BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

• 120 UCAS points. We accept a full range of qualifications that carry UCAS points, including A-levels, BTECs and T levels. Please see our guide to the UCAS Tariff for examples of how to achieve these points. For most courses, we are also able to consider non-tariffable qualifications.
• Please note that this course is only available to Home students.
• Your Level 3 subjects must include biology; for instance, A-level Biology or BTEC Extended Diploma in Applied Science. If you’re undertaking A-levels in Biology, Chemistry or Physics, you’ll be expected to pass the science practical assessment.
• You should also have five GCSEs at grade C or above or grade 4 to 9 (or equivalent) including English, Mathematics and Science. Please contact us for a list of acceptable GCSE equivalents.
• You’ll also need to show that you have relevant work experience; for instance working or volunteering in a healthcare setting such as physiotherapy service, GP practice or with other allied health professionals (AHPs).
• For guidance regarding acceptable alternative qualifications, please contact admissions@bolton.ac.uk. Qualifications gained outside England and Wales will be assessed on an individual basis according to guidance by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
• We are happy to consider alternative qualifications and relevant work experience. The Recognition of Prior Certificated Learning (RPCL) or Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) route may be used for entry. Please contact the programme leader for details.
• If your application is successfully shortlisted, you’ll be invited to a selection day where you’ll be expected to complete a number of assessments including an interview, written test and group activity. The interview panel will include academic staff, practice staff and service users. This will consist of a group-based activity and a one to one interview. The aim is to observe your communication and problem-solving skills in addition to ascertaining your suitability to the programme. We’re seeking students who can demonstrate commitment to a physiotherapy career, who have excellent communication skills and who are caring and compassionate.
• If you’re successful at the interview stage, you’ll be asked to undergo occupational health screening and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
• You’ll need to demonstrate that you’re of good health and good character and satisfactorily pass occupational health screening. You’ll be required to complete a confidential self-declaration form outlining any medical or health conditions that may affect your ability to undertake academic or physiotherapy practice tasks.
• This course involves working unsupervised with children and/or vulnerable young people and adults and you must gain an Enhanced Disclosure certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) before starting your studies. Charges are payable to cover the cost of the DBS Enhanced Disclosure application and annual registration with the online Update Service.
• We take a positive view of what candidates with disabilities can achieve as future healthcare professionals and take seriously our obligation to make reasonable adjustments to ensure that all students with disabilities can successfully complete their studies. All applicants will be assessed up to and including the interview on the basis of the criteria outlined here regardless of any disability. If you declare a disability, we’ll invite you to work with us, the University of Bolton’s Disability team, clinical colleagues and relevant specialist services (for example, RNIB) to explore how best we can support your studies.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 7.0 with normally no less than 6.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.
• Please note that this course is subject to the University of Bolton's Fitness to Practise procedure.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Physiotherapy is the treatment and prevention of injury, disease and disorders through physical and psychological methods (such as exercise, massage, manipulation and other treatments) over medication and surgery. As a Chartered Physiotherapist, you’ll provide treatment for people of all ages suffering from physical problems that restrict their mobility and independence or cause pain. These may arise from injury, disease, illness or ageing, and include functional problems resulting from back and neck injuries; sprains, strains, and fractures; arthritis; amputations; neurological disorders, such as stroke or cerebral palsy; and many other conditions.

As a graduate, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to improve a person's quality of life by using a variety of treatments to alleviate pain and restore function or, in the case of permanent injury or disease, to lessen the effects of any dysfunction. Interventions and programmes can include exercise; training in functional movement, and equipment such as using canes, crutches, wheelchairs, and walkers; and special movements of joints, muscles, and other soft tissue to improve movement and decrease pain. As well as treating people, you’ll promote good health and advise people on how to avoid injury.

By the time you graduate, you’ll possess a wide range of skills, knowledge and behaviours. Studying this course will support you to develop skills in team working and decision making, as well as enhance your ability to communicate well and clearly with a diverse group of individuals, and manage difficult and stressful situations. You’ll also have good observational skills, emotional intelligence, be able to use your initiative and manage your time effectively.

What can I do with this qualification?

