Triangle

Course overview

Please be advised that places on the programme, for both the Generic pathway and Neuromusculoskeletal pathway, are limited and applications will only be open until 31st January 2025.

The MSc is an internationally recognised qualification designed to maximise your potential for career and personal development. The course offers both a strong clinical focus underpinned by current evidence and research skills

Our MSc Physiotherapy course is open to all therapists and related healthcare professionals who want to enhance their clinical skills, professional knowledge, and critical appraisal abilities as part of their ongoing career development. It is ideal if you want to conduct hands-on clinically focused research without the commitment of undertaking a research-only degree.

Our Division of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Sciences has an excellent reputation for teaching and research. On the programme, you'll be taught by experienced teaching staff who are experts in their field and active in clinically focused research.

We offer two pathways so you have the flexibility to tailor your qualification towards your unique interests.

You'll be part of a close-knit community of staff and students, where staff get to know you as an individual. We pride ourselves on the dedicated support we offer our students. This includes a personal tutor network to support you throughout your studies.

Why choose this course?

Flexible module choice

Two pathways to tailor your degree towards your own professional development.

Expert teaching

from tutors who are active in clinically focused research

Close-knit community

providing dedicated student support throughout your studies.

96%

96% of our submitted research was judged to be World-Leading or Internationally Excellent, and our research environment was rated 100% World-Leading. 

Research Excellence Framework (REF) 2021

Course content

The MSc Physiotherapy programme consists of two pathways; the generic MSc pathway and the Neuromusculoskeletal pathway. The programme consists of several compulsory and optional courses which you can choose from, as well as an extended Dissertation project. 

Modules

Core modules

Critical Reflection, Reasoning, and Appraisal in Clinical Practice 20 credits
Evaluation and Research Development in Health Sciences 20 credits

This module is run over 12 half days in Autumn Semester. You will develop the skills and knowledge to evaluate and apply into practice a range of research methods and evidence base and to appraise the barriers to using evidence in practice.

Assessment is a written research proposal.

Course Convenors: Paul Hendrick and Theresa Harvey-Dunstan

Dissertation - Master of Science in Physiotherapy 60 credits

This is a full year course with teaching sessions throughout the year. You will develop the critical, analytical and communication skills and knowledge to undertake and write-up an independent research study.

Assessment is a written Dissertation thesis.

Course Convenor: Paul Hendrick

Optional modules

You must take an additional 80 credits from the optional modules below:

Advanced Rehabilitation of Long-Term and Complex Conditions 20 credits

This course is run over 6 days in the Spring Semester. You will develop the knowledge, skills and critical aptitude to apply evidence based rehabilitation for people with a range of long-term or complex conditions such as cardio-respiratory disease, neuromuscular disease, oncology and hematological disorders.

Assessment is via an oral presentation in which the student discusses and demonstrates rehabilitation strategies for a clinical case study.

Course Convenors: Theresa Harvey-Dunstan and Eleanor Douglas

Learning and Assessment in Healthcare Education 20 credits

This module will consolidate and extend your knowledge of the theories and principles underpinning teaching, learning and assessment. Specifically, this is done in relation to health care subjects, and considers education in both academic and practice settings.

The contextual factors that influence the role of health care teachers will be explored and the implications of these for your learning in modern health care settings will be debated. The tensions that exist between theory and practice will be examined in the context of contemporary policy issues and research.

This module is available during the spring semester.

Advancing Clinical Practice (Diagnostics) 20 credits

This module is run over 6 days in the Autumn Semester. You will develop advanced clinical reasoning, diagnostic testing and test interpretation skills. This is designed to facilitate decision making, triage and communication skills essential for all first contact practitioners.

Assessment is a 20 minute presentation + questions (10 mins) 

Course Convenor: Alan Taylor

Rehabilitation for Pain Management 20 credits

This module is run over 6 days in Spring Semester. You will develop the knowledge, skills and critical aptitude to apply evidence based rehabilitation for people with a range of musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Assessment is an oral via in which the student discusses and demonstrates rehabilitation strategies for a clinical case study.

