Physiotherapy

This course teaches you the core skills you need to assess and diagnose patients’ problems – whether caused by accident, illness or ageing - then to formulate and implement treatment plans involving exercise, physical activity and therapy. Our academic team ensure your learning is informed by research, and you consolidate your knowledge and skills through groupwork, student-led presentations and practical workshops alongside periods on clinical practice placements.

Course accreditation

The course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (the registering body). On successful course completion, you graduate as a professional, able to work collaboratively alongside other members of the multidisciplinary team in the NHS and other sectors.

The course is also accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, the professional body and trade union organisation.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Dedicated physiotherapy suite

• Simulated hospital ward with ITU

• Simulated living spaces

• Anatomical models and exercise equipment

Career-powered links

We have partnerships with local NHS acute and community trusts and private physiotherapy providers who support and guide you on clinical placements. Relevant industry links include the University's official partner, Luton Town FC, and Stevenage FC where our students can gain work experience with Club physio teams.

Your student experience

Learn from an experienced multidisciplinary team with expertise across a range of fields including neurological, cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal physiotherapy; occupational therapy; leadership; and research.

Access to specialist clinical practitioners who support with teaching and assessing on the course, to ensure you are learning from experts in practice.

Experience a range of theory and practice-based learning opportunities, completing a minimum of 1,000 hours on placement: part-time placements in Years 1 and 2; full time in Year 3.

Take up opportunities for field trips where you can practise your skills and consider the wider context of physiotherapy as a profession.

Practise your skills in a safe, supportive environment with our ‘real-life’ simulation suites and high-spec equipment.

Train alongside other health professionals preparing you to work collaboratively in health settings across public, voluntary and independent sectors.

Benefit from our annual conference, where you can showcase your knowledge and skills to local employers.

Learn in a supportive setting within a small cohort, where you have access to a personal academic tutor throughout your time at University.

Course modules

Year 1
Professional identity – What defines a physiotherapy professional; core values and professional regulation; the therapist’s role as part of a multidisciplinary team. Academic skills for therapists – Build the study skills you need to learn effectively, make progress and succeed. Human structure, function and exercise – How body systems - like muscles, nerves, heart and lungs - work together to enable movement and exercise. Practice placement one: holistic therapy in practice – 10-week placement where you can practise your new skills in a real-world setting. Developing therapeutic relationships – Develop your communication skills so you can build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships. Holistic physiotherapy assessment and interventions – How to gather client information for an assessment and use it to deliver a personalised physiotherapy plan.

Year 2
Practice placement two: enabling in therapy practice – An eight-week placement where you begin taking supervised responsibility for planning, delivering and reviewing treatments. Evidence-informed therapy – Become confident in sourcing, evaluating and reviewing research. Collaborative therapies – Learn to work with other practitioners to ensure seamless, client-focused care. Practice placement three: collaboration in therapy practice – A 10-week placement where you take supervised responsibility for client assessment and treatment delivery. Physiotherapeutic acute care and disease management – Connect health problems to physiotherapy approaches to choose the right treatment for conditions that affect movement and function. Neuromusculoskeletal physiotherapy – Apply your knowledge of how the body works to understand health problems and deliver safe, effective physiotherapy treatments.

Year 3
Managing complexity in physiotherapy – Consolidate your understanding of complex health issues, how whole-person care works, and ways to prioritise treatment needs. Practice placement four: complexity in therapy practice – An eight-week placement where you start to take on increased responsibility for assessment and treatment. Physiotherapy project – Produce and present a project that reviews and evaluates physiotherapy research. Practice placement five: quality in therapy practice – A nine-week placement chosen by you where you can explore new healthcare settings or develop a specialism. Growth and leadership in therapies – Build the skills to be an effective leader, able to work well with a range of professionals.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Health and Care Professions Council