• The employability of graduates from this course is proven both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
• In relation to dissertation, there are a wide range of research designs available.
• Some students have arranged their four-week elective placement in a foreign country such as Canada or Australia.

Physiotherapists deal with human function and movement and help people to achieve their full physical potential. They use physical approaches to promote, maintain and restore wellbeing.

As a student on this course, you will complete a range of modules and periods of practice placement. You will learn how to synthesise evidence from current practice and research to develop an in-depth critical knowledge and understanding of the physiotherapy profession. Furthermore, you will be able to demonstrate a critical awareness of current issues within the provision of health and social care, and will be capable of demonstrating leadership in both personal and professional development.

MSc: 120 M-level credits plus a further 240 credits at SCQF levels 9 and 10.

You must complete the full MSc to be eligible to register with the HCPC and to work as a physiotherapist. Single module study is not available.

The year group is split into small groups for practical classes and some tutorials. This ensures that individuals receive excellent support and benefit from sharing their experiences with their classmates. There is a strong emphasis on student-directed learning.

A variety of assessment methods are used including written assignments, practical viva exams, presentations and reflective portfolios. Practice-based learning is a major component of the course, comprising more than 1,000 hours.

This is a full-time course and students are expected to be available 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Students should expect to study for an average of 40 hours per week. Timetabled classes are approximately 12-15 hours per week.

On completion, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a physiotherapist. You will also be eligible to apply for membership with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Modules are a combination of M-level and UG-level.

Year One will include:

• Foundations for Physiotherapy (40 credits)
• Preparing for Practice as an AHP (20 credits)
• Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice (20 credits)
• Neurological Physiotherapy (20 credits)
• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 1 (20 credits)
• Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy (20 credits)

Year Two will include:

• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 2 (20 credits)
• Understanding and Appraising the Evidence for Practice (20 credits)
• Advancement of Clinical Management (20 credits)
• Public Health OR Leadership and Enterprise (20 credits) and a
• Masters Research Project (40 credits)

Across the two years, you will complete 31 weeks of practice-based learning placements comprising over 1050 hours.

The modules listed are correct at time of posting (October 2021) but are subject to change. In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students.

In your first semester you will complete a two-week introductory placement. At the end of Year One you will undertake a further two six-week placements. A third six-week placement will take place in semester 2 of Year Two. In the final semester, you will undertake a six-week placement and a five-week elective placement. Any additional travel and accommodation costs associated with placements will be borne by the student.

Placements will take place at practice sites across Scotland and will be allocated by QMU with the exception of the five-week elective placement, which is arranged by the student.

The majority of graduates work as physiotherapists within the National Health Service, either in major hospitals or in the community. With further post-registration experience, graduates can choose to specialise in a particular area, which may include: sports, neurology, paediatrics, respiratory, orthopaedics or private practice. Some graduates choose to follow a research career path. A percentage of students on graduation will apply for overseas accreditation in countries such as Canada, Ireland and Australia.

Not available

Normally there are around 50-75 students enrolling on the course each year.

A second class honours degree in any discipline. However, where the undergraduate degree is not science or engineering based, applicants should be able to be able to demonstrate research skills. This may have been achieved through completion of a research project as part of the undergraduate degree.

This course is not suitable for those already holding a physiotherapy qualification. Applicants from North America will normally be expected to have achieved a minimum GPA equivalent to 60% in their undergraduate degree.

Demonstration of understanding of the scope of the physiotherapy profession is essential.

International: You will be required to take an IELTS test receiving an overall score of 7.0 and no individual component score below 6.5.

Criminal Records Check: A criminal records check is required.

31 January 2022

Applications are now closed for September 2022 and January 2023 entry.

Applications will reopen in October 2022 for September 2023 and January 2024 entry.

Contact Admissions 

Click for information on our forthcoming open events

View MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) course presentation

The following information applied to this course for 2022 entry. The application deadline for this has now passed, but opportunities may be available for 2023 entry. This page will be updated as appropriate.

"An opportunity has arisen for Scottish Domiciled students starting first year on the 2-year MSc (Pre-registration) Physiotherapy Course in Sept 2022/Jan 2023 at Queen Margaret University to apply to the NHS Scotland Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme supported by Scottish Government. The scheme is open to those offered or in the process of  applying for an MSc place.

The Funded Places Scheme is aimed at applicants who fully intend to develop their future career within NHS Scotland and will be hosted by NHS Boards throughout the country. The NHS Boards participating in this scheme are shown below. Individuals with an association to a specific NHS Board or area are encouraged to apply and should explain their choice on application.

Board

• NHS Ayrshire and Arran
• NHS Borders
• NHS Dumfries and Galloway
• NHS Fife
• NHS Forth Valley
• NHS Grampian
• NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
• NHS Highland
• NHS Lanarkshire
• NHS Lothian
• NHS Orkney
• NHS Shetland
• NHS Tayside
• NHS Western Isles

The package offers

• payment of course fees for 2 years*
• 50% of practice-based learning placements will be located within the host health board (no additional finance related to this)

Some Boards may additionally offer the opportunity for

• a Heath Care Support Worker bank employment contract
• an in-Board buddy

 * NB Students who have applied to the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) for a loan to cover tuition fees will no longer be entitled to this funding but will continue to receive the living cost loan element of their funding package saas-guide-to-postgraduate-funding.pdf

To apply please complete the initial online application using the link below, providing name, university, first and second choice NHS Board, brief biography (max 150 words) and statement supporting application (300 words): application form

Information from NHS Boards which may support your application is available here

Please direct any queries to nes.nhspa@nhs.scot

For selected applicants interview via Microsoft Teams will also be required. Interviews are likely to be held in late May/June 2022. The closing date for applications is 5pm Monday 16th May 2022

Also visit NHS Scotland Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme for more information.