Overview
Our two-year physiotherapy Masters course will prepare you for eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) as a qualified physiotherapist.
A solid foundation for a career as a qualified physiotherapist
You'll gain in-depth knowledge and skills as defined by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), helping you become a proficient and autonomous physiotherapist able to work across different settings, including NHS, elite sport and the private sector.
Co-developed with service users, students and clinical partners, our two-year Masters course covers leadership, management, innovation and sustainability, addressing the complex needs of the changeable healthcare system.
Practical skills and real-world experience in physiotherapy
You’ll apply your theoretical knowledge and gain practical experience at the clinical practice placements, which will take place throughout the course. You’ll also take part in clinical practice modules, simulations and scenario-based learning for real-world experience. We also host guest speakers series and networking opportunities to connect you with the industry.
Broaden your healthcare knowledge and professional toolkit
This physiotherapy course incorporates life-long learning and you’ll have a unique opportunity to share modules with students from other health-related courses such as the MSc Podiatry (pre-registration) and Master of Public Health (MPH) for a wider healthcare context.
This two-year Masters degree in physiotherapy aims to:
- prepare you to be an autonomous clinician with the knowledge, skills, attributes and values required to deliver evidence-based practice to meet the needs of people and communities;
- create opportunities for you to learn and practice physiotherapy related assessment, diagnosis and treatment planning with diverse populations;
- support culturally sensitive, values-based and positive relationships that support health and wellbeing across the lifespan;
- prepare you to work within the global context, embracing innovative, sustainable and research-led physiotherapy practice.
Subject to approval
- Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)
In line with the HCPC standards for physiotherapists, practical clinical placements are a core focus of this course, enabling you to practice and develop your communication, interpersonal and clinical skills and confidence. Whilst we try to accommodate individual circumstances, placements can be located right across Scotland in every NHS Scotland Health Board, private and voluntary sector.
- You will be required to get a minimum of 1,000 hours of practical learning to demonstrate sufficient evidence to attain registration with the HCPC.
- There will be two placements each year of the course, and you will be assigned a nominated practice educator who will support your professional development and learning within the clinical setting (CSP and HCPC). You will work collaboratively with your practice supervisor/educator and others with whom you work, to assess your progress and document your achievements.
- You will be supported by a University tutor or staff who will work collaboratively with your educator to ensure all necessary requirements have been met.
- Within the practice learning environment, you will have the opportunity to learn with and from others (inter-professional learning), enabling you to gain an appreciation of the contribution of others within health and social care and the importance of multi- and interdisciplinary teamwork.
- The course includes an allocated time and onboarding session to support your development in your clinical placements. These periods will help you build confidence, resilience and to encourage reflection through maintaining connection with the University to support the transition from theory module to practice modules.
- Upon completion of your practice learning modules, you will return to University where you will reflect on your learning within a group of your peers facilitated by an academic. This will offer you an opportunity to remain ‘connected’ with the University and share experiences with your peers.
- A number of strategies are in place to increase the “connection” you will have with your peers. This includes the use of the online learning environment groups and discussion forums as well as where possible organising other physiotherapy students or health students to be on placement at the same time to allow for support and teaching opportunities.
Our research is world-class and is recognised for its quality and innovation. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) analysis 100% of our research environment, 80% of our research impact and 83% of our overall research in Allied Health Professions and Nursing is classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work experience are encouraged to apply.
Additional requirements
Desirable knowledge and experience
- Evidence of human anatomy and physiology knowledge.
- Evidence of relevant shadowing, work experience or volunteering within caring professions e.g. physiotherapy, nursing, podiatry, occupational therapy, care homes etc.
- Students should be able to demonstrate knowledge of the diverse nature of physiotherapy settings and express their commitment and ambition to a career within physiotherapy, and for working with others.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
What documents are required as part of your application for MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration)?
As part of your application, you must provide the following documents. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed until we have all relevant information.
- Academic documents: this includes your degree certificate and transcript which shows you meet the minimum entrance requirements in a relevant subject. If you are still studying, then an interim transcript will suffice and your university will be able to advise you on how to get one.
- Personal statement: In addition to academic qualification, applicants must demonstrate a commitment to and knowledge of Physiotherapy as a career via their personal statement. Applicants should discuss their motivation for pursuing a career in Physiotherapy and relate this to the way in which their experiences (e.g. volunteering or shadowing a range of Physiotherapists) have informed their motivation to study Physiotherapy and their awareness of the scope of Physiotherapy practice.
- References: We require two references, one academic and one professional. Please ensure that these are on company-headed paper, signed and dated. If you have been out of education for more than 5 years then please provide two professional references.
MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) is highly competitive, we would therefore recommend that you apply with full documents and information as soon as you can.
Will there be an interview?
