Physiotherapy

BSc (Hons)

UCAS code: B160

Start dates: September 2024 / September 2025

Full time: 3 years

Location: Headington (Marston Road site)

Department(s): Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work

Find a course

Expand

Overview

Being a physiotherapist can be a highly rewarding and varied career. You could be treating people in hospital or at home, working across different teams in the community or in a specialist practice, helping everyone from athletes to office workers. 

At Oxford Brookes, we see physiotherapy as a combination of the physical and psychological in promoting health and wellbeing. On our course, you’ll gain up to 1000 hours of practice-based learning in different clinical settings. This could be in an NHS hospital, a research lab, a community setting or even a sports club.  

You will gain experience of various scenarios with service users and actors in a simulation environment. Clinical partners and service users are involved in the design and teaching of our programmes throughout the course.

With high employability rates normally over 90%, our course gives you excellent opportunities to find an opening in your chosen field when you graduate.

If you already have a relevant bachelor's degree but would like to pursue physiotherapy, we offer a pre-registration master's course.

Order a Prospectus Ask a question Attend an open day or webinar

Why Oxford Brookes University?

  • Innovative placements

    Gain practical experience with 6-week placements in clinical, research, leadership or education settings.

  • Vibrant research hub

    Benefit from being at the centre of a group of internationally recognised hospitals and research. See how discovery and innovation play a direct role in helping patients.

  • State-of-the-art facilities

    Enhance your learning with our virtual simulation equipment. You can practise your skills and develop your competence in a realistic but safe learning environment. 

  • External validation
  • High employability rates

    Benefit from being fully prepared to step straight into a range of healthcare environments and choose your specialism.

  • Free language courses

    Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

  • Study abroad

    You may be able to go on a European or international study exchange while you are at Brookes. Most exchanges take place in the second year. Although we will help as much as we can with your plans, ultimately you are responsible for organising and funding this study abroad.

  • Accreditation(s)

    Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

    • Health and Care Professions Council

Course details

Course structure

Throughout the course, you’ll explore the core concepts of physiotherapy practice such as clinical reasoning, integrated community working and managing long-term conditions.

In Year 1, you’ll follow a set of compulsory modules on musculoskeletal, cardio-respiratory and neurological systems. But we encourage you to go beyond the traditional boundaries and use an enquiry-based approach. 

You’ll also consider the values and professionalism of the role, so that you treat any patient as an individual. While the skills for health informatics module will show you the best ways to collate and appraise digital information. 

Over Years 2 and 3, you’ll complete 5 placements in different clinical settings from hospitals to community-based environments. You'll undertake a leadership module and choose mini modules studying specialised content for example in psychological interventions, women's health or sports and trauma physiotherapy. Plus, you’ll choose a dissertation topic based around your own interests, which the earlier research methods module will prepare you for.

Group of students studying

Learning and teaching

Your course modules are all compulsory and credit bearing. We use an enquiry based approach. This means you will link knowledge from different fields in a clinical scenario and develop your independent learning.

Our modules involve:

  • lectures
  • seminars
  • peer-group presentations
  • online learning 
  • clinical simulation.

You will have your own academic adviser and link lecturer while on placement. They will help you with your academic, professional and clinical development.

Assessment

Assessment methods include:

  • examinations
  • coursework
  • assessment of clinical practice
  • practical viva voces.

Assignments may include:

  • essays
  • critical reviews of practice
  • individual and group presentations.

Our formative assessments and feedback help prepare you for your final assessments. You will develop professional skills through key self-assessment and reflection accounts.

Study modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

  • Skills for Digital Health

    You will learn the key principles and skills for selecting, collating and managing digital information, for both the delivery of technology-enabled health care and the contemporary management of health conditions. 

    You will have the opportunity to work alongside other health and social care students, developing the essential digital skills required to effectively practice in an evidence based and digitally enhanced health care environment. You will develop collaborative strategies essential for health care delivery.
     

  • Cardio Respiratory Physiotherapy

    This module is your introduction to the knowledge and skills required for effective physiotherapy assessment, management and optimisation of people with cardiovascular and respiratory system dysfunction. You will develop understanding of both normal and abnormal physiology of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems.  

    Through movement, exercise prescription and the application of specific techniques, you will learn to improve and optimise cardiovascular and respiratory function of patients across a wide variety of acute and community settings.

    You will learn to identify and manage patients at risk of acute deterioration as well as helping more stable patients to achieve their personal goals or optimum quality of life through principles of health promotion, prevention strategies and self management.
     

  • Musculoskeletal Health and Physiotherapy

    This module is your introduction to the knowledge and skills required for effective physiotherapy assessment, management and optimisation of people with musculoskeletal health problems.  

    You’ll develop understanding of both normal and abnormal anatomy and physiology of the musculoskeletal systems. Through movement, exercise prescription and the application of specific techniques, you will learn to improve and optimise musculoskeletal function and health of patients across a wide variety of acute and community settings. 

