
- For all other applicants:
- IELTS 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5. Please note, your IELTS test must have been sat and completed in person and not online.
