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 Allied Health Professions 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 and Midwifery, Medicine, and Pharmacy and Bioengineering.

Course structure

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 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.

How the course is taught

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.

How you'll be assessed

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%.

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.

This course is only available part-time and we do not provide Tier 4 sponsorship for part-time courses.

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.

Funding

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.

Scholarships and Funding

The University is committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Each year we offer a range of prestigious scholarships;

UK students - more information on scholarships and funding

International students - more information on scholarships and funding

Careers

We provide an environment where you will be supported and motivated to develop academically, professionally and personally. We promote reflective thinking, reflective practice, self-evaluation, and the process of critical and evaluative thinking, writing, and communication. You will transfer your scientific knowledge from theory into practice and develop research skills with a sound academic core to your clinical practice in physiotherapy. You will also develop a scientific approach to the evaluation of current practice in physiotherapy, and explore interdisciplinary perspectives and an holistic approach to the management and rehabilitation of person.