Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics MSc

UCL’s Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics MSc gives students the chance to take what they learn in class and apply it to real paediatric physiotherapy practice. Alongside lectures, tutorials and workshops led by experienced physiotherapy professionals, students gain clinical exposure through UCL’s links with leading children’s hospitals and healthcare organisations. A compulsory three-week clinical placement of 105 hours allows students to work under the guidance of experienced clinical specialists and build confidence in managing real patient needs.

Students develop practical and professional skills through:

• Clinical placement: Students complete a compulsory three-week placement involving 105 hours of clinical experience, with the option to undertake an additional placement.

• Paediatric healthcare partnerships: Students benefit from UCL’s links with leading organisations such as Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Evelina London Children’s Hospital, Royal London Children’s Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

• Specialist paediatric learning: Modules such as Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy, Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy and Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy allow students to develop knowledge in specific areas of child healthcare.

• Research experience: The Research Project, supported by modules such as Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination and Research Methodology and Statistics, gives students the opportunity to develop and apply research skills to physiotherapy-related questions.

• Expert-led teaching: Lectures, tutorials and workshops are delivered by experienced physiotherapy professionals, helping students understand current approaches to paediatric care.

• Clinical research opportunities: UCL’s relationships with paediatric healthcare organisations can provide opportunities for students to gain experience in clinical research and placement settings.

• Professional networking: Events such as the Otto Wolff lectures allow students to hear from national and international experts and develop professional connections.

• International learning environment: Students learn alongside peers from different professional and cultural backgrounds, creating opportunities to share experiences and perspectives on paediatric physiotherapy.

Facilities and clinical learning: Students benefit from UCL’s specialist child-health research environment and its clinical partnerships with leading paediatric healthcare organisations.

UCL’s Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics MSc gives qualified physiotherapists the specialist knowledge and practical experience needed to move into advanced paediatric practice, leadership, education and research. The programme can also support graduates who want to develop careers within the NHS, clinical organisations, universities or specialist healthcare settings in the UK and internationally.

Typical career opportunities include:

• Advanced Paediatric Physiotherapist

• Specialist Clinical Physiotherapist

• Clinical or Healthcare Manager

• University Lecturer or Clinical Educator

Students can strengthen their career prospects through:

• Clinical experience: The compulsory 105-hour clinical placement gives students supervised experience with experienced clinical specialists, helping them build confidence for advanced clinical roles.

• Professional networking: Students can take part in events such as the Otto Wolff lectures, where they can learn from national and international experts and develop professional connections.

• Healthcare connections: UCL’s relationships with leading paediatric hospitals and clinical organisations provide valuable exposure to current professional practice and potential career environments.

• Graduate outcomes: UCL reports that its physiotherapy graduates have progressed into specialist clinical practice, healthcare policy, university teaching, private practice and management, including roles within the NHS and leading clinical and academic organisations.

• Employment and salary figures: UCL does not publish a specific employment rate or salary figure for this particular MSc, so no unsupported figures are included.

• Research development: Students complete a research project and can develop their work further through conference presentations and academic publication, supporting future careers in research and higher education.

• Long-term professional value: The combination of specialist paediatric knowledge, clinical experience, research skills and leadership development can support progression into senior and specialist physiotherapy positions.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the MSc, graduates can progress to doctoral-level study, including a PhD, particularly if they want to pursue careers in physiotherapy research or academia. UCL also notes that previous students have successfully used the MSc as a pathway towards securing PhD funding.