University College London (UCL)
Physiotherapy Studies: Neurophysiotherapy MSc
London, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
5 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Neurophysiotherapy MSc is designed for those interested in understanding and treating neurological conditions through hands-on therapy. The program covers essential topics like neuroanatomy, neurophysiology, and rehabilitation techniques. Students learn how to assess and develop tailored treatment plans for patients with neurological injuries such as stroke, spinal cord injury, and Parkinson’s disease. The course combines theory with practical skills, giving students valuable experience in clinical settings and preparing them for careers in neurorehabilitation.
The program emphasizes evidence-based practice and encourages students to critically analyze current research. Instruction focuses on advanced neurorehabilitation strategies, helping students develop expert knowledge in neuroplasticity and motor recovery. Throughout the course, students gain experience working with multidisciplinary teams and building confidence in delivering specialized care. This MSc aims to equip graduates with the skills needed to contribute effectively to the field of neurophysiotherapy, whether in hospital, community, or research settings.
UCL Scholarships
There are a number of scholarships available to postgraduate students, including our UCL Master's Bursary for UK students and our UCL Global Master's Scholarship for international students. You can click the link below to search via the scholarships finder for awards that you might be eligible for. Your academic department will also be able to provide you with more information about funding.
External Scholarships
Online aggregators like Postgraduate Studentships, Scholarship Search, Postgraduate Funding and International Financial Aid and College Scholarship Search contain information on a variety of external schemes.
If you have specific circumstances or an ethnic or religious background, it is worth searching for scholarships/bursaries/grants that relate to those things. Some schemes are very specific.
Funding for disabled students
Master's students who have a disability may be able to get extra funding for additional costs they incur to study.
Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, online learning and self-directed learning.
Meet the academics currently leading this programme on the department's website.
Assessment methods include written assignments, online assignments, oral presentations, multiple-choice tests, literature review and research proposal, assessed coursework, unseen and prior disclosure written examinations, and the dissertation with a written report and oral presentation.
Each 15-credit module equates to 150 student effort hours. Most modules are delivered as blocks of study, normally over six consecutive days. Teaching for each of these days is normally from 9-5pm. Overall, we expect full-time students to study a full 35-hour week, with time outside classes spent in self-directed study. Part-time and flexible students study at a pro-rata rate. Teaching hours normally comprises about one-third of the study hours expected for the module.
A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time 12 months, flexible 2–5 years is offered). Students take four core modules (60 credits), and four optional modules (60 credits). A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, full-time one year, flexible study up to two years) is offered. The programme consists of three core modules (45 credits) and one optional module (15 credits).
Modules
Full-time
This programme is offered as full-time (1 year) or as a part-time/modular flexible (2 years +) course. The content includes a set of four taught compulsory modules (Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination, Motor Control in Life, Health and Disease, Neurophysiotherapy: Evidence for Rehabilitation and Practice, and Applied Statistics for Healthcare Research), plus the research project (dissertation) module. These compulsory modules are focused on the Neurophysiotherapy pathway. You must then choose four optional modules to complement your specialty and complete the degree requirements.
We continually review the optional modules on this course to ensure that they fit the remit of this programme and reflect current research in our field.
In your First Term, you are likely to register for and focus on your compulsory modules, as these modules set the foundation for your degree, preparing you for further topics by introducing the fundamental principles in your specialty. You will also acquire the research and statistics skills necessary for conducting research.
In your Second Term, while you may still be completing your compulsory modules, you are probably also now doing your optional modules and developing the concepts you learnt in your First Term. You will be choosing your research during this time and beginning work on this project.
In your Second and Third Term, you will work on your research project, as well as completing your optional modules. You will hand in your research project towards the end of the academic year.
Part-time
Students have two years to complete their course of 180 credits. In Year 1, you will need to undertake 90 credits comprising both core and optional modules. In Year 2, you will register for the remaining 90 credits, including the 60-credit research project module.
Flexible
Students have up to 5 years to complete their course of study, which consists of 180 credits. The 60-credit research project is usually taken in the final year.
Compulsory modules
- Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination
- Neurophysiotherapy: Evidence for Rehabilitation and Practice
- Research Project
- Motor Control in Life, Health and Disease
- Applied Statistics for Health Research I
Optional modules
- Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Skills
- Health Management and Clinical Exercise for Pulmonary Disease
- Physical Activity and Clinical Exercise in Cardiovascular Disease
- Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy
- Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
- Clinical Exercise and Physical Activity
- Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Respiration Through Life, Health and Disease
- Leadership and Professional Development
- Rehabilitation and Management for People Living with Long-term Neurological Conditions
- Work-Based Learning in Health
- Higher Functions of the Brain
- Motor Systems and Disease
- Motoneurons, Neuromuscular Junctions and Associated Disease
- Peripheral Nerves and Associated Diseases
Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment, and module content and availability are subject to change.
Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Physiotherapy Studies: Neurophysiotherapy. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Physiotherapy Studies: Neurophysiotherapy. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Physiotherapy Studies: Neurophysiotherapy.
What this course will give you
- Study at one of the world's top ten universities. UCL is ranked 3rd in the world for public health (ShanghaiRankings 2024), 9th in the world as a university (QS World Rankings 2026) and is rated No.1 for research power and impact in medicine, health and life sciences (REF 2021).
- Choose from an extensive range of compulsory and optional modules in specialist areas to fit with your chosen career path, such as Neurophysiotherapy: Evidence for Rehabilitation and Practice, Motor Control in Life, Health and Disease, and Rehabilitation and Management for People living with Long-term Neurological Conditions.
- Learn through lectures, tutorials and workshops delivered by recognised experts in physiotherapy practice.
- Tap into our close links to the UCL Institute of Neurology and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queen Square, as well as many other specialist neurophysiotherapy teams and departments both within London and outside it.
- Study and network with students from all over the world, and benefit from a cross-fertilisation of international experience and ideas, as part of an inspirational postgraduate learning environment.
- Hear from expert speakers from a wide range of different clinical settings, including NHS departments, the private sector and charitable organisations.
- Study at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.
- Fit the course around your work and life with flexible study options.
The foundation of your career
Recent physiotherapy graduates have pursued senior careers in healthcare policy, university lecturing, private practice, management or highly specialist clinical practice. Several physiotherapy students have also used the MSc successfully to gain funding for PhDs.
Graduates of this course have gone on to work within the NHS, with other leading healthcare organisations, and/or at a range of academic departments – both in the UK and other countries across the world.*
*Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the cohorts 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23.
Employability
The Master’s degree will transform the way you think about the theoretical foundation for neurophysiotherapy clinical practice and what defines expert patient care. You will receive rigorous, evidence-based training in the latest research, and leave with the skills and expertise to put forward strong applications for clinical, educational or research posts.
By the end of your Master’s degree, you will be well placed to progress into a career in academia or research, or a more senior clinical or management position within your chosen field.
Networking
We hold social events throughout the year for the whole student cohort to enable networking between students. Students on the Master's courses have the opportunity to join events such as the Otto Wolff lectures hosted by the research and teaching departments. These cover a variety of topics and provide an opportunity to hear from national and international experts and to network at the social event that usually accompanies these events.