MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Plymouth

Program Overview

The MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation at the University of Plymouth is designed for qualified health and social care professionals who already work in neurological rehabilitation and want to strengthen their clinical knowledge and professional skills. The programme combines specialist neurological rehabilitation, evidence-based practice and research, helping students apply what they learn directly to their professional work.

Curriculum Structure

Year One: As this is a one-year full-time master's programme, students complete a series of advanced modules rather than progressing through separate academic years. Core learning includes Applying Evidence to Practice, Clinical Assessment and Management in Neurology, Pathomechanics and Rehabilitation of Gait and Balance, and Rehabilitation: Cognition, Perception and Behaviour, helping students develop stronger clinical reasoning and evidence-based approaches to neurological rehabilitation.

Students also develop research skills through Project Design for Research and can choose an optional master's-level module based on their professional interests. The programme finishes with a Research Dissertation, giving students the opportunity to investigate a neurological rehabilitation topic in depth and apply research findings to professional practice.

Focus Areas

Neurological rehabilitation, clinical assessment, gait and balance rehabilitation, cognition and perception, behavioural rehabilitation, hypertonia management, evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, research and advanced professional practice.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop advanced skills in clinical assessment, rehabilitation planning, critical analysis, evidence-based decision-making and research. They also learn to reflect on professional practice, manage complex neurological rehabilitation needs and use research to support improvements in patient care.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The neurological rehabilitation pathway is endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), making it particularly relevant to qualified physiotherapists working in neurological rehabilitation. The programme is intended for professionals who already hold the relevant professional qualification and does not provide initial eligibility for UK professional registration.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Students benefit from teaching by a research-active team with national and international expertise in neurological rehabilitation. The programme also connects students with the university's Rehabilitation Research Group within the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research and research facilities such as the Human Movement and Function Laboratory.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation at the University of Plymouth combines academic study with practical and research-based learning for qualified healthcare professionals. Students can strengthen their neurological rehabilitation skills through practical sessions, clinical scenarios, service-user activities and access to specialist facilities, while applying their learning to their existing professional practice.

The programme provides a range of practical and research opportunities:

Practical skills laboratories: Students take part in practical sessions designed to develop neurological assessment and rehabilitation skills in a specialist learning environment.
Human Movement and Function Laboratory: Students can access advanced equipment for analysing human movement and function, supporting both learning and research in neurological rehabilitation.
Clinical case scenarios: Realistic clinical scenarios help students develop clinical reasoning and apply their knowledge when assessing and managing people with neurological conditions.
Service-user sessions: The Clinical Assessment and Management in Neurology module includes opportunities to learn directly from service users, helping students connect academic knowledge with real experiences.
Interprofessional learning: Students learn alongside professionals from different healthcare disciplines at InterCity Place, supporting teamwork and an understanding of multidisciplinary healthcare practice.
Blended learning: The programme combines face-to-face teaching in Plymouth with online learning and distance-learning technology, making it easier for working professionals to balance study with their careers.
Research experience: Students can engage with the Rehabilitation Research Group within the Plymouth Institute of Health and Care Research and develop their own research interests during the programme.
Research Dissertation: The dissertation gives students the opportunity to investigate a neurological rehabilitation topic in depth while developing practical research and critical-analysis skills.
Evidence-based practice: Through Applying Evidence to Practice, students learn how to evaluate research and use reliable evidence to improve their professional practice.
Specialist clinical development: Students can study modules including Clinical Assessment and Management in Neurology, Pathomechanics and Rehabilitation of Gait and Balance, Rehabilitation: Cognition, Perception and Behaviour, Advancing the Management of Long Term Conditions and Clinical Management of Hypertonia, allowing them to focus on areas relevant to their professional development.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Neurological Rehabilitation at the University of Plymouth is ideal for qualified healthcare professionals who want to deepen their expertise and progress towards more advanced roles in neurological rehabilitation. The programme builds specialist clinical knowledge, research skills and confidence in evidence-based practice, helping professionals take on greater responsibilities within their current roles and prepare for future career opportunities.

Typical career directions include Advanced Neurological Rehabilitation Practitioner, Specialist Physiotherapist, Clinical Rehabilitation Practitioner and Neurological Rehabilitation Clinical Lead.

Students can strengthen their professional progression through:

Careers Service: The University of Plymouth Careers Service provides one-to-one careers guidance, CV and interview support, job-search advice, career workshops and employer events.
Professional networking: Students can use the university's alumni network and LinkedIn resources to explore graduate career journeys, discover employers and build professional connections.
Research and professional development: The programme is delivered by a research-active team with expertise in neurological rehabilitation, helping students develop the ability to evaluate evidence and improve professional practice.
Advanced practice preparation: The programme develops advanced knowledge and skills that can help qualified professionals take on more complex clinical responsibilities and contribute to service improvements.
Professional environment: Students benefit from InterCity Place, where people from different health disciplines learn alongside experienced practitioners, supporting collaboration and multidisciplinary working.
Research opportunities: Students can engage with the university's research environment and develop research-informed approaches to neurological rehabilitation through their academic work and dissertation.
Employment outcomes: The university reports that 98% of its Physiotherapy graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduation, while 99% said their degree was either required for their job or gave them an advantage. These figures relate to the university's Physiotherapy graduates and are not specific to this MSc.
Salary information: The university does not publish a specific graduate salary figure for this neurological rehabilitation MSc, so a programme-specific salary cannot be reliably stated.
Long-term professional value: The neurological rehabilitation pathway is endorsed by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), which adds professional value for qualified physiotherapists working in neurological rehabilitation. The programme is intended for professionals who are already qualified and does not provide initial eligibility for UK professional registration.
Career flexibility: The specialist knowledge gained can support progression in clinical practice, rehabilitation services, professional leadership, education and research, depending on the student's existing professional qualification and career goals.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates interested in research can consider an MPhil or PhD, particularly after developing a research interest through the master's dissertation. They can also explore other advanced professional practice programmes to build further specialist expertise relevant to their chosen career path.