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Physiotherapy

BSc (Hons)

Key facts
Overview
How to apply
Tuition fees
Learning and assessment
Study abroad
After you graduate
Free language courses

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Key facts

UCAS code

B160

Start dates

September 2024 / September 2025

Location

Headington (Marston Road site)

Course length

Full time: 3 years

Department

Department of Sport, Health Sciences and Social Work

Accreditation(s)

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

UCAS Tariff Points

128

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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.

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

What is a 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
£17,200
Home (UK) full time
£9,250
International full time
£18,050

Questions about fees?

Contact Student Finance on:

financefees@brookes.ac.uk

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.

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.

Group of students studying

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 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.

  • 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.

  • 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 in Healthcare

  • 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.

  • Practice Placements

Year 3

Compulsory modules

  • Dissertation in Physiotherapy

  • Specialist Physiotherapy Practice

  • Leadership in Health and Social Care

  • Practice Placements

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.

Learn more about studying 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.

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.

More about free language courses

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.