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.
A course with professional credibility
We are Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) approved. This means you will be eligible to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the HCPC and for membership of the CSP once you graduate.
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.
Expertise, commitment and enthusiasm
You’ll be inspired by a dedicated and highly skilled teaching team of experienced and registered health and social care professionals offering insights into many different aspects of healthcare. Throughout your studies you’ll benefit from the support of a personal tutor too.
Our team is also research active so will keep you informed about latest thinking and trends. We are involved in national special interest groups and have expertise in specialist areas of practice.
Practice-based learning
On completion of your foundation year, you will engage with practice-based learning blocks. These will be integrated into the remaining duration of your course and during these you will work full time in practice for a set number of weeks. We aim to provide you with a range of different practice-based learning experiences to ensure you build the optimum range of skills for becoming a qualified practitioner.
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.
On successful completion of the foundation year, you will be able to progress onto the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy. Almost half of the course is taken up with exciting opportunities to enhance your skills in real-world settings.
There are five periods of practice-based learning, which you usually undertake full time, for a set number of weeks during each year of study.
Primarily in the East Midlands, the settings for practice-based learning range from the NHS, private and voluntary sectors. You’ll experience how Physiotherapists work with people in different age groups and with different physical and mental health concerns. This builds the optimum range of skills for becoming a qualified practitioner and helps you make more informed decisions about your future career direction.
We organise all placements for you so we can ensure you’ll be supported by qualified physiotherapists who are trained to assess and develop your practical skills.
Placement hours are subject to change.
We offer superb training facilities for practical sessions in realistic settings. They include an NHS standard six-bed hospital ward, on-site house and a rehabilitation kitchen.
We have also invested in the latest technology so that you can benefit from a variety of virtual and immersive environments which will enrich your learning experience.
How you’re assessed
You’ll be assessed through a range of methods including:
- assignments
- case study work
- written and practical assessments
- practice-based learning assessments
- presentations.
We support you to prepare for these assessments in various ways including assignment tutorials and Internet-based resources. You will also receive feedback for all assessments to help you learn and support your professional development.
If you have additional needs, support is available within the university.
Who you'll meet
You’ll be inspired by a dedicated and highly skilled teaching team of experienced and registered health and social care professionals offering insights into many different aspects of healthcare.
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.
may apply to students who meet certain criteria.
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2026 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| T Level | Pass (C or above in the Core) |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications, you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study. |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15. |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area) |
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2027 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 80 |
| A Level | CDD |
| T Level | Pass (C or above in the Core) |
| BTEC | MMP |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications, you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study. |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15. |
| English language requirements | IELTS: 6.5 (with at least 6.0 in each skills area) |
Additional entry requirements
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Course updates
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
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.
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