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Study Physiotherapy, why & how to study

Physiotherapists provide treatment to restore or improve a patient’s mobility. Read about studying for a Physiotherapy degree to see if this career is for you.

Physiotherapist helping man in gym

CONTENTS

  1. What’s Physiotherapy?

  2. What Physiotherapy degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto a Physiotherapy degree?

  4. What topics does a Physiotherapy degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Physiotherapy?

  7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Physiotherapy degree?
  8. What do Physiotherapy graduates earn?

  9. What jobs can you get as a Physiotherapy graduate?

  10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  11. Similar subjects to Physiotherapy

  12. Have any questions?

What’s Physiotherapy?

Physiotherapy is a specialist branch of medicine focused on impairments in bodily movement. It aims to improve a patient’s quality of life through physical intervention, helping with their mobility and function.

Physiotherapists play an important role in treating a wide range of conditions, including:

  • Neurological (stroke, Parkinson’s)
  • Neuromusculoskeletal (sports injury, arthritis)
  • Cardiovascular (rehabilitation after a heart attack)
  • Respiratory (cystic fibrosis, asthma)

Specialists work with patients regularly. They help them through exercise, massage, the use of specialist equipment, and other methods. They form treatment plans and advise people on how to prevent injury.

Take a look at the university league table for Physiotherapy.

What Physiotherapy degrees can you study?

Most undergraduate degrees in Physiotherapy come with a BSc (Bachelor of Science) award. Some courses include an integrated master’s, where you can earn an MSci (Master of Science).

Examples of degrees:

Physiotherapy BSc/MSci

Topics you’ll learn about include anatomy, pathophysiology, rehabilitation techniques and movement science. You could explore and specialise in various areas, from elderly care to community health.

Search for Physiotherapy courses.

Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation Science BSc 

You can focus on the clinical side of Physiotherapy. This is where you apply techniques and principles of exercise and rehabilitation to clinical settings. You’ll learn about areas like biomechanics and exercise physiology.

Find Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation Science courses

Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation BSc  

This degree is useful if you’re interested in a career in sports performance, coaching or training. You’ll become an expert in topics like sports-related injuries and performance enhancement. Similar courses include Sports Rehabilitation.

Search Strength, Conditioning and Rehabilitation courses.

Other options

Courses usually include professional placements where you work with members of the public. 

Degrees may include an integrated foundation year, master’s, or study abroad opportunities.

Degree apprenticeships may be available, where you work and earn while qualifying. You must apply through an employer, and you won’t have access to student grants. 

What do you need to get onto a Physiotherapy degree?

Must have 

Most undergraduate Physiotherapy courses ask for 96–136 UCAS points. Qualifications may include: 

  • A Levels: AAB–CCC 

  • BTECs: D*DD–MMM 

  • Scottish Highers: AAAAA–BBCC (Advanced Highers: ABB) 

  • International Baccalaureate: 33–24 

  • Universities will usually ask that you have studied: an A Level or Higher in biology, human biology or PE 

  • You’ll also need five GCSEs (grade C/4 or above) including English, maths and science

Good to have 

  • Shadowing or talking to a physiotherapist. Contact your local NHS service or try private clinics, sports clubs or charities that provide rehab support

  • Work experience in a hospital, health or physiotherapy clinic, sports clinic, or nursing home 

  • For sports-related degrees, involvement with sports groups or clubs 

  • Volunteering for organisations such as St John Ambulance, or St Andrew’s First Aid in Scotland 

  • Independent reading into the subject, or areas of research at your chosen uni  

  • Check out the website of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) or Physios in Sport 

What topics does a Physiotherapy degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

  • Contemporary physiotherapy practice
  • Foundations of anatomy and clinical practice
  • Injury and rehabilitation
  • Motor control and decline
  • Musculoskeletal practice
  • Physiotherapy theory and practice
  • Psychology of exercise, health and sport
  • The human cardiorespiratory system

How will you be assessed?

You'll be assessed while working on placement. Other assessment methods include:

  • Case study presentations
  • Essays
  • Exams (written and practical)
  • Multiple choice questions
  • Portfolios of evidence
  • Poster presentations
  • Video analysis

Why study Physiotherapy?

Career-specific skills:

  • Applying theory and critical reasoning to assess and evaluate a client’s health, and decide the right course of treatment

  • Competence in assessment and treatment techniques, including gait analysis 

  • Ability to engage with clients and the wider healthcare team

Transferable skills: 

  • Communication (written and oral) 

  • Interpersonal skills 

  • IT literacy and numeracy 

  • Problem solving 

  • Self-directed learning 

  • Team working 

  • Time management 

Professional accreditation:  

Degrees must be approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). They may also be endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

I literally love my course so much. It’s over exceeded my expectations and I’m getting so much practical experience in real work settings that have added so much to my CV and growth as a person.

Toyosi, University of Bradford

  1. GO TO
  2. NHS bursary
  3. Register for the NHS careers guide

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants to encourage access. It’s worth seeing if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers e.g., materials, tuition fees and/or living costs.  

The National Health Service (NHS) also offers student bursaries in some instances. More information can be found in our guide.  

What do Physiotherapy graduates earn?

Physiotherapy graduates can expect an entry-level salary of between £25,000 and £30,000. With experience, those who specialise or take on managerial roles within the NHS could be paid £48,000–£77,000. You could even set up your own practice and be self-employed. 

Sports therapists may earn between £24,000–£45,000. 

What jobs can you get as a Physiotherapy graduate?

Most Physiotherapy students become professional physiotherapists. You could find opportunities in the armed forces, sports and fitness, research or teaching.

Specialisms in Physiotherapy include:

  • Geriatric medicine
  • Intensive care
  • Mental health
  • Outpatients
  • Orthopaedics
  • Paediatrics
  • Stroke services

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

If you have a first degree in a related discipline, you can take a graduate-entry pre-registration course to qualify as a physiotherapist.

Other postgraduate degrees offer the chance to specialise, for example:

  • Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory MSc
  • Exercise as Medicine MSc
  • Physiotherapy PhD
  • Sports Physiotherapy MSc

Similar subjects to Physiotherapy

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

Search undergraduate Physiotherapy courses now!

Have any questions?

Ask our experts! You can email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Physiotherapy. We’ll be happy to hear from you.

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