Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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About our foundation years

Our Foundation Year courses are perfect for you if you...

• are returning to education after a long time, or you don't have the qualifications for direct entry into our degree programmes
• are thinking of re-training and would like an introduction to the area
• are an international student wanting an additional year to adapt to the UK academic system
• are still evaluating which degree pathway at UEL is the right one for you

Please note: Foundation years can only be studied full-time. However, you can transfer to part-time delivery once you have completed your foundation year. Please apply to the full-time option if you wish to study in this way.

Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)

Overview

Physiotherapists treat patients of all ages, helping them to maximise functional movement caused by accidents, illness and disability. Their expertise helps improve mobility, independence and quality of life. You'll learn how to communicate professionally and treat patients safely and effectively. You will gain hands-on experience through clinical placements in the NHS and private sector, to prepare you for your physiotherapy career.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements

All applicants must demonstrate sufficient professional insight into the breadth of the role of physiotherapists (not just sports injuries) in their personal statement. All applications require a relevant reference with their application

Conditional offers to be made subject to meeting academic entry requirements and the applicant must attend either:

1. An in person UEL open day/offer holder event or
2. An online Webinar
3. Had face-to-face contact with the profession-specific academic team member from event (1) or (2)

Accepted qualifications

All applicants need to demonstrate recent relevant academic study within the last 4 years.

• 120 UCAS points from 3 A levels grades BBB. Extended Project Qualifications (EPQ) are not recognised.
• BTEC Extended National Diploma in Applied Science: DDM
• Access to HE Diploma

We also welcome applications from students who are taking Level 3 or higher qualifications not on the UCAS tariff calculator and will assess the suitability, on a case-by-case basis.

In addition to one of the above, you should have:

• GCSE English Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in English
• GCSE Mathematics Grade 4/C or Level 2 Functional Skills in Mathematics

International qualifications

We accept a wide range of European and international qualifications in addition to A-levels, the International Baccalaureate and BTEC qualifications. Please visit our International page.

English Language requirements

• IELTS 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading (or recognised equivalent).

If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol on a Pre-sessional English course.

Fees

UK/Home students

You don't need to pay the fees upfront.

Find out more about paying your fees.

Fee status after Brexit

EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course from September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees.

However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fee regulations.

Further information can be found at UKCISA.

International students

• £15,560 per year

Funding

UK fee status holders

Find out all the ways you can receive funding for your studies:

• Government funding
• UEL funding
• External funding

The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.

We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.

• Phone: +44 (0)20 8223 4444, Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm
• Live chat: Click the live chat icon in the bottom left of the screen

International fee status holders

Find out all the ways you can receive funding for your studies:

• UEL scholarships
• Ways to pay

Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.

• Email: international@uel.ac.uk

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Some additional fees are in the course specification or given during the application process.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to, or be required to, buy your own copy of key textbooks.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences.

Free WiFi is available on each of our campuses.

Printing

In the majority of cases, coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees.

Travel

Travel costs are not included but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses and halls of residence.

Course modules

Year 1

• Anatomy and Assessment Skills 1
• Introduction to Physiology
• Anatomy, Assessment and Treatment Skills - Upper Limb
• Physiotherapy Clinical Skills
• Professional Practice (Mental Wealth)
• Introduction to Physiology 2
• Practice Based Learning 1

Year 2

• Cardiovascular Physiotherapy
• Neurological Physiotherapy
• Research Methods
• Physiotherapy Rehabilitation
• Practice Based Learning 2
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy

Year 3

• Practice Based Learning 3 (Elective)
• Complex Practice 1
• Practice Based Learning 4
• Research Governance and Leadership
• Complex Practice 2
• Neuromusculoskeletal Assessment and Trauma
• Practice Based Learning 5

Your future career

A physiotherapy degree puts you in a powerful position when it comes to entering the world of work. Physiotherapists are in high demand across the UK and abroad. You could start a career in the NHS. Physiotherapists work across the medical spectrum, from intensive care and stroke rehabilitation to recovery from major surgery or trauma to care of the elderly and paediatrics. You could specialise in the treatment of physical issues arising from one of the body's systems. This could mean focusing on bones, joints and soft tissues (musculoskeletal), the brain and nervous system (neurological), the heart and blood circulation (cardiovascular) or the respiratory organs.

