Guide to studying Physiotherapy

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2. Choosing A Levels

Tips for applying

Universities look for students who have the potential to be good physiotherapists. You’ll need strong communication skills and the ability to make others feel calm. Try to demonstrate this, and other relevant skills, when applying to a course.

Work experience will strengthen your application. If you can, spend time with a physiotherapist to get an understanding of what they do. You could also volunteer or work with a local organisation, for example:

• Hospital or health clinic
• Physiotherapy clinics
• Nursing homes
• Sports clinics

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2. Physiotherapy subject table
3. Physiotherapy course chooser

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2. Physiotherapy postgraduate course chooser

What jobs can you do with a Physiotherapy degree?

Most Physiotherapy students become professional physiotherapists. There are many paths to go down, such as geriatric medicine, intensive care, mental health, outpatients, orthopaedics, paediatrics and stroke services.

With experience, you can specialise in an area, take on more responsibilities in senior roles or progress into health service management. You could even set up your own practice and be self-employed.

Alternatively, you could find opportunities in the armed forces, sports and fitness, research or teaching.

What do graduates do and earn?

In the infographic below, the first table shows what graduates of Physiotherapy have gone on to do in the months after their graduation.

The second table shows the average salaries of undergraduate Physiotherapy students entering employment. The three skill levels – high, medium and low – reflect the UK's Standard Occupational Classification's major groups 1–3, 4–6 and 7–9 respectively. 

Source: HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017/18

How to become a physiotherapist

The popular route is by gaining a qualification in Physiotherapy – either at degree level or through a degree apprenticeship.

Postgraduate conversion courses are available for those with a degree in related areas such as sports science or psychology.

You also register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you start practising professionally.

What’s it like to be a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapists primarily work in hospices, at GP practices, clients’ homes, care homes, hospitals or fitness centres. Daily tasks can be varied but often include:

• Helping patients with physical body issues
• Supporting those recovering from accidents, injuries and strokes
• Working with people with physical or mental disabilities
• Providing specialist techniques such as massages or electrotherapy
• Planning rehabilitation programmes and setting goals
• Collecting statistics and writing reports
• Discussing issues and supporting clients and their families

You could be working alone or as part of a multi-disciplinary team. Often you’ll work alongside other healthcare professionals and different departments, such as paediatrics and occupational health.

After qualifying, you’ll have Continuing Professional Development (CPD) meetings, where you talk about your future career goals. You can become a member of organisations such as the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which support your career development.

A working week is typically 37.5 hours, and you may have to work evenings and weekends. Salaries for physiotherapists are on the Agenda for Change system (the NHS staff grading and pay scale), usually on band 5. With the NHS, you’ll have access to generous pension schemes, holiday allowances and health service discounts.

Is a role as a physiotherapist right for you?

You’ll be working with lots of people with a wide variety of issues. You have to be very empathetic and good at listening to their problems. It can sometimes be an emotionally and physically challenging role, but also a rewarding one, as you are genuinely helping people to live better.