About the course

This programme is designed to provide opportunity for students to question and challenge current practice in neurological physiotherapy and enables students to study the healthcare, management and rehabilitation of people with neurological and neuromuscular problems from a dynamic and expanding perspective. It also aims to enable students to evaluate evidence both for current practice and for new approaches in physiotherapy practice.

The structure of the core modules meets the needs of individuals to review and evaluate physiotherapy within the field of neurology and to integrate this into their clinical practice where appropriate. The option module choice allows students to select the mode that best suits their own specific requirements in terms of personal and professional development. The research module and dissertation, together with core modules such as Evidence-based Practice OR Assessment and Measurement, develop the student’s research capabilities and critical evaluation skills.

The School of Health & Rehabilitation is based on Keele campus and has a well-established undergraduate physiotherapy programme. It has strong connections both with local clinical units and with other Schools within the University such as the Schools of Nursing & Midwifery, Medicine, and Pharmacy.

Aims of the course

Provide an environment where the student is supported and motivated to develop academically, professionally and personally. Promote reflective thinking, reflective practice, and self-evaluation. Develop the process of critical and evaluative thinking, writing, and communication. Transfer scientific knowledge from theory into practice. Develop research skills to provide students with a sound academic core to their clinical practice in physiotherapy. Develop a scientific approach to the evaluation of current practice in physiotherapy.

Promote interdisciplinary perspectives and an holistic approach to the management and rehabilitation of person.

Entry Requirements

The course is open to appropriately qualified physiotherapists who are interested in acquiring new knowledge and/or deepening existing knowledge in the field of neurological physiotherapy. Applicants should normally have a first or second- class honours degree (2.1 or 2.2) (or overseas equivalent) in Physiotherapy.

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.

Course content

The MSc programme comprises taught modules to the value of 120 M Level credits and a dissertation of 60 M Level credits, giving a total of 180 credits. Students may choose to finish their studies after completing 120 taught credits (Postgraduate Diploma), or they may study any module on a stand-alone basis and obtain the relevant credits. The full-time MSc programme is completed over 12 months. 

The structure of the core modules meets the needs of individuals to review and evaluate physiotherapy within the field of neurology and to integrate this into their clinical practice where appropriate. The option module choice allows students to select the mode that best suits their own specific requirements in terms of personal and professional development. The research module and dissertation, together with core modules such as Evidence-based Practice OR Assessment and Measurement, develop the student’s research capabilities and critical evaluation skills.

Course Modules

Core Modules (each 15 credits totalling 105 credits)

• Research Methods in Health
• Applied Clinical Anatomy 1
• Concepts of Neurological Rehabilitation
• Assistive Technologies in Neurological Rehabilitation
• Physiology of Neuromusculoskeletal Tissue
• Behaviour Change for Health and Well-Being
• Assessment and Measurement OR Evidence Based Practice - this is delivered electronically entirely via distance learning
• Dissertation (60 credits)

Optional Module (15 credits)

Choose from the following

• Dynamic Ultrasound Imaging
• Psychosocial Aspects of Pain 
• Essentials of Manual Therapy Assessment 
• or another in discussion with the Programme Leader

Teaching and assessment

Lecture sessions are led by a variety of experienced authorities in their field. Therefore, the student receives a wide knowledge base from academics and practising experts.

The programme is assessed by a variety of techniques chosen to reflect the aims and objectives and teaching methods of individual modules, for example: essay, critical evaluation, paper review, seminar presentations, examination, the use of the Virtual Learning Environment, and dissertation. The pass mark for all modules is 50%.

Additional costs

Apart from additional costs for text books, inter-library loans and potential overdue library fines we do not anticipate any additional costs for this post graduate programme.