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Physiotherapy students practicing therapy on a patient

Physiotherapy BSc(Hons)

  • Intro
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Intro

As a physiotherapist you will work closely with people of all ages who are affected by illness, injury or disability, and a variety of other conditions affecting health and wellbeing. You will devise and provide individualised treatment programmes with compassion, patience and strong interpersonal skills. Physiotherapists help improve a person’s quality of life through advice, exercise and education. 

Physiotherapy is a science-based profession and takes a ‘whole person’ approach to health and wellbeing, which includes the individual’s general lifestyle. At the core is the person’s involvement in their own care.

The focus on interdisciplinary learning across all our health courses enriches your experience while also preparing you for the reality of professional practice. 

You will spend a total of 30 weeks on placement gaining practical knowledge and skills using fully equipped professional-standard equipment.

This course gives you everything you need to start working as an HCPC-registered physiotherapist in the UK, with professional and portfolio development from start to finish.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code B160

Full-time 3 years

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

We are a top 10 university for world-leading research impact in allied health professions, nursing and pharmacy (REF 2014)

Our next open day for this course will take place in the summer. Register your interest now and we will let you know when you can book your place.

Register your interest

Apply now with UCAS for 2019 entry

Course content

Course structure

Year 1 of the course focuses on the core theory needed to start your career as a physiotherapist such as anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, health psychology, exercise prescription, surgery and orthopaedics before you start your clinical placements in year 2.

Years 2 and 3 are a mixture of clinical practice and university-based studies. On your placements you’ll work with senior physiotherapists and other health professionals such as nurses, doctors and occupational therapists. You could be based in settings including hospitals, rehabilitation centres and patients’ homes.

You’ll share learning with other health professionals, allowing you to benefit from interprofessional collaboration, sharing knowledge and expertise.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, you’ll be told about any new developments through our applicant portal.

 

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Year 1

Year 1 focuses on the underpinning theory needed to be a physiotherapist, such as anatomy. You will be introduced to core physiotherapy skills such as exercise prescription and massage. Running through the first year is a professional module which explores what it is to be a physiotherapist.

In the second semester you will gain physiotherapy-relevant work experience and have the option to work with a voluntary organisation. This will develop your interpersonal and professional skills and enable you to start work with service users.

Modules

  • The Physiotherapist as a Professional
  • Exercise and Health Promotion in Physiotherapy Practice
  • Applied Anatomy
  • Foundations in Physiotherapy 1
  • Foundations in Physiotherapy 2
  • Clinical Reasoning in Contemporary Healthcare
Physiotherapists discussing a patient file

Year 2

In year 2 you will go out on your first clinical six-week placement.

Modules

  • Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation in Outpatient Settings
  • Physiotherapy Management in Acute Care Settings
  • Physiotherapy Rehabilitation and Management of Long-term Conditions
  • Research Methods in Healthcare
  • Healthcare across Practice Settings
  • Practice Placement 1
Physiotherapy student

Final year

During your final year you will consolidate your clinical practice on placement (by the end of the course you will have completed a minimum of 1,000 hours) while working on your dissertation. The dissertation gives you the opportunity to evaluate an area of physiotherapy practice in-depth.

The final module prepares you for professional physiotherapy practice and develops your professional portfolio. Local managers and clinicians from the NHS, private practice, sports and local companies contribute to this module.

Modules

  • Clinical Practice Placements 2, 3, 4 and 5
  • Research for Evidence-based Practice
  • Professional Development in Contemporary  Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy group

 

Facilities

Practical Skills and Simulation Rooms

Our practical skills rooms are equipped so that you can learn and practise practical skills including palpation, massage and manipulation with other students before you work with real patients and clients.

We also have specialist classrooms for physiotherapy practise, including manual skills and exercise therapy rooms, which are equipped with treatment couches.

Physiotherapy students

Human Movement Laboratory

The high-tech Human Movement Laboratory is used widely in teaching and research for students in the school of health professions studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry, and is also used for commercial consultancy. 

In the lab you will use the latest technology to measure and assess all aspects of human movement, joints, muscles, soft tissue structure and nerves. The laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for conducting cardio-pulmonary investigations including Cosmed metabolic system and spirometry.

human movement lab

Our latest news

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Daisy and Beryl arrived early on our Eastbourne campus today, eagerly awaiting our popular ‘Walk the Dog’ event.

Starting a course with us soon?

Starting a course with us soon?

We’re really looking forward to seeing you!

Brighton students destined to be healthcare leaders of the future

Brighton students destined to be healthcare leaders of the future

Roch McClean (mental health nursing), Emma Miles (children’s nursing) and Clare Worgan (midwifery) have all just completed their training for the Council of Deans Health’s Student Leadership Programme.

Welcome to all of our new students!

Welcome to all of our new students!

