Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) (MSc)

About the Course

*The next intake for this course will be September 2026

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) programme equips you with the essential skills and knowledge vital for a thriving career. Whether you are from the UK or an international student, this program is designed to inspire individuals passionate about enhancing mobility, function, and overall quality of life for those with diverse health conditions.

Delivered through a blend of university-based learning, practice placements, and continuous professional development, our aim is to support you to become competent, professional, and innovative clinicians poised to shape the future of physiotherapy. The field of physiotherapy is dynamic, with practitioners contributing to various settings and environments. Our experienced academics will provide comprehensive support as you master a spectrum of physical and psychological techniques for rehabilitation, health promotion and prevention in evidence informed practice, as well as developing your leadership and entrepreneurial skills.

The programme will be delivered through blended-learning which entails a mixture of teaching methods including; online lectures, practical sessions and seminars. You will complete a minimum of 1000 practice placement hours across different environments, including clinical practice, research and research environments as well as emerging areas to represent the extending scope of a Chartered Physiotherapist.

Accreditation

Modules

Year One

Fundamentals of Physiotherapy Practice

In this module you will learn about fundamental skills in assessment and treatment used across all areas of physiotherapy practice. You will have the opportunity to practice skills with your peers, as well as using simulation-based learning to develop professional skills.

This module provides you with the foundations of clinical reasoning, whereby you will be able to explain assessment findings, why certain skills are used, and how to carry out assessment and treatment skills safely and effectively.

Human Physiology, Anatomy & Function

In this module you will have the opportunity to learn about how the structure of the human body relates to function across the lifespan. It will provide you with the foundational knowledge relating to anatomy and physiology, fundamental to the practice of physiotherapy.

Research Methods & Quality Improvement

This module will support you to develop a Master’s level of understanding of research formulation and analysis. You will develop expert skills in literature searching to identify evidence within your specialist area and comprehensive critical evaluation skills in qualitative and quantitative research. You will consider where there are gaps in the available evidence in order to identify areas to develop their own research.

Physiotherapy Management in Acute Care Settings

In this module you with examine physiotherapy assessment and management skills required to effectively treat patients in an acute setting. For this module, acute care encompasses the care of patients requiring an inpatient stay in a hospital setting. You will learn to apply evidence-based skills and knowledge to assess and treat common problems occurring within the cardiorespiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal systems requiring an inpatient stay. You will gain insights into formulating personalised treatment plans that prioritise patient safety and optimise functional outcomes, including considerations to ensure safe discharge from the inpatient setting.

Management of the Outpatient Client

This module will provide the opportunity for you to develop your ability to assess and manage patients with a range of neurological, cardiorespiratory and musculoskeletal problems, commonly seen in outpatient and community settings.

You will develop your clinical reasoning, diagnosis and management skills for patients presenting as an outpatient or in the community. You will be able to offer a critical awareness of your role in these settings, and how to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary team to reflect changing clinical practice. You will develop an understanding of how to recognise the need to escalate care for deteriorating patients or for those presenting with problems outside of the scope of physiotherapy. Through case studies and practical applications, you will refine your clinical reasoning, fostering a holistic approach to health care delivery in outpatient and community-based settings.

Year Two

Employability. Leadership and Service Delivery

This module will focus on how health and social care is influenced, shaped and provided in the UK and how leadership at all levels of an organisation is key to the quality of care delivered. You will reflect on the transition from student to becoming a Chartered Physiotherapist.

This module will help you to prepare for future employment and your career progression through development of a professional portfolio.

Managing Complexity in Physiotherapy

Dissertation

In this module you will use the skills and knowledge already developed and draw on experience and supporting evidence from specific research articles, to critique, analyse and ultimately influence research in an area of practice by undertaking an extended project of your choice.

Practice Placements

You will complete 2 clinical placements during year two; this will be completed across 7 weeks of full-time clinical placement.

Methods of Assessment

Students will be assessed in a variety of methods to reflect academic and professional skills in preparation for clinical practice. These include practical skills assessments, presentations, portfolios and assignments and formative tasks will help prepare students for each summative assessment.

Entry Requirements

Normally a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a relevant profession.

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

This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and should you be successful, you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies.

International Entry Requirements

Possess a degree from an overseas institution that is judged by the Registrar or Nominee to be equivalent to a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree from a UK University.

For students whose first language is not English there is a language requirement of IELTS 6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum of all components. In addition to this, we also accept a wide range of International Qualifications, for more information please visit our English Language Requirements page.

For additional information about country specific entry requirements visit the your country pages. 

Teaching and Research

We offer a blended learning approach which provides you with the flexibility of completing guided study in your own time, therefore maximising the opportunities when on campus.

You will be taught at the Hope Park Campus which include state-of-the-art facilities such as simulated environments, sport science and biomechanics laboratories, strength & conditioning suite and fitness suite.

We have a Physiotherapy & Sport Rehabilitation clinic which provides students an immersive learning experience to observe management of a variety of acute and chronic conditions.

We will support you as you learn about the structure and function of the human body in the context of health, disease, disorder and dysfunction, across the lifespan. You will explore the theories and physiotherapy approaches that can be applied to enhance movement and minimise loss of function, focusing on the musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and neurological systems. There will be consideration of emerging areas of physiotherapy such as the principles of management for women’s health, amputees and palliative care.

Developing interpersonal skills, such as respecting the needs and choices of individual service users, their carers and families, along with their cultural, social and religious backgrounds, are prioritised. We’ll also focus on helping you gain an understanding of the political, social and economic factors that are influencing the current and future delivery of physiotherapy, health and social care services.

UK/Channel Island Tuition Fees

2026/27

Tuition fees for Home students are £10,000 per academic year.

Funding

English domiciled students are able to access Postgraduate Student finance.

Tuition fee loan and Maintenance support

Please visit https://www.gov.uk/apply-online-for-student-finance

Students from other domiciles may apply for Postgraduate Loans from their funding body

Wales:  https://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/postgraduate-finance/master-s/

Northern Ireland (capped) Tuition fee loan only: https://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate/

Scotland : (capped) Tuition fee loan only:  https://www.saas.gov.uk/full-time/postgraduates

NHS Learning Support Fund: Eligible students can apply for funding from the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Once you register and start the MSc Pre-Reg Physiotherapy course you can apply to the NHS Learning Support Fund.

You may be eligible to apply for:

• Training grant
• Parental support payments, if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
• Expenses for excess travel and temporary accommodation costs while you’re on your practice placement
• Students experiencing financial hardship (Exceptional Support Fund).

For more detailed information on the NHS Learning Support Fund, eligibility criteria, creating your account, and making an application visit NHS Business Services Authority

EU/Non EU International Tuition Fees

2026/27

Tuition fees for EU/Non-EU International students are £17,500 per academic year.

Please be aware that the UK’s departure from the EU may affect your tuition fees. Learn more about your fee status and which tuition fees are relevant to you.

If you are an international student, visit our international scholarships pages.

Careers

On completion of this programme, you will be eligible to join the Health & Care professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). This will grant you Chartered Physiotherapist status and enable you to work in a variety of clinical settings including the NHS, private practice, the Armed Forces and elite sports clubs.

You will be well suited to pursue postgraduate level study or progress onto advanced clinical roles. Chartered Physiotherapists may also gain opportunities in clinical research and Higher Education.