Program Overview

The University of Bolton’s MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) degree focuses on supporting you to develop the core expertise, knowledge and skills demanded of physiotherapy professionals in a number of different clinical settings and environments. The global demand for qualified physiotherapists means that career opportunities are excellent in the UK and further afield.

You’ll spend a total of 1000 hours of your time in physiotherapy practice-based learning environments across the primary care, private and voluntary sectors, helping to prepare you for the changing environments you’ll encounter during your career. The rest of your studies will be based at the University, increasing your theoretical understanding and practical knowledge in a way that complements and enhances your learning in the workplace.

We’ll support you as you learn about the structure and function of the human body in the context of health, disease, disorder and dysfunction, across the lifespan. With our expert guidance, you’ll explore the theories and physiotherapy approaches that can be applied to enhance movement and minimise loss of function, focusing on the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. We’ll also consider developing areas of physiotherapy such as the principles of management for women’s health, amputees and palliative care. We’ll help you develop knowledge of the biomedical, physical, clinical and behavioural science that underpins physiotherapy practice, and gain skills in physical assessment, treatment and evaluation. We'll support you to develop interpersonal and communication skills, such as respecting and prioritising the needs and choices of individual service users, their carers and families. We’ll also focus on helping you gain an understanding of the political, social and economic factors that are influencing the current and future delivery of physiotherapy, health and social care services.

Together with our partners, we’ll work to prepare you to become a confident, professional physiotherapist, able use a range of physical and psychological treatment approaches to help individuals develop, maintain and regain mobility within an ever-changing health and social care environment. On successful completion of the Physiotherapy qualification, you’ll possess the knowledge and skills you need to practise as an autonomous, independent practitioner who can be trusted to maintain professional standards while working to improve the health and wellbeing of service users through your individual and team-working actions.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Highlights

• The University of Bolton’s MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as a physiotherapist in the UK and for full membership of the CSP.
• The University hosts world-class facilities in Bolton One for clinical and laboratory teaching. As part of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, the MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) benefits from strong links with the NHS and private healthcare providers, and our experienced staff team offer expertise and knowledge across all subject disciplines.
• You’ll have access to our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Suites, Athlete Development Centre and Sports & Spinal Injuries Clinic. These provide outstanding learning environments where you can practice skills and develop knowledge under the supervision of our team of experienced researchers and practitioners. You’ll also have access to a range of learning and exercise specific resources such as online learning software, Vicon motion capture, Delsys/Trigno wireless electromyography, Alter-G treadmill, isokinetic dynamometer and hydrotherapy pool.
• Our professional expert academic tutors come from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds, including physiotherapy, the allied health professions, sports rehabilitation and exercise science. They weave essential knowledge of inter-professional and multi-agency working into their delivery of the theory elements of the course, helping prepare you to work effectively with colleagues from a variety of other professions and agencies.
• You’ll gain first-hand work experience and have the opportunity to develop an invaluable network of professional contacts during your work placements. You’ll undertake a total of 1000 practice-based learning hours during your studies and you’ll have the opportunity to negotiate an elective practice-based learning experience of your choosing.
• Key skills such as leadership, teamwork and professional communication are essential elements of the course, and we’ll foster your commitment to lifelong learning helping you to ensure your knowledge and skills remain current as you progress through your career.

Key Features

• The teaching and learning on the programme will have a particular emphasis on woman’s health and paediatrics, preparing graduates with the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to work in this rewarding and highly sought-after workforce.
• Throughout the course, specialists in the field of physiotherapy, the health professions and rehabilitation therapists will be invited to join us as guest speakers. You can also expect to meet service users with direct experience of using physiotherapy services and benefit from their unique and valuable perspectives on the role of physiotherapists in practice.
• Our dedicated team will guide you as you develop critical thinking and research evaluation skills and apply these during your master’s-level project, which gives you the choice between either a scientific or a work-based enquiry. This experience will support your on-going professional development in future and help you evaluate evidence to inform your practice and decision-making in the field.
• Physiotherapy can be very demanding and carries a lot of responsibility so we’ll support you to learn strategies and techniques that can help you to build your professional and emotional resilience to successfully manage the situations you face.
• In preparation for a career in this dynamic, evolving profession we aim to expose you to many of the different clinical settings, sectors and industries in which physiotherapists are currently finding employment. These may include emerging areas such as the third and voluntary sectors, first-contact practitioners and the Ministry of Defence.
• On successful completion of this programme, you’ll be awarded the MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) from the University of Bolton.

Professional recognition
The University of Bolton’s MSc Physiotherapy is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK.

The programme is also accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).