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Physiotherapy

BSc (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code

B160

Start dates

September 2023 / September 2024

Course length

Full time: 3 years

Accreditation(s)

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

UCAS Tariff Points

128

Overview

Our popular Physiotherapy course covers the use of physical and psychological approaches in the promotion, restoration and maintenance of health and wellbeing. The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

The National Health Service (NHS) values are woven into the course and our recruitment process. You should have a caring and compassionate nature and respect for others. You will also need to have excellent communication and teamwork skills.

On the course you will:

  • learn in clinical settings with international and national reputations
  • undertake the 1,000 hours of clinical practice required to qualify as a chartered physiotherapist.

On graduating you’ll be fully prepared to work in the current healthcare environment. We have a high graduate employability rate of over 90%.

We welcome UK, EU and international applicants. If you already have a relevant bachelor's degree but would like to pursue physiotherapy, we offer a pre-registration master's course.

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How to apply

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

Entry requirements

Specific entry requirements

A Level: Including 40 UCAS Tariff points (or 32 UCAS Tariff points with a contextual offer) from one A Level or a comparable Level 3 qualification in a biological science subject (e.g. Biology, Physical Education, Psychology).

GCSE: Grade 4 (C) in English, Maths and Science. For English and Maths, Level 2 Functional Skills are accepted as alternatives to GCSEs.

Graduates: Honours degree 55% or above. Where this does not include Biological Sciences, applicants will also require A-Level Biology/Human Biology at grade B or 75% in OU Human Biology (SK299).

Applicants are expected to show evidence of recent academic study over the last 2 years (5 years for degree applicants)

Work experience

At the time of application you will be expected to demonstrate some work or observational experience in physiotherapy. You should include a reflection of this in your personal statement on your UCAS form.

The reflective statement should demonstrate your commitment to Physiotherapy and show that you have an understanding of the depth and breadth of the profession. See Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Caring and Helping Others

Applicants should be able to demonstrate on their UCAS form a sustained period of experience (paid or voluntary) of caring and helping others in a health or social care environment.  

Scroll down for work experience in the Covid-19 pandemic

Please also see the University's general entry requirements.

Screening

All applicants will be screened for fitness to practise and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check will be made.

Selection process

All Oxford Brookes University Health and Social Care Programmes conduct Value Based Recruitment (VBR). We recognise that values and attitudes have the greatest impact on the quality of people's care and their experiences.

VBR is a way of helping our Programme recruitment teams to assess the values, motives and attitudes of those who wish to work with people in health and social care settings. When we refer to values we mean, for example, the values included in the NHS constitution.

VBR focuses on 'how' and 'why' an applicant makes choices in how they act and seeks to explore reasons for their behaviour. Further details about the VBR framework can be found here.

Applicants will be assessed on their academic ability, work experience, insight into caring and helping others and their ability to demonstrate the following qualities:

  • communication and interpersonal skills
  • working with others
  • a caring and respectful attitude to others
  • reliability, honesty and trustworthiness
  • problem solving skills and the ability to use initiative.

Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on the strength of their UCAS application.

English language requirements

An IELTS score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.5 in all components) is required where English is not the main language. Equivalent English Language qualifications may be considered.

Please also see the University's standard English language requirements.

International qualifications and equivalences

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English requirements for visas

If you need a student visa to enter the UK you will need to meet the UK Visas and Immigration minimum language requirements as well as the University's requirements. Find out more about English language requirements.

Terms and Conditions of Enrolment

When you accept our offer, you agree to the Terms and Conditions of Enrolment. You should therefore read those conditions before accepting the offer.

Credit transfer

Many of our courses consider applications for entry part-way through the course for students who have credit from previous learning or relevant professional experience.

Find out more about transferring to Brookes. If you'd like to talk through your options, please contact our Admissions team.

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.

Apply Now Through UCAS

Tuition fees

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

International full time
£16,500

Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£17,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

Tuition fees

2022 / 23
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£16,500

2023 / 24
Home (UK) full time
£9,250

International full time
£17,200

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

+44 (0)1865 483088

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

Oxford Brookes University intends to maintain its fees for new and returning Home students at the maximum permitted level.

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  https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund

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.

Learning and assessment

In Year 1 we introduce the core areas of physiotherapy practice. As well as values and professionalism. You will take and reflect on a volunteer opportunity. You'll also work with other health care students on the Skills for Health Informatics module.  

In Year 2 your modules will cover current health drivers, such as:

  • the public health agenda
  • health promotion
  • integrated community working.

You'll work with other students on an inter-professional module focusing on team-working. The shared learning research methods module prepares you for your final year dissertation. In semester 2 you start your clinical year.

After your clinical year, you return in semester 2 of Year 3 to complete your dissertation. You'll take a final module on specialist Physiotherapy practice. Collaborative practice education focuses on key concepts of leadership and quality management. This will help prepare you for the transition from student to graduate.

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Study modules

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Skills for Health Informatics

This module introduces key principles and skills for selecting, collating and managing digital information in both the delivery of healthcare and the contemporary management of health conditions. It will provide opportunities to work alongside other health and social care students.

Human Movement and Dysfunction

This module aims to enable you to develop and utilise the knowledge and skills required for the effective physiotherapy assessment and management of musculoskeletal dysfunction, utilising a biopsychosocial basis. Specifically, you will acquire the essential anatomical and biomedical knowledge to apply physiotherapeutic techniques to people with a range of musculoskeletal disorders. You will be introduced to therapeutic exercise and the pathophysiology of acute and long term musculoskeletal conditions.

