The course modules are assessed using written exams, projects, coursework and practical examinations. During the course you’ll undertake 30 weeks of clinical placements in a range of health settings, giving you essential opportunities for you to put theory into practice.

Some compulsory skills sessions may take place in the evening.

Year 1

• Concepts of inter-professional and collaborative practice (20 credits)
  This module introduces the place and value of interprofessional and collaborative working in health and social care delivery. The module aims to support the development of the necessary communication, personal, partnership working and reflective practice skills required to meet the needs of clients/carers and diverse populations who are at the centre of interprofessional health and social care delivery. You’ll work collaboratively online to explore and develop understanding of the purpose, scope and range of interprofessional and collaborative working.
• Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology (20 credits)
  The module enables you to gain an understanding of the structure and function of normal human anatomy while providing a basis for the understanding and analysis of posture and normal human movement. It encourages you to apply your knowledge of anatomy in a practical setting through the use of manual therapy and palpation skills. It explores the concepts and terminology surrounding the study of kinesiology and its relevance to physiotherapy practice in practical settings.The module introduces clinical reasoning skills to enable the inclusion of normal and abnormal functional anatomy and kinesiology to inform clinical practice and intervention
• Human Structure and Function (40 credits)
  This module is designed to provide the foundation knowledge of the structure and function of human body and changes resulting from the development of illness and disease. The principles of pathological change and of healing are considered alongside a consideration of the effects of development of common illnesses and disease and their impact on the normal physiological processes and the function of the body.An understanding of the impact of pathophysiology on the structure and function of the human body is developed in relation to physiotherapeutic interventions and patient-centred management.
• Core Physiotherapy Skills (20 credits)
  This module explores the role of the physiotherapist across a range of clinical working environments. Different models of physiotherapy are considered and the context explored in relation to the impact it has on assessment, management and therapeutic interventions using current and best evidence. Basic physiotherapy assessment skills are developed in relation to biological, psychological, and social factors involved in health and wellbeing. 
• Physical Activity and Health Improvement (20 credits)
  This module will develop an understanding of key knowledge underpinning physical activity and exercise-based interventions.This module will develop the practical skills to undertake health-related fitness assessment, including heart rate, blood pressure, body composition and submaximal exercise evaluation. It will develop knowledge of responses and adaptations to aerobic exercise, as well as activities involving strength, speed, flexibility and power. Through the awareness of key concepts of training principles, this module additionally aims to develop an understanding of the basic design of training programmes in line with expected physiological adaptations. Models of health and wellbeing, and their importance to core physiotherapy practice are considered, discussed and practised, such as making every contact count, exercise prescription and the value of exercise in maintenance of general health.

Year 2

• Appraising Evidence for Research Informed Practice (20 credits)
  This module extends your understanding of the concept of evidence based practice and research in practice. The module equips you with the core skills and understanding to appraise evidence and assess its appropriateness to be implemented into practice. The steps in conducting research, main research methods, approaches to data analysis and presentation are explored. You’ll be equipped with the knowledge and core skills that are pre-requisite for critical appraisal and evidence synthesis.
• Patient-centred Physiotherapy through the Lifecycle (40 credits)
  This module introduces the concept of health and wellbeing across the lifespan whilst considering physiotherapy principles and approaches to practice into common conditions encountered. The impact of pathology on the patient’s physical, emotional and social health and wellbeing, and the role of the physiotherapist in the maintenance of health through the lifespan, are explored.
• Integrated Care (20 credits)
  This module explores integrated care in its widest sense across patient care models, frameworks and pathways in order to facilitate an understanding of the implications of working in different ways, whilst developing the knowledge and skills necessary for this area of practice. The legal and policy frameworks governing physiotherapy practice are identified and applied, supported by evidence across the field, in relation the concept of patient-centred care and emergent physiotherapy practice. 
• Clinical Application of Physiotherapy 1 (40 credits)
  The practice placement provides practical work-based experience with patients/clients. You’ll apply the theoretical knowledge and skills learnt in academic modules in the practice environment and utilise your transferable cognitive, affective and practical skills. This practical placement module involves three five-week practice placements in a speciality area of physiotherapy. Speciality areas may include care of the elderly, neurology, orthopaedics, respiratory, medicine, outpatients, amputees, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics or community. Including 3 x 5 week clinical placements

