BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

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. You must achieve the requisite academic credit and specified practice hours and competencies in order to be eligible for the appropriate academic award and professional registration as a Physiotherapist.

All academic modules will develop clinical reasoning and practical skills to the level where biopsychosocial assessment, treatment and management can be applied across a range of health and care settings in a variety of clinical teams and services.

Each module of study indicates the number of contact hours and the number of hours students should spend studying as self directed and blended learning activities. For each 20 credit module students should be expected to undertake 200 hours of learning.

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 (40 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

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

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.

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.

Personal tutoring

As a Health and Social Care student, you will be allocated a named tutor during your first three weeks at LSBU.  The role of your tutor is to be your primary contact for academic and professional development support.

Your tutor will support you to get the most of your time at LSBU, providing advice and signposting to other sources of support in the University. They should be the first person at the university that you speak to if you are having any difficulties that are affecting your work. These could be academic, financial, health-related or another type of problem.

You will have appointments with your personal tutor at least once a semester for 45 minutes throughout your course. You can contact your tutor for additional support by email or phone.

• A Level ABB, including at  least 2 Science subjects or:
• BTEC National Diploma DDM in Science, or:
• Access to HE Diploma in Science with 30 Distinctions and 15 Merits or:
• Equivalent Level 3 qualifications worth 128UCAS points
• Applicants must hold 5 GCSEs A-C including Maths, Science and English, or equivalent (reformed GCSEs grade 4 or above).

English language

If your first language is not English you must have the following minimum International English Language Test Score (IELTS) results at the time of applying:

• 7.0 overall or equivalent
• 7.0 in the listening and reading sections
• 7.0 in the writing and speaking sections

Interviews

If your initial application to a Health and Social Care course is successful, you’ll be invited for an interview.

The interview is an opportunity to explain face-to-face why you are the right student for the course. As a result of the ever-changing situation in relation to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, our selection interview days on campus will be replaced with telephone or virtual interviews.

The telephone interview will be used to assess your suitability for the course and to ensure that you meet the necessary academic and skills required for the course you have chosen. You will be asked to consider realistic scenarios related to elements of health care practice or the core NHS values.

Visit our interview page for information on preparing for the day and what to bring. Please note: there is no written component to the Physiotherapy interview.

Foundation Year

If you have been out of study for a considerable amount of time or have slightly missed the entry requirements this course, you can take your first steps to becoming a registered practitioner with our Health and Social Care Foundation year. Boost your qualifications and confidence for further study with this one-year introductory course and on completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry on to one of our 13 health BSc pre-registration health and social care degrees.

The international fee for this course shows as "£0" because this course is not open to international students.

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 226 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 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.

The individual fee for this course is shown above. For more information, including how and when to pay, see our fees and funding section for postgraduate students.

See our Tuition Fees Regulations (PDF File 226 KB) and Refund Policy (PDF File 775 KB).

We have a range of PhD Scholarships available in partnership with businesses and organisations; read notices of PhD studentships.