Paul Clarkson BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, 2013

Hi, I'm Paul Clarkson and I studied BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy within Health Sciences at the University of Southampton.

The University of Southampton has a high expectation of its students and it is this, as well as personal ambition, which drives you on to become the best you can be.

Having visited other universities I felt that Southampton was the right place for me. The Faculty has an excellent reputation for physiotherapy worldwide and I felt that the course staff really knew what they were doing and would provide an excellent and rounded education.

I have really valued the input from experienced full-time staff members as well from specialists with current clinical knowledge and world-leading academics. Having the opportunity to learn anatomy & physiology in the dissection labs has also been extremely helpful.

The depth of teaching and experience gained through clinical placement has given me an advantage in dealing with difficult scenarios and problem solving in practice.

There are excellent support networks available here and I have also received excellent support in developing my interest in research through the Allied Health Professional's Research Network.

This University has given me the confidence to go out and do the job with an excellent grounding in all areas of physiotherapy but with the knowledge that I will continue to learn and develop throughout my career.

I start a clinical academic doctoral fellowship at the University and the Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust where I will work in the community as a Physiotherapist whilst undertaking my PhD. Longer term I hope to specialise in neurology while continuing in clinical research.