Course Comparison

Course
PgCert First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care (Musculoskeletal) MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Physiotherapy
Award
Postgraduate Certificate - PgCert Master of Science - MSc
Duration
1 year 1 year
Assessment breakdown
- -
Course type
Part-time Full-time, Part-time route available
Placement
- -
Location
Plymouth Plymouth
Provider
School of Health Professions School of Health Professions
Entry requirements
Applicants will normally have a first degree, BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above; or European first cycle equivalent plus a professional qualification in health or social care.
Applicants whose first language is not English must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice i.e. IELTS average of 6.5, with a minimum of 5.5 in each category.
In addition to the entry requirements above there are a number of specific admission criteria for this programme that will ensure students access this programme at the right time within their professional practice.
Specific admissions criteria are:
1. Applicants are able to evidence that they have the relevant MSK experience and are working at an advanced level in the treatment/ management of musculoskeletal pathology, normally this is a minimum of 5 years post registration including 3 years MSK experience. 
2. Applicants are able to provide evidence of registration as healthcare professionals.
3. Applicants must have support of workplace to enrol on the First Contact practitioner in primary care (musculoskeletal) PgCert.
4. To enrol on ADV773 students must have, in addition to the above:
  • completed ADV767 Advanced Clinical Reasoning in Musculoskeletal Conditions Module 
  • completed the relevant e-learning modules (eLfH) 
  • identified an appropriate CPD mentor for ADV 773 The role of the first contact practitioner within primary care module.
5. To enrol on ADV777 First contact practitioner in primary care practice placement module students must have:
  • successfully completed ADV773 The role of the first contact practitioner within primary care module
  • identified an appropriate clinical mentor in primary care.
You’ll be required to have a first degree (BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above or European first cycle equivalent) in physiotherapy. Non UK based candidates must be recognised as physiotherapists within their own country.
You may be a health or social care professional with a first degree or with a related academic degree. If you do not hold a degree but with appropriate experience related to the programme or to any of the chosen pathways you may be eligible to apply.
Evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice – IELTS requirement is 6.5 average with a minimum of 5.5 in each category. If you need to improve your English language to get onto a degree programme at the University of Plymouth, you can book a pre-sessional academic English course. You’ll be assessed individually for your ability to study at this level and an interview may be necessary. You’ll normally be required to submit a short piece of writing as part of the admissions process.
Supplementary admissions form:
Applicants may be required to complete a supplementary admissions form as part of their admissions process.
AP(E)L:
Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.
European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):
This programme is equivalent to 90 ECTS credits (second cycle) with 30 ECTS credits at postgraduate certificate, 60 credits at postgraduate diploma and 90 credits at masters degree. Each 20 credit module has the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits and assumes a notional student effort of between 200-300 hours.
Successful completion of this pathway does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Health and Social Care Professions Council.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.