Industry links

Integral to this course are placement experiences with local healthcare providers who work collaboratively with the University. Through our placement links, we have close connections with a range of NHS and independent providers. These include Barts Health NHS Trust, Barking Havering & Redbridge University Hospitals Trust, North East London NHS Foundation Trust, and East London NHS Foundation Trust.

Graduate employers

Close links with our healthcare partners ensure employment in the future for learners who complete their physiotherapy course and are registered with the HCPC.

Many of our physiotherapy graduates secure jobs within the NHS trusts that have supported the students during their course. Upon completion, our graduates have an opportunity to work in acute hospitals, private hospitals and the independent sector.

Graduates also found work in the sporting world, including for SE Sons in the Sunday League.

Job roles

We have physiotherapy graduates who have gone on to work in senior roles within the NHS (for example Consultant Physiotherapist in sports medicine, and Therapies Practices Placement Lead). UEL graduates have also taken key roles in international sports organisations (for example the Women's Tennis Association and Essex County Cricket Club), and major games medical teams (like the Olympics and Commonwealth Games).

Further study

You might decide to study for a further degree in a related medical subject, either an MSc or PhD, such as our new MSc in Clinical Exercise Physiology.

How we support your career ambitions

Our online Career Zone platform provides accessible career support and is equipped with practical tools to navigate your career journey. Whether you're in the classroom or beyond, we're here to empower your professional development.

We offer dedicated careers support, and further opportunities to thrive, such as volunteering and industry networking. Our courses are created in collaboration with employers and industry to ensure they accurately reflect the real-life practices of your future career and provide you with the essential skills needed. You can focus on building interpersonal skills through group work and benefit from our investment in the latest cutting-edge technologies and facilities.

Career Zone

This digital platform provides you with careers and employability resources, including:

• Jobs board for internships, placements, graduate opportunities, flexible part-time work
• Mentoring programmes for insight with industry experts
• 1-2-1 career coaching services
• Careers workshops and employer events
• Learning pathways to gain new skills and industry insight

Mental Wealth programme

Our Professional Fitness and Mental Wealth programme issues you with a Careers Passport to track the skills you've mastered. Some of these are externally validated by corporations like Amazon and Microsoft.

We are careers first

Our teaching methods and geographical location put us right up top:

• Work-based projects
• Networking and visits to leading organisations
• Support in starting a new business
• London on our doorstep

How you'll learn

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, specialist facilities, such as game labs, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Guided independent study

Our innovative Technology Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) approach enhances face-to-face learning by providing students with scheduled on-campus contact hours and additional learning opportunities. Through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), students can access course materials and resources beyond their scheduled hours. We offer access to industry-standard technology and specialised spaces to prepare students for their future careers. Dedicated time for activities and development, along with a holistic approach to learning, fosters academic, personal, and professional growth. Students benefit from career support through on-campus and virtual Career Zones, personalised support services, and a dedicated online portal, Track My Future (TMF).

Academic support

Students are supported with academic or subject-related queries by a programme director, module leaders, academic advisors, and university central support services. You’ll have an academic advisor from the teaching team as soon as you arrive with us.

Dedicated academic assistance

If you need a bit of extra help with certain skills such as academic writing, English, maths, or statistics, Student Support Hub members offer workshops, drop-in sessions, and one-to-one appointments to help you achieve your potential.

You can receive advice and guidance on all aspects of the IT systems provided by the university from our IT Service Desks located on all three campuses. Our Student Support hubs feature centralised helpdesks.

UEL provides support and advice for disabled students and those with specific learning difficulties (SPDs).

Workload

Each year you will spend around 300 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module. The approximate percentages for this course are:

• Year 1: scheduled teaching - 360 hours; guided independent study - 840 hours. 150 hours of clinical practice in term 2.
• Year 2: scheduled teaching - 360 hours; guided independent study - 840 hours. 300 hours of clinical practice across the year.
• Year 3: scheduled teaching - 120 hours; guided independent study - 270 hours. (Please note, terms 1 and 2 in level 6 are shortened to accommodate clinical placements). 600 hours of clinical practice across the year.

