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Physiotherapy students practicing therapy on a patient

Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) MSc (PGDip)

  • Intro
  • Course
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  • Careers
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Intro

The Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) MSc – previously called the Rehabilitation Science (Physiotherapy) MSc –allows you to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This course is also approved by the professional body, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

It is ideal for graduates with related first degrees who wish to gain both a professional and academic qualification and start a career in this challenging and highly rewarding field.

This accelerated course follows innovative problem-based learning approach, with an emphasis on students' active learning, engagement, and practical application of skills and knowledge in the context of real life situations. Through this balance of theory and practice experience you will graduate a capable and confident physiotherapist. 

The recognition that patients come first in everything the NHS does, and the values of the NHS constitution – respect, dignity, compassion and working together for patients – are embedded in our curriculum.

Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in practice.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

Full-time 2 years

Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council, and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Join an online event

Applying for 2021

This course is closed for 2021 applications. Online applications will reopen for 2022 in September 2021.

12th in the UK for health professions courses

Guardian University Guide 2021

Course content

How this course is delivered

Students have a blend of on-campus and digitally enabled remote learning that keeps everyone safe, connected and involved in university life. Lots of opportunities are provided to interact and engage with lecturers and other students. The balance between online and on-campus learning varies by module, and in response to the external environment.

Course structure

This intensive programme runs over 45 weeks per year, for two years. Your time on the course will be balanced between campus-based study and clinical practice.

The course begins in September and consists of five campus-based modules and five practice modules. Year 1 is mainly campus-based and year 2 predominantly involves practice placements alongside the campus-based Research Dissertation Studies.

The course is delivered in a variety of ways, typically via problem-based tutorials, subject specialist resource sessions, skills workshops, and simulation in our high-tech Human Movement Laboratory, and Clinical Skills and Simulation Rooms.

Completion of the Project Studies module and the submission of a dissertation lead to the masters award.

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 Student View.

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Admissions tutor, Hazel Horobin, talks in-depth about our Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) MSc

Syllabus

Your study will focus on real-life situations, integrating subjects such as anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutic skills, behavioural sciences and research methods.

Year 1 modules

  • Physiotherapy in Health and Rehabilitation 

  • Practice Placements (two each lasting six weeks)

  • Neurological Management

  • NMS Management

  • Cardiorespiratory Management

Year 2 modules

  • Practice placements (three each lasting six weeks)

  • Research Dissertation

Physiotherapy students in a simulated consultation

Facilities 

Research Suite

The high-tech Research Suite 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

Practical Skills and Simulation Rooms

Our practical skills rooms are equipped for physiotherapy practise with fellow students. They include manual skills and exercise therapy rooms equipped with treatment couches.

Physiotherapy students

Problem-based learning

Our educational philosophy mirrors the philosophy of occupational therapy. We believe that an individual's positive engagement in learning activity leads to advanced productivity, increased perception of self-worth, improved quality of life and enjoyment of the course.

Our occupational therapy courses use problem-based learning (PBL), a technique recommended by authorities around the world. All subjects covered are integrated around problem-solving within a real life situation. We find that learning in this way significantly increases our students’ engagement with the subjects. 

Advantages of the problem-based learning approach are:

  • Students report that they feel more motivated to learn theoretical knowledge as they can see where they can apply it to real-world situations

  • Teamworking and improved communication skills are developed, as students share their expertise and rationale behind their potential solutions

  • Students find they are more confidently able to search for information from a wider range of sources, such as journals, textbooks and the internet, and take more responsibility for learning independently

  • It encourages deeper learning, as it focuses on activities and activating knowledge in practice contexts, rather than traditional rote memory recall in a predominantly classroom-based context.

Meet the team 

Dr Hazel Horobin

Dr Horobin qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1984 and has taught since 2000.

Originally from South Yorkshire she moved to East Sussex in 2014 and she now forms a key member of the Respiratory Physiotherapy teaching team at the University of Brighton.

She pursues her clinical interest in long term respiratory disease by running a Pulmonary Rehabilitation service (recently moved online) from the University with the help of student volunteers.

Her approach to teaching is one of ‘active learning’ where students are encouraged to be independent in their studies and she won the University Excellence in Facilitating and Empowering Learning Award in 2019.

Other key members of the team

Dr Krishna Garikipati - Course Leader

Dr Colette Ridehalgh

Dr Lieselotte Corten

Sharon Sneddon

Dr Kitty Suddick

Hazel Horobin

Our health professions courses are joint 1st in the UK for career prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021

Careers

This professional course prepares you to work as a chartered physiotherapist in the UK, with professional and portfolio development running from course start to finish.

Graduates are equipped for careers in the NHS and the private health sector, both in the UK and abroad.

Many graduates secure employment in the local area by developing networks through their placements.

After a period of work experience, you will also be given the opportunity to progress to PhD research programmes and contribute to the evidence base of the profession.

Physiotherapy student

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer, they should be used as a general guide.