    Environments will include managing a diverse range of patients in trauma care, in orthopaedic in and out patient environments, in clinics and going into the patients homes as part of a multidisciplinary team.
     

  • Neurological Movement Control and Physiotherapy

    You will develop and utilise your knowledge and skills required for the effective management of common acute neurological conditions. Specifically, you will acquire knowledge of the neuroanatomical and neurophysiological basis of normal human motor control and apply it to the assessment and treatment of neurological dysfunction. 

    You will be able to demonstrate an awareness of the impact of neurological dysfunction on physical activity and social participation. Also you will progress your skills in formulating physiotherapeutic and interdisciplinary treatment plans aimed at achieving person-centred goals and improving quality of life for people with neurological conditions.
     

  • Developing Values Based Professionalism

    Develop your professional identity, enabling you to progress a way of being and relating in the health and social care context. You’ll have reflective opportunities and enquiry based learning. You will examine professionalism, the professional domains of concerns, codes of practice and start to build your reasoning process required to practice sound judgement throughout your professional career.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

  • Collaborative Practices in Health Care

    This module will introduce you to the interdisciplinary approach taken in a wide variety of health care practices. You’ll examine the advantageous and disadvantageous of different approaches, and reflect on the learning outcomes of these. You’ll also participate in a series of enquiry-based learning activities focussed on practice-based scenarios designed to simulate working together as health care professionals in the real world.

    You’ll investigate the main challenges and factors influencing collaboration in health practices and use a person-centred approach to planning interventions in multi-disciplinary care.

  • Physiotherapy Management of Long Term Conditions

    You’ll develop your understanding of the changing physiotherapy healthcare needs facing society and will be trained to work collaboratively with people suffering from long-term conditions across their lifespan. You’ll develop reasoning abilities to deliver patient-centred clinical care planning approaches in multiple ways to maintain and maximise independence, function and quality of life for those with long-term conditions.

    You’ll pay special focus to conditions that affect both cognitive and physical function such as dementia and multiple sclerosis, and will also investigate the long-term conditions in the elderly.  Throughout your study you’ll learn to adapt to change, research, and reflect on evidence to make meaningful improvements and positive change on enhancing the health and wellbeing of specific demographic groups such as people with learning difficulties and mental health conditions. 

  • Health, Wellbeing and Exercise

    In this module, you’ll have the chance to embrace your love of physical activity and exercise. Research shows that those who lead an active lifestyle can improve their life expectancy considerably and avoid chronic diseases. This module will enhance your understanding of the impact that a physically active lifestyle has on health and wellbeing.

    You’ll examine how physical activity can have an impact across different demographic groups. You’ll also be trained in assessing the fitness of individuals and groups, while exploring the connection between physical, psychological, social and environmental elements of movement in public health improvement and rehabilitation.

    You’ll consider health promotion and how your behaviour as a practitioner can influence patient engagement, motivation and outcomes. You’ll also have the opportunity to reflect on your attitudes and beliefs, evaluating how these may undermine engagement or make positive change.
     

  • Research Methods in Healthcare

    You’ll be introduced to various healthcare research methods designed to give you an understanding of ethical issues, research designs, relationships between concepts, and methodological and analytical approaches. You’ll employ a special focus on allied health – the work that medical professionals do to prevent, diagnose and treat illnesses and diseases.

    You’ll grow in confidence as you learn to analyse data and critically reflect on your findings to draw logical conclusions. By the end of this module you shall be able to demonstrate ethical consideration, fundamental research skills, and will be guided to the completion of an independent research dissertation at Level 6.  

  • Integrated Physiotherapy Practice

    You’ll explore the application of physiotherapy using a blended-learning approach to identify a range of complex conditions that will require a holistic mix of physiotherapy care plans.

    You’ll develop a client-focused perspective, working with service users, carers, and other experts collaboratively to design suitable assessment and physiotherapy management plans. You will learn how to develop suitable interventions for those who have significant complex conditions, such as cardiorespiratory disease and amputations, as well as specifically for the needs of children and young people.
     

  • Practice Placements

    Placements form an essential part of your physiotherapy training. In this placement module, you’ll continue to develop and apply professional values, skills and knowledge, supported by expert physiotherapists already practicing in the field of work. You’ll be a fully integrated member of a department or team, and will undertake practice experience designed to develop your professional behaviour, communication and team-working skills as a physiotherapist. By the end of this module you should feel confident enough to take your skills out into real-world practice scenarios.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Dissertation in Physiotherapy

    This module shall provide you with the opportunity to choose a relevant topic of your choice and perform a sustained, independent period of study involving a critical investigation of your chosen theme. You shall have the chance to conduct a systematic review, making effective use of published research in order to develop and inform your practice. You will be encouraged to present your work as an article for a scientific journal or as a poster presentation. 