Year 3

• Improving Quality, Change Management and Leadership (20 credits)
  This module is the final interprofessional learning module that will explore leadership, quality improvement and change within organisations from an interprofessional perspective. The module looks at a strategic, evidence based approach to change management in a range of environments, and will integrate the perspectives of service users.
• Optimising Clinical and Therapeutic Outcomes (20 credits)
  This module focuses on wider determinant of health and key opportunities that exist in contemporary physiotherapy and health care practice to optimise clinical and therapeutic outcomes. It develops an understanding of pharmacology, nutrition, and homeostasis in relation to impact on human performance, function and recovery. Models and frameworks supporting patient management are explored alongside the development of specific knowledge and skills that support the effectiveness of interventions for individual service users.
• Contemporary Issues in Physiotherapy (20 credits)
  This module will provide an understanding of the current healthcare policies and their impact upon the provision of health and social care. It will build on knowledge achieved on practice placements and other areas within the course, looking formally at existing and emerging government initiatives. The legal and policy frameworks governing physiotherapy practice are identified and applied, supported by evidence across the field, in relation to the provision of patient-centred care and emergent physiotherapy practice.
• Advancing Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)
  This module builds on the learning in previous modules to support the development of knowledge and clinical skills at a more advanced level across a range of physiotherapy practice areas. It will focus on developing clinical reasoning skills at a higher level, incorporating a greater complexity of knowledge. The module will promote the integration between theory and practice learning.
• Clinical Application of Physiotherapy 2 (20 credits)
  The practice placement component provides practice based experience in the treatment/management of patients/clients. You’ll build upon prior practice placement experience; integrate theoretical knowledge and skills learnt in academic modules into the practice environment and utilise transferable cognitive, affective and practical skills. This practical placement module involves three five-week practice placements in a speciality area of physiotherapy. Speciality areas may include care of the elderly, neurology, orthopaedics, respiratory, medicine, outpatients, amputees, obstetrics and gynaecology, paediatrics or community. Including 3 x 5 week clinical placements

Year 4

• Research in Health and Social Care (20 credits)
  The purpose of this module is to consolidate and extend your knowledge of research approaches and methods and enhance your ability to be a critical user of research evidence. The module examines philosophical and theoretical perspectives underpinning health and social care research approaches including exploration of research design and key aspects of data gathering and interpretation of both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The module will develop practical skills for identifying, critical reviewing and synthesising research evidence relevant to professional practice.
• Advanced Skills 1 (20 credits)
  This module has a clinical practice placement associated with it and there is an expectation that 100 hours of logged clinical hours will be achieved through negotiated practice placements. It is delivered alongside clinical practice to facilitate a development of a deeper or broader knowledge base within the chosen area of focus. Increased use of critical reading and appraisal skills support deeper appreciation of the underpinning theory, knowledge and skill base within the chosen clinical domain. 
• Advanced Skills 2 (20 credits)
  This module has a clinical practice placement associated with it and there is an expectation that 100 hours of logged clinical hours will be achieved through negotiated practice placements. It is delivered alongside clinical practice to facilitate a development of a deeper or broader knowledge base within the chosen area of focus. Increased use of critical reading and appraisal skills support deeper appreciation of the underpinning theory, knowledge and skill base within the chosen clinical domain.
• Clinical Decision Making (20 credits)
  The module facilitates critical exploration differential diagnosis and clinical decision making in relation to evidence-based and patient-centred care. The role of subjective data gathering and objective assessment and evaluation will be examined and explored. Consideration is given to the role of the physiotherapist in undifferentiated care scenarios that can be encountered across a range of physiotherapy practice settings e.g. first contact, lone practitioner and critical and emergency care scenarios. The educational delivery and ethos of this module emphasises autonomous self-directed learning for independent practice, building upon previous clinical experience and practice. 
• Dissertation (60 credits)
  This module enables you to plan and conduct an in-depth investigation of a topic that contributes to professional practice. It provides the opportunity to apply an understanding of research methods to the investigation and allows demonstration of your ability to work with relative autonomy in undertaking a sustained, in-depth piece of independent learning. It promotes the dissemination of findings to the relevant professional community.