Course Convenor: Paul Hendrick

 

Advancing Clinical Practice (Management) 20 credits
Rehabilitation Neuroscience 20 credits

This module focuses on Rehabilitation Neuroscience.

This module considers:

  • Methodologies of studying the nervous system
  • Basic anatomy of and physiology of the nervous system
  • Neuronal Signalling
  • Sensory-motor integration
  • Perception and action
  • Complex brain functions
  • Cognitive motor interference
  • The changing brain
Motor Control and Learning 20 credits

This module focuses on Motor Control and Learning.

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 17 December 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Neuromusculoskeletal (NMS) dysfunction is one of the world’s most costly and disabling health conditions. This pathway reflects the latest evidence and thinking behind NMS management, offering students the opportunity to broaden and deepen their knowledge and skills for the assessment and management of people with long-standing NMS dysfunction.

The scientific evidence relating to diagnosis and interventions for people with NMS dysfunction is rapidly evolving and serves to contradict much traditional thought and practice. This pathway aims to equip participants with the necessary cognitive and physical skills for synthesis and applying this evidence.

Emphasis will be on advanced clinical reasoning, diagnostic testing, and the interpretation of findings, considered essential for first contact practitioners. This will lead to relevant decision making, patient management, appropriate communication, and triage

With a focus on leadership and quality improvement, the basis of the pathway will be on:

  • the understanding of modern pain science
  • incorporating evidence-based movement, physical activity, and exercise approaches

You will be given the opportunity to develop and demonstrate your knowledge and critical thinking through contemporary learning and assessment methods.

The core modules of the programme will be integrated with research training, and participants on the full MSc pathway will be given the opportunity to undertake a research project related to NMS dysfunction.

The two core Advancing Practice modules are focused on the diagnosis and management of people with complex Neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction and have been designed to reflect the very latest in evidence, practice, and theory.

Core modules

Advancing Clinical Practice (Diagnostics) 20 credits

This module is run over 6 days in the Autumn Semester. You will develop advanced clinical reasoning, diagnostic testing and test interpretation skills. This is designed to facilitate decision making, triage and communication skills essential for all first contact practitioners.

Assessment is a 20 minute presentation + questions (10 mins) 

Course Convenor: Alan Taylor

Advancing Clinical Practice (Musculoskeletal Management) 20 credits
Critical Reflection, Reasoning, and Appraisal in Clinical Practice 20 credits
Evaluation and Research Development in Health Sciences 20 credits

This module is run over 12 half days in Autumn Semester. You will develop the skills and knowledge to evaluate and apply into practice a range of research methods and evidence base and to appraise the barriers to using evidence in practice.

Assessment is a written research proposal.

Course Convenors: Paul Hendrick and Theresa Harvey-Dunstan

Dissertation - Master of Science in Physiotherapy 60 credits

This is a full year course with teaching sessions throughout the year. You will develop the critical, analytical and communication skills and knowledge to undertake and write-up an independent research study.

Assessment is a written Dissertation thesis.

Course Convenor: Paul Hendrick

Optional modules

Advanced Rehabilitation of Long-Term and Complex Conditions 20 credits

This course is run over 6 days in the Spring Semester. You will develop the knowledge, skills and critical aptitude to apply evidence based rehabilitation for people with a range of long-term or complex conditions such as cardio-respiratory disease, neuromuscular disease, oncology and hematological disorders.

Assessment is via an oral presentation in which the student discusses and demonstrates rehabilitation strategies for a clinical case study.

Course Convenors: Theresa Harvey-Dunstan and Eleanor Douglas

Learning and Assessment in Healthcare Education 20 credits

This module will consolidate and extend your knowledge of the theories and principles underpinning teaching, learning and assessment. Specifically, this is done in relation to health care subjects, and considers education in both academic and practice settings.

The contextual factors that influence the role of health care teachers will be explored and the implications of these for your learning in modern health care settings will be debated. The tensions that exist between theory and practice will be examined in the context of contemporary policy issues and research.

This module is available during the spring semester.

Rehabilitation for Pain Management 20 credits

This module is run over 6 days in Spring Semester. You will develop the knowledge, skills and critical aptitude to apply evidence based rehabilitation for people with a range of musculoskeletal pain conditions.

