Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) MSc

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Kings College London

Program Overview

The Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) MSc at King’s College London is an accelerated postgraduate programme for graduates who want to become qualified physiotherapists. It combines classroom learning, research and more than 1,000 hours of professional practice, helping students build the clinical, communication, leadership and evidence-based skills needed to work confidently with patients.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build their core physiotherapy knowledge through Integrated Physiotherapy Practice 1: Long Term Conditions and Rehabilitation and Integrated Physiotherapy Practice 2: Acute, Emergency and Primary Care. They also learn how to use research and evidence in clinical decisions through Evidence Based Practice: Assessment, Measurement and Evaluating Questions in Practice, while Communication and Reasoning: Inclusive Communication and Influencing Behaviour develops their ability to communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals. Practice Education 1 then gives students supervised experience in real clinical environments.

Year 2: Students move into more complex areas of physiotherapy through Integrated Physiotherapy Practice 3: Managing Complexity in Practice, developing the skills needed to manage challenging clinical situations. Leadership: Teamworking and Improving Healthcare focuses on working effectively within healthcare teams, while Researching Practice strengthens research skills and allows students to investigate areas relevant to their interests. Practice Education 2 provides further supervised clinical experience and helps students prepare for professional practice.

Focus Areas

Physiotherapy assessment and treatment, rehabilitation, long-term conditions, acute and emergency care, primary care, clinical reasoning, evidence-based practice, communication, complex clinical practice, leadership, research and professional development.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop the practical and clinical skills needed for person-centred physiotherapy, learn to make informed clinical decisions, communicate effectively with patients and healthcare professionals, work as part of multidisciplinary teams, apply research evidence to practice and manage increasingly complex clinical situations.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Successful completion allows graduates to apply for HCPC registration as a physiotherapist and membership of the CSP, providing a recognised pathway into professional physiotherapy practice in the UK.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

King’s College London is ranked 31st globally and 5th in the UK in the QS World University Rankings 2026. King’s also reports that 95% of its graduates are in employment 10–15 months after completing their studies, highlighting the university’s strong graduate employment record.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students on the Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) MSc at King's College London gain extensive hands-on experience alongside their academic studies, including at least 1,000 hours of professional practice. The programme combines practical classes, clinical simulation, case-based learning and supervised placements, allowing students to build confidence and apply their knowledge in realistic healthcare situations. Students also learn alongside other healthcare professionals, giving them a clear understanding of how multidisciplinary teams work in real clinical settings.

Students can develop their practical and professional skills through:

Clinical placements: Students complete at least 1,000 hours of professional practice through placements in different health and social care settings, mainly across Greater London and some locations in South-East England.
Simulation and Interactive Learning Centres: Students use King's SaIL Centres across three sites to practise realistic hospital and community scenarios through high- and low-fidelity simulation.
Realistic clinical scenarios: Students work with patient actors and patient educators, helping them practise assessment, communication and professional decision-making in situations that closely reflect clinical practice.
Case-based learning: Students work through realistic patient cases and use clinical reasoning, problem-solving and their existing knowledge to make appropriate decisions.
Interprofessional learning: Students learn alongside students from medicine, nursing, midwifery, dietetics, pharmacy and other healthcare disciplines, developing an understanding of multidisciplinary patient care.
NHS experience: King's has a teaching partnership with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, while clinicians from NHS partner organisations contribute to clinical and practical teaching.
Practical workshops: Students take part in practical sessions and workshops alongside lectures, seminars, simulation and blended learning, giving them regular opportunities to put theory into practice.
Research experience: The Researching Practice component allows students to explore research topics and methodologies relevant to physiotherapy, including areas such as complex practice and quality improvement.
Clinical skills training: Students undertake mandatory clinical skills training, including areas such as CPR and manual handling, helping them prepare safely for professional placements.
Specialist learning environment: Teaching takes place mainly at Guy's Campus and Waterloo Campus, with Guy's Campus providing access to advanced laboratories within King's health and science environment.
Digital and blended learning: Students combine face-to-face teaching with online learning, e-learning resources, workshops, practical sessions and independent study.
Software: King's official programme information does not identify a specific software package as a dedicated resource for this MSc, so no particular software is presented as programme-specific.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) MSc at King's College London are prepared to begin professional physiotherapy careers after completing the programme and becoming eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. The degree can also lead to opportunities beyond traditional clinical practice, including healthcare research, public health, social care, sports and leisure, and academic roles.

Typical career options include:

Physiotherapist
Specialist Physiotherapist
Clinical Researcher
Academic or Teaching Physiotherapist

Students can build their career through King's professional support and healthcare connections:

King's Careers & Employability: Students can use CareerConnect to search for graduate jobs, placements and international opportunities, while also accessing careers appointments, workshops, events and application support.
Graduate employment: King's reports that 95% of its graduates are in employment 10–15 months after completing their studies. This figure covers King's graduates overall rather than this specific MSc.
Employer connections: King's was ranked 11th in the UK in The Graduate Market in 2026, reflecting strong interest from leading graduate employers.
Healthcare partnerships: The programme has a teaching partnership with Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, with NHS clinicians contributing to teaching and professional learning.
King's Health Partners: Students benefit from the wider King's Health Partners environment, which brings together clinical care, research and education.
Professional accreditation: The programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Graduates can apply for HCPC registration and CSP membership, giving the qualification lasting professional value for physiotherapy practice in the UK.
Research opportunities: The research-focused curriculum helps students develop skills that can support careers in clinical research, academic physiotherapy and healthcare education.
Broader career opportunities: King's graduates from the programme have progressed into areas including public health, social care, sports and leisure, clinical research and academic research.
Alumni career support: Eligible graduates can continue using King's Careers & Employability services for up to two years after graduation, including careers guidance, job-search support, workshops and application advice.
Clinical-academic development: King's wider healthcare network provides opportunities for health professionals, including allied health professionals, to explore research and predoctoral funding pathways.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MSc and gaining professional experience, graduates can progress into doctoral study such as a PhD, research-focused postgraduate opportunities or clinical-academic careers. The programme's research training provides a useful foundation for those who want to move from clinical physiotherapy into research, teaching or healthcare education.