About Physiotherapy , MSc - at University of Nottingham
This physiotherapy pathway is based on our traditional Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme, which has always offered students flexible and fantastic professional development opportunities, without specialisation.
The pathway is open to all therapists and related healthcare professionals who wish to enhance their clinical skills, professional knowledge, and critical appraisal as part of their ongoing career development. The MSc level award would also be appropriate for those wishing to conduct clinically-focussed research without the commitment of undertaking a research-only degree.
In addition to the core modules, students on this pathway may choose additional modules from any of the common modules, or any of the specialised modules from the Manual Therapy or Neurorehabilitation pathways.
Note:
This course is a postgraduate course which requires a minimum of 2 years clinical experience. If you want to become a physiotherapist please see our undergraduate course.About the DivisionThe Division of Physiotherapy offers excellent postgraduate opportunities for physiotherapists and related healthcare practitioners. We have a dynamic teaching team and offer the opportunity to learn under the guidance of expert practitioners, educators and researchers. Within a climate of evidence-based practice and internationalisation, the Division has developed an exciting and modern Postgraduate provision designed to facilitate excellence in reasoning and practice. Postgraduate study is an essential component of career progression and the pursuit of excellence in care delivery. We hope you will join us during this challenging and fulfilling stage of your career and we look forward to working with you to achieve your highest goals.
We are based in the Clinical Sciences Building, Nottingham City Hospital and the site offers excellent teaching facilities.
The postgraduate programme offers grounding in critical analysis and reflective practice, and will equip students with the skills to evaluate contemporary professional practice.
It has flexible modes of delivery, which will allow students to pursue a route to suit their individual needs and current professional situation. It also allows students to progress to an end point of their own choosing, whether that is a single module, a postgraduate certificate, diploma or the complete masters programme.
The Division is committed to life-long learning and has an extensive postgraduate framework that enables students to study clinically-focussed specialist pathways. The framework provides an incremental and flexible means for health care professionals to develop their knowledge and skills to advance their practice and deliver high quality patient care.
Our pathways include a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, physiotherapy theory, and research - in addition to the pursuit of specialist interests.
The importance of postgraduate education is increasingly recognised by government, professional bodies and the public sector. Evidence of continued professional development has become a requirement for registration for many professional groups, and career progression. Much of professional development requires an ability to critically evaluate professional practice, both from the wider professional picture and an individual point of view.
Aims & ObjectivesThe aim of the course is to provide education and learning opportunities to individuals who aspire to become increasingly competent professional practitioners. The course will provide a foundation for professional development upon which the individual can build his/her future success. This will be achieved through a good understanding of the principles of lifelong learning and its application within the workplace.
This course will:- provide a thorough knowledge of the principles of professional development
- develop skills of critical thinking, problem solving and reflective practice
- develop practical skills in relation to accepted theories
Entry requirements: A first degree in Physiotherapy or a related Health Care subject of at least a 2.2 classification with relevant experience or equivalent
Other requirements: International students whose first language is not English are required to have the following English language qualifications before they can register on an academic programme. However, applicants from certain countries may have these requirements waived subject to the University of Nottingham Policy for Waiving English Language Entry Requirements at: http://www.nottingham.ac.uk/quality-manual/recruitment-admissions/Policy-for-Waiving-English-Language-Requirements%20.doc
IELTS: IELTS 7.0 (no less than 6.5 in any element)
TOEFL paper based: TOEFL paper-based 600 (no less than 5.0 in TWE)
TOEFL computer based: TOEFL computer-based 250 (no less than 5.0 in essay rating)
TOEFL IBT: TOEFL IBT 100 (no less than 21 in any element)
Key facts- We have 350 academic and support staff, and over 3,500 students
- Physiotherapy has been rated as excellent in the independent assessment of our teaching conducted by the Quality Assurance Agency
Course ContentEach study pathway includes successful completion of a number of modules which are shared by all postgraduate students. It is essential that all students complete at least two out of the three core modules, and students may undertake common modules dependent upon the nature of their study pathway.
Core modulesThese are designed to introduce the knowledge and thinking skills necessary for postgraduate study. The aims of the core modules are to reflect on, build on and further develop meaningful clinical experience. They also introduce clinically meaningful concepts regarding evidence-based practice and research. The core modules applicable to students undertaking a diploma or masters qualification are:
- Clinical Reasoning
- Personal and Professional Development
- Evidence for Health and Social Care
Common modulesStudents on a Division postgraduate pathway have the option of undertaking one or more of our common modules, should that from part of their individualised pathway. The common modules available to all students are:
- Work Based Module
- Professional Development for Clinical Leadership
- Teaching and Learning
- Clinical Education
- Contemporary Practice in Injection Therapy
- Project Module (essential for MSc students)
- Research Dissertation (essential for MSc students)
Individualised study pathways are developed in-line with the Course Director before you begin your course.
Additional ModulesIn addition to the core modules, students on this pathway may choose additional modules from any of the common modules, or any of the specialised modules from the Manual Therapy or Neurorehabilitation pathways listed below:
- Contemporary Practices in Manual Therapy - Upper Quadrant
- Contemporary Practices in Manual Therapy - Lower Quadrant
- Movement Science Based Approach to Stroke Rehabilitation
- Innovations in Neurorehabilitation
Course StructureThe MSc can be completed over 3-6 years of part-time study, allowing you the maximum flexibility to fit this qualification around your other commitments.
The course is modular, based around two semesters per year, and begins with one week of full-time study at the University's Clinical Sciences Building at Nottingham City Hospital.
The course comprises 180 credits in total, split across 120 credits of taught modules and a 60 credit research dissertation. You are required to submit your dissertation in a relevant subject area within six years of commencing the course.
Your Time CommitmentThe modules offered are delivered through a highly flexible mix of intensive full-time sessions, part-time over several weekends or on given weekdays throughout a semester, which means that you can organise your attendance within your existing work schedule.
Generally, the academic modules each require attendance at the University on six full days during the semester in which they are taught. Professional modules are delivered over a series of intensive weekend courses, or as a series of workshops, supported by directed study. Work-based modules take place in your work place over 30 weeks.
Academic SupportFollowing your acceptance on to the course, you will have the opportunity to discuss individually your identified needs with members of the course team and to come up with an agreed plan of study.
You will be allocated a Personal Tutor who will provide academic and pastoral support throughout the course.
This course is designed to let you progress at your own rate and to end at a point of your own choosing, which is why we also offer a Postgraduate Certificate and a Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy.
