Physiotherapy
BSc (Hons)

Course overview

As a physiotherapist, you make a real difference to the way people function physically, socially and psychologically, using therapeutic intervention to optimise their abilities. This is achieved through health promotion, preventative healthcare and rehabilitation.

From September 2020 all new and continuing students on this course will receive a £5,000 maintenance grant each year if they’re eligible. They will not need to pay it back.
Full details here

This course equips you with the knowledge and skills so that on completion, you can apply for membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and register with the Health and Care Professions Council.As with all healthcare professionals, the public place high levels of expectations and trust in their physiotherapist. To work in this sector it is essential that you are able to demonstrate the core values embedded within the NHS Constitution:

• working together for patients
• respect and dignity
• commitment to quality of care
• compassion
• improving lives
• everyone counts.

You learn to apply your knowledge and understanding of contemporary physiotherapy practice, and you gain the skills to be a safe, autonomous and professional practitioner. Core skills underpinning physiotherapy include manual therapy, therapeutic exercise, movement analysis and electrotherapy. Throughout the course, as part of the placement experience, you will be required to participate in a shift pattern rota or work weekends.This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

The School is committed to the development of quality courses and to the enhancement of the student experience. To that end the Student Voice is central to the design and delivery of the learning experience. We invite you to provide feedback at key points in your student journey and ensure that we respond to your feedback through our 'you said, we did' approach.

Professional accreditation

On successful completion of the course you'll be eligible to apply for membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Please note 100% attendance is expected during this programme.

Supporting information for applicants

Our School feedback policy (word - 278kb)
Our School reference policy (word - 276kb)

Course details

In your first year you gain a real understanding of what underpins physiotherapy practice. This includes anatomy, physiology, practical skills and handling techniques which prepare you to work with a broad spectrum of client groups. Professional regulations, governance and ethics of practice are also explored. You will undertake a three-week assessed clinical placement at the end of Year 1.

In Year 2 you enhance your core knowledge, skills and clinical reasoning in contemporary physiotherapy practice. Learning also takes place in the clinical environment with the allocation of two five-week assessed clinical placements, which allow you to develop the links between theory and practice. You undertake a research methods module to help you formulate a question for your dissertation.

In your final year you carry out a research project based on physiotherapy-related issues. You further develop and consolidate your knowledge and skills to prepare you for employment as a contemporary physiotherapy practitioner. There are a further three assessed clinical placements in a variety of settings and with a range of client groups, which may include paediatrics, elderly care, learning disabilities and mental health services in addition to acute, medical, musculoskeletal and neurological areas.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You are expected to have:

• Level 3 academic study.
• a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English language, maths and science. Key Skills/Functional Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number can be accepted in place of English and maths GCSE. Please note these are not required if you are doing an Access course – however, you must have English and maths as listed below.*

Plus any of the following qualifications:

GCE and VCE Advanced Level
128 points from three A levels including 40 points from a science or social science subject, excluding general studies or critical thinking. If you are studying an Advanced Double Award (ADA) you need 88 points from a combination of ADA and one additional A level (40 points must be from a science or social science subject) excluding general studies or critical thinking.

AS Level
These are only acceptable when combined with other qualifications but must be at least a grade B (16 points) and must be studied concurrently with other qualifications.

Access course
128 UCAS points from a QAA recognised Access course (any combination)
*We can accept Level 2 Access units in communication and maths in place of English and maths GCSEs.

BTEC QCF Extended Diploma
128 points (DDM) in a science or health-related subject. Sport (performance and excellence), sport and exercise science, sport coaching and fitness, and sport subjects are acceptable.

CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care
144 points (A) in health and social care.

Irish Leaving Certificate
128 points from five Highers/Honours subjects including 24 points from a science or social science subject.

NVQ
Not acceptable.

Open University
Level 2 modules in biology, science, social science or health are acceptable as evidence of recent study if all other academic requirements have been met.

Scottish Highers
128 points from five Highers including 27 points in a science or social science subject.

Advanced Scottish Highers
128 points from three Advanced Highers including 48 points in a science or social science subject.

For further detailed entry requirements for this course please visit www.ucas.com.

The selection process includes shortlisting of your application which if successful you will be invited for an interview.

Shortlisting criteria
Your application will be measured against the following criteria:

• your ability to complete all sections of the application form fully and correctly
• the level of all qualifications and grades are specified
• appropriate academic entry requirements achieved or predicted
• evidence of successful level 3 academic study
• personal statement that is supportive of your chosen programme and demonstrates an understanding of the uniqueness of the profession and the role of the professional
• a satisfactory reference

Interview criteria
At interview you will be measured against the following criteria, mapped against the NHS Constitution:

• knowledge of chosen profession/career
• an appreciation of the demands of the programme and chosen profession
• enthusiasm for the programme/profession
• ability to communicate effectively verbally and non verbally
• attitude towards equity of care

If you are successful in both shortlisting and interview you will receive a conditional offer which is subject to the following:

1. evidence of achievement of the required academic qualifications.
2. a successful work based risk assessment which will reflect the HEOPS recommendations - please read these here. For more information on all of the HEOPS standards click here
3. an enhanced criminal history (DBS) check may be required for certain modules or placements which involve working with children and/or adults at risk. Where an enhanced DBS check is required, applicants will cover the cost of these checks which can only be processed through the University.
4. satisfactory references.

Please note until 1 to 4 have been successfully completed the offer of a place on the course remains conditional.

Please note: If you have at least a 2.1 degree in a physiotherapy-related subject and are considering applying for an undergraduate course you may wish to apply for a master's degree in physiotherapy.

• International applicants must have IELTS 7.0 with a minimal score of 6.5 in all sections or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 100/120 (in conjunction with a Teesside University English language test)* before an unconditional offer is made
• If you are successful at shortlisting you will be invited to attend an interview (which may be in person OR video call) in one of our international offices in either India, Malaysia or China, or through a secure web link (which will be arranged by the University).
• If you can not attend an interview as stated, you will be unable to proceed with your application.

*Students holding TOEFL qualifications at the required grade will be able to combine the qualification with a Teesside University English language test to meet the English language requirement. The English language test will assess listening and speaking competency.

For international enquiries please email internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL

Employability

Career opportunities

Opportunities are available for employment within the NHS, private sector or charitable trusts – in hospitals, GP surgeries, schools, industry and in the community. You could also consider a career working in clinical research or teaching, in the UK or overseas.

Information for international applicants