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    Neurological Rehabilitation - MSc

    Are you a healthcare professional looking to deepen your knowledge, clinical practice, and research skills in the specialist field of neurological rehabilitation? Our postgraduate programme in this specialist discipline has been designed to enable you to broaden your expertise in managing the care of individuals with neurological and neuromusculoskeletal conditions. You will also enhance your analytical and questioning abilities, develop your evidence-based practice, and be encouraged to be innovative in your clinical practice. 

    Month of entry

    • September

    Mode of study

    • Part time

    Location

    Subject area

    • Physiotherapy

    Fees for 2023/24 academic year

    • Part time £4,900 per year.

    Duration of study

    • 1 - 3 years part time, up to 5 years modular
    Apply now

    Why study Neurological Rehabilitation at Keele University?

    Taught by research active academics and internationally renowned specialists in their field.
    Flexible ways to study via a part-time or modular route with various qualification options.
    Benefit from the School of Allied Health Profession’s strong links with Keele University’s Schools of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery, and Pharmacy and Bioengineering and with local clinical units.
    Enhance your clinical expertise in an important growth area of healthcare.

    Course summary

    Designed for qualified health care professionals such as physiotherapists and occupational therapists, our MSc in Neurological Rehabilitation broadens your insight and skills within this field. The programme is interdisciplinary and draws on subjects from academic schools within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.

    Core modules will shape your studies around key themes such as investigating the fundamental concepts of neurological rehabilitation, which explores areas such as the biomechanical changes in soft tissue following a stroke, and how the latest technology can be applied to patient rehabilitation. You will explore the different approaches of assessment, measurement, and evidence-based practice in the contemporary healthcare environment. The course has a strong focus on improving your confidence and capabilities in research methodology, giving you a solid grounding to prepare you for producing your final dissertation. 

    You will engage with a variety of optional modules so you can align your studies with your own interests and professional development ambitions. Your focal point could be developing your knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics or studying the use of injections in the management of joint and soft tissue pathology.

    There are opportunities to develop your applied anatomical knowledge and skills, and discovering how dynamic ultrasound can be used in evaluating soft tissue anatomy to inform clinical decisions. Other modules aim to update and expand your physiological knowledge, develop your critical appraisal skills, and aid your understanding of the psychosocial aspects of the experience of pain as well as physiology, pharmacology, and the control of pain. Your studies could also focus on the theme of behaviour change and its impact on health and wellbeing.

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    Course structure

    This postgraduate programme in Neurological Rehabilitation provides you with the flexibility to study either on a part-time basis, or a modular route depending on your current circumstances. The part-time option can be completed in two years (three years maximum) and if you select the modular route you can study over a period of up to five years. 

    The taught modules on this programme have a value of 120 M Level credits and the dissertation a total of 60 M Level credits making a total of 180 credits. You can choose to finish the course after 60 credits (Postgraduate Certificate) or after 120 credits (Postgraduate Diploma) or you can select to study individual modules and obtain the relevant credits.  

    The core modules meet the needs of individuals to review and evaluate the scientific background of their own specialism and to integrate this into their clinical practice. The option modules allow students to devise a programme to suit their own specific requirements in terms of professional and personal development. The Research module and Evidence Based Practice module together with the dissertation develop the student’s research capabilities and critical evaluation skills.

    The following indicate the range of modules that may be offered.

    Core (Compulsory) Modules (each 15 credits, totalling 60 credits)

    Option Modules (credit value in brackets – 60 credits required for MSc and PgDip)

    Availability of options may be subject to change in any year and other modules may also be available. Examples are given below, a full list of modules including those examples listed below can be seen at the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences module listing

    • Essentials of Manual Therapy Assessment (15)
    • Principles and Practice of Joint & Soft Tissue Injection (15)
    • Musculoskeletal Management at the Interface (30)
    • Applied Clinical Anatomy 1 (15)
    • Applied Clinical Anatomy 2 (30)
    • Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging (15)
    • Physiology of Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare (15)
    • Independent Study (15)
    • Psychosocial Aspects of Pain (15)
    • Physiology and Pharmacology of Pain (15)
    • Behaviour Change for Health and Well-Being (15)

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    Entry requirements

    The course is open to therapists, (e.g. physiotherapists, occupational therapists), and other health professionals. Applicants should normally have a first or second-class honours degree (2.1 or 2.2) (or overseas equivalent) in a relevant subject such as Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, or an equivalent professional qualification. In addition, applicants must normally have completed at least 12 months of professional work experience by 30 June prior to admission or be registered with the UK Professional Council or overseas equivalent. Registration with your Professional Council is strongly recommended; if this is not obtained then this may limit your choice of options since you will not be able to undertake practical clinical modules.

