Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)

Study human movement and function. Learn how to prevent and treat disease, injury and disability. Become a future leader in the healthcare profession.

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Learning, teaching and assessment in 2021/22

Overview

Physiotherapy is recognised as a healthcare profession where human movement and function are viewed as central components of individual health, wellbeing and quality of life. Physiotherapy uses physical approaches in the prevention and treatment of disease, injury and disability recognising that physical, psychological, social and environmental factors may limit movement and function.

The course content is person-focused, in line with the direction of the profession. We aim to develop well-rounded, safe and effective physiotherapists who can communicate appropriately to service users, carers, peers and other healthcare professionals. By promoting the integration of science and practical-based knowledge and skills, we aim to develop graduates capable of practice at the highest level within all areas of the profession, who also develop essential skills for continued and lifelong learning to enhance service delivery and become future leaders.

Why us?

Multi-million pound investment supporting a suite of physiotherapy, occupational therapy, sport, exercise and rehabilitation laboratories
The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
Access our excellent links with local NHS Hospital Trusts and other placement providers, committed to providing quality student placements and learning experiences
Have the opportunity to arrange an elective placement to explore your personal special interests in the profession, or experience working in non-standard clinical settings.
Gain a nationally and internationally-recognised professional qualification
Opportunities to collaborate in an interprofessional learning capacity with other healthcare courses including occupational therapy, adult nursing, mental health nursing, learning disability nursing, paramedic science, pharmacy, psychology and social work.

Our Health Professions courses are ranked 25th in the UK (The Guardian University league tables, 2021)
Patient Carer and Public Involvement (PCPI) members actively support our course. You will regularly meet and work with patients and carers who are integrated in the teaching activities and positively contribute to your learning and development through assessment and feedback
Our large number of health-related courses offer an excellent opportunity for collaboration across professions
On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC Register for Physiotherapists

Our partners, accreditations and networks

Course structure

You will be taught by a highly-skilled and motivated team with both clinical and teaching expertise. Evidence-based practice is embedded in the course, which ensures you are taught the most current and up to date skills and knowledge. You will learn through a variety of methods including lectures, presentations, seminars, group work, clinical simulation, self-study, practical clinical and physiotherapy skill sessions, online tutorials and problem-based learning activities. A strong professional identity and confidence to work with various professional groups is an essential part of the course. You will have the opportunity to work and learn alongside students from other professions and to learn about the other professions through participation in inter-professional education. As this course leads to a professional qualification a minimum attendance level of 80% per semester is required.

Assessment is varied to reflect different styles of learning. You will be assessed through written coursework assignments, critical reflective practice, oral presentations, poster presentations, and practical and written examinations. You will be supported by a personal tutor who will offer support with personal and professional development.

You will also undertake a variety of practice placements (minimum of 1,000 hours) where you may be expected to work outside normal working hours including weekends. Placements can be anywhere in the North East region. Practice placements are arranged by academic tutors and you will be expected to travel daily or stay in local accommodation for the duration of your placement. Practice placements occur in every year of your study and range from four to eight weeks. Please note some placements take place outside the normal University academic calendar.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules

Introduction to Research 1 (10 credits)

Gain key skills to inform your practice through an introduction to research critique skills relating to health care interventions and treatments relevant to physiotherapy. Learn about the nature of evidence-based practice, skills of critical appraisal and how this will influence decisions that you make in practice.

Personal Professional Development 1 (10 credits)*

Focus on the personal and professional skills and behaviours essential in supporting academic success, life-long learning, career entry and future career development. Develop an understanding of physiotherapy as a regulated profession, it's relationship with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and what will be required of you as a physiotherapist to graduate and enter onto the HCPC register.

Introduction to Physiology and Pathology for Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)

Study the core physiological sciences that support clinical physiotherapy practice. Gain an introduction to the fundamental concepts of human physiology at rest and with activity, and changes in physiological function associated with pathological change linked to musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions.

Functional Anatomy and Movement for Physiotherapy (20 credits)

Develop foundation knowledge of the anatomy of the human body, and principles of biomechanics essential for your understanding of human movement. Learn to apply knowledge of the position, organisation and function of anatomical structures to conduct person-centred physiotherapy assessments in order to inform treatment and evaluation.

Human Function and Lifestyle Development Psychosocial Foundations for Holistic Practice (20 credits)

Examine the development of individuals across the lifespan, to consider how individuals change physically and psychologically as they age. Deepen your understanding of contemporary physiotherapy in clinical practice and gain knowledge of the role that psychological, developmental and sociological factors play in terms of changes in human function across the lifespan.

Fundamentals of Communication and Assessment for Therapeutic Practice (20 credits)

Develop communication skills essential for safe and effective practice in meeting the requirements of our professional bodies. Study philosophies of care and compassion rooted in humanistic approaches to patient/practitioner interaction and the policy and legislation that supports key concepts such as respect and dignity.

Fundamentals of Physical Activity and Exercise (20 credits)

Understand the benefits of physical activity and exercise for lifelong health and longevity with a strong emphasis on the development of knowledge and practical skills for safe and effective practice. Gain knowledge of physiological responses to different types of exercise and evaluation focusing on healthy adults.

* A practice placement is aligned to this module

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules

Evidence-Based Practice and Research 2 (10 credits)

Develop an understanding and insight of physiotherapy practice and how this is informed by the best available evidence. Study ethical issues that underpin best practice, a range of research approaches and methods and their appropriate use to inform practice. Gain skills in the evaluation of clinical decision-making, and the relationships with research in evidence-based practice.

Personal and Professional Development 2 (10 credits)

Focus on your development in 'working with others'. Reflect on your ability to work in teams and leadership roles as a physiotherapist. Identify and reflect on professional qualities promoting diversity, emotional intelligence, clinical and professional reasoning, contributing to effective person-centred team-working.

Neurological Pathology and Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)

Explore common pathologies of the neurological system in the delivery of person-centred physiotherapy. Develop your understanding of evidence-based practice in this field with a focus on the rehabilitation of individuals who have experienced damage to the central and peripheral nervous systems. Learn to assess and develop management plans to offer a progressive approach working with people with common neurological conditions.

Cardiorespiratory Pathology and Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)

Understand common cardiorespiratory pathologies relating to changes in normal cardiovascular and/or pulmonary system physiology. Safely and effectively perform an individualised physiotherapy assessment for a range of common pathologies seen in practice across the lifespan. Develop a problem-solving approach to examine the treatment, rehabilitation and management related to this area of physiotherapy practice with a person-centred perspective.

Musculoskeletal Pathology and Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)

Develop an understanding of common musculoskeletal pathologies relating to changes in normal muscular and/or skeletal system physiology. Gain skills to enable you to undertake a safe and effective musculoskeletal physiotherapy assessment for a range of common pathologies. Take a person-centred perspective through a problem-solving approach to the treatment, rehabilitation and management of a range of musculoskeletal pathologies commonly seen in practice. Engage with patient health education and health promotion.

Physical Activity and Exercise in Long Term Conditions (20 credits)

Develop your understanding of physical activity promotion, for those with long term health conditions, in primary care and in the community. Learn to plan, develop and implement exercise sessions for populations with stable but complex health needs including: obesity, cancer, cardiovascular, stroke, long term lung conditions, diabetes, pregnancy, eating disorders, arthritis, dementia and mental health problems.

Developing Holistic Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)*

Learn about public health and social determinants of health. Develop an understanding of cultural awareness and competence in healthcare services. Explore theoretical aspects such as consequences of living in particular cultures and determinants of sickness, as well as health in modern society.

* A practice placement is aligned to this module

Year 3 (national level 6):

Core modules

Dissertation (40 credits)

Identify an issue or topic that you wish to explore in depth and advance your professional knowledge further through the completion of a research project. Complete an independent piece of research through developing a research question supported by a research supervisor. Following discussion and negotiation with the project supervisor, integrate applied practice and include a case study approach. Research projects, which involve human participants, require ethical approval.

Personal Professional Development 3 (20 credits)

Build on Year 1 and Year 2 study to examine a range of influences on physiotherapy practice, with an emphasis on change management, leadership, entrepreneurship and commissioning. Explore the need to develop graduate physiotherapists with potential to become future leaders in a rapidly changing health and social care system.

Contemporary Perspectives in Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)*

Explore the role of the physiotherapist in a variety of contemporary healthcare settings and emergent roles. Explore global and national health topics, which highlight the role of the physiotherapist in leading behaviour change with regards to physical activity and the promotion of health and wellbeing. Explore and discuss innovative uses of technology in contemporary physiotherapy practice, (e.g. robotics, gamification, telerehabilitation, online platforms and mobile device applications).

Complex Integrated Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)

Further develop your experience of interdisciplinary professional practice and the wide-ranging influences on and of inter-professional working in practice. Consider roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals alongside the values of teamwork in multi-disciplinary and interdisciplinary care settings. Consider the position of the physiotherapist as an equal and valued member of the multi-disciplinary or interdisciplinary team alongside the key accountabilities and responsibilities accompanying this status. Cover clinical areas such as critical care, complex disability, poly trauma, palliative care, and bariatric care.

Evaluating and Improving Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)*

Study the concepts of clinical audit, service effectiveness and evaluation as methods of quality improvement in physiotherapy practice. Learn how clinical audit and evaluation provide a systematic approach for evaluating current practices and inform future service improvement and how good practice can be identified and promoted, to enhance patient care, service effectiveness and efficiency. Develop your management and leadership skills. Negotiate a component of physiotherapy practice from your practice placement, and design or participate in a current clinical audit or service evaluation that could promote change in service delivery.

* A practice placement is aligned to this module

Facilities

This course is based in the Sciences Complex in our City Campus, which has benefited from a recent multimillion pound investment. Teaching takes place in multi-media classrooms with state-of-the-art resources for learning.

Primarily for Physiotherapy provision, Darwin Building will house shared spaces for Physiotherapy and Sport and Exercise Sciences and will include a gym fully equipped with a range of cardiovascular and resistance training equipment, and an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) mock flat with simulated living space including bedroom, kitchen and bathroom areas. A separate multi-purpose open plan space will be used for active play and creative activities, suited to the developmental or rehabilitative needs of children and adults.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

BTEC Extended National Diploma (Sport and Exercise Science, Health Science and Applied Science preferred) DDM. Other BTEC National Diplomas may be considered with AS or A2 Biology/Human Biology/PE at grade B.

Your completed application form will be reviewed by our Admissions Team to ensure that you have the required entry qualifications. If you meet these requirements, then your application will be individually assessed by the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Admissions Tutor and if successful, you will be shortlisted for interview.

Please note we are unable to accept applications from international students.

Fitness to practise

Medical assessments of your mental and physical health and disclosure of criminal convictions apply to all physiotherapy courses and are based on current HCPC requirements. Physiotherapists are registered health care professionals and the ability to practise safely, effectively and professionally is essential, so all applicants are required to follow our fitness to practise procedures. This means you are required to complete the following:

A health declaration form. Here you must demonstrate that you are of good health, good character and can satisfactorily pass occupational health screening. In addition, you will be required to attend an Occupational Health Assessment with an NHS Trust. The University will, taking into account current HCPC regulations make any reasonable adjustments if required. Please refer to the HEOPS physiotherapy student fitness standards.
A self-declaration form about your conduct.
Obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The cost of the DBS check is covered by the University.

Instructions on how you complete these checks will be sent to you once you hold a conditional firm offer with us. These forms are then reviewed alongside your application, and you must meet both the academic and fitness to practise requirements before you will be given an unconditional offer. If you are successful, you will also need to complete an annual declaration form to confirm you are fit and there are no changes to your DBS.

