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:
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.
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.
Our School feedback policy (word - 278kb)
Our School reference policy (word - 276kb)
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.
An Introduction to Contemporary Physiotherapy Practice, including a Foundation Placement
You develop your professional identity and understand the role of the physiotherapist in the delivery of health and social care in context. You develop skills in effective appraisal of evidence, development of professional behaviour and communication and compilation of a CPD portfolio.
Assessment is through written assignment and a practical examination.
Foundation Skills for Physiotherapy Practice
We introduce you to the core clinical skills and understanding of treatment principles that underpin practice. You integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, with that of pathology, exercise and rehabilitation. This knowledge is applied to a diverse range of client groups.
Assessment is through a written assignment and a practical examination.
Foundations of Functional Anatomy for Physiotherapy Practice
You develop the functional anatomical knowledge and biomechanical principles, which underpin normal movement and the neuromusculoskeletal components of clinical practice. Structural anatomy is related to common movement tasks incorporating a problem solving approach.
Assessment is through a written assignment and a practical examination.
Introduction to Physiology for Physiotherapists
You cover the basic physiology needed by physiotherapists through weekly lectures and practical sessions. You are introduced to the underpinning physiology of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and nervous systems, and explore physiological concepts in our well-equipped physiology laboratories. Threaded through this is the physiology of the healing process for soft tissues and bone, and the consequences when healing is prevented. The assessment for the module is a written exam, taken in June, with an informal exam earlier in the year in February.
Applied Concepts of Health and Wellbeing
You develop knowledge and understanding of psycho-social and behavioural science theories which underpin the promotion of health and rehabilitation in physiotherapy practice. Learning for this module takes place in the university environment and on a practice placement with blocks of study timetabled around the placement.
Assessment is through written assignment.
Dissertation Preparation for Physiotherapy
You develop the knowledge and understanding of the research process giving you a sound understanding of differing research methods you to engage in the development of a dissertation proposal.
Assessment is through a written research proposal.
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Established and Long-term Conditions
This 20-week long module, focuses on the skills and attributes necessary to manage patients with established health needs. You look at an integrated approach to management, based on clinical problem-solving and an exploration of the related evidence base underpinning practice is used to develop an holistic approach to clinical decision-making. You develop core physiotherapeutic skills such as therapeutic handling, manual therapies, therapeutic exercise and hydrotherapy, which you apply to a variety of clinical conditions reflecting contemporary physiotherapy practice, such as work and lifestyle related pathologies, the older person, long-term conditions, neurology and paediatrics.
Physiotherapy Practice Placement 2a and 2b
There are two placements of five weeks duration in the clinical practice area. Each placement offers a unique and new educational opportunity as the client groups and practice environments differ.
The Role of Physiotherapy in the Early Phase of Rehabilitation
You build on your first-year knowledge and skills, allowing you to contribute to the physiotherapy management of service users on the acute to subacute, or early phases of rehabilitation across the physiotherapy disciplines.
You explore the impact of acute and early onset problems on the various systems and an individual’s functional ability in disease and dysfunction.
Contemporary Issues in Physiotherapy Practice
We help prepare you for the demands and expectations of current healthcare practice. You explore health and social care policy alongside statutory and professional policy, to give the student an understanding of how they impact upon service delivery.
Assessment is through written critical commentary and evidence from professional development portfolio.
Integrated Management of Clients with Complex Needs
This module will enable the student to critically assess issues surrounding vulnerable groups of people. It aims to encourage students to look beyond the disease approach to health and rehabilitation to broader issues incorporating psychological, spiritual and social needs.
Assessment is through a poster presentation and oral discussion.
Physiotherapy Practice Placements 3a, 3b, 4
There are four placements of five weeks duration in the clinical practice area. Each placement offers a unique and new educational opportunity as the client groups and practice environments differ.
Physiotherapy: Research and Dissemination
We enable you to plan, implement, analyse and disseminate a live research project. You build on clinical and research related knowledge and skills developed during the programme and focus your application to a specific research question relevant to contemporary practice or education; which has been developed by you.
The main learning strategy throughout the module will be self-directed. This will be supported with a short series of lectures and seminars. You build on skills developed at Levels 4 and 5 of time management, data handling and interpretation and critical review. Specific support and guidance will be provided by an individual Academic Supervisor. Learning materials will be available via the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), e-learning@tees; which can also be used to communicate both with peers and academic staff.
Formative assessment will occur mid-way through the module, at which point you will be expected to critically reflect on the research process, evaluate current progress and make recommendations for the next stage of your research.
Summative assessment of the module will be in two components:
Component 1: A 500-word abstract (30%)
Component 2: A 30-minute viva supported by a conference poster of 1,200 words (70%)
All materials will normally be submitted in Week 13 of the module. Where possible, service users will be invited to the summative viva.
Evidence of appropriate Research Ethics Committee approval must be included with the work submitted for assessment. If this is not included with the assessment, a mark of zero will be awarded.
Modules offered may vary.
There is a range of diverse learning and teaching methods used throughout the course which includes keynote lectures, seminars, small group work as well as practical skills sessions. You are given constructive feedback to enhance your learning opportunities. You are encouraged and supported to engage in self-directed learning throughout the duration of the course. You must complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical practice successfully to comply with the regulations of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Clinical placements enable you to assess and treat clients with varied clinical conditions, in a range of hospital and community settings. During placements you are supervised by experienced clinicians and receive visits from University tutors. Clinical placements are arranged by academic tutors and you will be required to travel for some placements.
Assessment is varied and reflects module learning outcomes. You are assessed by written assignments, oral presentations and practical examinations. In the interests of professional safety, you must complete all modules successfully to demonstrate:
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
You are expected to have:
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:
Interview criteria
At interview you will be measured against the following criteria, mapped against the NHS Constitution:
If you are successful in both shortlisting and interview you will receive a conditional offer which is subject to the following:
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.
*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
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.
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year
Fee for international applicants
£13,000 a year
More details about our fees for international applicants
What is included in your tuition fee?
The School of Health & Social Care has impressive purpose-built physiotherapy facilities simulating practice environments and social care settings. See how our physiotherapy students benefit and prepare for practice.
Are you eligible for an iPad, keyboard and up to £300 credit for learning resources?
Live in affordable accommodation right on-campus
Study in our town-centre campus with over £270m of recent investment
Benefit from work placements, live projects, accredited courses
Social media