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    Physiotherapy (pre-registration) - MSc

    Our 2 year pre-registration Physiotherapy MSc is a qualifying programme for graduates with a relevant undergraduate degree. The course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council. We offer a supportive environment with excellent opportunities for you to excel as you develop the knowledge and skills required of a highly competent physiotherapist capable of meeting healthcare environment demands. This challenging course comprises a balanced delivery of theoretical learning, practical skills teaching, self-reflection and practice-experience placements.

    Applications for January 2024 entry are now closed for UK and International students.

    Month of entry

    • January

    Mode of study

    • Full time

    Location

    Subject area

    • Physiotherapy

    Fees for 2023/24 academic year


    • UK - Full time £9,250 per year
      International - Full Time £25,400 per year 

    Duration of study

    • Full time - 2 years

    Why study Physiotherapy (pre-registration) at Keele University?

    Accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council
    Gain experience in a variety of healthcare environments alongside accredited practice educators
    Promotion of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion throughout all aspects of the programme
    Develop interpersonal, analytical and critical skills to enable you to practice effectively in your chosen career
    Learn clinical skills alongside leadership, research and education to prepare you for continued development in your future career

    Course summary

    MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) at Keele focuses on the delivery of patient-centred care within a range of health and social care environments. Physiotherapy emphasises the use of physical approaches in the promotion, maintenance and restoration of an individual’s physical, psychological and social wellbeing - all which underpin the key themes of our programme.

    Our two year MSc enables you to develop the scientific knowledge, clinical skills, behaviours and values that underpin contemporary evidence-based physiotherapy practice. You will explore the importance of clinical reasoning and informed evidence-based decision-making which will enable you to confidently manage patients with a range of clinical needs. You will work in partnership with patients, assessing and identifying the appropriate management and care which considers their overall wellbeing to achieve optimum health benefits.

    You will engage with theoretical and practical teaching to become an independent thinker who can make informed decisions confidently. Through active participation in inter-professional learning, you will develop an appreciation for the multiple professions whom may be involved in a patient's care, developing your ability to work collaboratively within the multi-disciplinary team.

    You will explore and evaluate the role of current physiotherapists considering how future practice may advance. Your ability to critically analyse and draw conclusions will enable you to consider scenarios from different perspectives and with this insight, you will be equipped to positively adapt to changes in circumstances. These experiences will develop your confidence to make informed clinical decisions with the best interest of the patient at the heart of your care. You will cover all four pillars of advanced Physiotherapy practice (Clinical, Leadership - which includes equality, diversity and inclusion, Research and Education) to prepare you for your future career and the development of the profession.

    Student Support

    Academic Mentor

    You will be assigned an academic mentor who will support you with your academic development and queries. They will be your initial contact and are able to refer you to a range of student services offered by the university including welfare and financial support.

    Student Experience and Support Team

    Our Student Experience and Support team will be on hand to deliver an array of services to help guide you through your studies. Each school has an allocated Student Experience and Support Officer who will be available to help with pastoral queries and one-to-one support.

    Practice Educators

    Your practical experience will involve various healthcare environments and you will be supported by an accredited practice educator who will be on hand to provide feedback and support during your placements. Practice educators have a breadth of knowledge and experience in a variety of settings (clinical/professional body/leadership/research) which will help to provide insight into a range of careers and specialisms that may be of interest.

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    "Studying Physiotherapy at Keele has been an amazing opportunity. The lecturers here come with a wealth of knowledge which they love to share, and a variety of teaching methods are adopted (lectures, interactive seminars, PBL, group work and practicals) which really helps to embed all the information you need (and there’s a lot!). "

    Hannah, MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration)

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    Course structure

    This programme is studied across two years and each year is divided into two semesters. You will engage with a number of practice-experience placements, contributing to your practice hours that will allow you to meet the requirement to register as a qualified physiotherapist.

    Your placements may offer experience and insight into the following areas of Physiotherapy practice:

    • Hospitals
    • Acute healthcare
    • Community healthcare
    • Private, independent and/or voluntary organisations (including sports clubs)
    • Virtual healthcare
    • Leadership and/or research

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    Physiotherapy

    "The introduction to the course was fun and stimulating and the lecturers were great in creating a relaxed yet stimulating learning environment. The atmosphere at Keele and the expertise of the course lecturers meant I was instantly motivated and excited to study."

    Ashlea, MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration)

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    Entry requirements

    Academic entry requirements

    This programme is designed for individuals with:

    • An undergraduate degree in an appropriate science or exercise-based subject with at least a second class honours (2:1)

    OR

    • An undergraduate degree in an appropriate science or exercise-based subject with at least a second class honours (2:2) plus three years relevant clinical experience with evidence of continued professional development (CPD)

    OR

    • Successful completion of a 3 year diploma in Physiotherapy

    Please note: Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or overseas police check, and health checks are required for all applicants whom are successful at interview.

    English language entry requirement for international students

    If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

    Admissions process

    Please note this course operates a 'gathered field' approach for admission. Applications will open on 1 April 2023. All applications received by the application deadline (23:59 30 June 2023) will be given equal consideration. You will not receive a decision on your application until after this date.

    There are four key stages to our Admissions process for the Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) programme - detailed below. Please note, you must be successful at each stage to proceed through the process.

