Physiotherapy Pre-Registration (MSc)

You’ll need a 2:1 degree in a subject that provides an underpinning of the science within physiotherapy practice. The undergraduate degree must include development of a foundation in science relevant to physiotherapy throughout the entire programme. We will accept a 2:2 undergraduate degree if you also have a relevant master's degree 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 demonstrate a continued academic understanding of the scientific underpinnings within physiotherapy practice. Activities that would be acceptable include working as a research assistant, publishing scientific research articles, undertaking a relevant A-level course or a relevant Open University module, all with relevancy to physiotherapy. Typical Continued Professional Development activities as part of professional practice would not fulfil this criterion.

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 (extended literature reviews, narrative literature reviews or scoping reviews do not fulfil this requirement).

You must also provide a satisfactory Disclosures and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure, as well as a satisfactory occupational health assessment.

This course is not available to EU students nor to International students.

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:

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 gives you everything you need to make an ideal start to your career.

You'll find physiotherapy jobs in the NHS, private practice and industry. Careers in physiotherapy include:

• musculoskeletal physiotherapist
• cardio-respiratory physiotherapist
• neurological physiotherapist
• clinical scientist or researcher
• health service manager
• sports physiotherapist

Learn more about the role of a physiotherapist by visiting the NHS website.

Careers services at Southampton

We're 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/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.

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.

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 funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

Places are limited and we allocate them on a continuous basis from 4 January 2023, until all places are filled. We advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.  

We expect applications for this course to close on Friday 28 April 2023 at 5:00pm BST.

This course may remain open after the expected closure date if places are still available.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. 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 certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

Your application must include the following: 

• a completed online application form including details of all previous qualifications - we’ll assess you against your whole education history
• 2 references

We withdraw applications if they remain incomplete after 30 days.

If you have any questions you can email or phone us on: 

• AdmissionsPGT.ELS@southampton.ac.uk
• +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 will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

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