About this course

Learn how to become a physiotherapist who can manage complex cases, and help people with many healthcare issues. Discover how to treat mobility problems caused by illness, injury, and ageing. Learn how to improve people's physical activity and their quality of life.

Develop a wide range of professional clinical skills with:

academic modules
clinical placements
world-class simulation facilities

You'll develop skills that will prepare you for modern practice that focuses on the patient. These include:

communication
decision-making
team-working abilities
manager

You'll learn to work with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals. Our teaching staff are a mix of academics and practising clinical physiotherapists.

You’ll complete over 1,000 hours of clinical placements as you train to be a physiotherapist, in settings ranging from community clinics to large hospitals. These will help you link theory with practice and will cover the core disciplines:

musculoskeletal
neurology
cardiorespiratory
special client groups

We actively involve patients and carers in our course, which places special emphasis on empathy and compassion.

Funding to support your learning

Subject to eligibility, UK and Irish students joining this degree can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students may also be eligible to apply for an additional maintenance loan to help with living costs.

Additionally, UK students studying this course at University of Southampton may well be able to receive a training grant of £5,000 per academic year from the NHS and entitled to have some of the additional costs of attending a practice placement reimbursed. Students with parental responsibility for one or more children may receive a £2,000 Parental Support payment per student, per academic year. Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website

If you are normally resident in Ireland, you are encouraged to apply for financial support from SUSI.

Support for students with a disability/health condition

We are fully committed to supporting students with disabilities who wish to join programmes of study which require the acquisition and practise of professional competencies.

We offer students personal, informal advice by telephone, email or face to face, and we are happy to discuss your specific needs prior to you applying. This could include how your specific needs may impact on your ability to meet the clinical competencies. This will not affect your application in any way, but may help you to select the right programme for you.

Please contact the admissions team for further details.

Accreditations

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2022-23 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

A-levels

AAB including one pure science subject with a pass in the practical

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Pure Sciences are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

More information about A-levels

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including one pure science with a pass in the practical, and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: ABB including one pure science subject with a pass in the practical

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level including a pure science

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Pure Sciences are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in a pure science A-level D in the BTEC Extended Certficate plus AB in A-level subjects including a pure science at Grade A We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without a pure science A-Level.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

We accept Health studies or science

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

D*D in the BTEC Diploma plus A in a pure science A-level D* in the BTEC Subsidary Diploma plus AB in A-level subjects including a pure science at Grade A We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without a pure science A-Level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Other requirements

UK students

International students

Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 3 years Occupational Health Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. Vaccinations All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme. Declaration of Good Character You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form DBS You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of every other year you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form. Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You’ll take several core modules each year, which must be passed. Around two thirds of your time will be spent learning on campus. The remainder will be on clinical placements, totalling more than 1,000 hours.

Year 1 overview

You’ll work in groups with other healthcare students, to learn about core values and skills that underpin professional practice.

You'll study:

anatomy and physiology
musculoskeletal and neuromuscular movement and function
social and psychological issues that influence physiotherapy management
identifying and treating common clinical physiotherapy conditions
principles of applied health science

You’ll also complete a clinical placement with an experienced therapist. You'll put your theory into practice with patients in the real world.

Year 2 overview

You’ll complete 2 clinical placements, and:

learn how to manage a broad range of clinical cases
develop the skills to motivate patients to engage with, and self-manage, their treatments
study cases where patients have more than one condition, and learn how to adapt treatment to suit their needs

You'll also study research methods to help plan your research study in year 3.

Year 3 overview

Using a simulated environment, you'll learn how to assess and manage respiratory patients who are acutely unwell. This will prepare you to be an on-call physiotherapist when you graduate.

You’ll complete another 2 clinical placements and study core modules, which will cover:

evidence-based approaches to assessing and managing complex cases
innovation, leadership, influencing change and business development
the legal, political and cultural context of professional practice

You can choose to take either a module on pain management, or on development. This will let you explore a healthcare topic of your choice with the support of an academic coach.

You’ll also complete a research project, carrying out data collection analysis and writing a paper. You'll be supervised by one of Southampton’s renowned research academics.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2022 to 2023. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

You must study the following modules in year 1:

An Introduction to Professional Practice (Level 4)

At the heart of this interprofessional module is the belief that all health care students should not only share the same core values and skills that underpin their professional practice, but they should also have learning opportunities that enable them t...

Applied Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

This shared module builds upon the preceding 'Foundations of Health Sciences' and 'Principles of Health Sciences' modules by challenging students to demonstrate knowledge in a more applied fashion. On completion of this module, you will be expected to be ...

Clinical Assessment and Treatment

This module builds on learning outcomes achieved from Human Movement and Function, and develops your ability to apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology into a physiotherapy assessment. You will be taught the principles of a physiotherapy assessment to g...

Foundations of Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

Using the biopsychosocial model, you will gain an understanding of the health sciences that underpin physiotherapy practice. You will learn about the relevant anatomy and physiology, and how it is integrated from the cellular level to the organ systems le...

Human Movement and Function (FPP)

This module underpins broad physiotherapeutic practice by providing you with the ability to understand and analyse normal movement. It will facilitate the move from the theoretical understanding of anatomy to its practical application. You will learn th...

Observational Placement Physiotherapy

The observational practice based experience is with patients/clients in a treatment setting. By applying theoretical knowledge to the practice placement environment, learners develop an appreciation of the role of the therapist and safe working practice. ...

Practice Placement 1 Physio

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in physiotherapy. It will take place in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placement will be in community, secondary or primary care sett...