As a physiotherapist, you could play an important role in helping people improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life – using a broad range of treatment approaches focused on restoring movement and function, often following illness or injury. Physiotherapists often work within a multidisciplinary team and may do this in a variety of clinical environments such as outpatient clinics, inpatient wards, in the patient's home or in a sport or performance setting. Graduates of this course go on to work in a variety of NHS and private practice settings, including specialists in stroke care, weight management services, elite sport and private practice settings.

Employability Service

We are University of the Year for Graduate Employment for the second year in a row - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018, 2019.

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• An online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• Our Careers Gym offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and finding work experience, as well as regular presentations from employers across a range of sectors.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

We have strong partnerships with NHS Trusts across the London region, and with other key healthcare providers in the independent sector. This includes community, acute and specialist settings, reflecting the diverse nature of physiotherapy practice.

Placements

This course is planned to ensure that students complete the requisite number of hours in both theory and practice which builds knowledge across complex and. Academic and clinical practice blocks are structure to help you link effective theory to practice. Throughout your assessed clinical placements, you will complete a minimum of 1,000 hours in local NHS organisations as well as community, private and voluntary sectors agencies. The LSBU Physiotherapy Practice Placement team take responsibility for allocating practice placements. As we believe in supplying well-rounded experiences, we will always try but can't always guarantee to allocate placements within 2 hours of your registered term time home address.

Placements include comprehensive contemporary experience across this range of sectors and settings can include acute, long term, inpatient and community environments. At least one of your placements will be in a speciality area such as respiratory, neurology, musculoskeletal systems, orthopaedics, medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, or working with elderly, amputee or paediatric patients.

Your first placement is observational and aimed to make you comfortable and familiar to the clinical environment. Specialist knowledge and skills are developed through the end of year 2 and throughout year 3.

Year 1: 20 hours observational placement

Year 2: 3 x 5 week clinical placements (max 562.5 hours combined)

Year 3: 3 x 5 week clinical placements (max 562.5 hours combined)

This course takes a blended approach to learning. It provides a range of learning formats and teaching delivery styles – and allows an individual approach, providing you with some flexibility in your preferred learning style.

Interactive lectures will introduce key subject matter. Practical sessions, small group teaching and demonstrations will be used to facilitate skills development.

A range of other approaches will be incorporated into students’ learning which can include online worksheets, guided independent study, e-learning, peer group learning, and group discussions.

When it comes to assessment, we use a variety of approaches, to promote different skills and abilities while reflecting the nature of the module of learning. The main rationale for choosing the assessment method is helping students in the development of a wide range of professional knowledge and skills. The types of assignments demonstrate progression of skills and abilities as students’ progress on the course. Typical assessments include written examinations, written assignments, verbal (case study) presentation, practical examination and clinical assessments.

Our student services support students' educational, personal, career and spiritual needs in a variety of ways whilst studying at the University (including whilst on practice placement). It is appreciated that many factors can impact on student success and so a suite of services are offered that students can rely on.

• A Level ABB, including at least 2 Science subjects or:
• BTEC National Diploma DDD in Science, or:
• Access to HE Diploma in Science with 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits or:
• Equivalent Level 3 qualifications worth 144 UCAS points
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths, Science and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).



