Program Overview

Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)

Key Facts

• Level: Undergraduate UG BSc (Hons)
• Duration: 3 years Full Time
• Starting: September
• Entry Requirements: BBC at A Level, DDM at BTEC
• Fees UK 25/26: Full Time: £9,535
• Fees International 25/26: Full Time: £16,700
• Location: Waterside

Overview

Our BSc Physiotherapy degree enables students to develop as reflective critical thinkers fit for the future. Our approach to learning and teaching is underpinned by active-blended learning and a problem-solving approach to facilitate effective clinical reasoning skills, communication strategies and promotion of positive leadership values.

Our Physio course emphasises practice-based education and research-informed prevention and management of population health, considering contemporary issues which underpin the ever-evolving health and social care landscape.

On successful completion of the BSc Physiotherapy programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration with both the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and TheChartered Society of Physiotherapy. The course is accredited by TheChartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Highlights

• Practice Placements: opportunity for practice placement experiences across all sectors (NHS, private, sport, voluntary & charity organisations) and specialities including leadership and research-based placements, increasing employability prospects
• Service Users: involvement throughout the programme will enable you to gain invaluable insights and practical exposure to people’s real-life experiences living with health and physiotherapy-related conditions.
• Simulation-Based Learning: innovative teaching strategies such as simulated-based learning and active blended learning to increase student confidence and preparedness for practice placement.
• Employability prospects: the programme drives employability by enhancing your clinical reasoning, developing leadership qualities and advancing research skills while also engaging students with employability workshops and events which foster professional networking.
• Social Impact: opportunities to drive social impact, which are embedded throughout the programme. These include practice placements in care homes, virtual advice, engagement in sport clubs and a student-led physiotherapy clinic.
• You may be eligible for financial support during the physiotherapy degree through the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF)

Entry Requirements

• Five GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade C and 112 UCAS points, which could comprise of (but not restricted to):
  • A Level: BBC (must include a biology or human biology focus and excludes general studies). Thebiology module should be atgrade B
  • IB: 32 points (include health or science based)
  • BTEC: DDM (include health or science based)
  • Access to HE Diploma: 45 credits at level 3 (with a health or biology focus. To include 30 credits at merit level and 15 at distinction)
  • T Level in health: Merit
• Applicants should also be able to evidence:
  • Commitment and motivation to undertake academic study and upholding professional values.
  • Knowledge of their awareness of the scope of physiotherapy practice and motivation to complete all requirements of the course.
• Additional Entry Requirements:
  • All candidates should be approved following an interview where the academic interests, required maturity, moral values and ethics of the individual is assessed.
  • Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report and successful occupational health screening.
• English language requirements:
  • Applicants must demonstrate a command of the English Language to allow them to succeed on their programme of study. Where English is not the first language, or the applicant has not been educated mainly in English, they should possess a certificate showing:
    • a minimum overall achievement in IELTS of 7.0, with 6.5 in each component.

Course Content

• Stage One:
  • The first year of this BSc physiotherapy course focuses on developing professional skills and a comprehensive foundational knowledge-base. This will include exploring anatomy and functional human movement, understanding population health needs and how physiotherapists can lead in prevention and management. Students will concentrate on the core areas of physiotherapy practice (Cardiorespiratory, Neurological and Neuromusculoskeletal).
  • Students engage extensively with service users to understand working with diverse population groups and allowing early exposure to the concepts of holistic, person-centred care and respecting each individual.
  • The year includes an observational practice placement within the first semester to introduce students to real-world physiotherapy and healthcare practice.
• Stage Two:
  • The second year begins with a simulated placement experience to facilitate transition into the first practice placement. Students will undertake three different placement experiences that are interspersed with academic modules to build upon knowledge gained in the first year and develop your skills as a physiotherapy university student within the workplace. The focus of the academic modules are on rehabilitation and exercise prescription. Students will also gain understanding into research methodologies, which will result in their research proposal ready to implement in the third year.
• Stage Three:
  • In the third year, students will complete two further practice placements to further develop their physiotherapist training skills in the practice environment. The curriculum will focus on expanding key skills required to meet the CSP pillars of practice:- leadership skills, the completion of a research project self-reflection, and developing autonomy as a practitioner, which will all ensure readiness for employment. Specific employability workshops are included.

Placements

• Practice placements are a core component of the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy programme. Students’ will undertake 5 placement opportunities designed to develop physiotherapy knowledge, skills, and clinical reasoning. Students’ professional confidence will also be developed in diverse placement experiences across NHS, private, voluntary and community settings. Within these settings, students will have an opportunity to experience a range of clinical specialities which may include:
  • Musculoskeletal
  • Neurological
  • Cardiorespiratory
  • Paediatrics
  • Community
  • Leadership
  • Research based
  • Student led clinics
  • Mental Health
  • Sports
  • Occupational Health

Fees and Funding

• 2025/26 Tuition Fees:
  • UK Full Time: £9,535
  • International Full Time: £16,700
• Additional Costs:
  • Travel and accommodation costs related to placements may be incurred:
    • You will be provided with 1 tunic and 1 trouser for your practical uniform to be worn on placements. For University practical sessions you will be provided with 3 polo shirts and 1 jogger. Any additional uniforms will need to be purchased by the student.
    • Physiotherapy students may wish to purchase a stethoscope for their placements and beyond, however, this is not a mandatory requirement. Costs can range from £75-£90.
    • Some placement locations will have a uniform policy requiring black shoes and socks to be worn.
    • Optional student membership with The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
• The NHS Learning Support Fund:
  • Students, studying nursing, midwifery and many of the allied health professions courses from September 2020, may be eligible for a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. They may be able to apply for Financial support at the university through the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) which offers eligible students additional support while studying for their degree. This is in addition to the Student Loan from the Student Loans Company.

Staff

• Lecturer in Physiotherapy
  Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
  Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• Lecturer in Physiotherapy
  Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)
• Lecturer in Physiotherapy
  Faculty of Health, Education and Society
• Lecturer in Physiotherapy
  Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)
• Lecturer in Physiotherapy
  Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)
• Lecturer in Physiotherapy
  Faculty of Health, Education and Society

Careers and Employability

• Graduates of the BSc Physiotherapy can work in a range of settings, including the NHS, private, sports, voluntary and charity organisations.
• We host an Employability Fair annually, with large representation from local and national networks of employers which also includes workshops for preparation for applications and interviews for our newly qualified physiotherapists. There is also information on the UON website on Employability and the support schemes available.

Facilities

• Clinical Skills Suite: Purpose-built ambulance simulator and immersive environment to prepare students for real-life scenarios.
• Learning Hub: The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.
• Physiotherapy Lab: A versatile area with plinths, walking aids, exercise equipment, adjuncts to neurological rehabilitation and respiratory equipment.

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