There are currently no interviews for this course, however you may be invited to have an informal conversation with the team regarding your application.
What other factors are involved?
Admission to the Programme is dependent upon a satisfactory Protecting Vulnerable Groups Scheme (PVG) Check. The cost of the PVG check will be paid by the student. This will show all spent and unspent criminal convictions, including (but not limited to): cautions, reprimands, final warnings, bind over orders or similar. To the extent relevant to this course, your check may also show details of any minor offences, fixed penalty notices or penalty notices for disorder.
Previous criminal convictions need not exclude you, but all convictions must be declared - and some occurrences may result in an unsuccessful application. A panel may be convened to determine the applicant’s fitness for accessing practice placements.
All successful applicants will be required to undergo an Occupational Health check. This will require a questionnaire and a personal visit to the campus.
To protect your privacy, neither of these checks will normally be carried out until after an offer has been made.
Applicants to the programme should also meet the HCPC requirement to be ‘fit to practice’ through having good health and good character.
Successful applicants will be required to become student members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy on joining the programme.
This process is subject to change.
Please note, there are a limited number of places on this programme and competition varies from year-to-year. Once all places have been filled, we may still consider applicants for a place on our waiting list.
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 67 overall with a minimum of 62 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 94 overall with 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 22 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
On this two-year physiotherapy Masters course you'll undertake work-based learning opportunities such as placements and collaborative projects with business or internships. You'll also have work-related learning experiences, for instance, guest lectures, group projects, problem-based learning or simulations.
The course will help you to reflect on your own skills and attributes, develop your career management skills to plan and manage your career and network with professionals, practitioners or those in industry. You'll also take part in a range of personal development opportunities to develop skills such as communication, project management, leadership, confidence and time management.
Modules
Compulsory modules
| Fundamentals of Safe and Effective Integrated Physiotherapy Practice (PHYP001) | 20 credits |
| Applied Physiotherapy Practice 1 (Essentials of Assessment, Examination and Management) (PHYP002) | 20 credits |
| Applied Physiotherapy Practice 2 (Managing Long Term Conditions and Multimorbidity) (PHYP003) | 20 credits |
| Applied Physiotherapy Practice 3 (Prevention, Self Management and Rehabilitation) (PHYP004) | 20 credits |
| Clinical Practice Placement 1 (PHYP005) | 20 credits |
| Clinical Practice Placement 2 (PHYP006) | 20 credits |
| Research Methods in Health (MPHP003) | 20 credits |
| Managing Complexity, Communication and Behaviour in Healthcare (PHYP007) | 20 credits |
| Applied Digital Healthcare Leadership and Innovation (PHYP008) | 20 credits |
| Clinical Practice Placement 3 (PHYP009) | 20 credits |
| Clinical Practice Placement 4 (PHYP010) | 20 credits |
| Masters Dissertation (Health) (MPHP007) | 60 credits |
Course Details
We use a range of blended teaching methods on the MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration), including:
- lectures and workshops
- simulations and scenario-based teaching
- group work and peer-learning
- online videos and recorded lectures
- practical placements
- guest speaker series and networking.
Innovative technologies will be used within skills teaching, such as the use of virtual reality (VR) to augment and enhance your experiential learning.
The course is co-delivered by a range of HCPC registered allied health professionals as well as other healthcare professionals in public health, paramedic science and nursing. The delivery is also supported by key partners, drawing on specialist knowledge and practice to further enhance the teaching and learning by giving you the opportunity to hear, discuss and debate real-life, contemporary, and innovative physiotherapy practice in the context of inter-disciplinary environments.
There will be different forms of assessment including practical, written, presentation and clinical tasks, which will be delivered in-person or online.
To incorporate student perspective and a student-centred approach, you'll conduct and receive a peer review.
You must also submit self-evaluation to help you develop self-awareness, confidence and supportive relationships with peers, teaching staff, and practice partners.
Fees and funding
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
International students may be able to gain additional funding utilising loans optimised for our international students.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
There is a shortage of physiotherapists across the UK, with more available vacancies than ever before (The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy CSP). Our Masters course will help you to become a confident and proficient physiotherapist, prepared to work in a variety of settings, addressing the complex needs of service users.
After graduating, you'll be able to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is a requirement for employment as a fully qualified physiotherapist.
As well as being able to work in healthcare including the NHS, you'll be able to apply your skills in:
- private practice,
- community settings,
- elite sport,
- public health,
- the armed forces,
- the care sector,
- third sector organisations,
- research.
As physiotherapy graduates there are opportunities to progress to more senior roles including specialist practice, research, leadership and educational roles.
The UK physiotherapy market was valued at $1.38 billion in 2022. It is estimated to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.85% from 2022 to 2030 and will reach $1.87 billion in 2030 (Insights 10, Market Research Report, Healthcare Services, 2022).
