Advanced Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practice (MSc)

About the Course

This programme has been designed with partners in clinical practice to further develop healthcare professional's expert musculoskeletal knowledge and skills by improving the translation of evidence into practice, promoting critical thinking and advanced clinical reasoning whilst adapting to different environments and considering the needs of diverse populations and communities. Students will develop specialist skills to enable them to deliver safe, effective, person-centred care to people presenting with complex musculoskeletal conditions.

Students will develop knowledge and skills in education, leadership and research and work towards application in a clinical and organisational context. They will have the opportunity to complete mentored clinical practice in order to consolidate and apply theoretical knowledge within an out-patient clinic or enhanced or advanced practice environment. This will give students the opportunity to expand their skills in a variety of healthcare settings.

This programme aims to meet the NHS Health Education Advanced Practice (AP) Musculoskeletal curriculum and capabilities framework and offers a route for physiotherapists to gain Musculoskeletal First Contact Practitioner (FCP) status and membership of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP).

Students will study on a part time basis, and will normally take a minimum of 3 academic years, maximum 5 academic years to complete the full award. The part time route is flexible but registered, on course students, must study a minimum of 20 credits in each academic year.

Accreditation

This course provides membership of the MACP upon successful completion.

Curriculum Overview

The MSc Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice is comprised of six 20-credit modules and a 60-credit dissertation. For students wishing to gain MACP, FCP or advanced practice status there will be compulsory pre-requisites and modules.

All modules will be assessed and this may include written assignments, practical examinations, presentations and viva voce examinations.

A maximum of four modules may be taken as stand alone Professional Learning and Development (PLD) for students not wishing to exit with an award. Alternatively, students can take the Postgraduate Certificate Musculoskeletal Practice (First Contact Practice). 

To apply for a PLD module or for the Postgraduate Certificate Musculoskeletal Practice (First Contact Practice), please contact pld@hope.ac.uk for an application pack.

Modules

Advancing skills in MSK Practice: (20 credits compulsory) In this module students will develop advanced, evidence based clinical reasoning skills in the assessment and management of complex, undifferentiated and undiagnosed conditions in MSK practice including radiology, blood tests, neurophysiology and clinical examination of multiple systems. This module offers students the opportunity to gain FCP MSK in Primary Care status.

The Spine (Cervical and Thoracic) and Upper Limb.  Developing advanced assessment and management skills: (20 credits compulsory for MACP and students must complete the upper or lower quadrant for AP route) In this clinically focussed module students will critically explore the evidence base and apply to practice using a problem based learning approach. Students will work with clinical experts to consider the application of learning to different clinical settings such as rehabilitation, first contact practice and advanced practice. Students will apply advancing knowledge of MSK practice to to support complex decision making in uncertain and undifferentiated conditions, managing risk and integrating advanced communication skills and behaviour change interventions into practice.

The Spine (Lumbar and Pelvis) and Lower Limb. Developing advanced assessment and management skills: (20 credits compulsory for MACP and students must complete the upper or lower quadrant for AP route) In this clinically focussed module students will critically explore the evidence base and apply to practice using a problem based learning approach. Students will work with clinical experts to consider the application of learning to different clinical settings such as rehabilitation, first contact practice and advanced practice. Students will apply advancing knowledge of MSK practice to to support complex decision making in uncertain and undifferentiated conditions, managing risk and integrating advanced communication skills and behaviour change interventions into practice.

Mentored clinical practice: (20 credits compulsory for MACP, and AP accreditation) In this module students will undertake 150 hours of mentored clinical practice (at least 75 of which should be face to face with patients and mentor). This bespoke placement will be developed in conjunction with their academic and clinical supervisors following a learning needs analysis to determine the requirements of their mentored clinical practice and any requirements for completion of FCP, MACP and/or AP routes to recognition. Students will develop their practical, analytical skills and reflective skills and consider themselves as a mentor and educator.

This module examines the relevant approaches of leadership in healthcare environments and will support students to develop effective leadership traits and attributes. They will reflect on themselves as a leader and apply learning to their own context of leadership development and capacity.

The methods of delivery of this mentored practice module is flexible depending on the individual needs of each student and can be completed on a full or part time basis, either at Liverpool Hope’s Physiotherapy clinic, in a student’s usual place of practice or with an external mentor negotiated by the student.

Biomechanical techniques in human health and performance: (20 credits optional) This module focuses on the expert application of biomechanical techniques. Students will learn theoretical principles and practical application of evaluative techniques such as force plates, EMG and motion capture. Students will learn to analyse this information and interpret data to enable them to integrate expertise into a rehabilitation plan including biofeedback, exercise and orthotic prescription. There will be focus on lower and upper limb musculoskeletal assessments in clinical and laboratory settings.

Population Health and Physical Activity: (20 credits optional) This module addresses physical activity, population health, nutrition and the social, psychological, environmental, cultural, economic determinants of health and health inequalities. Students will critically evaluate how this influences decision making in the context of person centred and individualised care. Students will explore the principles of behaviour change interventions using behavioural change theory and techniques, such as Motivational Interviewing and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, going on to apply this understanding and learning how to integrate this into MSK practice in order to improve the physical health of populations.

