Advance your expertise within musculoskeletal physiotherapy with specialist postgraduate study at Keele. Our specialist programme advances your clinical skill set, in both assessment and management strategies, informed by current evidence and in depth knowledge of anatomy and physiology. Our MSc contributes to your continued professional development enhancing your career prospects within the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy and beyond. You will benefit from inter-professional learning and facilities such as our anatomy suite and movement analysis suite. The programme is flexible so you will be able to build on and add to your knowledge of the neuromusculoskeletal system and its management.
Please note: this course is only open to Home fee status students, and unfortunately is not currently available to International fee status students.
Why study Advanced Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) at Keele University?
Opportunity to specialise in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and enhance your career prospects
Flexibility to study part-time over three years or modular over five years
This programme contributes towards your continuing professional development (CPD)
Build specialist skills with the option to advance your practice with master's level learning in leadership and clinical education in consultation with the programme lead
Course summary
Physiotherapy is a constantly evolving profession which requires practitioners to demonstrate best practice in the best interests of service users. Our MSc Advanced Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) programme advances your knowledge of physiotherapy practice specific to musculoskeletal conditions through the combination of theoretical and practical teaching. You will be encouraged to reflect upon current practice, utilising research literature to critically analyse, challenge and evaluate the evidence base.
The programme is carefully designed to advance your understanding within the speciality, exploring core areas such as applied clinical anatomy and the physiology or neuromusculoskeletal tissue. You will consider how management and treatment is delivered holistically for each patient, having the opportunity to select from a range of clinically focused modules ranging from assessment using musculoskeletal ultrasound to treatment using injection therapy. Alternatively, you may choose to develop your knowledge of pain and its management.
Our optional modules provide you with the flexibility to tailor your programme based on your interests and aspirations within this specialist field. You will develop your skills through critical thinking and research analysis, whilst collaborating with peers to share best practice and establish professional relationships.
Our programme is flexible and caters to your needs and interests, allowing you to tailor your studies aligned to your specialism through core and optional modules. You may wish to complete the programme over three years for part time study (MSc) or take the modular route over 5 years.
The MSc programme comprises of taught modules to the value of 120 credits and a dissertation of 60 credits, totalling 180 credits.
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
You will have the opportunity to choose two optional/elective modules (15 credits each )* such as Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging or Principles and Practice of Joint and Soft Tissue Injection.
*Please note: These modules will span across the duration of your study and are subject to availability.
Please note unfortunately this course is not available to overseas students.
Please note: There may be specific requirements for particular modules such as:
Evidence that you are currently in clinical practice
Written support from line manager
Named clinical mentor
Registration with professional governing body
Proof of up to date personal indemnity insurance
Evidence of mandatory training in workplace
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
There are opportunities for prior learning to be brought into this programme, where your learning aligns with the award title, such as:
Successful completion of credits at level 7 from other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Completion of professional learning in the workplace
Attendance of non-credit bearing professional courses
Please note that level 7 learning following completion of professional learning in the workplace or attendance of non-credit bearing professional courses would need to be supported by a portfolio of evidence documenting how the learning has been and continues to be implemented in your practice.
Each application will need to be discussed on an individual basis and then reviewed by the university.
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English Language requirements you may need.
Typical offer: 2:2 degree in PhysiotherapyAdditional criteria apply
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in Physiotherapy
You will also need: an English language qualification
Bangladesh
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Canada
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
China
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Ghana
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
India
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Kenya
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Nepal
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Nigeria
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Pakistan
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
South Africa
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Sri Lanka
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Uganda
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Zimbabwe
This course is part time and only available for students who do not require a visa. If you are unsure if this applies to you, please contact our admissions team at enquiries@keele.ac.uk
Please note unfortunately this course is not available to overseas students.
Please note: There may be specific requirements for particular modules such as:
Evidence that you are currently in clinical practice
Written support from line manager
Named clinical mentor
Registration with professional governing body
Proof of up to date personal indemnity insurance
Evidence of mandatory training in workplace
RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL)
There are opportunities for prior learning to be brought into this programme, where your learning aligns with the award title, such as:
Successful completion of credits at level 7 from other Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
Completion of professional learning in the workplace
Attendance of non-credit bearing professional courses
Please note that level 7 learning following completion of professional learning in the workplace or attendance of non-credit bearing professional courses would need to be supported by a portfolio of evidence documenting how the learning has been and continues to be implemented in your practice.
Each application will need to be discussed on an individual basis and then reviewed by the university.
