Physiotherapy (pre-registration) MSc

Course Content

• Course Details

  The academic team are specialists within their field and have strong links with practice. Teaching and learning is enhanced through sessions with specialist practicing clinicians and with the involvement of the service user and career group.

  The University is an AshokaU Changemaker campus, with a strong vision for social innovation. Therefore, the Physiotherapy (pre-registration) programme will be aligned to the Changemaker values, providing multiple opportunities to engage with local communities and will enable you to develop your employability skills through the employability framework.

  The structure of the programme ensures that all theory and practice is underpinned by a high-quality evidence-based approach. All material is contemporary for current service needs, as well as allowing the growth of innovation and leadership skills.

  There is a variety of assessment strategies utilised throughout the programme to ensure relevance to professional requirements upon entry to the profession, to develop critical thinking skills and the application of theory into current Physiotherapy practice and to aid equality and inclusion. Assessment methods may include practical exams, presentations, essays, reflections, producing digital medium and critical reports. Methods of peer feedback and assessment, group and individual work will all be utilised.

  Level 7 – Year One  (80 credits)

  The first semester will concentrate on developing physiotherapy practice and clinical reasoning in the core areas of Physiotherapy. The second semester will enable students to develop their ability to manage more complex patient presentations. The core values of person-centred care, life-long learning and evidence-based practice are embedded throughout.

  Level 7 – Year Two (100 credits)

  The enquiry-based project is the main focus of the second year. Students will further develop their critical thinking regarding physiotherapy practice and their leadership skills as health care professionals of the future.

  Practice placement experience

  The MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) programme has strong links with clinical practice and there will be opportunity for experience within a variety of settings, sectors and specialisms. This will include the NHS, private, voluntary and charity organisations. The clinical placement modules will vary in length from 5-7 weeks . There will also be opportunity to experience role-emerging placements and placements aimed at social innovation and collaboration with local organisations.

  Modules

  Module information can be found on the Award Map.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 22/23. The modules relating to the academic year 23/24 will be available from June 2023.

  • Stage 1
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Developing Professionalism and Collaborative Practice (10 Credits)
      Module code: PHY3001

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the Physiotherapy Profession, the core values, beliefs and professionalism which are underpinned by the concepts of inter-professional and evidence-based practice. An emphasis will be applied to the concept of life-long learning and reflective practice, a patient-centered approach and the importance of collaborative practice. Students will understand the legal and ethical requirements of physiotherapy practice.The theoretical principles are then applied to practice and students will reflect upon the application of professionalism and the core values and behaviours to create an action plan for their next placement.
    • Foundations of Professional Practice (10 Credits)
      Module code: PHY3002P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to serve as an introduction to the Physiotherapy profession. The module enables the student to recognise and develop their sense of professionalism and the behaviours and attitudes that characterise a physiotherapist within the clinical practice setting. The students will apply the theoretical and background knowledge to clinical practice in a patient-centred and holistic manner. Students will develop their communication skills and, with support, effectively assess, apply clinical reasoning to develop an intervention plan and implement treatment plans to achieve patient goals.
    • Development of Professional Practice (10 Credits)
      Module code: PHY3003P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to develop their application of evidence-based practice, through clinical reasoning processes to demonstrate a justification for their chosen approaches. The module will enable students to assimilate and demonstrate application of new knowledge in the assessment and treatment of routine patients in a patient-centered and holistic manner. Students will continue to develop their professional identity, communication skills, time-management and inter-professional collaboration.
    • Evidence-based Neurological Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PHYM001

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the complexity involved within neurological assessment and management. Through critical exploration of the evidence base and the biopsychosocial factors influencing patient-centered care, students will develop a clinically reasoned approach to the assessment and management of individuals presenting with neurological conditions.The module aims to provide the student with the knowledge and skill level in preparation for their first clinical placement, with an emphasis on their consideration of a patient-centered and critically evaluated synthesis of research into practice approach.
    • Evidence-based Cardiorespiratory Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PHYM002

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to apply anatomical and physiological knowledge in a problem-based approach to the assessment and intervention/management of cardio-respiratory conditions. Students will critically review and justify the approaches to contemporary physiotherapy management for a patient requiring acute and longer-term management. A strong emphasis on the synthesis of research into practice will be applied to cardio-respiratory physiotherapy.
    • Evidence-based Neuromusculoskeletal Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: PHYM003

