About this course
Physiotherapists work to improve the physical activity and quality of life for people with healthcare issues. This 2 year MSc Physiotherapy degree offers an accelerated route to become a qualified physiotherapist.
As a graduate-entry student, you’ll complete practice placements in each year with a number of our local healthcare partners. After you pass, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
On this pre-registration physiotherapy master’s degree you’ll learn about the science behind the subject. You’ll be supported to become independent, self-motivated and assertive. Developing the ability to reflect and use critical analysis for your own, and others’ practice is essential.
Your clinical placements occur throughout the course and take place with our local healthcare partners. They help combine your theory and your practice skills.
On some modules you’ll experience ‘shared’ and ‘joint’ learning with peers from other healthcare disciplines. When you graduate you’ll be able to demonstrate clinical, research and management excellence.
When you successfully complete the course, you will have the basis to apply for accreditation with the HCPC and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
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.
Course lead
Dr. Ruth Turk specialises in the use of technologies in neurological rehabilitation. She researches the way that muscles and senses recover following stroke and is a member of the Active Living and Rehabilitation research group. Visit Dr Turk’s profile page to view her research publications.
Accreditations


Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree. We will accept a 2:2 degree if you also have a relevant master's at Merit level.
You must have gained your degree within 4 years before the start of this course. If you gained your degree before this, you'll need to show that you've been working or studying at an appropriate academic level during this time.
We accept the following subjects:
- human biological or behavioural science
- sports science
- a health-related profession where you used or developed foundation science throughout your degree
As part of your first degree you must also have completed research training which includes one of the following:
- an empirical undergraduate research study
- a comprehensive systematic review including meta-analysis
You must also provide a satisfactory Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure, as well as a satisfactory occupational health assessment.
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 an overall score of 7.0 and the following scores for reading, writing, listening and speaking:
IELTS score requirements
- reading
- 7.0
- writing
- 7.0
- speaking
- 7.0
- listening
- 7.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure 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
The course starts in January each year and is highly intensive. Taught modules and placements take place over 47 weeks in each year.
You’ll graduate as a physiotherapist following a period of 2 years full-time study. You must successfully complete all of the modules on this course to pass.
Over 1,000 hours of clinical practice placements are embedded into the course. You’ll complete 5 six week placements under the supervision of a qualified physiotherapist. These take place with our regional partners in various healthcare settings and you'll need to travel to the placement location.
You'll be expected to integrate what you learn during the placements into the University based modules.
You’ll also design and complete a research study, which you'll write up in the style of a journal paper. Your course will finish with an MSc conference where you'll have the opportunity to present your research findings.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
Learning and assessment
Learning
As well as lectures and tutorials your modules include:
- practical sessions
- seminars
- simulation
- workshops
- online resources
Part of your learning takes place with undergraduate students. You'll work with other healthcare professionals both on placement and during academic modules. This develops your inter-professional practice so that you can become an autonomous, reflective and ethical physiotherapist.
The course places emphasis on care, empathy and compassion as outlined by the NHS constitution. On some modules you’ll experience ‘shared’ or ‘joint’ learning In a shared module, students completing different modules come together to share learning and teaching activities. You’ll complete joint modules alongside students from different health care courses.
This again develops your inter-professional understanding. When you graduate you'll be ready to work with colleagues from other disciplines to provide coordinated and integrated care.
You'll develop your physiotherapy skills with support from clinical experts from our team and clinical staff from practice. These skills are enhanced with more than 1,000 hours of clinical placements.
The master's level seminars focus on specific case studies. They’re initially structured to help you develop your reasoning skills. You'll have the chance to practice searching and critiquing literature and presenting your findings.
Assessment
You'll experience a range of assessment methods including:
- essays
- case reports
- multiple choice exams
- presentations and viva’s
- objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs)
- a research project
These assessments develop both your academic and professional skills, and your professional values and attitudes.
Each module includes a formative assessment to help you gain feedback on your progress. They’re linked to assessments which are marked and graded. You’ll receive written feedback on what went well, what didn’t go so well, and how you can improve.
Dissertation
From the beginning of your first year, you’ll develop a research idea under the guidance of our academic team. You’ll develop this into a research project. The project will result in a research paper which may be submitted for publication if appropriate.
Your final assessment will be a viva – an oral defense of your work - to discuss your findings. Your studies will conclude with an MSc conference, where you’ll present your research findings.
Academic Support
Your senior academic tutor can provide support and guidance during your studies.
Careers
This graduate-entry master’s in physiotherapy gives you everything you need to make an ideal start to your new career. When you graduate you'll find roles in the National Health Service (NHS), private practice, the armed forces, sport and industry such as:
- sports therapist
- clinical scientist or researcher
- health service manager
Learn more about the kind of career you can get into by visiting the NHS website.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). 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/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- This course is not available to EU and international students.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
NHS Learning Support Fund
As a student on this course you may be entitled to help from the NHS Learning Support Fund.
This can include a training grant of £5,000 per academic year, parental support of £2,000 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.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
How to apply
You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page. Applications for this course open on 4 January 2021.
You must also complete the 'Additional Questions' document to apply for this course.
This 'Additional Questions' document gives you information and guidance about applying and tells you the 2021 interview dates. We recommended that you read this document in full before you begin your application.
Application deadlines
You must submit your application by the end of the day on 31 March 2021. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
We cannot guarantee you'll be able to start your course if you do not meet these deadlines.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
Your application must include all the following:
- Completed online application form. You must include details of all previous qualifications on this form as we’ll assess you against your whole education history.
- Completed ‘Additional Questions’ document.
- 2 references (please see the 'Additional Questions' document for more information).
We will not consider incomplete applications and these will be withdrawn after 30 days if they remain incomplete.
You can find detailed guidance on deadlines in the 'Additional Questions' document.
If you have any questions please contact us:
- email: AdmissionsPGT.ELS@southampton.ac.uk
- tel: +44 (0) 23 8059 7778
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 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 us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000