When your place has been confirmed you officially become a University of Brighton student!

Read more from our blog

Careers

This course gives you everything you need to start working as a chartered physiotherapist in the UK, with professional and portfolio development running from start to finish. Many graduates secure employment with local placement providers.

Physiotherapists enjoy an exceptional range of career opportunities in the health and private sector, with considerable opportunities to specialise in a chosen area of interest

You might choose to go straight into a specific area of practice such as paediatric or musculoskeletal fields, or take a post that offers rotations through several clinical areas to gain broad experience. Some students stay with us to study at masters level to enhance their practice skills or follow a research path.

 

Physiotherapists working in an Intensive Treatment Unit

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2019. They should be used as a general guide. 

Applicants should normally possess a strong GCSE profile in a minimum of five subjects at grade C or 4, or above, including English language, maths and a science.

A-levels
ABB to include biology, human biology or PE.

BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM, and an A-level in biology or human biology at grade B.

International Baccalaureate
32 points.

Access to HE Diploma
A QAA-recognised Access to Science course which must include biological science. Pass with a total of 60 credits, 45 of which must be at level 3 (at least 30 distinctions and 15 merits), the remaining 15 credits will be at Level 2. Candidates should normally have GCSE maths and English grade C or grade 4, or an equivalent qualification.

Foundation degree
Considered on individual merit, but a high standard pass (70%) is required.

Scottish qualifications
Typically three As and two Bs at higher level, which must include biology and English.

Irish Leaving Certificate
Typically three As (A1–A2), three Bs (B1–B2) at the higher level, which must include biology and English.

European Baccalaureate
A mark of 75%. Applicants whose first language is not English will also be required to obtain English at the higher level.

Entry qualifications should be acquired no more than three years before the start of the course.

The following additional requirements apply to this course:

  • evidence of commitment to the profession
  • completion of at least one week of work experience in a physiotherapy setting, preferably in either the NHS or other hospital setting
  • passing of occupational health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
  • ability to meet travel requirements to attend placements
  • students from outside the UK will be required to provide a police check from their home country.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 7.0 overall, no element below 6.5.

Already got a degree?

If you have an honours degree in biological sciences, behavioural sciences or other health professional education at grade 2:1 or above awarded within the last five years, you may wish to apply for our accelerated Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) MSc.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country
 
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Other requirements and interview

All candidates must be able to demonstrate good knowledge of physiotherapy as a profession, acquired for example through visits to departments, talking to qualified physiotherapists, or reading relevant material. This should provide an insight into how this experience has informed their decision to become a physiotherapist.

Observational experience of physiotherapists working within an NHS or hospital setting is essential but this may be complemented by observing physiotherapists in other settings such as private practice, private hospitals or sports clubs. Experience of working in other caring environments and/or voluntary work is also beneficial.

A minimum period of one week is preferred but this may be accumulated, and consideration will be given to applicants who have been unable to fulfil this requirement due to local circumstances.

Interview

It is important for you to have the opportunity to visit the school so that you are able to make an informed choice about your chosen university. Selection events/interviews are held once a month from November to March preceding the September of entry.

The afternoon begins at 1pm, and consists of a guided tour of the Eastbourne campus, a presentation about the course and an opportunity to meet staff and students. This will be followed by an individual interview with a member of staff or one of our physiotherapy clinicians. The event is normally finished by 5pm.

 

Fees

Fees


UK/EU (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 14,460 GBP

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location

Location

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

Walking along Eastbourne seafront
Enjoying sport above Eastbourne

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre. There are excellent sport and exercise facilities, on-site halls of residence and social spaces include the Students' Union pub, the Starting Gate.

Sport and exercise, events, hospitality, journalism, nursing and midwifery, physical education, physiotherapy, podiatry and tourism students are all based here.

Specialist learning facilities include accredited exercise physiology laboratories, a newsroom, clinical simulation suites, human movement lab, culinary arts studio, the Leaf Hospital podiatric clinic and occupational health studios. Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite.

Sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, sports hall and gym, artificial outdoor pitch, dance studio and climbing wall.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

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The Starting Gate, students' union pub in Eastbourne

Accommodation

Eastbourne

All eligible 2019-entry firm and insurance offer holders are guaranteed an offer of university-managed accommodation.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

  • Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
  • Breakfast and an evening meal are provided from Monday to Friday during term-time, this is included in your rent. You have access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
  • Rent also includes all utilities, 24/7 staff cover, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas and off-peak access to university fitness facilities including a 25m pool.

Find out more about our accommodation in Eastbourne.

Unihomes
A unihome is a student house which the university manages on behalf of a private landlord. This option can work particularly well when you’re balancing learning with placements and other life commitments.

  • Rent includes all utilities, broadband, contents insurance, cleaning of communal areas.
  • Generally shared bathroom with a variety of locations, room and house sizes. Some unihomes offer off-road parking.