Additional requirements

The following additional requirements apply to this course:

• Evidence of commitment to the profession
• Completion of at least one week of work experience in a physiotherapy setting, preferably in either the NHS or other hospital setting
• Passing of occupational health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks
• Ability to meet travel requirements to attend placements
• Students from outside the UK will be required to provide a police check from their home country
• English Language: Those whom English is not their first language must achieve a minimum score of 7.0 overall (including 7.0 in the written element and a minimum score of 6.5 in speaking, reading and listening) for the International English Language Test Score (IELTS)

International students

International (non Home/EU) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

2019 entry

All full-time undergraduate students apply to the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) using the University's Institution Code L75. Full details of how to do this are supplied on our How to apply webpage for undergraduate students.

All part-time students should apply directly to London South Bank University and full details of how to do this are given on our undergraduate How to apply webpage.

Personal statements

Please include a reflective statement with your application that demonstrates your experience of physiotherapy (work experience, observational visits, as a patient or other contact).

The reflective statement should be sufficiently explicit to demonstrate your commitment to Physiotherapy and show that you have an understanding of the depth and breadth of the profession. For further advice on work experience and other areas of physiotherapy as a career, please consult the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Interviews

The School of Health and social Care has a values based recruitment (VBR)  process.  This enables the recruitment teams to assess the values, motives and attitudes of those who wish to work with people in health and social care settings.

Applicants will be shortlisted for interview based on the strength of their UCAS application. The interview process 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 on the Health Education England website.

If you are shortlisted you will be invited to attend an interview. The interview panel consists of LSBU staff, lecturers, service users and clinicians. You will be assessed through multiple mini interviews (MMIs) which will include a simple practical task that will not require any special clothing or preparation.  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.

International applicants

The application process may involve further steps for International applicants (non-EU nationals). All non-EU applicants for this course must therefore contact the International Office as soon as possible to discuss the admissions steps and the immigration requirements : international@lsbu.ac.uk or +44 (0) 20 7815 6189.

Accommodation

Students should apply for accommodation at London South Bank University (LSBU) as soon as possible, once we have made an offer of a place on one of our academic courses. Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

It's a good idea to think about how you'll pay university tuition and maintenance costs while you're still applying for a place to study. Remember – you don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for undergraduate students.

Please check your fee status and whether you are considered a Home, EU or International student for fee-paying purposes and for our regulatory returns, by reading the UKCISA regulations.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 149 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 102 KB).

Possible fee changes

The University reserves the right to increase its fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions.

The fees for international students are reviewed annually and the University reserves the right to increase the tuition fees in line with the RPIX measure of inflation up to 4 per cent.

Scholarships

We offer several types of fee reduction through our scholarships and bursaries. Find the full list and other useful information on our scholarships page.

Funding for pre-registration postgraduate programmes 2018/19

From August 2018 new postgraduate pre-registration nursing, midwifery and allied health professional students will access loans from the Student Loans Company.

Accessing loans will provide students with at least 25% more up-front living cost support whilst you study. You will also have access to the Learning Support Fund, which is administered by the NHS Business Services Authority, for support while attending clinical placements.

Background to these changes can be found on Gov.uk.

Council of Deans have prepared a briefing paper and Student Finance have outlined who qualifies. The Funding Clinic provides further information on what support is available.

NHS Bursary will produce guidelines and information once the information has received parliamentary approval.

Disclosure Barring Service (DBS)

All pre-registration students need to be DBS cleared before going on placement. You’ll need to have an enhanced DBS check even if you have had one before and will not be able to go on placement until this is complete.

The DBS process is not difficult but can take some time so it's best to get started as soon as you receive your email.

DBS update service

If you're part of the DBS update service, your subscription is up to date and you already have a DBS certificate, please email a copy to hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk and then bring in your hard copy for the document check. To take advantage of the update service, your certificate needs to be classified as 'Enhanced' and workforce must be listed as 'Adult and Child'. If you have any queries, please email us at hscdbsoh@lsbu.ac.uk.

How to complete your DBS

Our DBS supplier, Verifile, will send you an email with all the details you need to complete your DBS.

Verifile will give you instructions to log into their system and complete your personal details and information. To complete the process, you'll need your passport or driving licence and 5-year address history including dates when you moved in/out.

