MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Edinburgh Napier University

Program Overview

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) at Edinburgh Napier University is a two-year accelerated programme for graduates who want to qualify as physiotherapists and become eligible to apply for professional registration. It combines classroom learning, practical training, clinical placements, simulation and interprofessional learning, helping students build the clinical reasoning, confidence and teamwork skills needed to work effectively in modern healthcare.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The first year introduces students to the foundations of physiotherapy and professional healthcare practice. Modules include Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice, Contemporary Health & Social Care Contexts for Physiotherapists, Application of Physiotherapy Theory and Practice, and Physiotherapy Research Questions and Methodologies, alongside Professional Development for Physiotherapy Practice, Practice Education 1 and Practice Education 2.

Students develop their clinical skills through simulation, problem-based scenarios and interprofessional learning with students from other health and social care disciplines. They also complete two eight-week practice placements, giving them the opportunity to apply what they have learned in real healthcare, social care and third-sector settings.

Year 2: The second year focuses on developing greater clinical independence and professional responsibility through modules such as Physiotherapy Dissertation, Leading Innovations in Health and Social Care, and Building Professional Autonomy in Physiotherapy. Students strengthen their clinical reasoning and critical thinking while exploring areas such as specialist physiotherapy practice, exercise prescription, physical activity, leadership and complex health and social care needs.

Students complete Physiotherapy Practice Placement 3 and Physiotherapy Practice Placement 4, providing two further eight-week placements. Across all four placements, students gain more than 1,000 hours of clinical practice, helping them develop the confidence and independence needed to move into professional physiotherapy roles.

Focus Areas

Physiotherapy assessment and treatment, rehabilitation, clinical reasoning, professional practice, evidence-informed practice, research, exercise prescription, health promotion, physical activity, complex health and social care, interprofessional working, leadership, innovation, professional autonomy and patient-centred care.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to assess, treat and rehabilitate patients while making evidence-informed clinical decisions. The programme also develops communication, teamwork, critical thinking, research, leadership and problem-solving skills, preparing graduates to work confidently and independently as physiotherapists.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is recognised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and is designed to provide graduates with eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), subject to meeting the relevant professional requirements. The programme includes at least 1,000 hours of practice experience, providing substantial clinical preparation before graduation.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Edinburgh Napier University was ranked among the top five UK modern universities for career prospects in the Guardian University Guide 2025 and among the top five UK modern universities for graduate prospects in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025. The university also reports that 98% of its postgraduate students were in work or further study 15 months after graduation, based on HESA 2021/22 data.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) at Edinburgh Napier University places a strong emphasis on practical learning, giving students opportunities to practise their skills through practical classes, clinical scenarios, simulation and real-world placements. Students can develop their confidence in realistic healthcare environments before working with patients during clinical placements, while interprofessional activities help them learn how to communicate and work effectively with other healthcare professionals. The programme includes four eight-week clinical placements, providing more than 1,000 hours of practical experience across health, social care and third-sector settings.

Students gain practical experience through several programme-specific opportunities:

Clinical placements: Students complete four eight-week placements, gaining experience in different healthcare and social care environments and gradually taking on greater clinical responsibility.
Clinical Simulation Skills Centre: Students train in realistic clinical environments, including a mock hospital ward, as well as simulated home and community settings.
Virtual reality: Virtual reality technology is used to create realistic clinical situations, allowing students to practise safely before working with real patients.
Simulated patients: Trained simulated patients and actors help students practise clinical skills, communication, patient education and professional interactions.
Service-user involvement: Real service users contribute to teaching, learning and assessment, helping students understand healthcare from the patient's perspective.
Group and interprofessional learning: Students work with learners from other health and social care disciplines, including Occupational Therapy, to develop teamwork, communication and clinical reasoning skills.
Practical and problem-based learning: Practical classes, clinical scenarios and problem-based activities help students connect theoretical knowledge with realistic physiotherapy situations.
Research experience: Research is developed throughout the programme and culminates in a Physiotherapy Dissertation, allowing students to investigate an applied physiotherapy topic.
Independent skills practice: Students can use the Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre for additional practice, including group sessions and individual practice sessions.
Realistic home and community scenarios: The simulation centre can recreate situations such as visiting patients in their homes, helping students prepare for physiotherapy work beyond traditional hospital settings.
Digital learning: The programme combines online learning with face-to-face tutorials, practical classes, simulation and independent study, giving students access to a range of digital learning resources.

Facilities information: Key facilities include the Simulation and Clinical Skills Centre, mock ward, virtual reality resources, simulated home and community environments and simulated-patient facilities at Edinburgh Napier University.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) at Edinburgh Napier University prepares graduates to enter the profession as confident and independent physiotherapists, supported by more than 1,000 hours of clinical practice across health, social care and third-sector settings. The programme can lead to opportunities in hospitals, community healthcare, private practice, social care, sports and other rehabilitation settings.

Typical career routes include NHS Physiotherapist, Private Practice Physiotherapist, Community Physiotherapist and Sports Physiotherapist.

Students can build their professional future through:

Clinical placement experience: Four eight-week placements provide extensive practical experience and allow students to build professional relationships with healthcare and other service providers before graduation.
Healthcare connections: The university highlights opportunities with organisations such as NHS Lothian, NHS Borders and private-sector providers, giving students exposure to a range of professional environments.
Employability support: Edinburgh Napier's Student Futures service provides career development support, including guidance and opportunities to help students prepare for employment and plan their careers.
Employment outcomes: The university reports that 98% of its postgraduate students were in work or further study 15 months after graduation, based on HESA 2021/22 data. This figure represents postgraduate students across the university rather than this specific programme.
Salary information: The official university information does not provide a specific average graduate salary for this MSc, so a programme-specific salary figure cannot be reliably stated.
Professional recognition: The programme is recognised by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and provides eligibility to apply for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration, subject to meeting the relevant requirements.
Long-term professional value: HCPC registration provides the professional foundation needed to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK, while CSP recognition supports continued professional development and connection with the physiotherapy profession.
Career flexibility: Graduates can pursue roles across hospitals, community healthcare, private providers, social care, third-sector organisations and sports or performance settings.
Leadership and innovation: The programme develops leadership, innovation and professional autonomy, helping graduates take on greater responsibility as they gain experience.
Graduation outcomes: Successful graduates are prepared to enter the profession as qualified physiotherapists and can explore opportunities across different healthcare and rehabilitation environments in the UK and, subject to local requirements, internationally.

Further Academic Progression: The programme includes a Physiotherapy Dissertation, giving students a strong foundation in research and evidence-based practice. Graduates interested in research or academia can progress to doctoral-level study such as a PhD, while practising physiotherapists can pursue further specialist professional development as their careers progress.