Physiotherapist
Physiotherapists work with people of all ages to improve mobility, manage pain, and regain independence after injury, surgery, illness or due to ageing or disability. It’s a hands-on role that focuses on restoring movement and enhancing fitness.
Introduction to the role
Physiotherapists focus on restoring movement, improving function, and enhancing the overall wellbeing of their patients. As a physiotherapist, you’ll work with people of all ages, helping them recover from injury or illness, manage long-term conditions, or adapt to the effects of ageing or disability. Your work can involve anything from improving mobility after surgery to supporting someone living with a chronic condition.
What does a physiotherapist do?
As a physiotherapist, your role involves assessing a patient’s movement and creating a tailored treatment plan to meet their needs. This could mean treating neurological conditions such as stroke, multiple sclerosis or Parkinson’s disease, neuromusculoskeletal problems like sports injuries or arthritis, cardiovascular issues including rehabilitation after a heart attack, or respiratory conditions such as asthma and cystic fibrosis.
Day to day, you might recommend targeted exercises, carry out massage, use high-tech treatments like functional electrical stimulation. You’ll also promote good health and give advice on preventing injury. Physiotherapists work in a wide range of settings – in hospitals across many departments, including outpatients, women’s health, paediatrics and occupational health, or even out in the community in health centres, care homes, schools, and patients’ own homes. Whether working independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team, you’ll be making a direct impact on people’s quality of life.
What are the pay and conditions like?
If you work as a physiotherapist in the NHS, you’ll usually have a 37.5 hour working week, which may include some evenings or weekends.
Most physiotherapists start at band 5 on the Agenda for Change pay scale. You’ll also receive at least 27 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, along with access to the NHS pension scheme and a range of staff discounts.
Where physiotherapy can take you
Once you have qualified as a physiotherapist, a wide range of career opportunities may become available.
You could:
- specialise in sports injuries, critical care, or working with children, older people or cancer patients
- move into teaching, research or management roles with responsibility for staff, budgets and service planning
- work outside the NHS with sports coaches or personal trainers
- practise in private clinics or open your own practice
You’ll have regular Continuing Professional Development (CPD) check-ins to discuss your career aspirations and joining the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy will help you keep your skills and knowledge up to date through training, courses and professional events.
Life as a physiotherapist
Life as a physiotherapist
Is physiotherapy right for you?
Physiotherapy is a hands-on career that involves helping people recover movement, improve mobility, and manage pain. You’ll need to be a great communicator who can explain conditions and treatments clearly, as well as a patient and empathetic listener who builds trust. The role can be physically and mentally demanding, so resilience, good organisational skills, and a calm, caring nature are essential.
Ask yourself:
- Can I explain complex medical information in a way that’s easy to understand?
- Am I physically fit and able to cope with the demands of the role?
- Do I have the patience and empathy to support people through challenging recoveries?
Entry requirements and training
The most common route into physiotherapy is through a university degree. A full-time degree usually takes three years, while part-time study can take up to six. If you already hold a relevant degree, you could complete an accelerated master’s course in two years. Once you’ve successfully completed your studies, you’ll need to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) before you can practise. A degree apprenticeship is another route to becoming a physiotherapist.
Most universities ask for two or three A levels, including a biological science and/or physical education, along with five GCSEs at grades 9–4 (A-C), including English language, maths and at least one science subject. Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted, such as a BTEC, HND or HNC in biological science, a relevant T level, a relevant NVQ, a science-based access course, Scottish or Irish equivalents, or a previous degree or practising qualification in a related area.
Every university sets its own entry requirements, so it’s important to check carefully before applying. Most also take the results of interviews and other selection processes into account alongside academic qualifications. Gaining experience by spending time with a registered physiotherapist is a great way to strengthen your application and give you a clearer idea of what the role involves.
When applying for a physiotherapy degree, you’ll also need to demonstrate how the values of the NHS apply in your everyday work.
Work experience
Applying for a course or apprenticeship as a physiotherapist is going to be competitive. If you're seriously considering it, it is a great idea to try and gain some prior work experience to strengthen your application. Visit NHS England to find out more about gaining work experience for careers in the NHS.