You can use your application number to track the progress of your DBS.

When you've finished, your Disclosure Statement will be mailed to the most recent address in your submission, so please make sure it's correct. We don't automatically receive a copy of this Statement, which is why we need you to bring it in as part of the next step.

Frequently asked questions

Document check

Once you have completed the online part of the DBS process, you'll need to bring your DSB Statement along with three accepted documents from this list to be verified at either our Southwark or Havering campus. Document checks can be completed for free at either campus, no appointment is necessary.

If you cannot get to either of our campuses, you can have your documents checked and certified at the Post Office for a small fee.

Occupational Health (OH)

An exciting part of your placement is that you’ll be learning off-campus and working with patients, clients and/or service users. Before you start, we need to make sure that you have the correct levels of immunisations.

Questionnaire

The first part of your occupational health check is to complete the online questionnaire which our occupational health provider will review.

Complete your online questionnaire

GP appointment

The second part of your occupational health check is to get any inoculations that you may need from your GP. When attending your GP appointment, please take printed copies of these two documents with you.

Vaccination Screening Advisory Letter (PDF File 126 KB)
GP Vaccination and Screening History (PDF File 117 KB)

Occupational Health appointment

After these steps are complete you will receive an email from OHWorks Ltd inviting you to attend an appointment on-campus with an Occupational Health Nurse. These appointments take place during the week and sometimes when your classes have already started.

The OH team have prepared this guide (PDF File 322 KB) which outlines what to expect at each stage. If you have queries or concerns about your Occupational Health clearance or inoculations please contact the Occupational Health team.

Frequently asked questions

Numeracy practice

Before starting your course, you may want to check or practice your numeracy skills. The National Numeracy Challenge is a free online tool that helps you learn, revise and quiz your essential numeracy skills. You’ll also be able to get a certificate to show your efforts.

Enrolment and Welcome Week

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our new students pages.

Uniforms

Most placements and some practical sessions in our skills laboratories will require you to wear a uniform and name badge. You will be measured for uniforms specific to your course as part of your Welcome Week activities after enrolment. In the meantime, we have prepared answers to frequently asked questions that you might find useful.

Frequently asked questions

Practice placements

Most health and social care courses’ practice placements will operate outside normal working hours e.g. evenings, nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Holidays

Your holiday periods will not follow the normal University timetable because of placements. You’ll receive more details once you start your course.

Preparatory reading

These publicly available materials provide some excellent preparation for your course, giving insight into the physiotherapy profession and some key concepts for developing into a qualified healthcare professional.

• Karen Middleton's Founders Lecture from Physiotherapy UK 2014 - Learning to Lead
• Nina Paterson's articles on Leadership in Frontline in 2015
• #hellomynameis campaign for truly person-centred, compassionate care
• Barrett, K. E., Barman, S. M., Boitano, S., Brooks, H. L (2019) Ganong’s Review of Medical Physiology, 26th Edition. New York: McGraw Hill Education.
• Dimon, T. and Qualter, J. (2008) Anatomy of the Moving Body: A Basic Course in Bones, Muscles and Joints. 2nd ed. Berkeley, Calif: North Atlantic Books.
• Everett, T. and Kell, C. (2010) Human Movement: An Introductory Text. 6th Edition. Physiotherapy Essentials. Churchill Livingstone-Elsevier.
• Muscolino, J. E. (2016) Kinesiology: The Skeletal System and Muscle Function. 3rd Edition. Elsevier.
• Palastanga, N. and Soames, R. (2018) Anatomy and Human Movement: Structure and Function. 7th Edition. Elsevier.
• Schünke, M., Schulte, E. and Schumacher, U. (2014) Thieme Atlas of Anatomy: General Anatomy and Musculoskeletal System. 2nd Edition. New York, New York: Thieme Medical Publishers, Inc.
• Waugh, A., Grant, A., Chambers, G. and Ross, J. S. (2014) Ross and Wilson Anatomy and Physiology in Health and Illness. 12th Edition. Edinburgh: