School of Health Professions

MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration)

Become a fully qualified Physiotherapist in two-years with this full-time accelerated course for graduates. This programme will develop your clinical, leadership, management, and research skills allowing you to graduate armed with the skills and experience to treat complex patients and which promote progression within your career. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be eligible to register as a Physiotherapist with the HCPC and eligible for full membership of the CSP.

All applications

Due to the popularity of the programme and the requirement for interview, applications received after 31 January 2024 may not be considered, so please apply early.

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 A unique new learning space where undergraduate and postgraduate students from the largest breadth of health disciplines in the South-West learn together under one roof, with expert practitioners.

Medical students using the Anatomage table clinical Plymouth Integrative Health and Social Care Education Centre (PIHC)
 Experience an interprofessional learning environment across our health programmes that will prepare you for life as a healthcare professional.

First choice for health Become a healthcare professional of the future
 Collaboration across the schools helps students to learn with, from and about each other, gaining the real-world experience employers seek.

Careers with this subject
You will be a fully qualified Physiotherapist with eligibility for registration with the HCPC. Career opportunities in Physiotherapy are diverse. You could find yourself working in a hospital, health centre, private practice, charitable organisation, military rehabilitation centre, sporting organisation, or in university research and teaching. Varied opportunities exist both in the UK and internationally. 
Understanding where your degree subject could take you is an important first step in career planning. Due to the transferrable nature of the skills you gain from your studies, you may discover that there is a much wider range of opportunities open to you within this profession that you may first appreciate. 

Key features
  • Study full time over two years and gain an MSc as your entry qualification to the profession.
  • Cover the required 90 weeks of pre-registration study in two years, instead of the usual three years, on the full-time accelerated programme, to qualify and gain employment more quickly.
  • Our enquiry-based learning approach develops your learning, clinical reasoning, and leadership skills to develop you as an autonomous practitioner.
  • Develop your own independent research project supervised by academic staff conducting internationally recognised clinical research.
  • Train and practice your professional healthcare skills in an inspiring purpose-built environment, InterCity Place.
  • Graduate armed with the skills and experience to find employment in a variety of environments both in the UK and internationally.
  • Join an enthusiastic team of physiotherapists and undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students who are pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge on physiotherapy and rehabilitation research.
  • The Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) approve this programme. 

Course details

  • Module overview

  • To successfully complete the programme and be eligible to apply for a professional registration as a Physiotherapist you must complete a specified number of practice placement hours along with your theoretical study. This is a requirement of the Health and Care Professions Council. As such, you will only be able to take personal holidays during specified leave periods. You are expected to attend all taught sessions, including induction week. You will experience interprofessional learning and explore your role in preparation for placement or as a potential leader and manager in future practice. You will develop the core understanding of Physiotherapy practice and skills, underpinned by the ability to appraise the evidence-base and the applicability of a wide range of research methods. Placement opportunities will enable you to develop professional practice skills in a variety of service settings under supervision.
    • Practice placements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    • Preparation for practice
    • Movement in health and disease
    • Physiotherapy assessment and management
    • Project design for research
    • Current concepts in rehabilitation and preventative health
    • Contemporary leadership
    • Research dissertation
    • Integrated physiotherapy practice

    Core modules

    • Movement in Health and Disease (PHYP701)

      This module develops understanding of the biomechanics of human movement and the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology. Using a mixture of learning and teaching methods, areas of movement science and functional anatomy are explored, including kinematics, kinetics, posture, proprioception, neuromuscular control, and gait in relation to common functional and postural deficits.

    • Physiotherapy Assessment and Management (PHYP702)

      This module will provide students with the practical skills and knowledge to inform the management of common cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological problems commonly encountered in practise. Simulated case studies will be used to scaffold student’s assessment and management skills.

    • Current Concepts in Rehabilitation and Preventative Health (PHYP703)

      This module will provide the theoretical underpinning of preventative health and rehabilitation practice. Students will evaluate factors influencing rehabilitation and recovery from the context of the ICF including the impact of individual, organisational and clinical factors. Students will develop a critical appreciation of the determinants of health and well-being and examine approaches to health promotion.

    • Preparation for Practice (SOHP701)

      This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and evaluation of the inherent standards expected of them. Critical analysis of the characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.

    • Practice Placement Year 1 (PHYP402)

      This is the students first practice placement during which the student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.

    • Practice Placement 2 (PHYP503)

      This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 5. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.

    • Project Design for Research (PHYP715)

      Students will explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module will formulate a research proposal. The module will explore defining and refining a research question, selecting and appraising methodology, ethical considerations, selecting and appraising data collection and analysis techniques.

  • Final year

  • Core modules

    • Practice Placement 4 (PHYP601)

      This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 6. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.

    • Practice Placement 5 (PHYP602)

      This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 6. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.

    • Integrated Physiotherapy Practice (PHYP704)

      This module will provide practical physiotherapy skills for the acute management and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiorespiratory conditions. The module will progressively build on students’ knowledge and skills to develop their ability to integrate cardiorespiratory, neurological, and musculoskeletal care in complex cases.

    • Research Dissertation (SOHP703)

      Over the course of this module students will complete their dissertation as part of their Masters programme under supervision from the module team and a named dissertation supervisor.

    • Practice Placement 3 (PHYP504)

      This is one of two Practice Placements completed at Level 5. The student will be placed within a setting relevant to Physiotherapy Practice under the supervision and guidance of a placement educator. This module includes pre-placement preparatory workshops.

    • Contemporary Leadership (PHYP708)

      This module will enable students to explore and critically analyse the complex and dynamic nature of leadership within the context of personal, team, organisational, national and global professional practice.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Physiotherapy Pre Registration programme specification 2023-24_6936

The modules shown for this course or programme are those being studied by current students, or expected new modules. Modules are subject to change depending on year of entry.

Entry requirements
  • Bachelor (honours) degree at 2:1 or above in a relevant subject area. Relevant subject areas include biological sciences, behavioural sciences, sport and exercise sciences, sports therapy, sports rehabilitation, and nursing.
  • GCSEs at Grade C/4 or above in Mathematics and English. Consideration may be given to Functional Skills Level 2 in Mathematics. Please note we do not accept Functional Skills Level 2 in English, or Key Skills in Maths or English, or Adult Literacy/Numeracy.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. If you are unsure whether you meet this criteria, or you have qualifications not listed here, please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Extended entry requirements 

  • In addition to the above, evidence of recent academic study is required, however, there is no restricted timeframe. 
  • Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further. Applicants should demonstrate evidence of their interest in Physiotherapy and the seeking of work experience in Physiotherapy is encouraged.
  • We will require an academic reference as part of the application process.
  • Attend an interview.
  • You must pass disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course.
  • If English is not your first language and you do not have GCSE English grade C/4 or above you will have to achieve an IELTS (or equivalent qualification) at the grade of at least 7.0 (at least 6.5 in all elements sections). International students – English language requirements.

Deferred entry

Unfortunately we cannot permit deferred entry. However, if you have a query please contact the admissions team who will be able to explain the application process in more detail at admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home £11,450 £11,450
International £17,500 £19,000
Part time (Home) £1,270 £1,270
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Additional costs

Please be aware that there may be additional costs to undertaking your studies relating to printing of course materials, parking charges, and requirement for an initial outlay for travel and accommodation in respect of practice placement. If you have any questions regarding these costs please contact admissions@plymouth.ac.uk. 
If you are studying on a programme where placements are integral to your study there are costs associated with travel and accommodation. Please speak with the programme admissions tutor to find out more.

Alumnus loyalty reward for postgraduate study

The University applies a discretionary alumnus reward where alumni meet certain criteria on particular postgraduate taught courses.
  • A 10 per cent discount on home tuition fees.
  • Or a £2,000 discount on international tuition fees.
For further details, programme exclusions and contact information, please see our fees policy. 

Postgraduate Merit Scholarship for international students

Scholarship value: £2000 off your tuition fees in year one. 
You may also receive:
  • 10% off the successive years tuition fee if an overall grade of 60% or above is maintained
To be eligible you must:
This scholarship will be offered automatically, providing you meet the eligibility criteria. A separate application will not be required.

NHS Learning Support Fund

The NHS Learning Support Fund provides additional funding for eligible healthcare students. It is supplementary financial support to the mainstream student loans system and is intended to support students whilst they train and gain professional registration. Please be aware that this funding is provided by the NHS and is reviewed periodically, which means levels of funding could be subject to change. For more information, please see the guidance available: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf.

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 
Apply for this course on the UCAS website.
For more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
The deadline for the receipt of international applications is 31 May 2024 for entry in September 2024. 
All NHS funded professional courses are required to select and interview their applicants using a ‘values based’ approach. As part of this process, your UCAS personal statement requires this additional information, which will demonstrate insight into your understanding of the importance of NHS values in your chosen professional discipline.

First-class facilities to prepare you for your career in physiotherapy

From 2023, InterCity Place will be where undergraduate and postgraduate students from a variety of disciplines learn together under one roof.
Complementing existing clinical facilities, our new innovative suites, simulations and practice labs will help us to train and develop the next generation of nurses, paramedics and allied health professionals.
Intercity Place Physiotherapy Lab
Biomechanics and Neurophysiology Lab mock up at Intercity Place
Intercity Place Cafe

Hands-on experience

Placements are an integral part of our physiotherapy programme providing you with the opportunity to develop and apply the theoretical knowledge and skills you have learnt to a range of clinical settings and graduate with a broad range of clinical placement experience.
Learn to work in diverse practice settings, including neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal, and sports rehabilitation, in a variety of health care settings. Our innovative, enquiry-based learning approach means that you learn from ‘real-life’ clinical scenarios that reflect conditions that physiotherapists see. 
Physiotherapy students
Physiotherapy
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy more information

Health students may be eligible to receive an additional £5000 each year

The NHS Learning Support Fund provides additional funding for eligible healthcare students. It is supplementary financial support to the mainstream student loans system and is intended to support students whilst they train and gain professional registration. The training grant is for £5,000. 

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