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group C.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
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Funding
Living costs
Keele University is located on a beautiful campus and has all the facilities of a small town. Student accommodation, shops, restaurants and cafes are all within walking distance of the teaching buildings. This is a very cost effective way to live and to reduce your living costs.
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2024 start date falls in the 2023/24 academic year. Please see the 2023/24 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2024.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
Scholarships
We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our Scholarships and Bursaries webpage for more information.
Upon successful completion of this programme, you will be equipped with the skills and expertise to apply your knowledge of musculoskeletal physiotherapy to your clinical practice. You will be able to demonstrate your in-depth research knowledge and credibility for proposing change in the workplace.
With your experience, you will also be able to deliver effective physiotherapy treatment to patients and apply your learning in a range of healthcare environments.
Career opportunities you may wish to pursue include:
Clinical Specialist
Extended Scope Practitioner
Advanced Practitioner Roles
Academia
Research
Leadership
Management Roles
Education
Careers and employability
Keele’s Careers and Employability team (Shortlisted for Best University Careers Employment Service - National Undergraduate Employability Awards, 2021), offers a variety of personal and career development opportunities to enhance your employability.
You will engage in various teaching methods throughout the programme that will allow you to deepen your understanding of subject matter and engage in discussions with peers. This experience will help to highlight different ideas and perspectives that will enable you to think critically and apply your findings in practice.
Teaching will be delivered by a team of professionals, consisting of lecturers, expert clinicians, research active staff and teaching fellows.
In your programme you will sometimes be expected to role play and engage in simulated clinical scenarios with other students, such as the practice and observation of practical skills in physical contact with other students. For some specific practices, this may necessitate modification of dress - e.g., to shorts and t-shirt. These activities will be conducted in a professional, safe, respectful and culturally sensitive way, under the supervision of academic staff, according to a defined protocol.
Methods of teaching may include:
Lectures
Seminars
Small group workshops
Practical work
Student and tutor-led tutorials
Web based learning
Independent study
How you'll be assessed
You will engage with various assessment methods to help test your knowledge and skills throughout the course which will be dependent on the modules taken.
Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.
Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.
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Our expertise
The School of Allied Health Professions (SAHP) welcomes you to study on our MSc Advanced Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) programme.
Our multidisciplinary staff have expertise across a wide range of healthcare and health promotion specialisms. Our academics and clinicians are dedicated and enthusiastic, with a consistent record of inspiring and supporting students towards successful completion of their chosen programmes. We also regularly invite a range of speakers to contribute to our postgraduate provision to enhance your learning.
At Keele, you will have access to facilities that will help to support your independent study and group work with peers using various resources. You will be able to make use of the Keele campus library as well as the Health Library on the campus of the University Hospital of North Midlands NHS Trust.
School of Allied Health Professions
We host a selection of materials that will assist with your theoretical and practical learning, including case scenarios to enhance decision making and problem solving, simulation of challenging patients and clinical environments to be able to develop specialist clinical skills.
Depending on your optional module choices, other facilities may also be used for teaching including the Movement Analysis Suite, alongside access to 3-D anatomy software, exercise and other testing equipment or ultrasound imaging.
Diversity and Inclusion in Physiotherapy Practical Skills Education
The educational programmes in the School of Allied Health Professions prepare students to enhance their practice in a wide range of healthcare and wellbeing settings.
Programmes must also ensure students are prepared for professional practice which truly embraces and promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Where students are required to act as patient models, please be assured that the School is committed to provide an inclusive environment for all students to thrive. The School will address individuals in the way they would like, provide screens in practical teaching sessions, plan assessments in cognisance of holy days and offer the adaptation of dress, where possible, to maintain modesty and dignity requirements of religious (or other) dress codes.
A culturally and ethnically diverse student body will enhance understanding of, and healthcare provision for, the diverse communities that they will serve, as such, we welcome the opportunity to work with you to find culturally competent and/or sensitive solutions for you. For any questions or concerns you may have about practical skills education, please do contact the school at your earliest opportunity to discuss with a member of academic staff (Primary contacts: Dr Claire Stapleton, c.stapleton@keele.ac.uk, (Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Lead) for all aspects of equality, except disability, where Dr Dale Cooper, d.cooper1@keele.ac.uk (Disability Liaison Officer) should be contacted).
The School of Allied Health Professions is committed to ensuring its graduates are fully prepared for advanced practice across the widest range of healthcare situations and settings and that they are also able to embrace, reflect and influence the values and behaviours required to promote inclusive cultures and diversity.
