Program Overview

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Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)

Overview

Physiotherapy plays an essential role in the overall health and well-being of a wide range of patients. Physiotherapists work with a diverse caseload across all healthcare settings, often as part of multidisciplinary teams.

As a student at Bradford, you’ll develop the skills you need to take a key role in the management of both acute and long-term conditions, helping restore and maintain function and activity, and prevent injury or illness. You will develop strong leadership skills enabling you to manage and lead teams often working in emerging roles with new providers.

The Bradford approach emphasises the integration and application of theory and practice to produce an adaptable, innovative graduate with excellent professional skills who can use a research-based, evaluative, problem-solving approach to physiotherapy practice.

You will have access to the University's Physiotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation Clinic, and the majority of students will complete one of their clinical placements in this setting.

Professional Accreditation

This course is approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the statutory body for Allied Health Professionals. By the end of your studies, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC, and will be eligible to apply for full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Rankings

The University of Bradford is ranked:

• 9th in the UK for Physiotherapy by The Guardian
• 13th in the UK for Physiotherapy by Complete University Guide

Entry Requirements

At Bradford, we take into consideration a number of factors when assessing your application.

Below outlines the typical entry requirements for this course. If you’re not sure and want to check if your qualifications would be suitable, fill in an enquiry form at the bottom of this page.

Typical offer - 128 UCAS tariff points.

• A levels: ABB from three full A levels. General Studies is not accepted.
• T levels: Distinction in Health and Social Care with an Anatomy/Physiology module passed.
• BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM in a relevant Health, Science or Sport subject. Applied Science BTEC Extended Diploma applicants will require a minimum of one Biology unit at Distinction.
• Applicants on Access Programmes: 128 UCAS tariff points from an Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health Professions or Science. At least 12 credits in Biology must be at minimum grade Distinction.
• International Baccalaureate Requirements: 128 UCAS tariff points from 3 HL subjects at 7,6,5 to include HL Biology at grade 6. Plus HL 3 or SL 4 in Maths and English Language and Literature A or English B.
• Plus minimum of GCSEs with grade C or grade 4, to include English Language and Mathematics. Level 2 equivalencies are accepted.

Additional entry requirements:

• As part of the selection process, we interview short-listed candidates prior to making offers.
• All places are offered subject to satisfactory occupational health screening, a second reference and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Applicants with Criminal Convictions

Once you accept your offer, you will be asked to declare any criminal convictions you hold (including spent convictions). Having a criminal conviction does not mean that you cannot enrol on the course, you will need to go through a criminal convictions panel process.

English Language Requirements

Minimum IELTS 6.5 with no subtest less than 6.0.

Occupational Health (OH) Check

All places are offered subject to satisfactory occupational health screening. This will involve completing an on-line occupational health questionnaire and attendance if required at a medical appointment.

Satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

All places are also offered subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) (previously known as CRB check) disclosure. This is due to the fact that you may be required to work with children or vulnerable adults on your clinical placement, and will need to demonstrate that you can safely work with these groups upon HCPC registration.

Foundation Year Entry

If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be nominated on our Foundation Year in Clinical Sciences and Medicine programme.

Foundation Year Entry Requirements

We do not accept applications for Foundation Year leading to Physiotherapy BSc (Hons). If you are a UK student and do not meet the entry requirements for this course, you may be nominated on our Foundation in Clinical Sciences and Medicine leading to BSc Clinical Sciences programme.

Study and Progression Requirements

After successful completion of the Foundation Year, transfer to stage 1 Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) will be a competitive process with limited places. Students must achieve an average of 65% overall (passing all modules) and receive a positive reference from their personal academic tutor. If unsuccessful in transferring to Physiotherapy BSc (Hons), students will be transferred onto Clinical Sciences BSc (Hons).

Transferring from Another University

Applications to transfer into year 2 or 3 will not be considered for this programme.

Your Learning Journey

All module information is for 2025 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

• Clinical Knowledge Foundations
• Foundations of Clinical Assessment
• Exercise Theory and Prescription
• Personal and Professional Development 1
• Investigating Health
• Health Promotion and Public Health

Second Year

• BSc year 2 practice placement A
• BSc year 2 practice placement B
• Fundamentals of Assessment and Rehabilitation
• Developing Physiotherapy Practice
• Critical Analysis of Research
• Personal and Professional Development 2

Final Year

• BSc practice placement Year 3 A
• BSc practice placement Year 3 B
• Complex Case Management
• Leadership and Management
• Employability
• Research Proposal
• Practice Placement Hours

Teaching, Learning, and Assessment

A major focus of the course is on problem solving and clinical reasoning. Some large group teaching utilises the concept of team-based learning (TBL) whereby some knowledge-based content is studied out of class and is then assessed by answering multiple choice questions individually then as a small group or ‘team’.

Lectures are supplemented with small group tutorials and practical sessions to facilitate an active and collaborative approach to learning. Case-based scenarios are used to facilitate the development of clinical reasoning skills. Reflection is embedded at all levels. These skills are ultimately evidenced in the practice setting.

The programme uses a diverse range of assessment strategies that accommodate different learning styles. These include:

• some continuous assessment of competence-based clinical skills
• practical assessments that are designed to mirror the clinical environment
• assessments that require you to demonstrate academic writing skills
• a common assessment tool for practice placements, used collaboratively with three universities in the region
• group and individual presentation tasks

Our Facilities

The Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic is open to the general public, allowing you to get invaluable hands-on experience with real patients.

Fees, Finance, and Scholarships

Tuition Fee

• UK: £9,535
• International: £25,338

Additional Course Costs

You are encouraged to take the CSP membership accreditation.

The monthly cost is £3.85, or the annual cost is £46.20.

Occasionally our non-NHS placements require that you hold student membership with CSP. This can be purchased to cover the duration of the placement, which is usually five to six weeks.

Funding Your Studies

It can be hard to know what financial help is available to you as a student.

The government has outlined new funding for nursing, midwifery and other allied health professions courses. From September 2020, Students at English universities will receive up to £8,000 with a minimum of £5,000 a year in funding.

Further information about the variety of options that can help fund your studies and maximise the money available to you is available on our funding your studies section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career Prospects

Physiotherapy is an Allied Health Profession, and opens up a range of dynamic and exciting career opportunities in a variety of fields. Most physiotherapists work in the NHS, but opportunities also arise in the private sector, sport, research, education and industry.

Career Opportunities

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Support for Your Studies

At Bradford, we’re committed to supporting your success, well-being and future ambitions.

We’re here to provide everything you need to make the most of your time with us, ensuring you not only excel in your studies, but also step confidently into the world of graduate employment.

In addition to the support you receive from your academic tutors, our Student Support Services are here for you throughout your journey - before, during, and after your studies.