Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration)

Program Overview

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Overview

Become eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a qualified physiotherapist with this 2-year Master's degree.

Key Information

• Study mode and duration: 2 years full-time
• Start date: January 2026

Course Information

Overview

Our MSc (Pre-registration) Physiotherapy programme offers you the opportunity to turn your undergraduate science degree or clinical experience into a Master's degree. The course is designed to provide you with a well-rounded knowledge of contemporary physiotherapy practice, which puts service-users at its core.

Eligibility

This course only accepts UK students. Unfortunately, we can't accept EU or international students on this course.

Application Deadline

To start this MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) course in January, the deadline to apply is 13 April the year before you want to start the course.

Course Highlights

• Be taught by a physiotherapy team who currently work in clinical practice
• Explore how physiotherapy can transform the lives of people affected by injury, illness, or disability
• Understand how to prescribe rehabilitation exercise to improve patient mobility, manage pain, and maintain health
• Study applied anatomy and physiotherapy techniques across core areas including musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, paediatric, community care, and professional sport
• Work with other healthcare professionals and within busy multidisciplinary teams to get the best results for patients
• Learn about the research shaping the future of physiotherapy practice
• Become eligible to register with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a qualified physiotherapist

Entry Requirements

Eligibility

This course only accepts UK students. Unfortunately, we can't accept EU or international students on this course.

January 2026 Start

UK Qualifications

Qualifications or Experience

• A upper second-class honour degree (2:1), or equivalent, in a relevant subject or a master's degree in an appropriate subject. Equivalent professional experience and/or qualifications will be considered.
• Applicants are advised to have relevant work experience through voluntary or paid employment or shadowing in a physiotherapy or health care environment.
• All shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
• All successful applicants will be asked to complete confidential Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), Immunisation, and Occupational Health clearance.

English Language Requirements

• English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component score below 6.5.

Course Costs and Funding

Tuition Fees (January 2026 Start)

UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man Students

• Full time: £9,535 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding Your Studies

As you'll be studying on a pre-registration healthcare course, you'll have access to our undergraduate funding. Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get.

Additional Funding – at Least £5,000 a Year

Students on this course may be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund of at least £5,000 a year.

Modules

Full-time

Year 1 Year 2

All modules on this MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) course are core.

Fundamentals of Physiotherapy Practice - 60 credits

This module will cover in-depth anatomical, physiology, and pathophysiology theory relevant to physiotherapy practice.

Treatment and Management from Physiotherapy and the MDT - 30 credits

This module introduces students to different physiotherapy treatment and management techniques.

Complex Cases in Physiotherapy - 30 credits

Develop skills in effectively managing complicated patient cases throughout their lives in this module.

Research and Practice Development - 60 credits

Develop and plan your own project to showcase your skills and advance towards a postgraduate career.

Facilities

Facilities

Centre for Simulation in Health and Care

This modern facility helps you develop the practical skills you need to work in the health and care-related sciences, in a safe, contextual, and realistic environment.

Biomechanics Laboratory

Use equipment including force plates, pressure plates, and our electromyography system to explore the impact of exercise on the body in this lab, from the limits of human endurance to the effects of chronic health conditions.

Pharmacy and Biomedical Science Teaching Centre

Practise the skills needed to diagnose and help people manage diseases, including collaborative microscopy - examining 3D microscopic images on a big screen with academics and other students.

How You'll Spend Your Time

We recognise that you'll probably be juggling more demands when you do your Master's degree, as you may be working or you may have family responsibilities.

Course Structure

The MSc (Pre-registration) Physiotherapy programme is a full-time, two-year course, and all teaching sessions are compulsory.

We recommend that full-time students allocate around 35 hours per week to their studies – equivalent to a full-time job. There'll be up to:

• 21 hours (3 days) per week of on-campus, in-person teaching
• 14 hours (2 days) per week of independent study time such as additional reading and revision, project design, data collection, and coursework, either individually or in groups

During your placement, you'll spend approximately 35 hours (5 days) per week with your placement provider.

In the last 3 months of the course, you'll focus on your research project.

Career Development

Careers This Master’s Prepares You For

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) – the professional, educational, and trade union body for the UK's chartered physiotherapists, physiotherapy students, and support workers – predicts that the need for qualified physiotherapists is set to increase.

As a qualified physiotherapist, you'll be able to practise in settings such as:

• the NHS
• private healthcare clinics
• sports rehabilitation clinics
• occupational health
• professional sports environments

Supporting You

Master's study is more focused on independent learning than undergraduate study, but you'll get lots of support via video, phone, and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed.

Types of Support

Personal Tutor

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

Learning Support Tutors

You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

Academic Skills Support

During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions, and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

Disability Advice and Additional Support

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need, our specialist team can help you.

Library Support

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

Maths and Stats Support

The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop, or use our online resources.

Support with English

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.