Research Methods and quality improvement: (20 credits compulsory for PGDip 120 credits and MSc 180 credits) This module will support students to develop a Master’s level of understanding of research formulation and analysis. They will develop expert skills in literature searching to identify evidence within their specialist area and comprehensive critical evaluation skills in qualitative and quantitative research. Students will consider where there are gaps in the available evidence in order to identify areas to develop their own research. They will also consider the challenge of translating evidence into practice within MSK services and consider the importance of audit, service and quality improvement in order to bridge this gap and ensure evidence informed practice can lead to change within organisations to enhance patient care.

Research Project: 60 credits (compulsory for MSc 180 credits) In this module students will use the skills and knowledge they have developed and draw on their own experience and supporting evidence from specific research articles, to critique, analyse and ultimately influence research in their own area of MSK practice.

This research project could include: 

- An original research project using state of the art facilities within the School of Health Sciences

- A quality improvement project to influence practice change within their organisation

- A systematic review in order to synthesise the evidence base within a specific area to answer a question relating to MSK practice and inform future practice

Students will also be required to secure the appropriate ethical approval from the University for their Dissertation.

Entry Requirements

Normally a first or second class honours Degree in a relevant healthcare profession such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, podiatry, medicine, osteopathy.

Be a registered and fully qualified Health Care professional normally with a minimum of three years’ clinical experience in musculoskeletal health with an appropriate supervisor in practice.

Students whose first language is not English are normally required to have an IELTS 7 or other equivalent recognised English language qualification. In certain circumstances the University also permits study that students have already carried out at Postgraduate level to be taken into account.

You will be required to undertake an interview as part of the application process.

An alternative pathway is available for students who meet the entry requirements of this course but may not be HCPC registered or working currently as a healthcare professional - Musculoskeletal (MSK) Practice

Entry Criteria for FCP and AP accredited routes:

Students will normally have 3 years of clinical experience with a proven interest in MSK practice. In order to progress to FCP or AP recognition (subject to approval) students must be registered with the relevant professional body (such as the Health Care Professions Council) and hold an up to date Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Service Certificate. Students must be working in MSK practice in the UK and have a suitable clinical supervisor in practice.

Entry Criteria for MACP accredited route:

Students must have a pre-registration qualification in Physiotherapy recognised by the HCPC. Students will normally have 2 years of clinic experience with a proven interest in MSK practice. In order to complete the compulsory mentored practice module students must be registered with the HCPC and hold an up to date Disclosure and Barring (DBS) Service Certificate.

International Entry Requirements

Please note that due to the nature of accreditations and entry requirements, this particular course is not open to application from students that require a visa to study in the U.K. 

Teaching and Research

We have a dynamic, experienced, and research-active teaching team encompassing a diverse range of expertise in both research and applied fields including Medicine, Physiotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation, and are dedicated to enhancing the student experience. In addition to the clinical and non-clinical expertise available within the School of Health Sciences, our academics have established substantial networks and collaborations with external experts and guest speakers who will proactively contribute to the delivery of specialised sessions particularly in relation to the clinical topics. The programme will enable you to develop practical skills and become competent in using a number of relevant techniques in relation to your chosen career field.

There is a strong and vibrant teaching and research environment within the School of Health Sciences underpinned by a recent £16.5m investment in the infrastructure and related sporting and clinical facilities. These include a new building with comprehensive laboratories (biomechanics, exercise physiology, body composition, sport performance, Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), strength and conditioning suite with Olympic platforms, gym, dedicated clinical teaching areas, and on-site physiotherapy and sport rehabilitation clinic (PSRC). The school’s well-equipped bioscience and nutrition labs are also available to students depending on their research project. In addition to these, new outdoor facilities including 4G football pitch, rugby pitch, tennis courts, and Astroturf are available for student projects.

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

2025/26

Tuition fees for Home students for 2025/26 are £9,500

Students who are studying on part time basis will be required to pay a portion of the fees at the start of each year of the course.

The tuition fee for each individual 20 credit PLD unit is £1,056. For 2024-25 only, the fee is £845 (20% discount).

Funding

We offer a number of scholarships and loans to help fund your postgraduate studies. Visit our scholarships pages for more details.

Careers

The accredited pathway aims to equip graduates with the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be working at or progressing to advanced practice roles within a specialist MSK environment either in the NHS or private organisations. Graduates will develop expertise within their own field of MSK practice whilst gaining knowledge and understanding of leadership, education and research.

Graduates will be prepared for wide ranging careers in MSK practice such as First Contact Practice, advanced assessment and triaging roles, advanced clinical and rehabilitation roles or they may decide to further develop into careers in healthcare management, health promotion, research or education settings.

A route to membership of the Musculoskeletal Association of Physiotherapists (MACP) may be available to physiotherapists with HCPC registration. Students wishing to gain MACP membership must be qualified physiotherapists registered with the Health and Care Professions Council.