MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Plymouth

Program Overview

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) at the University of Plymouth is a two-year programme for graduates from relevant subjects who want to qualify as professional physiotherapists. It combines academic study, practical training, research and clinical placements, helping students develop the skills to work with patients across musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory and rehabilitation settings.

Curriculum Structure

Year One: Students establish their professional foundation through Preparation for Practice, learning about professional standards, patient care and evidence-based healthcare. Anatomy in Motion: Health and Human Function explores anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, gait and movement, while Neuro-Respiratory Rehabilitation: The Fundamentals and Essentials of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy develop assessment and treatment skills through practical and simulated clinical learning.

Students also begin developing research skills through Project Design for Research, learning how to develop research questions, choose appropriate methods and consider ethical issues. Clinical practice is introduced through supervised placements, allowing students to put their knowledge and skills into practice in real healthcare environments.

Year Two: Students move into more advanced clinical practice through Integrated Physiotherapy Practice, focusing on the assessment and management of complex musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory conditions. Contemporary Leadership develops leadership skills at personal, team and organisational levels, while Practice Placements 3, 4 and 5 provide further supervised experience in professional healthcare settings.

Students complete a Research Dissertation, giving them the opportunity to investigate a physiotherapy-related topic in depth and strengthen their ability to apply research evidence to practice. Across the programme, students complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical placement through five placements, gaining experience in areas such as neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation.

Focus Areas

Physiotherapy assessment and treatment, musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurological rehabilitation, cardiorespiratory rehabilitation, anatomy and human movement, clinical practice, rehabilitation, evidence-based practice, research, leadership, professional development and patient-centred care.

Learning Outcomes

Students develop practical clinical skills, clinical reasoning, research and leadership abilities, enabling them to assess and manage patients, use evidence to support clinical decisions, work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and provide safe and effective care across different healthcare environments.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The programme is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). After successfully completing the academic and clinical requirements, graduates can apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the HCPC and for full CSP membership.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

The programme provides strong career preparation through InterCity Place, where students from different health disciplines learn alongside experienced practitioners. The five clinical placements and minimum 1,000 hours of practical experience give students valuable exposure to real healthcare environments before they begin their professional careers.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) at the University of Plymouth puts practical experience at the centre of the programme, allowing students to build their skills through classroom learning, simulation and supervised clinical practice. Students complete at least 1,000 hours across five clinical placements, gaining experience in areas such as neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation while developing confidence in real healthcare environments.

The programme is supported by purpose-built healthcare facilities at InterCity Place, where students from different health disciplines learn together and practise using specialist equipment and realistic clinical environments. Key practical learning opportunities include:

Clinical skills suites: Dedicated physiotherapy spaces include treatment couches, plinths, anatomical models and specialist equipment, allowing students to practise physiotherapy techniques in a realistic setting.
Five clinical placements: Students complete five placements totalling at least 1,000 hours, including placements during both years of the programme.
Varied clinical settings: Placements provide experience in neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation, giving students exposure to different areas of physiotherapy practice.
Real-life clinical scenarios: The programme uses an enquiry-based learning approach, allowing students to work through realistic clinical situations similar to those encountered by practising physiotherapists.
Clinical simulation: InterCity Place provides simulation and practice environments where students can develop clinical skills safely before applying them with patients during placements.
Anatomage virtual dissection table: Students can use the Anatomage virtual dissection system to explore human anatomy digitally and examine different structures and tissue layers.
Consultation rooms: Dedicated consultation spaces allow students to practise patient interactions, communication and professional approaches to care.
Clinical skills wards: Realistic ward environments help students become familiar with hospital-based clinical settings before entering their placements.
Interprofessional learning: Students learn alongside other healthcare disciplines, developing communication and teamwork skills needed when working within multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Research experience: Students complete an independent research project, giving them practical experience in investigating a physiotherapy or rehabilitation-related topic with academic guidance.
Practice-to-classroom learning: Students can bring experiences from their clinical placements back into their academic learning, helping them connect theory with what they encounter in professional practice.
Digital health technologies: InterCity Place incorporates digital innovations and health technologies within its specialist learning environments, helping students become familiar with modern approaches to healthcare education.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) at the University of Plymouth prepares graduates to begin professional physiotherapy careers across a wide range of healthcare and rehabilitation settings. With at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience, research training and leadership development, graduates can move into roles across the NHS, private healthcare, community services, sports and other healthcare organisations.

Typical career options include NHS Physiotherapist, Community Physiotherapist, Rotational Physiotherapist and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist.

Students can strengthen their career prospects through:

Careers Service: The University of Plymouth provides career planning, employment advice, support with job applications and interviews, career events and opportunities to connect with employers and graduates.
Digital career support: The university's myCareer platform provides online careers resources and tools to help students prepare CVs, cover letters and develop their employability skills.
Strong graduate outcomes: The university reports that 98% of its Physiotherapy graduates were in work or further study 15 months after graduating. The university also reports that 98% considered their current activity meaningful and 99% said their degree was either a formal requirement for their job or gave them an advantage.
Graduate employers: Plymouth Physiotherapy graduates have gone on to work for organisations including University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, NHS England, Livewell Southwest, Ministry of Defence, Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust, Ascenti and Truro City Football Club.
Clinical experience: Students complete at least 1,000 hours across five clinical placements, gaining experience in neurological, respiratory, musculoskeletal and sports rehabilitation.
Professional registration: Successful graduates can apply for HCPC registration and full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), providing the professional foundation needed to practise as physiotherapists.
Industry connections: The range of graduate employers includes NHS trusts, private healthcare providers, the Ministry of Defence and sporting organisations, giving students exposure to different professional career environments.
Leadership and research development: The programme develops clinical, research, leadership and management skills, helping graduates progress as they gain professional experience.
Employment and salary: The university publishes the 98% work-or-further-study figure but does not provide a specific graduate salary figure for this MSc, so a programme-specific salary cannot be reliably stated.
Career flexibility: Graduates can work in hospitals, health centres, private practices, charities, military rehabilitation, sporting organisations, research and teaching, with opportunities in the UK and internationally.

Further Academic Progression: After gaining professional experience, graduates can progress to further study such as an MSc Advanced Professional Practice in Physiotherapy or explore research degrees such as an MPhil or PhD, depending on their career goals and research interests.