Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists work flexibly within health service settings and other areas such as industrial settings, schools, the leisure and sports industries, the private sector (such as private practice), education and research units. In daily practice, physiotherapists apply a wide range of skills and scientific knowledge in order to make evidence based decisions regarding assessment and treatments. At postgraduate level, QMU offers two physiotherapy course.

Our MSc Physiotherapy (Post-Registration) course is offered either full-time (over one year) or part-time (over three to seven years) for qualified physiotherapists who wish to extend and apply their knowledge to masters level.

Our MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) course (just over two years) is for non-physiotherapy graduates who wish to continue their education to Masters level in order to become physiotherapists. Physiotherapists possessing a Masters level qualification find that this may be an important factor when applying for posts in education, for furthering research aspirations, or when applying for specialist posts or positions outwith the United Kingdom.

Why QMU?

QMU has extensive experience of providing successful Masters level courses at pre- and post-registration level in physiotherapy. We attract students from the United Kingdom, Europe and further afield onto all our courses, which facilitates wide-ranging discussion of health-related issues. Our courses are reviewed regularly and staff ensure that our Masters level courses take cognisance of developments in practice and UK healthcare policies to ensure our courses are fit for purpose. Physiotherapy staff at QMU have extensive experience in physiotherapy, health and exercise science education at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Many physiotherapy staff are active in research in the physical therapy areas relating to musculoskeletal and neurological conditions as well as cancer care and this activity helps develop professional practice and assists students and staff to make links between research and practice.

Industry links

Both courses were developed and are reviewed both internally within QMU, but also with input from external health care professionals, to ensure that the content is both current and relevant.

The MSc Physiotherapy (post-registration) course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). It allows students to utilise past experience to inform their learning and to apply their learning directly to the workplace both within the UK and abroad. This allows you to develop innovative practice, drive service developments and contribute to the evidence base in physiotherapy and healthcare more globally.

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) course is approved by both the CSP and the Health Professions Council (HPC). Successful completion of the MSc Physiotherapy pre-registration programme confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council as a physiotherapist and for membership of the CSP. The course requires both theoretical and practical study and we aim to provide this in an integrated way. We have good links with practice placement colleagues, and within the preregistration course a number of practice based placements are completed as an integrated part of the course.

Our approach to learning and teaching

Our learning and teaching approaches for the MSc Physiotherapy courses are underpinned by the view that adult learners enter the course with a valuable array of knowledge, skills and experiences. We aim to provide student-centred education that:

■ enhances the student experience through the development of learner-centred educational provision, reflection, research and scholarship;

■ maximises the potential of our academic and professional communities of learners, working together locally, regionally, nationally and internationally and

■ promotes student autonomy and facilitates a culture of independent lifelong learning.

Additionally we encourage the use of electronic media to enhance the learning experience. Pre-registration students may, for example, develop a Wiki page and post-registration students may contribute to electronic discussion boards as part of their studies. Group and individual study, debate, critical discussion and reflection are all core strategies employed in our Masters courses. While there are some core lectures, staff make use of tutorials, seminars and workshops to facilitate learning. Our Masters students are expected to take responsibility for their own learning, with guidance and the use of learning contracts. All MSc Physiotherapy students at pre- and post-registration level have the opportunity to undertake an independent piece of research, with staff supervision, at the culmination of their programme of studies.

Pre-registration students typically select a laboratory-based or clinically based study that fits the research programme of a member of staff. Post-registration students typically develop a study pertinent to their own clinical practice and work setting. A number of our MSc Physiotherapy students have gone on to present their dissertation work at national and international conferences.

Facilities

QMU is a purpose-built 21st century campus. Physiotherapy students have access to general lecture and practical rooms and specialist laboratory environments. The Learning Resource Centre has an extensive collection of paper-based texts and journals as well as a broad array of electronic media and internet-based resources.

Career prospects and guideline salaries

Postgraduate study of our MSc Physiotherapy courses opens up a multitude of career opportunities as well as facilitating continuing professional development for those already employed within the healthcare industry and education sectors. .It is also possible to take standalone individual modules or a Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma as part of your ongoing career and personal development.

Previous students have gone on to careers in advanced practice, health, sport and leisure, education, management and PhD study and research.

We prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century and actively encourage aspiration to higher levels of the profession.

Our courses:

»MSc Physiotherapy (Post-Registration) (Part-Time)

»MSc Physiotherapy (Post-Registration) (Full-Time)

»PgDip/ MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration)

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