Find out more about unihomes.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Your first stop should be our studenthomes database. This lists accommodation offered by landlords who have signed up to our code of standards.

Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Welkin bedroom

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Maps

house Accommodation
campus University building

Eastbourne campus map

Student views  

RuthAnn Fanstone  

The School of Health Professions (now known as the School of Health Sciences) at the University of Brighton was my first choice for a physiotherapy school. I also liked the idea of being near a sports’ college as I was very keen on sport, which was also part of the reason for choosing physiotherapy as a profession. I have very strong and positive memories of each of my lecturers at the university, they all inspired me.

The clinical placements were very strong and I definitely arrived well prepared (although I didn't realise at the time how well I had been prepared) for my junior position at the busy Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham. I remember working very hard at the university, but it was worth it and becomes a legacy throughout your career. We really enjoyed having quite a lot of mature students in our group and we learnt a lot from them too.

I left the University of Brighton with a passion for neurological physiotherapy due to a particularly effective placement I had in neuro. However, after two-and-a-half years as a junior I went to India for two years to set up a physiotherapy department in a rural 100-bed hospital and it was there that I came across a lot of burn injuries.

I had not done any burns or plastic surgery but, due to the need I saw there I wanted to learn, so I came back to London and got the chance to set up a new burns and plastic surgery service at the Royal Free Hospital in London. This was a great job and I got the chance to treat a number of large trauma cases.

I then moved on to bigger burn units Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London and Queen Victoria Hospital in East Grinstead where I was lead physiotherapist. I did my Health Services Management MSc at London University and, in between, I kept travelling to do burns work and teaching in India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Africa.

I used my clinical and management experience to run a charity called Interburns (International Network of Training, Education and Research in Burns) from April 2010 to this year (2012) and weirdly in there somewhere I have also worked for a peace and reconciliation foundation in the Middle East.

Now I am working for The Katie Piper Foundation as a scar specialist / physiotherapist exploring and gathering an evidence base for emerging treatments, learning from some European centres that have different approaches and looking into other areas of burn rehabilitation.

Physiotherapy opens so many doors and doing things outside physio can also really add to our skills and experience. I found working internationally also very valuable. A great school at the University of Brighton, and a strong junior rotation period, were a tremendous help to me and were an ideal foundation from which to move forward.

Burns and plastics has been a surprising but wonderful speciality. I hope some more Brighton students will consider it going forward! Based on my experience I would strongly recommend the University of Brighton ... and physiotherapy as a career! 

RuthAnn Fanstone

Jim Brown

As a mature student, choosing a university to return to my studies at took some consideration. On attending an initial open day I was impressed by the facilities, calibre of tutors and students that I met. The location and personal feel of the campus in Eastbourne, compared to other institutes I had visited, really suited me.

Having worked previously as a physiotherapy assistant, I felt the physiotherapists I worked with that had qualified at the University of Brighton often stood out as particularly competent in both a clinical and non-clinical capacity. The combination of these elements guided my decision to study at the University of Brighton, and having been qualified for a year now I can conclusively say I made the right choice.

From the first semester the course was aimed at preparing me for the clinical environment and the specialist nature of the health professional. However, the practical nature of the course design ensured my constant interest. This, coupled with approachable tutors available to discuss any number of subjects, made developing my knowledge base an easily achievable task. Having established a level of theoretical knowledge in the first year, going out on clinical placement in the second year gave me the welcome opportunity to consolidate the theory and practice. A well structured placement programme along with constant support from the university provided me with an environment that encouraged learning and developed my clinical reasoning.

In addition to the academic side of studying at the University of Brighton there was a great social aspect, and living by the sea provided a great environment for this. The variety of students on the course meant that even as a 'mature' student I had a busy social life and made some good friends.

Now as a qualified physiotherapist I work for a large private health firm, the interview for which was secured as a result of my clinical knowledge, placement experience and qualification. However, the personal skills, communication and presentation experience I developed while at Brighton gave me the confidence to succeed at the interview.

Jim Brown

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Keep up to date at the School of Health Sciences blog. 

Statistics

These charts give an indication of how much time you will spend on different activities at each level of the course, and an indication of the balance of assessment by coursework, and written and practical exams. For courses with option modules, actual proportions will depend on the modules you choose.

Find out more about how the academic year and degree courses are organised, and about learning and assessment activities you might get to grips with at Brighton. More specific information about this course is detailed in the programme specification (linked above). You can find out also about the range of support we offer to help you adjust to university life.

Overall workload

Assessments

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats enable you to compare information when choosing a UK university course. All UK universities publish Unistats data on their website.

Programme specification

The programme specification is the approved description of each course. They are updated following course changes, and give a detailed breakdown of the content and structure of the course.

Programme specification

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