MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration)

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.

What can you do with a physiotherapy degree?

• 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.

• From 2023, students in Plymouth can train and practice their 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.
  

• 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 inter-professional 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

  • Project Design for Research (ADV715)

    You’ll explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module you’ll formulate a research proposal. You’ll learn how to define and refine a research question, select and appraise methodology, address ethical considerations, and select and appraise data collection and analysis techniques.

  • 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.

• 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.

  • Contemporary Leadership (PHYP707)

    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.

  • 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.

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 6936

• 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 academic study within the last five years is required. Ideally this should be one of the qualifications listed here, but the admissions team will assess on a case-by-case basis.
• 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). 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.

When to apply

Most of our taught programmes begin in September. Applications can usually be made throughout the year, and are considered until programmes are full.

Before you apply

• evidence of qualifications (degree certificates or transcripts), with translations if not in English, to show that you meet, or expect to meet the entry requirements
  
• evidence of English language proficiency, if English is not your first language
  
• a personal statement of approximately 250-400 words about the reasons for your interest in the course and outlining the nature of previous and current related experience. You can write this into the online application form, or include it as a separate document
  
• your curriculum vitae or résumé, including details of relevant professional/voluntary experience, professional registration/s and visa status for overseas workers
  
• proof of sponsorship, if applicable.
  

Disability services

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by University of Plymouth, please visit our Disability Services website.

International students

Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email international-admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Submitting an application

Once you are happy that you have all of the information required you can apply using our online postgraduate application form (the blue 'Apply now' icon on this page).

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information; two academic/professional references, confirming your suitability for the course; or to take part in an interview (which in the case of overseas students may be by telephone or video conference) and you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

We aim to make the application procedure as simple and efficient as possible. Our Admissions and Course Enquiries team is on hand to offer help and can put you in touch with the appropriate faculty if you wish to discuss any programme in detail.

If you would like any further information please contact the Admissions and Course Enquiries team:

Telephone: +44 (0)1752 585858
Email: admissions@plymouth.ac.uk 

Admissions policy

More information and advice for applicants can be referenced by downloading our Student Admissions Policy Prospective students are advised to read the policy before making an application to the University.

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