Course overview
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Physiotherapists 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.
This apprenticeship equips the learner with the knowledge and skills so that on completion, they can apply for membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and register with the Health and Care Professions Council as a physiotherapist. The apprentice gains the attributes, competencies, abilities and enthusiasm required to meet the demands of a constantly evolving profession, and their ongoing development. Teesside University has a long and successful history of training physiotherapists, and the apprenticeship is in response to employer demand. The course team is committed to learner-centred learning through negotiation, shared responsibility and mutual respect. This professional and holistic relationship between the apprentice and you as the employer mirrors the type of physiotherapist/client relationship we encourage.
Please note, we can only respond to enquiries from employers, or individuals with agreement from their employer to undertake an apprenticeship.
Supporting information for applicants
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Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
An Introduction to Professional Practice
Learn the core skills, values and behaviours that underpin health and social care and the professional standards you must follow from regulators and professional bodies.
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.
Health and Wellbeing in Professional Practice
You consider the role of allied health professionals within the context of increasingly unhealthy lifestyles and growing numbers of people with long term conditions. Learn about social, psychological, physical, cultural and environmental health models and how these influence the quality of care and individuals’ participation.
Human Movement for Physiotherapists
You gain a foundation of knowledge of functional anatomy and core biomechanical principles that underpin and determine normal human movement. These are key to effective neuromusculoskeletal clinical physiotherapy practice.
Structure and Function for Allied Health Professions
Develop your knowledge and understanding of normal structural and functional anatomy and physiology.
Year 2 core modules
Evidence-based Physiotherapy Rehabilitation
You are introduced to evidence-based exercise and rehabilitation programmes across a range of populations, for example children, older people and working age adults.
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
You prepare for clinical practice within the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You learn how to assess and offer evidence-based intervention for a range of musculoskeletal disorders using a range of skills with an emphasis on the biopsychosocial model of care.
You develop the necessary attributes, knowledge, and skills to underpin a person-approach to the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with long term neurological conditions.
Physiotherapy in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Practice
You develop your cardiovascular and respiratory physiotherapy skills for assessment and management of patients, across the age range, with cardiovascular and/or respiratory dysfunction.
Preparing to Collaborate in Physiotherapy Research
This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of qualitative and quantitative research approaches to prepare you to select a research question that you will carry forward to the dissertation module in the final year of the course.
Final-year core modules
You explore and develop clinical reasoning within physiotherapy assessment, rehabilitation, and management for clients with comorbidities, long-term conditions and complex needs across the lifespan continuum.
Enhancing Employability, Leadership and Quality Improvement for the Future Ready Physiotherapist
You gain knowledge and understanding of healthcare policy, statutory and professional policy and explore the impact of these policies with respect to patient care, professional practice, and service delivery.
Physiotherapy Research in Action
The module aims to enable you to make informed decisions based on research evidence, through comprehensive searching and appraisal of published information. You also plan, investigate, evaluate, and prepare for dissemination health-related issues, using an appropriate method of enquiry and applying principles of research ethics and governance.
The placements provide opportunities for you to further develop professional behaviours, apply physiotherapy theory to practice and develop physiotherapeutic skills in a variety of practice environments.
Preparation for Physiotherapy End-Point Assessment (Apprenticeship)
This module comprises a four-week elective placement, which you negotiate with your employer, and online and tutorial support to facilitate preparation for the end point assessments.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
A range of diverse learning and teaching methods are used, including keynote lectures, seminars, small group work as well as practical skills sessions. The apprentice is given constructive feedback to enhance their learning opportunities. They are encouraged and supported to engage in self-directed learning throughout the duration of the course. They 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 them to assess and treat clients with varied clinical conditions, in a range of hospital and community settings. During placements they are supervised by experienced clinicians and receive visits from University tutors.
How you are assessed
The apprentice encounters a variety of assessment methods as they progress through the course. The nature of the assessment varies according to the learning outcomes of the module and ensure they are not disadvantaged by any one method. Methods of assessment include written and practical examinations, completion of practice portfolios, poster and oral presentations, written assignments and practice placements. In Year 3 a specific apprenticeship end-point assessment which includes professional discussion and observation of their practice in the clinical setting.
In the interests of professional safety, they must complete all modules successfully to demonstrate:
- conducting assessment and treatment procedures safely and effectively
- satisfactory clinical reasoning and problem-solving skills
- satisfactory skills in communication and team working
- evidence of appropriate selection and appraisal of methods of critical enquiry.
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
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be accepted on to a degree apprenticeship course you must have support from your employer and meet the course entry requirements.
Apprentices must:
• hold Level 2 qualifications in English and maths before starting their apprenticeship. Find out more.
• have typically 3 A levels or equivalent
• be currently employed as a physiotherapy or rehabilitation assistant, or on entry to the course, employed as a physiotherapy apprentice with a healthcare provider
• demonstrate the appropriate values and attitudes for the programme through an interview with the employer and University
• have a satisfactory enhanced DBS disclosure and satisfactory occupational health check
• work a minimum of 30 hours per week
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. The apprentice could also consider a career working in clinical research or teaching, in the UK or overseas.
Work placement
Depending on their place of employment, the apprentice may be able to meet the requirements of the course within their own Trust. However, there may be occasions when they are asked to work in a different hospital or a different Trust to gain the necessary experience and to develop the necessary knowledge and skills in order to meet the required standards of practice.
