Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy MSc (PGCert PGDip)
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Overview
This course provides an opportunity for chartered physiotherapists to develop advanced skills in the examination, assessment and treatment of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. Participants enhance evidence-based practice by critically evaluating the theoretical basis and clinical application of manipulative physiotherapy.
Course duration
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years (max 6 years)
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Course content
Course structure
The flexible modular framework allows students to choose their pathway of module completion. The course requires two one-week modules and two three-week management modules at the university, as well as two three-week clinical placements which can be completed part- or full-time.
Syllabus
Neuromusculoskeletal Management - Lower Quadrant
Neuromusculoskeletal Management - Upper QuadrantResearch Methods for Health Professionals
Clinical placement - Lower Quadrant
Clinical placement - Upper QuadrantOption from graduate programme in health and social science
Dissertation -
Entry requirements
Typical entry requirements
individual offers may varyFor non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 7 overall with no element below 6.5.Degree and/or experience:
Qualification recognised by the Chartered Society of
Physiotherapy and the Health and Care Professions Council.
At least one year post-registration experience in an out-patient setting.
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Location
Location
Eastbourne -
Career opportunities
The course enhances professional and academic development, enabling graduates to pursue careers in research, lecturing in higher education, or expanding and developing their own clinical practice.
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Fees and costs
The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.
The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.
To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.
Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.
Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSc) (Full time) [L2BH020] UK/EU (Full Time) 7,290 GBP Island Students (Full Time) 8,925 GBP International (Full Time) 12,750 GBP -
More details
Modules in focus
Neuromusculoskeletal Management - Upper Quadrant module
This module critically discusses the theoretical underpinning of clinical examination, differential diagnosis, assessment, treatment and overall management of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction of the upper quadrant. In addition, this module develops the student's manual and clinical reasoning skills used in examination, assessment, treatment and management of these patients. The module requires 3 weeks attendance at the university.
Neuromusculoskeletal Management - Lower Quadrant
This module critically discusses the theoretical underpinning of clinical examination, differential diagnosis, assessment, treatment and overall management of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction of the lower quadrant. In addition, this module develops the students manual and clinical reasoning skills used in examination, assessment, treatment and management of these patients. The module requires 3 weeks attendance at the university.
Clinical Placement 1-Lower Quadrant module and Clinical Placement 2 -Upper Quadrant module
Two supervised clinical placements take place in approved locations. These modules will enable you to develop a high level of clinical expertise in the examination, assessment, treatment and management of patients with neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction so that they are safe, effective and efficient practitioners. Each placement requires 90 hours of clinical practice.
Research Methods for Health Professionals
This module discusses the variety of research methods available and the selection and implementation of an appropriate research strategy in preparation for the dissertation. It enables you to develop specific research skills in the preparation of research proposals, project design, methods of data collection, analysis and presentation of research findings.
Dissertation
The dissertation will be in a topic related to Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy. All dissertations are individual pieces of research on a topic chosen by the student, and will be undertaken with the guidance of a supervisor from the school.
Plan for full-time study
September
Research methods (1 week)
Key issues in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy (1 week)
October/November
NMS management lower quadrant (3 weeks)
November
Work on ethics proposal*
January – April
Clinical placement 1 (90 hours)
Ethics submission and pilot work, potential period for data collection/ writing literature review*
April/May
NMS management upper quadrant (3 weeks)
June - Aug
Clinical placement 2 (90 hours)
Remaining data collection and write up of dissertation**These elements are not necessary for PG Dip
Example plan for part-time study over 3 years
Year 1
Research methods (1 week)
Key issues in NMS Physiotherapy (1 week)
NMS management upper quadrant (3 weeks)
Year 2
NMS management lower quadrant (3 weeks)
Clinical Placement 1 (90 hours)
Year 3
Clinical placement 2 (90 hours)
Dissertation*
*These elements are not necessary for PG Dip -
Student views
Christopher Mercer, Consultant Physiotherapist Western Sussex NHS Trust
I have had time to reflect on the impact the MSc Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy has had on me both as a clinician and in terms of my career development. Clinically, it has given me great confidence to examine and treat any patient. The emphasis from the course on critical analysis and focus on the patient's story and individual clinical presentation means that I am confidently able to tailor treatments to all individuals and their needs. I am confident to integrate research into this process where appropriate, but the real benefit of the course, and actually the real "release" I have felt from completing this course, is that I feel I have the freedom to be guided by the patient, free from the constraints of the limited evidence base that we have. The emphasis on treating each patient like an individual case study, with close questioning, excellent listening skills and constant reassessment has revolutionised my patient management. Perhaps more importantly it has transformed the outcomes for my patients.