Your timetable

You'll be based in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience in Stratford, but you'll spend at least a third of your time 'learning by doing' away from campus.

We have strong links with local NHS trusts and private sector providers, which means you'll have a range of work placement opportunities. These placements begin after the Christmas break in your first year and, thanks to our excellent connections, take place in world-renowned hospitals and NHS Trusts. These include Barts Health, Homerton and Barking, Havering & Redbridge. Our supportive staff will help set these up to ensure you get the 1,000 clinical hours you need to qualify as a physiotherapist.

When not on placement, you'll enjoy practical and clinical sessions at Stratford, in small, supportive learning groups with low student-to-staff ratios. Our modern, purpose-built campus offers superb teaching facilities, including our own on-site clinic with four spacious, well-equipped teaching rooms.

Class sizes

To be confirmed.

How you'll be assessed

Assessment tasks are mainly spread across the year to make the workload manageable. Assessment methods include group work, exams and individual work including essays, presentations, case studies, professional development and practical activities depending on the nature of the course. All grades count towards your module mark. More details will be included in the student handbook and module guides. You will always receive detailed feedback outlining your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 15 working days, although you will receive immediate feedback following many of our face-to-face assessments.

Campus and facilities

• Stratford Campus, London, E15 4LZ

Our historic Stratford campus is located in one of the best-connected areas of London: close to Stratford's thriving town centre, the 2012 Olympic Park, just 15 minutes from London's West End and 20 minutes from Canary Wharf.

Stratford’s facilities include a state-of-the-art library and learning centre, the majestic Great Hall and specialist laboratories and computing services. The School of Childhood and Social Care and Centre for Clinical Education in Podiatry, Physiotherapy and Sports Science are housed in new buildings. There is also a campus restaurant and bookshop, and a Students' Union café-bar.

Westfield Stratford City - Europe's largest indoor shopping mall - is just one of Stratford's attractions, alongside many other shops, cafés, bars, restaurants and cinemas. Stratford is fast becoming London's new cultural quarter, with Sadler's Wells East and V&A East moving in.

Take a virtual tour of our campus

Who teaches this course

This course is delivered by the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience

The teaching team includes qualified academics, practitioners and industry experts as guest speakers. Full details of the academics will be provided in the student handbook and module guides.

• Course leader: Elizabeth Nicholls
• Course leader: Raymond Che Wen Lam
• Course leader: Carol Resteghini

Official student data from Discover Uni

The banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).

79% say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for Physiotherapy (Full time) at The University of East London

92% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Physiotherapy (Full time) at The University of East London

95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for courses in Physiotherapy at The University of East London

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab

Statistics for BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Degree, full time

79% say staff value students views and opinions about the course

Data for Physiotherapy (Full time) at The University of East London

92% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.

Data for Physiotherapy (Full time) at The University of East London

95% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

Data for courses in Physiotherapy at The University of East London

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

See course data

link opens in new tab

Statistics for BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Degree, full time

What our students and staff say

I undertook the Public Health Foundation year because I didn't have the qualifications necessary to directly advance to physiotherapy. The year helped me settle into university life, gave me the time to check I was on the right path and network with my future lecturers. The Foundation Year made me a well-rounded and confident candidate for the next step of university."

Maxine Baillie Harland

Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)

The UEL team gave me the motivation and support, both clinically and personally, to get involved with events early on as a student physiotherapist. Many links and networks were set up by the course tutors. The course was practical, the support was great and the encouragement was never short from an amazing group of tutors. As a team, they made it feel like you could aim for and achieve opportunities that I would never have thought I could do, for example being a part of the Olympics."

Martina Kehoe

Physiotherapy, BSc (Hons)

Related courses

This course is part of the Allied and Public Health Professions subject area.

• BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy
• BSc (Hons) Podiatry
• FdSc Nursing Associate