    Stage 1

    Application reviewed against published entry requirements

    Stage 2

    Selection task completed within the deadline provided

    Stage 3

    Review by the academic team for scoring of the application and personal statement

    Stage 4

    Interview

    Next Steps

    Entry requirements

    Academic entry requirements

    This programme is designed for individuals with:

    • An undergraduate degree in an appropriate science or exercise-based subject with at least a second class honours (2:1)

    OR

    • An undergraduate degree in an appropriate science or exercise-based subject with at least a second class honours (2:2) plus three years relevant clinical experience with evidence of continued professional development (CPD)

    OR

    • Successful completion of a 3 year diploma in Physiotherapy

    Please note: Satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) or overseas police check, and health checks are required for all applicants whom are successful at interview.

    English language entry requirement for international students

    If you do not meet the English language requirements, the University offers a range of English language preparation programmes.

    Admissions process

    Please note this course operates a 'gathered field' approach for admission. Applications will open on 1 April 2023. All applications received by the application deadline (23:59 30 June 2023) will be given equal consideration. You will not receive a decision on your application until after this date.

    There are four key stages to our Admissions process for the Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) programme - detailed below. Please note, you must be successful at each stage to proceed through the process.

    Stage 1

    Application reviewed against published entry requirements

    Stage 2

    Selection task completed within the deadline provided

    Stage 3

    Review by the academic team for scoring of the application and personal statement

    Stage 4

    Interview

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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 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.

    Scholarships

    Pre-registration Physiotherapy students are eligible to apply for funding support via the NHS Learning Support Fund which includes a £5000 training grant. More information, incluidng the eligibility criteria can be found here.

    We are committed to rewarding excellence and potential. Please visit our bursaries and scholarships webpage for more information.

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    Your career

    Upon completion of the MSc, you will be equipped with a wide range of research, leadership and clinical practice skills that will provide you with the expertise to work as a Physiotherapist. You will be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council.

    You may seek to work in a national or international healthcare environment such as the NHS, private sector, occupational health, or sports. Alternatively you may choose to pursue further study or seek opportunities to develop the physiotherapy profession or healthcare services with the high level skill set you will have developed throughout the programme.

    Physiotherapy is a diverse profession with many areas of clinical specialisms and work environments. Graduates have the flexibility to pursue careers that are clinical, research, professional body or education based or any combination of these. Refer to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) website for more information about careers.

    Towards the end of your programme we guide you in searching and seeking for employment and applying for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.

    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.

    Find out more about our careers and employability services, including career planning, jobs, starting your own business and much more.

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    Postgraduate qualifying masters in Physiotherapy

    Programme lead, Claire Stapleton, talks about our 2 year physiotherapy programme.

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    Teaching, learning and assessment

    How you'll be taught

    Teaching is delivered on campus and in practice-based environments, enabling you to build a foundation of knowledge and experience of practical learning.

    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.

    There are various teaching methods used on this programme, including:

    • Lectures
    • Seminars
    • Individual and group presentations
    • Student and tutor-led tutorials
    • Practical work
    • Group workshops
    • Web-based learning
    • Learning in the practice environment
    • Inter-professional learning
    • Independent study

    You will be taught by a wide range of academics in the School of Allied Health Professions including Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registered physiotherapists and research active staff with expertise across different areas. The practical learning element of this programme will be assessed by practice educators who currently work across diverse healthcare environments.

    How you'll be assessed

    The assessment methods at Keele will enable you to review your learning, develop a variety of skills reflective of the needs of a workplace (including written - reports, reflections and essays - oral communication and digital) and progress throughout the programme, including:

    • Written work/assignments
    • Written and practical examinations
    • Oral presentations
    • Reflective assignments
    • Practice assessments/Interactive Practical Assessment (IPA)
    • Research project

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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

    The MSc involves collaboration between both peers and professional teaching staff across a range of medical fields, which will benefit your learning experience through discussions and insight into varied healthcare settings. Teaching will be delivered by highly skilled qualified staff, through a blend of modules that reflect different aspects of the physiotherapy profession such as clinical expertise, health and wellbeing, human movement, research and leadership.

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    Facilities

    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 based at 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 an ALS Patient Simulator, anatomical models and electrophysical equipment. You will also be able to utilise exercise testing equipment during the programme to help with teaching, such as heart rate monitors and sensory testing kits.

    Other facilities may also be used for teaching including the Anatomy Suite, Sports Centre, and Movement Analysis Suite.

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    Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

    Diversity and Inclusion in Physiotherapy Practical Skills Education

    The educational programmes in the School of Allied Health Professions prepare students to practice in a wide range of healthcare and wellbeing settings.

    Each programme equips students with the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours required to practice safely and effectively in a constantly changing healthcare environment. Programmes must also ensure students are prepared for professional practice which truly embraces and promotes equality, diversity, and inclusion.

    Students will learn both the theory and practice of their chosen profession and will be taught in both the university and the clinical/healthcare environment.

    Practical skills will initially be taught in the classroom and students will both practise and personally experience the skills of the profession. Students are required to act as patient models both in the classroom and, where appropriate, in the clinical setting. Acting as a patient model is a valuable part of learning by offering the experience of healthcare from the perspective of a patient which will contribute to the students’ development in becoming an empathetic healthcare professional. Through classroom-based and practice-based settings students will experience a wide diversity of healthcare situations and environments in which their professional skills are developed for practice as a qualified, registered health professional.

    The School recognises and understands that, for a variety of reasons, some students may find being a model or practising skills on fellow students and/or professional colleagues uncomfortable. Please be assured that the School is committed to provide an inclusive environment for all students to thrive and as such provides screens in practical teaching sessions, respects an individual's preference for how they wish to be addressed, plans assessments in cognisance of holy days and offers 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 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.

    Next Steps

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