  • Specialist Physiotherapy Practice

    As a final year student, you will be offered an element of choice where you’ll be given the opportunity to select which masterclasses you’d like to attend to construct your own bespoke specialist practice module portfolio. You’ll develop your own comprehensive understanding of global health related specialities and how this relates to your own particular interests. A key focus of this module will be developing your critical opinion of the value of these specialisms and how they contribute to the improvement of an individual’s health and wellbeing.

  • Leadership in Health and Social Care

    This inter-professional module shall provide you with the skills, knowledge and strategies to promote and develop effective leadership qualities, enabling you to work in partnership within diverse teams/agencies across professional and organisational boundaries. You’ll be given the opportunity to enhance your individual professional development needs as a precursor for supporting your continuing professional development and future employment opportunities, both nationally and internationally. You’ll be encouraged to participate in interdisciplinary working with peers, combining teaching and learning activities from a variety of health and social care programmes. 

  • Practice Placements

    You’ll continue to develop and apply professional values, skills and knowledge in a professional practice context during your practice-based placement. During your placement you’ll be provided with opportunities to recognise key physiotherapy concepts and apply these within your individual practice. You’ll benefit from becoming a fully integrated member of a department or team. You’ll be given the chance to demonstrate your professional conduct and the required team-working skills for effective practice as a physiotherapist. Under direct supervision from a physiotherapist, you’ll have the opportunity to integrate, apply and develop your pre-existing knowledge base from prior university-based modules, setting a sound platform for you to demonstrate your professional practice.

Please note: As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, the modules you can choose from may vary from those shown here. The structure of the course may also mean some modules are not available to you.

Careers

Our graduates go on to many different branches of physiotherapy. You could pursue a career in:

  • neurology
  • respiratory care
  • orthopaedics
  • musculoskeletal conditions
  • care of the elderly 
  • paediatrics.

Or you may decide to take up opportunities in sport, industry or private practice.

Many physiotherapists move into more specialist areas of practice such as research, teaching, health promotion or management. Some will take up consultant posts within the NHS, while others may become sports specialists or ergonomic advisers in industry.

As our course is professionally accredited, once you’ve completed your studies, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to become a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Please note that HCPC and CSP approval of this course is subject to regular reviews and can be withdrawn.

Entry requirements

Wherever possible we make our conditional offers using the UCAS Tariff. The combination of A-level grades listed here would be just one way of achieving the UCAS Tariff points for this course.

Standard offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 128

A Level: ABB

IB Points: 32

BTEC: DDM

Contextual offer

UCAS Tariff Points: 104

A Level: BCC

IB Points: 29

BTEC: DMM

International qualifications and equivalences

How to apply

Application process

Work experience during the COVID-19 pandemic 

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic traditional work experience placements in physiotherapy are unlikely to have been available since March 2020. However, you should still show at application and interview an understanding of a career in physiotherapy and the wider health care environment. Alternative ways of developing your insight and NHS values could be: 

  • Involvement with  a group offering care or support in your local community, face to face or virtually.

  • Showing an interest around key health issues in the media and reflecting on what this means for physiotherapists. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy here is a good source of information.

Tuition fees

Please see the fees note
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£17,200

Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£18,050

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£17,200

2024 / 25
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£18,050

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 534400

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

Please note, tuition fees for Home students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by government. Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

Tuition fees for International students may increase in subsequent years both for new and continuing students. 

The following factors will be taken into account by the University when it is setting the annual fees: inflationary measures such as the retail price indices, projected increases in University costs, changes in the level of funding received from Government sources, admissions statistics and access considerations including the availability of student support. 

How and when to pay

Tuition fee instalments for the semester are due by the Monday of week 1 of each semester. Students are not liable for full fees for that semester if they leave before week 4. If the leaving date is after week 4, full fees for the semester are payable.

  • For information on payment methods please see our Make a Payment page.
  • For information about refunds please visit our Refund policy page

Financial support and scholarships

All eligible Physiotherapy students on courses from September 2020 (new and continuing) will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. For more information please visit NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF).

For general sources of financial support, see our Fees and funding pages.

Additional costs

Please be aware that some courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees. Specific additional costs for this course are detailed below.

Placement costs

There are costs that need to be paid for by students in travelling to and from practice placement and/or potential accommodation costs (a minority of students require additional accommodation for placement(s) during the course). Currently these can be as much as £1,000 per placement for accommodation and/or travel but will depend on location and type of placement. Home students may be able to claim reimbursement of these additional placement costs. Currently, the average travel cost per placement is £300 and for placements that require accommodation the average cost per placement is £600. There are 5 placements during the course (but more may be required if students are obliged to re-take with potential resulting additional costs).

Other costs

Books and electronic resources - approx £150

Diagnostic tools such as stethoscope - approx £35

Use of anatomy resources - £10

Shoes for practice to be worn with uniform - approx £35

Suitable clothing for the Labs - approx £30.

Further information on additional costs for healthcare courses can be found here.

Information from Discover Uni

Full-time study

Programme changes:
On rare occasions we may need to make changes to our course programmes after they have been published on the website. For more information, please visit our changes to programmes page.