Program Overview

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Rehabilitation Studies: Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice

Overview

This programme is aimed at physiotherapists working in the speciality of musculoskeletal practice in a variety of health care settings. It offers physiotherapists a range of opportunities to develop their theoretical knowledge relevant to their role and the chance to extend current clinical practice.

• MSc Rehabilitation Studies: Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
• PGDip Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
• PGCert Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice

Students will integrate the theory and evidence base of musculoskeletal practice. The modules include taught sessions at the Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford to encourage shared learning. These sessions include both theory and practical skills with an emphasis on clinical reasoning and problem-solving.

Further learning and teaching on the practice module occurs in the clinical setting under the guidance of a clinical mentor. Students require access to an appropriate clinical caseload in order to be able to undertake the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice modules.

The musculoskeletal modules in Bradford have been developed in conjunction with specialist clinicians working in hospitals within the region, thus ensuring the continued clinical relevance of the programme.

A further strength of the programme is the use of external lecturers who are specialists within their field and continue to have a clinical caseload.

Entry Requirements

Students should:

• Hold a relevant professional qualification normally at Bachelors degree level (Ordinary or Honours) or equivalent.
• Be a physiotherapist registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Normally have two years post qualification experience
• Be working in the relevant field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice
• Have access to appropriate clinical practice for the duration of the modules (the University has the provision to offer some practice placements in the onsite Physiotherapy clinic)

Admission is on the basis of submission of an application form, curriculum vitae, references, letter of support from your physiotherapy manager (if relevant), and possible advisory interview. An advisory interview may be used to discuss the content and expectations of the programme.

Additional entry requirements:

• You must have an IELTS score of 6.5 (or equivalent) if English is not your first language.

Curriculum

All module information is for 2024 entry, and is subject to change.

First Year

Core/Optional

You can choose one or more modules from below list.

• Physiotherapy Management of Spinal Dysfunction
• Physiotherapy Management of Peripheral Joint Dysfunction – upper limb
• Physiotherapy Management of Peripheral Joint Dysfunction – lower limb
• Health and Social Care Leadership
• Trauma Informed Maternity Care
• Management Project
• M3 Professional Skills
• M4 Independent Research Project
• Service Evaluation and Improvememt in Clinical Practice

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching is delivered through any number of the following:

• Lectures: To a group of students where information will be presented and discussed whilst informed by the core values.
• Facilitated seminars and group discussion: Where learning will be through the interpretation and critical application of information and group learning.
• Tutorial: Where small group number of students reflect and discuss issues related to their learning.
• Work-based learning: Where learning is directed within the work environment and is reflected upon and then reported on.
• Work-based learning: Where skills are taught in relation to theory and best practice enabling students to develop advanced competence and clinical practice skills in their field of practice.
• Use of Web based virtual learning environments, such as video analysis, To access information and to interact with other students undertaking group work or developing wikis.
• Directed reading: Where set reading may be recommended.
• Self-Directed learning: Where student are expected to develop their own learning by identifying areas of interest and areas in which knowledge needs to be developed thus encouraging independence and development of critical thought.

Students will be expected to develop an autonomous learning style and become self-directed as a learner.

Students learning will be assessed through a range of different assessment techniques, which may include one or more of the following approaches:

• Written assignment
• Reflective case study
• Development of a reflective portfolio
• Practical examination (OSCE/OSPE)
• Computer based open book examination
• Seminar presentation
• Written project report
• Completion of a dissertation
• Research paper/executive summary

Fees, Finance and Scholarships

Tuition Fee

To be confirmed.

Additional Course Costs

While there are no compulsory additional costs associated with this course, there may be general additional costs that you may incur as a student. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Funding Your Studies

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

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.

Postgraduate Master's Loan

If you live in England you may be able to apply for a special Government-funded Master's Loan to help pay your tuition fees and living costs. You don't have to pay the loan back until you're earning a certain amount of money.

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

This course offers the physiotherapist a range of opportunities to develop advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills relevant to their musculoskeletal role and offers the chance to extend and enhance their clinical practice and career pathway.

This award will be of benefit to physiotherapists working and specialising in the musculoskeletal field in a variety of health care settings.

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.