    Forms for UK Professional Council registration are available from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), at www.hcpc-uk.org General Medical Council (GMC) information obtained from www.gmc-uk.org and Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) via www.nmc-uk.org This process can take at least eight weeks, so please do apply early.

    For students whose first language is not English, evidence will normally* be required of successful completion of an English Language qualification such as IELTS (minimum 6.5 with at least 6 in each sub-test).

    All applications are assessed on an individual basis. Applicants should ensure that their personal statements identify why they wish to study this course.

    *In exceptional circumstances, if the school believes a student to be academically strong but has a borderline IELTS (or equivalent) score (e.g. a student with an UK equivalent high first class degree qualification and misses one component of the IELTS by 0.5 in a speaking or listening section), the applicant may be interviewed by the academic from both the School and the Language Centre. If the student is successful in the interview they maybe considered for entry.

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    Funding

    Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2023 start date falls in the 2022/23 academic year. Please see the 2022/23 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2023.

    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.

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    Your career

    The aim of Keele University's MSc in Neurological Rehabilitation is to broaden your knowledge and understanding of the assessment and management of a wide range of neurological conditions and promote your professional and personal development. You will develop a greater insight into how different disciplines, through a programme of shared learning and teaching, can contribute to these aims. The programme also facilitates analysis, discussion and critical appraisal of scientific and clinical knowledge.

    As the course draws from modules from across the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences and the wider university to encourage interprofessional learning, you may choose to pursue level 7 modules available within the Faculty to develop your leadership or education skillset to directly support your future career.

    This programme could support your progression into positions which may include:

    • Clinical Specialist
    • Extended Scope Practitioner
    • Advanced Practitioner Roles
    • Academia
    • Research
    • Leadership
    • Management Roles
    • Education

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    Teaching, learning and assessment

    How is the course taught? 

    Modules on the MSc in Neurological Rehabilitation are taught using a variety of methods depending on the module theme.  We use traditional style lectures which may feature specialist guest speakers from the field of neurological rehabilitation. You will participate in small group workshops where you will work together with other students to undertake activities such as critically appraising papers relating to a specific aspects of neurological rehabilitation. Seminar presentations will provide you with the opportunity to research and present your findings about a specific and current clinical theme. 

    We organise student and tutor led tutorials to facilitate small group discussions about topics relevant to the module. We also use these to explore problem solving scenarios and appropriate case studies.  

    Some modules require you to undertake practical activities either observing the application of or to develop your learning of practical skills. This could include gait analysis, acupuncture, electrical stimulation, injection, and manual therapy all under the supervision of exert practitioners and academics. 

    You will also have access to the KLE - Keele University’s virtual learning environment. All modules use this tool which provides you with a virtual space to share discussions as well as being a useful resource for accessing learning resources and research tools.  

    Independent study is a substantial part of each module and you will be encouraged and guided by tutors when applicable. Some independent study will be self-directed depending on the module. Independent study also plays a significant role in writing your dissertation where you will also be supported by your academic staff, including one-to-one supervision, and student led workshops.

    How will I be assessed? 

    You will be assessed on this programme through a variety of different methods that reflect the nature of each module. These currently include: 

    • Essays. These may be based around specific questions, case studies or areas of interest, depending on the module. Using your findings to support your argument. 
    • Reflective assignments. A reflective piece of work in your specific area of interest. Reflective learning and practice is a fundamental part of your continual professional development as a practitioner. 
    • Portfolios. These contain evidence of your critical reflection on your learning journey and clinical practice. 
    • Presentations. Oral presentations will develop communication skills and develop your confidence in presenting your findings and rationale behind your argument. 
    • Practical examinations. 
    • Dissertation. Student led, independent piece of research. 

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    Keele Postgraduate Association

    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.

    KPA interior

    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

    Our expertise 

    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 invite a range of speakers to contribute to our postgraduate provision to enhance your learning.

    Many of our current staff are active researchers and some are members of specialist of specialist organisations like the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) and the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Neurology (ACPIN). 

    You can find more about our current academic teaching team here.

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    Facilities

    We host a selection of materials that will assist with your theoretical and practical learning, including an ALS patient simulator, old age simulation suits, 3-D anatomical on-line learning materials and models, as well as diagnostic, assessment and therapeutic equipment. You will also be able to utilise exercise testing equipment during the programme to help with teaching. Other facilities may also be used for teaching including the Anatomy Suite, modern and spacious laboratory facilities and the Movement Analysis Suite.

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