Physiotherapy (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree. You must be able to show that one of the following subjects were included in your degree:

• human biological or behavioural science
• sports science
• a health-related profession which included human sciences, anatomy and physiology

You must have been awarded within 4 years of the start of this course. If your most recent degree was awarded more than 4 years before the course starts, you’ll need to show that you’ve been working or studying at an appropriate academic level during this time.

As part of your first degree you must have completed research training which might include:

• an empirical undergraduate research study  
• a comprehensive systematic review

If you have a merit in a relevant master’s degree we'll consider a 2:2 undergraduate degree.

If your application is shortlisted you’ll receive an email invitation to an interview event. The invitation will provide full details of the interview process.

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:

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

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.

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.

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

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• This course is not available to EU and international students.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

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

• calculate your student finances

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

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

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.

Funding your postgraduate studies

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.

Funding for international students

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

You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page.

Application deadlines

You must get your application to us by the end of the day on 9 March 2020. 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.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

You'll also need to send 2 academic references. 

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

You may also be asked to provide:

• a degree transcript
• a degree certificate
• additional questions

Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

If your application is shortlisted you’ll receive an email invitation from our admissions team to attend an interview on campus.

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