Course content

Physiotherapists play a vital role in healthcare and are actively engaged in a broad range of career paths from clinical practice through to leadership and management roles. The physiotherapy course at Keele will help you develop high standards of academic and professional competence, combined with interprofessional learning alongside other healthcare profession students, to promote an awareness of the present and future demands in healthcare.

Our course embraces a vision of patient-centred care within a wide range of healthcare settings, and you will gain invaluable experience in public and private sector based clinical, rehabilitation and sport environments. You will study in inclusive and supportive learning environments, that encourage reflection and that are enriched by case-based and evidence-based learning.

You will be taught by highly experienced lecturers, clinicians and leading researchers in physiotherapy. What sets this course apart is the focus on the clinical placement education and volume of practice hours along with the leadership and management modules which will enhance your skill set, and prepare you for your future career.

If you already have a degree you may qualify for our 2-year accelerated pre-registration Master's. Please see our website for further details. 

The programme is approved and accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Entry requirements

The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the likely offer or range of offers 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. Read more about our undergraduate entry requirements for United Kingdom, European Union and International students.

If you are interested in becoming a Physiotherapist and already have a degree you may qualify for our Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) course programme.

General Information

Students should normally be 18 and over on commencement of their study due to the clinical elements of the programme.  

Application Process: Application is via UCAS. The UCAS application is scored. Subject to initial scoring you may be invited to interview after which a decision is made in regards to offers.

Candidates who are successful at the initial stage of selection will be required to satisfy Occupational Health clearances and an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.

The University follows the DBS Code of Practice in these issues and can provide a copy of the Code on request.

GCSE (or equivalent) requirements: Applicants will normally be required to hold at least six GCSEs (or equivalent) at grade C or above (grade 4 or above in the reformed GCSEs (England) including: Mathematics, English Language/Literature, Combined or Single Science subjects.

Normally you should have obtained your GCSE level qualifications before applying. Please note that we do not accept equivalent qualifications for Mathematics and English Language, and no longer accept Level 2 Key Skills/Functional Skills. 

English Requirements: If you are an international applicant and English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 or higher (with no single subset below 6.5)

Science practical:  A Pass in Science Practical will be required if applicant is taking the reformed A level Biology (England).  Applicants not given the opportunity to study science practical by their institute will be considered on an individual basis.

E.U. applicants: Please use this link to view entry criteria.

Deferred Entry applications: Deferred entry applications will be considered.

Academic Entry Criteria

GCSE requirements (as above) plus higher-level qualification at or above to NQF Level 3 (A-level) are required.

Normally evidence of study at Level 3 or higher within the last three years is required.

The following qualifications are accepted as meeting our minimum academic entry criteria:

If you don't think you'll meet the entry requirements specified, Foundation Year offers an alternative route to study for this degree.

Foundation year

You may choose to study this course via foundation year.

If you’re returning to education following a break, wish to study a new subject or don’t have the grades or sufficient equivalent experience for direct entry to this course, a foundation year may be a good option for you.

Following successful completion (including any additional progression requirements) of the foundation year you can progress on to this course.

The foundation year offers September starts across all subjects, and January starts across all science, humanities, social sciences and business routes.

The January intake excludes the Veterinary Medicine and Surgery degree with Foundation Year and other health-related foundation Year degree

For more details visit our foundation year webpages.

Foundation year

Fees and funding

Going to university can be a daunting as well as an exciting experience. It can be difficult to understand the true costs of being a student, as well as the financial support that is available to help you meet those costs.

We can help you to manage your funds, create a budget and ensure that you receive any funding for which you may be eligible. We also offer financial support such as the Keele University Hardship Fund and emergency loans.

For more information visit our money, advice and guidance section.

Student Grant

Physiotherapy students can benefit from guaranteed, additional support of at least £5,000 a year to help with living costs. The grant is given to all new and continuing degree-level physiotherapy students. 

There are also additional grants of up to £1000 available to eligible students, including those living in certain regions of the country and studying in specialist disciplines. 

Career prospects

96% of Keele graduates were in a job or further study within six months of graduating (DLHE, 2017)

A physiotherapy degree from Keele will ensure you graduate with clinical and research skills that will enable you to work as an autonomous professional across a variety of national (including the NHS, private sector, occupational health and performance sport) and international healthcare settings.

If you already have a degree you may qualify for our 2-year accelerated pre-registration Master's, click here for details.

Our 4 year programme will ensure you are academically, clinically and research skilled to meet the future demands of the evolving physiotherapy profession. A master’s degree will get your career off to a flying start and enable you to more easily progress to higher bands and increased responsibility.

Regardless of which career you pursue after Keele, employers will want evidence of the range of skills and personal qualities you possess and which are required for the job. Your degree is clearly important in this respect but don’t forget the extra-curricular activities, positions of responsibility, jobs and voluntary work you may have been engaged in while studying at Keele. These activities allow you to demonstrate the skills and personal qualities required by employers and will be vital in your attempts to secure graduate employment.

It is estimated that 60% of jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. This demonstrates the flexibility of many graduate employers when setting out their academic requirements and that students are not necessarily restricted to careers related to their degree.

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