Start your career in veterinary physiotherapy with this three-year blended (online and block attendance) degree
Veterinary physiotherapists combine scientific knowledge and clinical expertise to provide treatment and rehabilitation for musculoskeletal conditions in animals, working to reduce pain, improve movement and restore normal muscle control and function. This course is accredited by the Animal Health Professions' Register (AHPR) ensuring that you will qualify with an ward that fully equips you to provide animal health services that protect animal welfare and the interests of animal owners and veterinary surgeons who will refer cases to you.
Veterinary physiotherapy has undergone a period of considerable growth over the last 10-15 years and practitioners now work in a range of settings – veterinary practices, veterinary therapy centres and independent practice – and always with the consent of a veterinary surgeon.
This degree introduces the methods and practices of veterinary physiotherapy, allowing you to become acquainted with the basic principles and practices. Throughout your course, you will specialise exclusively in canine and equine species and learn to work with both species. During attended weeks (typically 4 to 5 weeks per academic year), students benefit from working in the Veterinary Studies Centre with its hydrotherapy and veterinary facilities, and spend time in the Equine Arenas to practice and learn on the College's horses.
Why study veterinary physiotherapy at Plumpton?
Unique delivery model - attend college 4-5 weeks per year with the rest delivered online
Course team includes active practicing veterinary physiotherapists with years of industry experience and expertise
Participate and experience clinical shadowing days with canine and equine veterinary physiotherapists in the field
Course covers both canine and equine veterinary physiotherapy practices
Benefit from purpose-built, state-of-the-art veterinary facilities on our 800-acre estate in the Southeast of England.
Onsite short stay accommodation available for attended weeks.
This degree is validated by the University of Greenwich. Course accepts T-levels for 2026/27 entry.
Year 1 of study
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
Study Skills and Introduction to Data Handling (15 credits)
Animal Behaviour, Husbandry and Welfare (15 credits)
Cellular Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
Musculoskeletal Anatomy (30 credits)
Professional Practice, Legalities and Business Management (15 credits)
Massage Therapy (30 credits)
Clinical Competencies 1
Year 2 of study
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
Research Skills and Data Analysis (15 credits)
Biomechanics (15 credits)
Exercise Physiology (15 credits)
Musculoskeletal Dysfunction, Tissue Damage and Repair (15 credits)
Orthopaedics and Neurology (15 credits)
Rehabilitation and Remedial Exercise Prescription (15 credits)
Veterinary Rehabilitation (30 credits)
Clinical Competencies 2
Year 3 of study
Students are required to study the following compulsory modules.
Honours Research Project/Dissertation (30 credits)
Electrophysical Agents (30 credits)
Specialist Skills (30 credits)
Veterinary Physiotherapy (30 credits)
Clinical Competencies 3
The course is assessed via a range of assessment methods including coursework (essays, presentations, case study analysis, written examinations) as well as a final year dissertation and clinical competency practical exams (OSCEs) which involves timed scenarios with dogs and horses. Students are also required to complete a set amount of clinical hours per year and the completion of a logbook.
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
The following entry points are available for this course:
We are unable to sponsor international students at this time. Please enquire with our Admissions team with regards to the distance learning nature of this course and its block attendance requirement.
We consider a wide range of Level 3 equivalent qualifications in science related subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Animal Science and Equine Management.
Level 3 qualifications considered includes T-levels (Animal Science), A-levels and Extended Diplomas (L3), Irish Highers, Scottish Highers, as well as Access to HE (Veterinary Science) qualifications.
In addition to the above Level 3 qualifications, candidates must have at least five GCSEs at grade 4 (or above) and this must include English Language (Grade 4 or above) and Maths (Grade 4 or above).
Importantly, candidates will need to demonstrate proficiency in Biology at GCSE or above. If you are studying a L3 Extended Diploma in an Animal-related pathway, a Merit in Biology is required.
Students must be a minimum of 18 years old upon entry.
Students with English as a second language will be required to have gained IELTS Level 6.5 overall with Level 6.0 in writing.
Please note, candidates will have to complete at least one week of work experience in a UK registered veterinary physiotherapy practice for which an employer reference must be supplied. Candidates must be able to demonstrate safe and adequate horse handling skills which may be assessed via a video prior to obtaining an offer of a place. Candidates may also be required to attend an interview (online or in person) as part of the application process.
This section shows the range of grades that students who received offers were previously accepted on to this course with (learn more).
It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place.
Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.
We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.
This report uses your grades to show how students with similar results have done when applying to this course in the past. Sometimes, there isn’t data for every possible set of grades. When that happens, universities and colleges occasionally fill in the gaps for sets of grades that are typically accepted.
| Location | Fee | Year |
|---|
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.
Please note this is a blended delivery course and students will need to plan for travel and accommodation costs during attended weeks. There may also be additional costs around clinical shadowing days, please speak to the Course Leader for up to date information. Short stay onsite campus accommodation (full board) may be available during attended weeks.
Email:enquiries@plumpton.ac.uk
Phone:01273 890454
Email:heoffice@plumpton.ac.uk
Phone:01273 890454
Email:enquiries@plumpton.ac.uk
Phone:01273 890454
Ditchling Road
Lewes
BN7 3AE
At Plumpton College