Assessment is an oral via in which the student discusses and demonstrates rehabilitation strategies for a clinical case study.

Course Convenor: Paul Hendrick

 

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer but is not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules that will be available in any given year. Modules (including methods of assessment) may change or be updated, or modules may be cancelled, over the duration of the course due to a number of reasons such as curriculum developments or staffing changes. Please refer to the module catalogue for information on available modules. This content was last updated on Tuesday 17 December 2024.

Due to timetabling availability, there may be restrictions on some module combinations.

Learning and assessment

How you will learn

  • Seminars
  • eLearning
  • Workshops
  • Practical classes
  • Clinical skills sessions

How you will be assessed

  • Coursework
  • Clinical exams
  • Objective structured clinical exams
  • Presentation
  • Digital assessment
  • Dissertation

Your work will be assessed during or at the end of each module to ensure you meet the learning outcomes.

To complete a module and gain its credits you will need to make sure you attend your timetabled sessions and get over the 50% pass mark.

  • To achieve the MSc you will need a total of 180 credits.
  • To achieve the PGDip you will need a total of 120 credits.
  • To achieve the PGCert you will need a total of 60 credits.

Contact time and study hours

We encourage our students to think of the course like they would a full-time job and spend around 37 hours on it per week including teaching time. Part time students should consider it similar to a part-time job.

You are expected to work roughly 10 hours for each credit on the course including teaching and independent study, so a 20 credit module should take around 200 hours to complete.

Teaching days are dependent on the pathway chosen.

Full-time students will have around 20 full days of timetabled teaching over the course of the semester. In addition, there will be tutorials/revision sessions. Students will also be required to complete a Dissertation project comprising a piece of independent study.

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.

Undergraduate degreeA first degree in physiotherapy or a related health care subject of at least a 2:2 classification or equivalent.
Additional information

Please note: this is a postgraduate course. If you would like to train to become a physiotherapist, please see our undergraduate course.

MSc Physiotherapy does not lead to registration as a physiotherapist.

Work experience

We require applicants to have at least one year’s post qualification experience working professionally as a Physiotherapist.

Please note that we are not able to consider internships undertaken as part of your degree as counting towards this professional experience.

Applying

Our step-by-step guide covers everything you need to know about applying.

How to apply

Fees

Qualification MSc
Home / UK £9,700
International £22,600

Additional information for international students

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) .

These fees are for full-time study. If you are studying part-time, you will be charged a proportion of this fee each year (subject to inflation).

Additional costs

All students will need at least one device to approve security access requests via Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). We also recommend students have a suitable laptop to work both on and off-campus. For more information, please check the equipment advice.

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, such as printing, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. You should be able to access most of the books you’ll need through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies or more specific titles. If you were to purchase all of course texts, it would cost approximately £200 to £300.

Funding

There are many ways to fund your postgraduate course, from scholarships to government loans.

We also offer a range of international masters scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Check our guide to find out more about funding your postgraduate degree.

Postgraduate funding

Careers

We offer individual careers support for all postgraduate students.

Expert staff can help you research career options and job vacancies, build your CV or résumé, develop your interview skills and meet employers.

Each year 1,100 employers advertise graduate jobs and internships through our online vacancy service. We host regular careers fairs, including specialist fairs for different sectors.

International students who complete an eligible degree programme in the UK on a student visa can apply to stay and work in the UK after their course under the Graduate immigration route. Eligible courses at the University of Nottingham include bachelors, masters and research degrees, and PGCE courses.

Graduate destinations

This course offers you the opportunity to refine and update your skill set within a practical setting, allowing you to maximise your potential for career development and promotion.

Recent graduates have gone on to work for NHS trusts (such as clinical specialists or advanced practitioners), universities (such as lecturers and senior academics, lecturer practitioners, or researchers), and in private practice.

Career progression

98.6% of postgraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual salary for these graduates was £25,986.*

*HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020. The Graduate Outcomes % is derived using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Two masters graduates proudly holding their certificates

This content was last updated on Tuesday 17 December 2024. Every effort has been made to ensure that this information is accurate, but changes are likely to occur given the interval between the date of publishing and course start date. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply.