MSc in Physiotherapy (Pre-registration)
Carlisle, United Kingdom
MSc
DURATION
2 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
GBP 16,900 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
Blended
* for international students | £9,535 - for UK students
Key Summary
You’re driven to help others and improve their quality of life. You'd like to use your existing scientific knowledge to maximise people's ability to move and function. On this accelerated course, you'll gain the qualifications needed to become an effective physiotherapist in two years, rather than the traditional three.
Our course is designed to equip you with the skills and qualifications required for you to become a practising physiotherapist accredited by the CSP and registered with the HCPC.
Course Overview
Building on your existing academic skills, you will learn profession-specific skills which meet the needs of your future employers. You'll complete over 1000 hours of clinical practice placements, taking advantage of our exceptional industry links across North West England, Southern Scotland, the Isle of Man and more. You'll develop your examination, assessment, treatment and leadership skills, allowing you to graduate with a strong profile.
Our professionally-experienced tutors provide you with theoretical backing and hands-on opportunities in our physiotherapy and simulation suites. Whilst learning, you will be able to work with other Institute of Health students, as you would in a professional role.
On completion of this accelerated degree, you will be eligible to apply for membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This will open up a variety of employment opportunities in the NHS, private and sporting sectors.
On this course you will...
- Complete practical learning in simulated clinical environments, facilitated by experienced physiotherapy staff. Enhancing your learning and preparing you for a clinical environment.
- Learn the practical skills needed in the diagnosis and management of musculoskeletal, respiratory and neurological conditions.
- Complete a range of practice placements within various settings, allowing you to experience the nature of the profession and the different specialisms that it covers.
- Get to know your classmates well and receive close tuition, support and guidance from our friendly lecturing team.
- Become a practising physiotherapist in only two years, rather than the traditional three.
- Be able to apply for membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Health and Care Professions Council. Membership of these governing bodies enables you to enter the clinical environment as an autonomous practitioner.
The programme runs for almost two calendar years and offers an integrated timetable with periods of academic work interspersed with practice placements. In addition to the Physiotherapy-specific modules, you will consider the social and political drivers influencing health care and learn how to present a business case for future practice. An annual student research conference gives you an opportunity to hear and interact with your peers and also to present your own dissertation research.
You may also be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund.
If you're eligible, you can get access to:
- A Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year
- Parental Support of £2,000, if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
- Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses
- Exceptional Support Fund (Students experiencing financial hardship)
For more information on the Learning Support Fund, please visit the Learning Support Fund Page on our website.
Year One
The first year of the programme is designed to give you the key and core skills you need for supported clinical practice. There is an expectation that you will have an existing level of knowledge and understanding of human anatomy and physiology or psychology from your first degree or occupation.
- Applied Science for Physiotherapy
- Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice
- Neuromusculoskeletal Care Pathways
- Project Design
- Acute Care and Rehabilitation Pathways
- Physiotherapy Placement 1: Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice
- Physiotherapy Placement 2
Year Two
The second year of the programme develops and builds on the first year, leading towards your graduation as an independent practitioner who has the required skills and competencies required for registration with the HCPC, and has reached the required academic level for your MSc Physiotherapy qualification.
- Complex and Enduring Conditions across the Lifecycle
- Enhancing Service and Innovation
- Research Project
- Physiotherapy Placement 3
- Physiotherapy Placement 4
- Physiotherapy Placement 5: Negotiated Placement
The programme will equip you with all the skills you need to practice, whether you choose to work in the NHS or the independent sector. The programme is designed to ensure that you graduate with a strong clinical profile, professional and academic curiosity, a critical approach to clinical practice and a wide range of transferable leadership skills, all of which are in high demand from employers.
By the end of the programme, you will not only be able to practice safely and effectively, but will be able to offer creative solutions to complex issues in practice through engaging with current evidence and reflecting on your practice placement experience. A key element in our programme design has been to create an effective, dynamic learning environment in which you are an active participant in directing your learning and developing your emerging professional identity.
How you will learn
The programme’s philosophy is based on the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy’s (CSP) Accreditation of Qualifying Programmes in Physiotherapy: Quality Assurance processes document (2022). The programme is also based on the values the University of Cumbria prides itself on (Towards 2030 Strategic Plan), alongside NHS principles and values. Completion of this programme will equip you with all the skills you need to practice, whether you choose to work in the NHS or the independent sector.
We adopt a blended learning approach, which uses a combination of taught sessions, seminars, online activities and peer group discussions, which offers flexibility and enhances your student experience. The programme is based on three contexts of learning: Campus-based learning, intensive programme attendance, placement and professional learning. Studying at Masters level requires a critical approach, and you will be encouraged to develop your skills of analysis and evaluation even though you are at a novice stage in your development as a physiotherapist.
We provide active learning and social learning opportunities, enabling you to become part of the Physiotherapy community of practice. Physiotherapy is a practical, hands-on profession, and so many of the learning opportunities involve working together with other students to explore, discuss and practice theoretical approaches and practical applications. As with all Master's level programmes, you will be expected to engage with a large amount of self-study. You will be directed towards the most appropriate literature and resources, but this should not limit you. Self-directed study is also a key feature of the programme, but again, this can be carried out with other students. The programme includes 5 practice placements, totalling 30 weeks, which provide social learning opportunities for all students.
How you will be assessed
Modules use formative and summative assessment, so you progress through a module in a structured and constructive way and build knowledge for practice coherently and logically. Formative assessments are designed so that feedback on your performance is provided before the submission of the final, summative assessment – though this does not contribute to the final module mark or the credit awarded.
Summative assessment encourages progressive development through feedback and reflection, which is of relevance to either further academic progression or your future employment needs. Intellectual, subject-specific and key transferable skills are central to learning opportunities and assessment. You will be encouraged to critically reflect on your skills development throughout your learning, and where relevant, within the employment context, so that you can progress your ability to make sound professional judgments.
We aim to provide a varied approach to assessment and include practical skills assessments, presentations, posters, academic writing, critical reflection, portfolio and practice placement assessments. The academic modules are assessed at master’s level and will therefore all require critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation. Practice placements are assessed using continuous assessment.
A key feature of your academic journey will include formative assessment. That is work that helps to inform or become part of your final ‘summative’ assessment, and the nature of it varies across the modules. Formative work may include in‐class or online activities such as presenting draft assignments and work in progress.