Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory MSc

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University College London

Program Overview

UCL’s Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory MSc is a one-year postgraduate programme for qualified physiotherapists who want to develop advanced expertise in cardiorespiratory care. The programme combines specialist clinical training, research and evidence-based practice, helping students prepare for advanced roles in clinical practice, leadership, education, research and healthcare.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
Students build their specialist knowledge through modules such as Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Skills, Respiration Through Life, Health and Disease, and Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination. They can further develop their interests through subjects such as The Heart Through Life, Health and Disease, Health Management and Clinical Exercise for Pulmonary Disease, and Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy.

Students also complete research and statistics training and undertake a three-week clinical placement of at least 105 hours in a London hospital. The programme finishes with a Research Project, giving students the opportunity to investigate a clinical topic and apply their research skills to real-world physiotherapy practice.

Focus Areas

Advanced cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, acute care, cardiac and pulmonary conditions, rehabilitation, clinical exercise, paediatric cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, research methods, statistics and evidence-based practice.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop advanced clinical knowledge, specialist cardiorespiratory physiotherapy skills, research and statistical abilities, evidence-based decision-making skills and the confidence to manage complex patient care.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is designed for qualified physiotherapists and supports progression into advanced clinical practice, leadership, teaching, research and healthcare policy roles. Its clinical placement and links with London hospitals also provide students with valuable exposure to current specialist physiotherapy practice.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

UCL is ranked among the world’s leading universities, placing 9th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026. Its strong reputation in health and medical research, together with its links to major healthcare institutions, gives students valuable academic and professional exposure for future careers in physiotherapy and healthcare.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

UCL’s Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory MSc places strong emphasis on applying specialist knowledge to real clinical situations. Students learn through practical workshops, tutorials, online learning and sessions led by experienced physiotherapists and healthcare professionals, while the compulsory clinical placement gives them the opportunity to practise their skills in a leading London hospital. Students also gain research experience by completing their own research project and developing skills in research methods, statistics, data analysis and evidence-based practice. The programme provides several opportunities to put learning into practice:

Clinical placement: Students complete a compulsory three-week clinical placement with at least 105 hours of clinical experience, with the option of undertaking an additional placement.
London hospital experience: Clinical education is supported through links with major hospitals including Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, University College London Hospital, Harefield Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital.
Practical clinical training: The Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Skills module provides hands-on learning focused on specialist assessment and management of cardiorespiratory patients.
Research project: Students undertake an independent research project, allowing them to develop practical skills in research design, evidence evaluation, data analysis and presenting research findings.
Expert-led teaching: Students learn from experienced physiotherapists, NHS clinicians, private healthcare professionals and specialists from charitable organisations who bring current clinical knowledge into teaching.
Specialist clinical areas: Students can explore areas such as clinical exercise for pulmonary disease, cardiovascular disease, cardiac health and paediatric cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.
Online and independent learning: The programme combines online learning with self-directed study, helping students develop independent learning skills that are valuable for continued professional development.
Professional events: Students have opportunities to engage with national and international experts through professional events and lectures, including the Otto Wolff lectures.
Research environment: Students benefit from being part of UCL’s wider research community and its health and clinical research environment, supporting further development of their research interests.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory MSc helps graduates move into senior and specialist physiotherapy roles while also creating opportunities in healthcare management, education, research and policy. UCL highlights graduate progression into senior clinical positions, university teaching, private practice, management and healthcare policy, with graduates also working across the NHS and hospitals internationally.

Typical career opportunities include:

Advanced or Specialist Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist
Clinical or Healthcare Manager
University Lecturer or Clinical Educator
Physiotherapy Researcher or Healthcare Policy Professional

Students can build their careers and professional networks through:

UCL Careers: Students can access careers guidance, application support, interview preparation, job opportunities, internships, research positions and graduate-level vacancies through UCL’s careers services.
Employer networking: UCL Careers provides opportunities to meet employers through careers fairs, employer presentations and sector-focused events, helping students explore relevant career paths.
Alumni network: UCL’s international alumni community provides opportunities to connect with graduates, gain career advice and develop professional networks through mentoring and networking activities.
Clinical and healthcare connections: The programme has links with major London healthcare organisations including Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, UCLH, Harefield Hospital and Royal Brompton Hospital, giving students exposure to specialist clinical teams and current approaches to cardiorespiratory care.
Graduate destinations: UCL reports graduates progressing into the NHS and hospitals internationally, as well as senior clinical practice, university teaching, management, private practice and healthcare policy.
Employment and salary information: UCL does not provide a programme-specific employment rate or salary figure for this MSc on its official course page, so a specific percentage or salary cannot be reliably stated.
Long-term professional value: The MSc develops specialist clinical knowledge, research skills and leadership capabilities, supporting long-term progression into advanced practice, research, management and academic careers.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MSc, graduates can progress to doctoral-level study, including a PhD, particularly if they wish to develop careers in clinical research or academia. UCL notes that several students have successfully used the MSc as a pathway to secure funding for PhD study, making it a strong foundation for further research and university-level teaching.