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to apply anatomical, biomechanical and physiological knowledge to the assessment and management of neuromusculoskeletal conditions. To critically evaluate recent research and directives in the physiotherapy intervention provided for acute and chronic conditions. A bio-psychosocial approach within an evidence-based context will be emphasised.
    • Managing Complexity throughout the Lifespan (10 Credits)
      Module code: PHYM004

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to expand upon the students knowledge of physiotherapy assessment and management within the `core? areas of physiotherapy and consider situations, patient groups and conditions that are potentially more complex in nature. This module further develops clinical reasoning skills by critical consideration of the multi-factorial elements from a biopsychosocial, poitical and ethical perspective associated with patient-centered care.
    • Enhancing Professionalism and Collaborative Practice (10 Credits)
      Module code: PHYM005

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to critically reflect upon factors influencing their personal and professional development. This module will provide further theoretical underpinning for aspects of communication, ethical and legal situations, collaborative practice, long-term condition management and factors influencing person-centered care. Students will utilise reflection, community engagement and a critical approach to the evidence-base, combined with analysis of the wider health and social care systems to critically analyse factors influencing long-term condition management and the promotion of health and well-being.

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• Entry Requirements

  • BSc degree in a sport, health or science-related programmes at first or second class degree classification.
  • Knowledge and awareness of the scope of physiotherapy practice and motivation to complete all requirements of the course.
  • Other degrees will be considered provided applicants can demonstrate relevant work and academic experience relevant to the requirements of the programme and the physiotherapy profession.

  Applicants are advised to demonstrate and critically discuss the following topics within their Personal Statement:

  • Relevance of their degree
  • Knowledge and awareness of the scope of Physiotherapy practice
  • State their reasons and/or motivation for studying the programme
  • State their reasons and/or motivation for studying at Masters/ Level 7 study
  • Mention any relevant work or voluntary experience

  All suitable candidates will be required to attend an interview as part of the selection process.

  English Language Requirements

  If English is not your first language, or you have not been educated mainly in English, you must provide evidence of your English language capability:

  • a certificate showing achievement in IELTS (or equivalent) of 7 or the partner approved equivalencies.

  All offers of a place on the programme are subject to:

  • successful Occupational Health Screening,
  • satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report,
  • an Overseas Police check for those who have resided outside of the UK at any time in the last five years prior to the course start date. (This is in addition to completing the UK DBS unless you have not lived in the UK during the last five years).  It is recommended that you try to obtain the police check prior to coming to the UK, if you are currently living outside of the UK
  • successful interview by the University.

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• Fees and Funding

  2023/24 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 23/24 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250 (Year 1), £9,250* (Year 2)
  • International – Full Time: £17,250 (Year 1), £17,250* (Year 2)

  *may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  2022/23 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250 (Year 1), £9,250* (Year 2)
  • International – Full Time: £16,200 Year 1 as part of a 2 year programme*

  *may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

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• FAQs

  What facilities are there to support my learning?

  MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) programme has purpose-built facilities with specialist equipment for teaching and learning to enable practical and simulated sessions. All students are fully provided with the  technological support required to study in an active-blended learning format.

  How will I be assessed?

  There will be two assessed practice modules in year 1 and three assessed modules in year 2. Practice placement experience is an important aspect of the qualifying programme and allows the completion of 1000 hours of practice experience required by our professional body, to allow the transference of theory into practice and enhance learning opportunities. They are completed under the supervision of skilled clinicians and supported by the academic team.

  How to contact?

  If you need further information, please contact our MSc Physiotherapy academic team at: PhysioAdmissions@northampton.ac.uk

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Careers and Employability

On successful completion of the MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) programme, you will be eligible to apply for registration with both the Health and Care Professions Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Provides a unique approach, through active blended learning, to develop Physiotherapists with skills to become effective critical thinkers and practical problem-solvers, utilising an evidence-based approach.

Completion of the MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) programme will prepare students to pursue their chosen pathway into the Physiotherapy profession due to the variety of clinical placement opportunities and the core values of lifelong learning, digital fluency, communication, social innovation and leadership development being embedded throughout the programme.