Principles of Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

This module builds upon the preceding 'Foundations of Health Sciences' module. Students will advance their understanding in key aspects of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular physiology and anatomy in addition to being introduced to fundamental and applied ...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Integrated Clinical Cases

This module integrates the four core areas of physiotherapy studied within clinical management, cardiorespiratory, neurology, musculoskeletal and special client groups.

Managing Clinical Cases (MSK and SCG)

This module will focus on musculoskeletal and special client groups and builds on the assessment, treatment and clinical reasoning skills taught in Clinical Assessment and Treatment. It will give you the opportunity to rehearse these skills, learn new man...

Managing Clinical Cases CVR and Neurological

This module will focus on Cardiovascular-Respiratory and Neurology and builds on the assessment, treatment and clinical reasoning skills taught in Clinical Assessment and Treatment. It will give you the opportunity to rehearse these skills, learn new mana...

Practice Placement 2 Physio

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placement will be in community, secondary or primary care settings. You will be attached to an exp...

Practice Placement 3 Physio

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placement will be in community, secondary or primary care settings. You will be attached to an expe...

Research Methods for Allied Health Professions

Healthcare professionals should be able to engage with different forms of inquiry (such as research, audit and service evaluation) and understand how these can help inform practice. This module begins by focusing on the reasons we carry out research and o...

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Complex Clinical Management (BSc)

Complex Clinical Management integrates and builds on the learning from previous years within the context of managing and treating complex clinical cases across the three main specialities of musculo-skeletal (MSk), neurological (Neuro) and respiratory (Re...

Influencing Innovation and Change (Level 6)

Tomorrow’s healthcare professionals will work in a context characterised by continual change, challenging environments, rapidly evolving technologies and the need for innovation. To operate successfully in this context, these professionals must be able to...

Practice Placement 4 Physio

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placement will be in community, secondary or primary care settings. You will be attached to an exp...

Practice Placement 5 Physio

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placement will be in community, secondary or primary care settings (with some additional placements...

Preparing for on-call

The module will draw on the theory of normal respiratory, cardiac and renal physiology and will consider the pathophysiology of certain conditions. The ABCDE resuscitation council (UK) assessment process will be utilised alongside current national early w...

Research Project for AHPs

This module follows on from the project plan you developed in the Research Methods module, allowing you to carry out a project that is relevant to your professional programme (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy or Podiatry) with the support of your super...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Pain: theory and management for Physiotherapists

This module will focus on issues of acute and chronic pain from conventional and complementary/alternative perspectives. This may include identifying and critically analysing aspects of anatomy, physiology, psychology, communication theory, or pharmacolo...

Professional Development

This module can be initiated at the end of year 2 and can be undertaken in conjunction with working in specific areas of interest whilst undertaking a learning opportunity arranged by you.

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

29%

Scheduled learning & teaching

59%

Independent learning

12%

Placement

How we'll assess you

essays
oral presentations
written and practical exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

31%

Written exam

25%

Coursework

44%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Ruth Turk is the course leader.

Careers

This course meets the full academic requirements to register as a Chartered Physiotherapist by the Health and Care Professions Council.

You can expect excellent career prospects in a range of healthcare environments where physiotherapy is practised. These include:

intensive care
stroke rehabilitation
musculoskeletal outpatients
care for the older adult

The NHS is the UK’s largest employer of health practitioners, but other options include social care, private practice and the armed services. There are also career opportunities in industry, leisure and academia.

More information about careers in physiotherapy can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £26,000.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations. Your fee also covers the cost of your uniform for clinical practice.

Find out how to:

You'll need to consider extra costs for the following:

suitable shoes for your practice placements
your own fob watch
your enhanced DBS certificate
your professional registration fee (on graduation)

On your placements you can claim travel and accommodation expenses over and above your normal daily travel costs to university. But there are limits on what you can claim. Learn more about placement costs and expenses.

There will also be other costs not covered by the tuition fee. These may include:

stationery
personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
printing

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: B160
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2022 entry

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll also consider how your personal values are aligned with the profession.

Some candidates will be invited to a selection day, which will include an interview. If the admissions tutor decides to invite you to a selection day you’ll receive an email. This will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the session.

We'll aim to process your application within two to six weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Physiotherapy (BSc) is a course in the Nursing, midwifery and healthcare subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

c

A senior nurse overseeing a student as she discusses a document with a patient.

BSc

Physiotherapy (BSc)

About this course

Funding to support your learning

Support for students with a disability/health condition

Accreditations

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Changes due to COVID-19

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202324

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

European Baccalaureate

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Non-academic entry requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1 modules

An Introduction to Professional Practice (Level 4)

Applied Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

Clinical Assessment and Treatment

Foundations of Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

Human Movement and Function (FPP)

Observational Placement Physiotherapy

Practice Placement 1 Physio

Principles of Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

Year 2 modules

Integrated Clinical Cases

Managing Clinical Cases (MSK and SCG)

Managing Clinical Cases CVR and Neurological

Practice Placement 2 Physio

Practice Placement 3 Physio

Research Methods for Allied Health Professions

Year 3 modules

Complex Clinical Management (BSc)

Influencing Innovation and Change (Level 6)

Practice Placement 4 Physio

Practice Placement 5 Physio

Preparing for on-call

Research Project for AHPs

Pain: theory and management for Physiotherapists

Professional Development

Learning and assessment

Course time

Year 1

Study time

How we'll assess you

Your assessment breakdown