Study with us to develop the expertise, knowledge, and skills to practice as a physiotherapist. Our expert team at the University of Derby prepare you to be part of a multidisciplinary health and social care team with the clinical, leadership, digital and research skills for the future. Our approach is practice based and you learn in a stimulating environment with a focus on efficacy and the holistic well-being of the patient. We are working toward approval from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). This means you will be eligible to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the HCPC and membership of the CSP once you graduate.
Physiotherapy offers a stimulating and rewarding career where you will develop the skills to maintain and restore movement and function in people affected by injury, illness or disability. You will take a holistic and person-centred approach to therapy and rehabilitation whilst building an excellent understanding of wellbeing, ageing and the impact of disease. You will develop the skills to promote, maintain and restore both physical and mental wellbeing.
You will learn in a health and social care focused environment alongside allied health, nursing, mental health and social care practitioners. Our staff bring expertise from a wide array of fields and you will learn what constitutes good physiotherapeutic practice, whilst exploring the theories and subjects that influence it and applying your knowledge in work-based training.
You will graduate with the skills, knowledge and expertise to become a skilled physiotherapist able to practice in a range of clinical settings. Your knowledge will be uniquely underpinned by your study of a range of topics including musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory and mental health, combined with the foundations of physiotherapy practice, personal and professional development, complex case management and scientific and digital developments.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry. Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 128 |
| A Level | ABB (including at least 40 points from either Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Physical Education or Social Science e.g. Health & Social Care, Psychology) |
| T Level | Merit |
| BTEC | BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science (excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project) |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 |
If you have previously studied any Health Professional Education Programme a self-declaration is required to confirm no previous concerns regarding fitness to practice.
A satisfactory reference from an education establishment, a previous employer or a person of standing that should demonstrate personal suitability for the profession.
Applicants should also:
- Have a range of skills and experience that demonstrates commitment, enthusiasm and suitability to become a Physiotherapist
- Be familiar with at least two areas of physiotherapy. This can be through reading, internet-based research, personal experience, work experience or shadowing experience with a physiotherapist
- Note that offers are subject to an occupational health clearance
- International applicants should also note that the IELTs requirement for Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) is 7.0 and therefore, prior to application or registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, you will need to have achieved English language level equivalency to IELTS 7.0, if entering the programme with an IELTS score lower than this level
Additional entry requirements
2024/25
| | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|
| UK | £9,250 per year | N/A |
| International | £14,900 per year | N/A |
Funding for Nursing and Allied Health courses
By studying on this programme, you are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250. The loan will support your studies and enable you to start a rewarding career in healthcare.
All new and continuing nursing and allied health students on pre-registration courses will also receive a grant of at least £5,000 per year that is not means-tested and will not have to be repaid. This is provided through the NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) and is not managed by the University. Please check with the LSF for residency requirements and eligibility criteria.
If you're eligible, you can get:
- A training grant of £5,000 per academic year
- Parental support of £2,000 if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
- Money back for excess travel and temporary accommodation costs while you're on your placement
- £1,000 if studying a shortage specialism
Among others, the shortage specialisms have been confirmed to include:
- Mental health nursing
- Learning disability nursing
- Diagnostic radiography
In addition to this non-repayable grant, you are also able to access a maintenance loan of up to £9,488 per year to support your studies, giving you access to over £17,000 per year of funding. Training grant payments will be paid in three instalments over the academic year. This is to provide you with a consistent flow of funding throughout the academic year as far as possible.
All NHS LSF applications must be submitted within six months of the start of the academic year and you will need confirmation of your Student Finance in order to complete your application. You need to set up an NHS Learning Support Fund online account to apply.
Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.
How to apply
Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.
Physiotherapy offers a stimulating and rewarding career where you will develop the skills to maintain and restore movement and function in people affected by injury, illness or disability. You will take a holistic and person-centred approach to therapy and rehabilitation whilst building an excellent understanding of wellbeing, ageing and the impact of disease. You will develop the skills to promote, maintain and restore both physical and mental wellbeing.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
Minimum numbers
Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.