Degree and experience

Applicants are normally required to hold a first degree, or equivalent, gained in the last 10 years with a minimum of 2:1 classification in a related subject such as biological, biomedical, behavioural, sports, exercise or health sciences or health professional education other than physiotherapy.

Knowledge of the physiotherapy profession and experience of health or social care related professional practice, will be an advantage.

EU and International students must have equivalent qualifications and English language qualification in line with University regulations for postgraduate studies and HCPC requirements.

Entry to the course is conditional upon satisfactory clearance; enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service and health screening.

Interviews
Successful applicants will be invited to attend an online interview.

We will hold interviews once a month. The first dates scheduled are for 17 December 2020, 20 January 2021 and 17 February 2021. We have limited places so it is advisable to apply early to be considered for one of these dates. If the course fills the available places we will not hold later interviews. If you receive an offer you will have six weeks to accept it. After this point we may offer your place to another candidate.

Make sure that you submit your final transcript, evidence of any physiotherapy work experience and two references.

English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no element below 6.5; or equivalent qualification.

Deferred applications
We are not able to accept applications for deferred entry onto this course. If you wish to apply for a later year of entry, we recommend waiting until the  admissions cycle for that year opens – this is usually in October of each year.

Men are under-represented in many nursing and allied health professions in the UK. We are committed to helping address the balance and particularly welcome applications from male applicants.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
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 centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 16,452 GBP


New funding from 2020
The government has announced that from September 2020 new and continuing students studying nursing, midwifery and some allied health subjects will receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000. Find out more on the NHS website.

Funding information

This course is eligible for funding via the Student Loans Company under the same terms and conditions as undergraduate tuition fee and maintenance loans. Find out more.

Where your course includes a placement, travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund. Additional financial support may available from the NHS. Find out more about the learning support fund.

 

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Health Sciences are listed here.

  • Where your course includes a placement, travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund. Paramedic Science students and overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme and travel costs for this course will be your responsibility. Find out more about the NHS learning support fund.
  • Specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
  • DBS checks, where required, are included in the fees.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info


The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2021–22.

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 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.

Location

Local area

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.

It's only 90 minutes by train from Eastbourne to central London and less than 40 minutes to Brighton. There are also daily direct trains to Ashford International and Gatwick Airport.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
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, social sites and on-site halls of residence.

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

Specialist learning facilities include accredited exercise physiology laboratories, a newsroom, clinical simulation suites, culinary arts studio, and 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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Queenwood Library at Eastbourne

Accommodation

Eastbourne

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

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.
  • All rooms are self-catered with access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
  • Rent includes all utilities, 24/7 security and support, contents insurance and cleaning of communal areas.

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

Eastbourne campus map

Student views  

Letitia Rabey

Letitia Rabey, 25, is in her first year of the Rehabilitation Science MSc course which enables graduates from biological sciences, behavioural sciences and other health professions to convert their first degree to a masters degree. She hopes to secure a rotational junior position in the NHS upon graduating.

Why did you decide to study at Brighton, what attracted you to the course? 
There are a limited number of universities who offer the course. When I came to an open day making my decision to study here was an easy one. Eastbourne has a very characteristic campus, the lecturers and students are extremely friendly and the facilities are ideal.

Has the course met your expectations?
 Completely. The course builds your knowledge very quickly; when they say its an accelerated course they are not exaggerating. There is lots of work to get done but its been manageable as the lecturers ensure it is paced correctly. You just have to balance your work with play!

Have you spent any time on placements? Where have those been? How did you find them?
 I have had one weeks' placement which was organised by ourselves, so I chose to go home to Cornwall. The placement was extremely interesting. It was great to get into a hospital to see how all our learning slots into place, I am already looking forward to the next one!

What has been the highlight of the course?
 We have been very lucky to have had many guest lecturers throughout the course, who have all been extremely motivational and enthusiastic about their profession. The main highlight for me has been the opportunity to visit Chaseley House where we spent time with some residents and physiotherapists. Chaseley was a fantastic first insight into how our skills fitted into the reality of physiotherapy practice.

What has been the greatest challenge?
 My greatest challenge has been trying to keep a cool head through the busy exam time at the end of my first term. At times it was stressful but the whole cohort was in it together and got through OK. Fingers crossed now for results day!

What do you hope to do when you graduate?
 I hope to get a rotational junior position in the NHS once I graduate. I feel my experiences so far may sway me towards neurology but, who knows, there’s still a lot more to learn!

Letitia Rabey

Davinder Chatha

"The University of Brighton has equipped me with the necessary skills and knowledge to progress my career and become a successful physiotherapist. The dedicated staff and up to date modern facilities are excellent and offer the highest standards of learning.

From my personal experience the problem-based learning approach has made me a more critical, thorough and efficient physiotherapist. The physiotherapy programme was very detailed and highly demanding which brought out the best in me and made me confident enough to run my own successful physiotherapy clinic."

Davinder Chatha

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Ask a question about this course

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

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