Course details
- Full-time: 24 months
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Gaining this qualification will promote your development as a physiotherapist. You will learn critical thinking skills, how to be resilient, resourceful and capable of providing outstanding patient care in the current and future healthcare system.
This two year accelerated MSc Physiotherapy course will provide you with an excellent educational experience both in academic and clinical environments. It will support your development as a graduate with the ability and desire to make a meaningful contribution within the communities in which you live and work.
The programme has been divided into three key themes, clinical, professional and evidence based practice which run throughout the programme. These themes transition across the two years, ensuring that learning is applied and developed continuously to facilitate growth at each level of study. Within the themes individual modules have been developed in parallel to ensure that you benefit from a planned and coherent learning experience with an appropriate spread of workload across each year. Practice based learning is an essential part of this programme as it will allow you to experience a wide range of clinical settings and integrate theory and practice, developing clinical skills, professionalism and leadership.
Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to apply to become a professional member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
This is a pre-registration course available to graduates wanting to study Physiotherapy for the first time and at master’s level. It is not available to Physiotherapy graduates. The programme is also not a conversion course.
Successful graduates will be eligible to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to apply to become a professional member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
All of our modules have been developed together to ensure that you benefit from a planned and coherent learning experience.
In the first year, you will be introduced to the foundational teachings of physiotherapy practice. You will also develop a base knowledge of how best to manage and treat patients presenting with different musculoskeletal complaints or surgical needs.
This 20 credit module is designed to provide students with the core knowledge and practical skills required in physiotherapy practice. Students will develop knowledge in relation to normal structure and function of bodily tissues, together with an understanding of the mechanisms of tissue healing, repair and aging, which are central to the assessment and management of all physiotherapy patients. Students will also have the opportunity to develop handling skills which are essential for providing safe and effective patient care and are fundamental to all fields of physiotherapy practice.
The learning and teaching strategy for this module uses a combination of self directed study, electures, tutorials and practical classes. Theoretical content will be delivered by electures and tutorials will support this material and assist the student with their understanding and application of the knowledge. Practical sessions will give students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists. Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed by an unseen written examination to assess the theoretical components and continuous assessment during practical sessions will be used to assess competency in practical skills.
This 20-credit module is designed to introduce students to the the core knowledge and practical skills that are required to plan and conduct an assessment and implement a management plan for patients with conditions commonly encountered in contemporary physiotherapy practice such as reduced mobility, muscular injury or balance re-education. Students will develop skills and knowledge in relation to communicating with patients, subjective assessment, objective assessment and clinical reasoning. Students will also have the opportunity to develop assessment skills which are fundamental to all fields of physiotherapy practice and plan and implement management strategies for patients based on current evidence. The module addresses the four pillars of physiotherapy practice: Clinical, Education, Leadership and Research. The learning and teaching strategy for this module uses a combination of self-directed study, electures, tutorials and practical classes using blended learning ie. online and face-to-face teaching. Theoretical content will be delivered by eLectures and tutorials will support this material and assist you with their understanding. Practical sessions will give you the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists developing practical skills in relation to assessment and management. The theory and practical components will be utilised in a six week practice placement which will count towards the 1000 hours of practice placement mandated by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy for accreditation.
Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed by a 40-minute assessment, providing the opportunity for students to demonstrate their practical skills and theoretical / evidenced based knowledge in relation to their practice, and a six week practice placement which is a pass/fail component and must be passed.
This 20-credit module is designed to advance students’ knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct an assessment and implement a management plan for patients with medical and surgical conditions encountered in contemporary cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy practice. The module addresses all four pillars of physiotherapy practice: Clinical, Education, Leadership and Research. Students will have the opportunity to develop their theoretical knowledge and understanding of the pathologies related to medical (including rehabilitation) and surgical practice and the supporting evidence based practice. They will develop specific skills and knowledge in relation to completing individually tailored subjective and objective assessment based on advancing clinical reasoning skills. Students will also have the opportunity to implement advanced, innovative management strategies for patients based on current evidence. The learning and teaching strategy for this module uses a combination of self-directed study, electures, case based scenarios, developed by service users, tutorials and practical classes and uses blended learning with both online and face-to-face teaching. Theoretical content will be delivered by eLectures but tutorials will support this material and assist the student with their understanding. Practical sessions will give students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists developing practical skills in relation to assessment and management.
Theory and practical skills will be put into practice by undertaking a 5 week practice placement which will count towards the 1000 hours of practice placement mandated by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy for accreditation.
Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed by a 1,500 evaluation of a patient case study and a 30 minute practical assessment providing the opportunity for students to demonstrate their practical skills and theoretical / evidenced based knowledge in relation to their practice. The practice placement is a pass / fail component and must be passed.
This 20-credit module is designed to advance students knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct an assessment and implement a management plan for patients with musculoskeletal conditions encountered in contemporary physiotherapy practice. The module addresses the four pillars of physiotherapy practice: Clinical, Education, Leadership and Research. Students will have the opportunity to develop their theoretical knowledge and understanding of the pathologies related to musculoskeletal practice and the supporting evidence based practice. They will develop specific skills and knowledge in relation to completing individually tailored subjective and objective assessment based on advancing clinical reasoning skills. Students will also have the opportunity implement advanced, innovative management strategies for patients based on current evidence. The learning and teaching strategy for this module uses a combination of self-directed study, electures, case based scenarios developed by service users, tutorials and practical classes employing a blended learning approach with a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. Theoretical content will be delivered by electures but tutorials will support this material and assist the student with their understanding. Practical sessions will give students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists developing practical skills in relation to assessment and management. Theory and practical skills will be put into practice by undertaking a 5 week practice placement which will count towards the 1000 hours of practice placement mandated by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy for accreditation.
Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed by a 1,500 evaluation of a patient case study and a 30 minute practical assessment providing the opportunity for students to demonstrate their practical skills and theoretical / evidenced based knowledge in relation to their practice. The practice placement is a pass/fail component and must be passed.
This module will enable students to develop a research proposal for either a review of evidence, empirical project, clinical audit or service evaluation that will contribute to the development of evidence-based healthcare practice.
The module is aimed at graduates from a range of different disciplines/subjects who have a range of knowledge and experience of research methods at undergraduate level and are looking to develop their research knowledge and skills further and prepare for a masters level research project in their own area of clinical practice e.g. diagnostic radiography, mental health nursing, occupational therapy or physiotherapy. The likely range of research skills in students from different undergraduate programmes is recognised and this module is designed to raise them all to the appropriate master level in the subject.
At the end of this module, students will be able to understand and appropriately critique the elements of ‘the research journey’ from conception of research question, through development of a proposal. They will be both consumers and producers of research who will meet the requirements of the standard of proficiency, for each profession, as laid down by the Health and Care Professions Council and the requirements of each professional body for evidence based practice.
The proposal produced in this module will then be undertaken as the students’ dissertation in the final year of their pre-registration master programme.
The syllabus for this module is aligned to the Curriculum 2021 Hallmarks and demonstrates active learning and authentic assessment, designed to create students with greater confidence to understand research evidence, contribute to that evidence and be able to develop research in their own area of professional practice.
The module delivery will use a blended approach with face to face and online delivery supported with synchronous and asynchronous lectures, quizzes and profession specific interactive discussion boards and tutorials.
The assessments for this module will be a Research Proposal. The assessments can be tailored to focus on the student’s area of interest and area of speciality and will include consideration of the ethical requirements of the selected project.
In year two, you will advance your professional capabilities through the exploration of more complex issues relating to the field of physiotherapy. Your clinical skills will also grow as you give more consideration to the qualities associated with physiotherapy leadership and service delivery.
This 20-credit module is designed to advance students knowledge and practical skills required to plan and conduct an assessment and lead on holistic, innovative, individualised management plans for patients presenting with complex pathologies in musculoskeletal, medical, surgical and neurology settings and other patient groups including those with learning disabilities and mental health disorders. Students will have the opportunity to enhance their contemporary theoretical knowledge and understanding of complex or multiple co-existing pathologies encountered in practice and the supporting evidence based practice. They will develop specific skills and knowledge in relation to completing individually tailored subjective and objective assessment with complex patients based on highly advanced clinical reasoning skills. Students will utilise advanced management strategies for these patients based on their evaluation of the best available current evidence. The module builds on PHTY411, PHTY412 and PHTY413 and addresses the four pillars of physiotherapy practice: Clinical, Education, Leadership and Research. The learning and teaching strategy for this module uses a combination of self-directed study, eLectures, tutorials and practical classes and presented in a hybrid manner with a mix of online and face-to-face teaching. Theoretical content will be delivered by eLectures and tutorials will support this material and assist the student with their understanding. Practical sessions will give students the opportunity to apply knowledge and skills under the supervision of experienced physiotherapists developing practical skills in relation to assessment and management. Knowledge and skills will be put into practice by completing two, 5-week placements, Placement 4 and Placement 5 which will count towards the 1000 hours of practice placement hours required to be eligible to obtain accreditation with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Marks will be given using the Common Placement Assessment Framework (CPAF) format and provided to the student via the Online Placement Assessment Record and Evaluation (OPARE) platform.
Achievement of the learning outcomes will be assessed by a poster presentation submitted as a single PDF slide with a 1000 word limit, and a 60 minute Oral Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) relating to a clinical prioritisation task (20 minutes preparation, 40 minutes examination) providing the opportunity for students to demonstrate their skills and theoretical / evidenced based knowledge in relation to the management of complex patient presentations and prioritisation. With the clinical assessment being a pass/fail element for each placement.
This module comprises the dissertation for the preregistration healthcare programmers. It will enable students to undertake a piece of empirical research, a service evaluation/audit or a review of evidence in their chosen field of interest.
This 20-credit module is designed to provide students with the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills to become effective and innovative leaders in contemporary physiotherapy and healthcare practice. This will be achieved through the development of a community of practice in which all participants have an equal and active role within the learning. This approach spans the classroom based learning and self-directed learning activities. Key content areas including dealing with conflict, change and culture, leadership styles for contemporary practice in complex environments, resource management, workforce planning and self-development, service development and implementing change in clinical practice. It will be delivered by a range of experts with a proven track record of leadership and service delivery in demanding healthcare roles. The assessment for this module requires the students to demonstrate their leadership & service delivery knowledge and skills by presenting a written report on a proposed service development identified during students’ placement experience.
Every aspect of teaching on the programme incorporates activities that stimulate, facilitate and guide your growth as a physiotherapist.
We place particular emphasis on clinical teaching. Not only will this enable you to improve your practical skills and enhance your experience of working in real healthcare environments, it will also push you to grow as a healthcare provider with strong leadership and communication skills – something you may rely on later in your professional journey.
Enquiry-based learning is something else that we attach particular value to as it encourages students to access and engage with content logically and meaningfully. It has also shown to enhance students’ learning experience and support the development of graduates who have the skills to engage in self‐directed, reflective learning and critical thinking.
Authentic assessment tasks have been included across the curriculum. These tasks demand that you demonstrate a meaningful and integrated application of relevant academic knowledge, skills and understanding. Many of these assessment tasks mirror the skills which you can expect to undertake as a registered physiotherapist.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
The highly-esteemed School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing has been at the forefront of healthcare education for over 100 years and our Physiotherapy department is particularly well-respected, recently placing fourth in the 2023 Complete University Guide’s subject league table.
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Graduate physiotherapists are a vital part of modern health care and employment opportunities are available in the UK and abroad. With an MSc qualification, graduates can fill senior leadership positions across a wide array of physiotherapy settings, for private or national healthcare providers.
Physiotherapists can explore a range of career paths, which venture into different aspects of the industry, including:
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) | |
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Full-time place, per year | £9,250 |
International fees | |
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Full-time place, per year | £29,100 |
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support.
If you're a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan worth up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs. Learn more about fees and funding.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
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We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
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The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
We've set the country or region your qualifications are from as United Kingdom. Change it here
Your qualification | Requirements |
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Postgraduate entry requirements |
We accept a 2:2 honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent academic qualification from a similar non-UK institution. This degree should be in biological sciences, health sciences or sports-based disciplines. As Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) MSc is a conversion course, an undergraduate degree in physiotherapy isn’t suitable. GCSEs in Mathematics, English Language and a Science at a minimum of grade 5 or C or above are required. (Equivalents will not be considered). You should demonstrate a good understanding of the scope of physiotherapy practice, including an awareness of the various settings a physiotherapist might work in. This could preferably be indicated by observation experience of physiotherapists working in a variety of clinical areas, or by other experience which can be related to the skills and qualities required to work in a physiotherapy environment. Experience in a paid or voluntary capacity working with the general public, children, older persons or people with special needs will also help to strengthen your application. You should include a personal statement of no more than 700 words in support of your application. This should reflect on your understanding of the profession and relevant qualities valuable to a healthcare professional. An interview forms part of the selection process. The interview follows the values-based recruitment (VBR) process and you will be expected to demonstrate the relevance of the NHS’ values and pertinent skills required to work as a physiotherapist. Please note: meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee a place on the programme as competition is high. You are encouraged to present the strongest possible application. Declaration of Criminal BackgroundYou will understand that as a health sciences student, and when you qualify, you will be asked to treat children and other vulnerable people. We therefore need information about any criminal offences of which you may have been convicted, or with which you have been charged. The information you provide may later be checked with the police. If selected for interview you will be provided with the appropriate form to complete. Health ScreeningThe University and the School of Health Sciences has an obligation to undertake health screening on all prospective healthcare students. Any offer of a place to study is conditional on completion of a health questionnaire and a satisfactory assessment of fitness to train from the University’s Occupational Health Service. This will include some obligatory immunisations and blood tests. Please visit the Higher Education Occupational Practitioners website for further information. |
International qualifications |
If you hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent, but don’t meet our entry requirements, a Pre-Master’s can help you gain a place. This specialist preparation course for postgraduate study is offered on campus at the University of Liverpool International College, in partnership with Kaplan International Pathways. Although there’s no direct Pre-Master’s route to this MSc, completing a Pre-Master’s pathway can guarantee you a place on many other postgraduate courses at The University of Liverpool. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
English language qualification | Requirements |
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IELTS | 7.0 overall, with no component below 6.5. Please note, your IELTS test must have been sat and completed in person and not online. |
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Last updated 6 December 2024 / / Programme terms and conditions