Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy MSc (PGCert PGDip)

International equivalencies

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Course structure

The flexible modular framework enables you to tailor your degree course to suit your professional and personal interests and aspirations.

You will complete two one-week modules and two three-week modules at the university, as well as two three-week clinical placements which can be completed part- or full-time.

The course is delivered in a variety of ways, typically via group discussion, case studies, supervised placements, lectures, seminars, and practical sessions in our Human Movement Laboratory, and Clinical Skills and Simulation Rooms.

Assessment is via the method most appropriate to your chosen modules. 

School of Health Sciences postgraduate education
This course is part of our School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme. 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 interdisciplinary modules across a broad selection of health and social science subjects.

Syllabus

Modules

• Musculoskeletal Management – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb
• Musculoskeletal Management – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb 
• Research Methods for Healthcare
• Dissertation (not necessary for award of PGDip)

And

• Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb 
• Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb

Plus

• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: Exploring Practice

OR

• a module of your choice from the School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme.

Facilities

Modules in focus

Musculoskeletal Management – Lumbo-sacral and lower limb 
This module considers the holistic management of people experiencing pain in the lumbosacral region and lower limb. In this module students will consider the experience of people suffering from pain and dysfunction, and develop strategies to effectively examine, assess, treat and manage such individuals. Students will evaluate the theoretical concepts with specialist practical skills used in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. The module requires three weeks' attendance at the university.

Musculoskeletal Management – Cervico-thoracic and upper limb
This module considers the holistic management of people experiencing pain in the cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb. In the module students will consider the embodied experience of people suffering from pain and dysfunction (including biopsychosocial, emotional, political and cultural aspects). Students will evaluate theoretical and philosophical concepts along with specialist practical skills used in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. The module requires three weeks' attendance at the university.

• Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Lumbo-sacral and lower limb
• Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement  – Cervico-thoracic and upper limb 
Two supervised clinical placements take place in approved locations. In these modules students will integrate the communication and practical skills, clinical reasoning and theoretical aspects of musculoskeletal therapy and demonstrate holistic management of people with musculoskeletal disorders in a practice-based setting.

Research Methods for Healthcare
This module discusses the variety of research methods available and the selection and implementation of an appropriate research strategy in preparation for your 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 musculoskeletal physiotherapy. All dissertations are individual pieces of research on a topic chosen by yourself, which you will complete under the guidance and support of a supervisor.

Study plans

Example plan for full-time study

October/November
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: Exploring Practice (one week) 
Musculoskeletal Management – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb (three weeks)

November
Work on ethics proposal*

January
Research Methods
Ethics submission and pilot work, potential period for data collection and writing literature review*

April–May
Musculoskeletal Management – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb (three weeks)

June–August
Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb (90 hours)

October–December
Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb (90 hours)

December–April
Remaining data collection and write up of dissertation*

*These elements are not necessary for PGDip

Example plan for part-time study over three years

Year 1
Research Methods for Healthcare
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy – Exploring Practice (one week) OR a module from the School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme

Year 2
Musculoskeletal Management – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb (three weeks)

Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb (90 hours)

Year 3
Musculoskeletal Management – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb

Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb (90 hours)

Dissertation undertaken alongside other studies*

*These elements are not necessary for PGDip

Study advice

The Academic Study Kit website now includes dedicated pages for taught and research postgraduate students to support you with the transition to postgraduate level study and introduce some of the complexities of conducting postgraduate research.

Find out more on the ASK website.

Staff profiles

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Eastbourne campus map