On successful completion of the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy programme, you’ll possess the knowledge and skills you need to perform as an independent, highly competent physiotherapist eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as a physiotherapist in the UK. You’ll also be eligible to apply for full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

A UK physiotherapy qualification offers excellent career opportunities and progression. Typically, once you have qualified and registered as a physiotherapist you’ll be able to seek employment in the NHS and private clinics. You may work in hospitals where physiotherapists are needed in nearly every department, in the community, health centres, nursing homes, day centres or schools. However, the scope of physiotherapy allows for employment in many other areas such as the Ministry of Defence, professional sports clubs, gyms and fitness centres, higher education and as a researcher for national health-related charities.

Physiotherapy offers opportunities to specialise in a number of areas, such as sports medicine, women’s health and children’s health (paediatrics). You’ll also be able to explore different areas of practice, including musculoskeletal, neurological and respiratory, and further study leading to advanced practitioner roles. Alternatively, you’ll be able to progress to qualifications in related fields such as sport rehabilitation or strength and conditioning.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use this qualification as a stepping-stone to enter a range of other careers, and for some of these roles both relevant experience and postgraduate study may be required. The knowledge and skills you’ll develop on this programme will underpin a number of alternative career opportunities including:

• Public health
• Health promotion
• Management/leadership
• Teaching and education
• Clinical research

Useful information

Healthcare students starting and continuing their course from 1 September 2020 onwards can apply for additional funding support from the NHS Learning Support Fund. Please visit NHS Learning Support Fund web page for details.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2022-2023 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

For 2022-2023 entry, the maximum government approved undergraduate tuition fee for UK students is £9,250 per year. The University is able to charge this fee subject to an approved Access and Participation Plan for 2022-2023 and its current rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework.

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Bolton students.

Modern healthcare professionals require a range of skills and values and our practice placement partners and tutors will help you to gain experience of a range of physiotherapy care scenarios designed to develop your skills in a safe and supportive environment. The course involves a wealth of workplace learning opportunities (please note, considerable travelling may be required). At the first level of the course, you’ll be expected to complete an observational practice-based learning experience at the end of the second semester. You’ll need to complete a further 400 clinical hours of practice-based learning at the second level, with an elective practice-based learning experience of 200 hours on completion during the summer prior to the third level. During the third level, you’ll complete another 400 clinical hours. As you progress through the course, we’ll guide and encourage you to draw on your practice-based learning experience while studying theory, and also apply the theory learned to your practice so that you can understand how the two complement each other.

We use a blended-learning approach, combining face-to-face sessions with online and practical work. You can expect discussion-based lectures, presentations by guest speakers, simulations delivered by tutors, seminar discussions, small group workshops, small group and one-to-one tutorials and practical skill learning sessions. You’ll also need to undertake a significant amount of personal study, including general background reading, preparing for seminar activities, working on assignments and revising for examinations.

To help support your learning, the University also offers additional study skills sessions, such as essay writing, library skills and electronic searching, and numeracy. You can also find support through our social learning community that includes a peer-support programme and enhanced personal tutoring. Our virtual learning environment (VLE) is used to share study resources. You’ll also be expected to develop your own E-portfolio, where you’ll catalogue evidence of your learning through a variety of media. To enhance your individual journey to becoming an effective practitioner, you’ll be encouraged to develop reflective practise through personal development planning.

Assessment tasks are designed to ensure you achieve the learning outcomes for each module and develop the necessary skills, knowledge and behaviours required to practise as a physiotherapist. While assessment serves to evaluate your achievement, it also helps you organise and develop your learning by revealing your strengths and weaknesses. A variety of assessment methods will be used, including written coursework, oral presentations, time-constrained written activities, practical case scenarios and portfolios. We’ll provide feedback on your assessments to help you improve in the future.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• The Profession of Physiotherapy
• Human Physiology and Pathophysiology of Illness
• Clinical Enquiry and Personal Development
• Anatomy, Musculoskeletal Injury and Assessment
• Principles of Physiotherapy Management 1
• Clinical Placement 1
• Clinical Placement 2
• Injury Pathology and Clinical Treatment Skills
• Physiotherapy Elective Placement
• Principles of Physiotherapy Management 2
• Critical Reflective Practice
• Clinical Placement 3
• Clinical Placement 4
• Physiotherapy Dissertation

Assessment methods

Learning activities

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.