MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration)

at University of Bolton

Modern healthcare professionals require a range of skills and values and our practice-based learning partners and tutors will help you to gain experience of a range of physiotherapy care scenarios designed to develop your skills in a safe and supportive environment. The course involves a wealth of workplace learning opportunities (please note, this may incur travel and accommodation costs). In the first year, you’ll be expected to complete 100 hours of independent practice-based learning and a further 12 hours in a group-based activity. You’ll need to complete a further 800 hours of practice-based learning activity in the second year, with an elective placement of 100 hours on completion of the course. As you progress through the course, we’ll guide and encourage you to draw on your practice-based learning experience while studying theory, and also apply the theory learned to your practice so that you can understand how the two complement each other.
 

We use a blended-learning approach, combining face-to-face sessions with online and practical work. You can expect discussion-based lectures, presentations by guest speakers, simulations delivered by tutors, seminar discussions, small group workshops, small group and one-to-one tutorials and practical skill learning sessions. You’ll also need to undertake a significant amount of personal study, including general background reading, preparing for seminar activities, working on assignments and revising for examinations.
 

To help support your learning, the University also offers additional study skills sessions, such as essay writing, library skills and electronic searching, and numeracy. You can also find support through our social learning community that includes a peer-support programme and enhanced personal tutoring. Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is used to share study resources. You’ll also be expected to develop your E-portfolio, where you’ll catalogue evidence of your learning through a variety of media. To enhance your journey to becoming an effective practitioner, you’ll be encouraged to develop reflective practise through personal development planning.
 

Assessment tasks are designed to ensure you achieve the learning outcomes for each module and develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours required to practise as a physiotherapist. While assessment serves to evaluate your achievement, it also helps you organise and develop your learning by revealing your strengths and weaknesses. A variety of assessment methods will be used, including written coursework, oral presentations, time-constrained written activities, practical case scenarios and portfolios. We’ll provide feedback on your assessments to help you improve in the future.
 

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Transition to Professional Practice in Physiotherapy
• Function of the Human Body in Health and Illness
• Clinical Reasoning and Management in Physiotherapy
• Person Centred Practice
• Effective and Autonomous Physiotherapy Practice
• Physiotherapy Practice Placement 1
• Physiotherapy Practice Placement 2
• Physiotherapy Practice Placement 3
• Work Based Masters Project
• Physiotherapy Dissertation
• Physiotherapy Elective Placement
   

• Please note that this course is only available to Home students.
• You should have at least an upper second class honours degree (2.1) in a relevant subject (or equivalent), as well as relevant work experience. Examples of relevant subject areas include social, medical, or sport sciences, health and social care, nursing or healthcare practice, education, psychology or counselling. Examples of relevant work experience include working or volunteering in a healthcare setting such as physiotherapy service, GP practice or with other allied health professionals (AHPs). We may consider applicants with a lower second class honours degree (2.2) in certain circumstances.
• You should also have GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent). Please contact us should you wish for equivalent qualifications to be considered.
• For guidance regarding acceptable alternative qualifications, please contact admissions@bolton.ac.uk. Qualifications gained outside England and Wales will be assessed on an individual basis according to guidance by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• If your application is successfully shortlisted, you’ll be invited to a selection day where you’ll be expected to complete a number of assessments which may include an interview, written test and group activity. The interview panel will include academic staff, practice staff and service users. The written test will assess your comprehension and written communication skills. The group activity will assess your values, behaviours, communication and problem-solving skills. We’re seeking students who can demonstrate commitment to a physiotherapy career, who have excellent communication skills and who are caring and compassionate.
• If you’re successful at the interview stage, you’ll be asked to undergo occupational health screening and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re of good health and good character and satisfactorily pass occupational health screening. You’ll be required to complete a confidential self-declaration form outlining any medical or health conditions that may affect your ability to undertake academic or physiotherapy practice tasks.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
• We take a positive view of what candidates with disabilities can achieve as future healthcare professionals and take seriously our obligation to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all students with disabilities can successfully complete their studies. All applicants will be assessed up to and including the interview on the basis of the criteria outlined here regardless of any disability. If you declare a disability, we’ll invite you to work with us, the University of Bolton’s Disability team, clinical colleagues and relevant specialist services (for example, RNIB) to explore how best we can support your studies.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 7.0 with normally no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). 

The cost of studying at University of Bolton varies largely depending on the type of university and the degree chosen. More often than not, humanities, arts, and education courses are less expensive than degrees in medical, engineering, or management. Furthermore, students who choose to study at the postgraduate level typically pay higher tuition fees, which again vary depending on the programme chosen.

Most universities provide scholarships or financial aid to students in order to help them offset their tuition costs. Students should be aware that additional course fees and incidental expenses may not be included in tuition. On average, international students can expect to pay £12,950 annually, to study in University of Bolton.

Physiotherapy is the treatment and prevention of injury, disease and disorders through physical and psychological methods (such as exercise, massage, manipulation and other treatments) over medication and surgery. As a Physiotherapist, you’ll provide treatment for people of all ages suffering from physical problems that restrict their mobility and independence or cause pain. These may arise from injury, disease, illness or ageing, and include functional problems resulting from back and neck injuries; sprains, strains, and fractures; arthritis; amputations; and neurological disorders, such as stroke or cerebral palsy. This master’s programme has a particular emphasis on the treatment and management of woman’s health and paediatric conditions, preparing you to contribute to these essential but currently under-represented specialisms in physiotherapy.
 

As a graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to improve a person's quality of life by using a variety of treatments to alleviate pain and restore function or, in the case of permanent injury or disease, to lessen the effects of any dysfunction. Interventions and programmes can include exercise; training in functional movement, and equipment such as using canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers; and special movements of joints, muscles, and other soft tissue to improve movement and decrease pain. As well as treating people, you’ll promote good health and advise people on how to avoid injury.
 

By the time you graduate, you’ll possess a wide range of skills, knowledge and behaviours. Studying this course will support you to develop skills in team working and decision making, as well as enhance your ability to communicate well and clearly with a diverse group of individuals, and manage difficult and stressful situations. You’ll also have good observational skills, emotional intelligence, be able to use your initiative and manage your time effectively.