Physiotherapy (BSc)

GCSE requirements

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

English language requirements

All applicants must demonstrate they possess at least a minimum standard of English language proficiency. Applicants requiring a visa to study in the UK who do not offer GCSE English language (or GCSE English) at the required level will need to meet the following English language proficiency requirement. Find out more about the University’s English Language requirements.

Band G IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in all components

We also accept other English language tests.

Non-academic entry requirements

You will be required to attend a selection day. Satisfactory Occupational Health and Police Checks. Recent relevant study within 3 years

International qualifications

Find a list of accepted international qualifications listed by country.

This is a list of the international qualifications that are recognised by the University of Southampton. If you are not sure that your qualifications meet the requirements of this course please contact our Admissions Teams.

Other ways to qualify

You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:

• 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.

Year 1

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

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

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.

Support for your studies

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

How you’ll spend your study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study, year by year:

How we’ll assess you

We’ll assess you using:

• essays
• oral presentations
• written and practical exams

Your assessment breakdown, year by year:

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.

UK/EU fees

You'll pay £9,250 in tuition fees for the academic year 2020 to 2021. This fee might change for further years of your course.

International student fees

You’ll pay £23,645 each year. This fee will stay the same throughout your studies.

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:

• pay your tuition fees

• calculate your student finances

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

Extra costs you might have to pay

• Stationery
• Accommodation and Travel
• Travel Costs for placements
• Approved Calculators
• Optional Visits (e.g. museums, galleries)
• Printing and Photocopying Costs
• Paying for immunisation and vaccination costs before being allowed to attend placements
• Placements (including Study Abroad Programmes)
• Insurance
• Equipment and Materials
• Textbooks
• Clothing
• Laboratory Equipment and Materials
• Conference expenses

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 international students

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

Clubs, societies and facilities

Our campuses have:

• cafes and restaurants

• bars

• health centres

• banks

• a post office

• student shops

• a hairdresser

Our sports facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a gym with 140 fitness stations, squash courts, a bouldering wall, outdoor pitches and much more. There are over 80 sports clubs you could join, and activity classes including yoga and spin.

We have an internationally known theatre, concert hall, art gallery and cinema showing everything from mainstream blockbusters to international arthouse classics. You could perform at a gig, concert or show, take part in an exhibition or join a writers’ workshop. Find out more about arts and culture at Southampton.

Whatever your passion or community, you can find like-minded people at one of the Students’ Union clubs and societies. There are more than 200 to join, and social activities in every hall of residence.

Support while you study

We aim to help you deal with any problems you might come across, so you can make the most of your time at university. We offer support with:

• mental health, learning difficulties and disability

• money and accommodation

• childcare

• computers and IT

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.