Care experience

We prefer you to have some experience of delivering care in a professional or voluntary capacity and have a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution. Evidence of the experience gained, understanding of the profession and a genuine, reasoned commitment to studying a professional course must be explicit in your personal statement to be selected for interview.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement provides a unique opportunity to express your personal qualities and attributes related to a rewarding career in physiotherapy. The statement should include a clear articulation of:

Rationale for your choice of career
Evidence of investigation of physiotherapy as a career that demonstrates insight of the role and purpose of the profession in contemporary health and social care, and wellbeing
Personal qualities and transferable skills that may contribute to success in the course and profession

Interview

As a shortlisted applicant you will attend an interview as part of the selection process, which includes an individual and group activity. Your values, problem solving and communication skills will also be assessed. Your interview event will provide opportunities to interact with academic staff, clinical staff, students, patients and their families or carers.

Second reference

You will be asked to provide a second written reference as part of the interview process. The reference can be from your current employer, character reference (e.g. former employer, colleague, teacher, advisor, etc.) or from a supervisor at a voluntary role. If you are currently employed in a clinical setting the reference should be from your employer. Please note this must not be the same reference you have submitted as part of your application.

Personal qualities

We select students based on their knowledge, motivation, experience, values and behaviours, not just academic ability. You need to demonstrate an ability to:

Study academic subjects at the level of the course
Debate topics and issues
Draw on conclusions from written material
Study independently and as part of a group
Use computers and technology associated with teaching, learning and assessment
Interact with patients and colleagues in a caring and compassionate manner
Demonstrate an understanding of, and commitment to, the course

If English is not your first language, you need an overall IELTS score of 7, with at least 6.5 in each band.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time, fee for this course is:

£9,250 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled

We are unable to accept international applicants.

In addition, you will be expected to buy your books, stationery, travel and accommodation. For practice placements you will be provided with a uniform by the University.

Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 is available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about the Training Grant on The NHS Business Services Authority website.

Use our scholarships calculator to see what you may be entitled to.

Scholarships calculator

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

Graduate Physiotherapists are key workers and will be eligible to work in multiple organisations. This includes the acute NHS Trusts, GP surgeries, schools, industry, community physical health services, mental health services, learning disability services and social services / local authorities as well as private practice, charities and other non-traditional and third sector organisations. Graduates could also consider a career working in clinical research or teaching, in the UK or overseas.

Preparing you for practice

You will undertake a range of practice placements to gain real-life experience and apply your learning to real-life situations which may lead to further employment opportunities. To further assist in preparing you for employment as a physiotherapist, this course:

Approved by the HCPC's Education and Training Committee (ETC)
Offers a variety of practice placements to ensure you are exposed to wider scope of contemporary physiotherapy practice role within the healthcare team
Integrates the latest simulation and blended learning technologies in the development of tomorrows physiotherapist

Placements

As you may be expected to travel long distances, start your shift in the early hours, or finish your shift late at night, you could be entitled to Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) which allows you to make a retrospective claim for excess travel costs and/or expenses for temporary accommodation near to the location of your placement. Find out more about the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Accreditation

Physiotherapy is a protected profession, which means that it is regulated by law to ensure that only people who have passed state approved training courses and have registered with the state regulator, may practise. The state regulator for physiotherapists is the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Only those who register with the HCPC may call themselves physiotherapists and practise physiotherapy autonomously.

On successful completion of the course graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Pre-registration students are also eligible to join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy as student members, and on graduation will be eligible for full membership.

Career prospects

There is demand in all health and social care services including the acute NHS Trusts, community physical health services, mental health services, Learning Disability Services and Social Services / Local Authorities as well as private practice, charities and other non-traditional and third sector organisations. Therefore graduate prospects and opportunities are far greater than other similar courses. The mean salary six months post-graduation is £21,938.*

*Source: DLHE statistics derived from annually published data by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA).

Meet the students

The tutors are amazing and the facilities are first class

Alan Barlow

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

Page last updated: 19 April 2021

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Overview

Why us?

Our partners, accreditations and networks

Course structure

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules

Year 3 (national level 6):

Core modules

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fitness to practise

Care experience

Interview

Second reference

Personal qualities

Fees and finance

Career ready

Preparing you for practice

Placements

Accreditation

Career prospects

Meet the students

Alan Barlow

Meet the team

Related courses

Contact

Sign up to receive more information