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.
We are no longer taking applications for September 2021. Explore our range of related courses.
Develop a wide range of professional clinical skills with:
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academic modules
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clinical placements
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world-class simulation facilities
You'll develop skills that will prepare you for modern practice that focuses on the patient. These include:
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communication
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decision-making
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team-working abilities
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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:
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musculoskeletal
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neurology
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cardiorespiratory
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special client groups
We actively involve patients and carers in our course, which places special emphasis on empathy and compassion.
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.
NHS Learning Support Fund
As a student on this course you may be eligible for help from the NHS Learning Support Fund. This can include a training grant of £5000 per academic year, parental support of £2000 for students with at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs, and help with travel and temporary accommodation costs for placements.
Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website.
Accreditations
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 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.
Find out more on our COVID advice page.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202223
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.
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
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level including a pure science
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.
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.
BTEC additional information
We accept Health studies or science
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
Access to HE additional information
Additional information.Must be Science Based
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2 including a pure science
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
AAAABB including a pure science
Irish certificate additional information
Plus English and Maths Ordinary Level O4 or higher
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three Principle subjects including a pure science subject
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels including a science subject or AA from two A levels including a science subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Welsh 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.
European Baccalaureate
80% overall to include a pure science subject
Other requirements
GCSE requirements
Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 7.0
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.5
- listening
- 6.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
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skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
Non-academic entry requirements
Satisfactory Occupational Health and Police Checks. Recent relevant study within 3 years
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:
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anatomy and physiology
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musculoskeletal and neuromuscular movement and function
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social and psychological issues that influence physiotherapy management
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identifying and treating common clinical physiotherapy conditions
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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:
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learn how to manage a broad range of clinical cases
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develop the skills to motivate patients to engage with, and self-manage, their treatments
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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:
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evidence-based approaches to assessing and managing complex cases
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innovation, leadership, influencing change and business development
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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 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. 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 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
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...
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 ...
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...
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...
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...
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. ...
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...
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 ...
Year 2 modules
You must study the following modules in year 2:
This module integrates the four core areas of physiotherapy studied within clinical management, cardiorespiratory, neurology, musculoskeletal and special client groups.
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Year 3 modules
You must study the following modules in year 3:
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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.
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...
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)
Course time
How you'll spend your course time:
Year 1
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- oral presentations
- written and practical exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 1:
Year 2
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 2:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- oral presentations
- written and practical exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 2:
Year 3
Study time
Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 3:
How we'll assess you
- essays
- oral presentations
- written and practical exams
Your assessment breakdown
Year 3:
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:
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intensive care
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stroke rehabilitation
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musculoskeletal outpatients
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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 2019). 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 £24,950.
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:
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suitable shoes for your practice placements
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your own fob watch
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your enhanced DBS certificate
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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:
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stationery
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personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
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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 that's linked to your chosen subject area.
We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented 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
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 aim to respond to you within 2 to 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
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