Cardio-Respiratory Physiotherapy

You will develop and utilise the knowledge and skills required for the effective physiotherapy assessment and management of people with cardiovascular and respiratory system dysfunction. This module aims to develop your understanding of the pathophysiology of the dysfunctional cardiovascular and respiratory systems. You will be required to apply techniques to improve and optimise cardiovascular and respiratory function in a variety of acute and community settings.

Neurological Movement Control and Dysfunction

You will develop and utilise the knowledge and skills required for the effective management of common acute neurological conditions. 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.

Developing Values Based Professionalism

You will develop professional identity, enabling you to develop a way of being and relating in the health and social care context. Through reflective opportunities and enquiry based learning you will examine professionalism, the professional domains of concerns, codes of practice and examine the reasoning process required to practice sound judgement throughout their professional career.

Year 2

Compulsory modules

Collaborative Practices in Health Care

This module aims to give you the opportunity to engage in a series of enquiry based learning activities focused on practice based scenarios designed to simulate interdisciplinary practice experiences. You will work alongside other health and social care colleagues, such as Occupational Therapists.

Health, Wellbeing and Exercise

You will gain an understanding of the impact that a physically active lifestyle has on health and well-being. During the module, you will have the opportunity to learn about and explore the evidence for achieving appropriate physical activity across a range of populations and conditions. You will develop an understanding of the underlying physiology of physical activity.

Research Methods and Analysis

This module will teach you the research process, the associated research methods, data analysis and the ethical considerations associated with health and social care research. This module focuses on the techniques and skills needed for data collection and analysis in quantitative and qualitative research designs. It provides you with advanced skills to critique research and determine its usefulness for evidence based practice.

Integrated Physiotherapy Practice

This module aims to enable you to develop essential skills, with a range of complex conditions that require a holistic, interdisciplinary approach and a synthesis of physiotherapy interventions. It is positioned before the first of their 5 placements. Where possible, you will be able to work with service users, carers and other experts to develop a client focused perspective.

Physiotherapy Management of Long-Term Conditions

This module aims to develop your understanding of the changing healthcare needs facing society and prepare students to work collaboratively with people with complex long term conditions across the lifespan. You will acquire the ability to use patient-centred clinical reasoning and multi-disciplinary care planning approaches to maintain and maximise independence, function and quality of life.

Practice Experience I and II

These two single modules are the first and second in a series of five practice modules where you will undertake a consolidated period of clinical practice. You are a fully integrated member of a clinical department or team. The placement locations and clinical content of each single module are individual to the student. You will have the opportunity to integrate, apply and develop the knowledge and skills introduced in university-based modules.

Practice Experience III, IV and V

In the third module, you will be expected to demonstrate appropriate levels of competent physiotherapy practice. All students have the opportunity to develop their practice across a variety of clinical areas and contexts and to negotiate for those educational and clinical experiences which are necessary to achieve the professional and statutory requirements. In the fourth module, you will be expected to demonstrate higher levels of knowledge and clinical reasoning to enable you to manage a clinical case load. In the fifth module, you will be expected to manage a clinical caseload consistent with the expectations of a newly qualified physiotherapist, with minimum support.

Dissertation/Project in Physiotherapy

This double module aims to develop your ability to perform a sustained and independent period of study involving critical investigation of a topic or issue of relevance to your practice as a physiotherapist.

Specialist Physiotherapy Practice

This module will offer you a number of masterclasses which you can select to construct your own bespoke specialist practice portfolio. It aims to enable you to develop comprehensive understanding of the knowledge base of selected contemporary specialties pertinent to global healthcare and relevant to your own particular interests.

Leadership and Management in Health and Social Care

You will learn the skills, knowledge and strategies to promote and develop effective leadership qualities to work in partnership with diverse teams/agencies across professional and organisational boundaries. This modules will develop critical insight and evaluation of individual professional development needs as a preparation for continuing professional development and future employment opportunities both national and international.

Work placements

Your studies will take place within the University and in diverse clinical practice settings ranging from hospitals to community based environments. Clinical education is an important part of the Physiotherapy course, taking place within years 2 and 3. During this period you will undertake the required 1,000 hours of clinical practice. You will focus on developing clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills, taking a critically evaluative approach to practice while also developing a body of sound theoretical knowledge.

Year 3

Compulsory modules

Choose from the modules listed in year 2.

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.

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 used on this course

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 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.

After you graduate

Career prospects

Physiotherapists may work in units in neurology, respiratory care, orthopaedics, musculoskeletal conditions, care of the elderly and paediatrics. There are also opportunities in sport, industry and private practice. Many physiotherapists move into more specialist areas of practice, research, teaching, health promotion or management.

Some physiotherapists go on to consultant posts within the NHS. Others may become sports specialists or ergonomic advisers in industry. The range of career opportunities is very wide.

Professional accreditation

Upon successful completion of the physiotherapy course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the regulatory body, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and may apply for membership of the professional body, the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Please note that HCPC and CSP approval of this course is subject to review and can be withdrawn at any time.

Further study

Students who successfully complete the award may be able to develop their careers further. A wide range of courses are available at Oxford Brookes for continuing professional development (CPD).  A number of graduates go on to take postgraduate courses such as an MSc degree in a related field.

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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.

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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.