The detailed analytical skills fostered by the course have given me the confidence to be able to justify all my treatment choices in discussion with colleagues, both within physiotherapy and with medical colleagues, helping me to develop sensible patient pathways of care. This questioning approach also inspired me to develop my skills as a clinical educator, and led me to undertake the PG Cert in Clinical Education. I have been an MACP Clinical Mentor now for 9 years, and in that time have used the MSc course as the basis for my approach to clinical education. The life-long skills encouraged, with the lack of didactic teaching, and the emphasis on group learning and self-directed learning required from both the MSc and the PG Cert have profoundly influenced my approach to both clinical and non-clinical aspects of my role. These skills have proved transferable into the research and strategic components of my current role, as Consultant Physiotherapist, and have been invaluable in helping me to develop the role to its full potential. This approach has been pivotal in helping to turn around the culture within my current workplace. We now have a vibrant, questioning, forward thinking department, full of physiotherapists questioning their practice, and that of others at every stage.
I feel that these wider lessons that I have learned, especially the critical analysis of all situations, and the questioning approach, has given me life long skills that will see me continue to develop into the future. It is interesting to look back on the impact I feel the course has had on my professional development, and if anything, I feel the impact is more relevant now than it was when I first completed the course
Laura Finucane, Consultant Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, East Surrey Hospital
At the time I completed the MSc Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy I was a clinical specialist/superintendent of an out patient department. I came to the course uncertain of my practice knowledge but I had a strong internal drive to enhance my clinical practice and career development. I valued sharing knowledge and hearing alternative perspectives from my peers and this was crucial to my learning. The course gave me the ability to learn through rational argument and reflection. Being assessed helped to drive my practice to a higher standard and made me able to be more critical of my practice knowledge which helped to inform and change my practice. This criticality was developed through the questioning and challenging of my practice knowledge by peers and tutors; this was particularly useful on placement with the clinical educator. Through their direct observation of my practice and through questioning, I identified gaps in my practice knowledge and learnt a framework of questions to ask myself of my practice. Enhanced critical understanding of my practice knowledge led to an enhanced capability to be patient-centred. Overall the process led to a critical understanding and a transformation of my practice. I gained the capacity to continually question my practice and become a critically reflective learning professional. I feel sure my confidence in my own ability has enhanced my practice and led to better outcomes for patients. Following the completion of the course I became a Consultant physiotherapist.
Kostantinos Kasimis, current student
I am a Greek student enrolled in the Msc Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy course. I was aware when applying that it would be a challenging and very demanding course, but I had not realised that I would be able to gain so much knowledge in a such a short amount of time. I have come to realise that this course has not only enhanced my skills and handling, but also helped in self-evaluation of my skills which is important for improvement in the future. The way in which the modules are taught enhanced my ability to critically evaluate evidence and helped to improve the quality of my practice. Studying this course has taught me to use other people’s knowledge, whether from the classroom or from literature, to test my own knowledge and move forwards. So far it has been a demanding but inspiring journey for me that I am convinced will enhance my expertise in clinical practice and will provide me with the tools for an academic career.
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Apply online
You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.
Entry requirements
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 7 overall with no element below 6.5.Degree and/or experience:
Qualification recognised by the Chartered Society of
Physiotherapy and the Health and Care Professions Council.
At least one year post-registration experience in an out-patient setting.
01273 643878
sohpadmissions@brighton.ac.uk
Graduate Programme in Health and Social Sciences
This course is part of our Graduate Programme in Health and Social Sciences. The programme allows you to sign up for one module at a time and build your qualification as you go. It also gives you access to a range of interdisciplinary modules across a broad selection of health and social science subjects. Find out more
See module details for this course
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