Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) MSc

The MSc Physiotherapy at York St John University puts practical learning at the centre of the programme. Students build their clinical confidence through hands-on sessions, realistic simulation and 1,000 hours of professional practice placements, giving them the opportunity to work with healthcare professionals and apply their knowledge in real clinical environments. The programme also uses case-based learning, research activities and collaborative learning to help students develop strong clinical reasoning and professional skills.

Students can gain practical and professional experience through:

• Clinical skills laboratories: Students use dedicated physiotherapy clinical labs with adjustable treatment plinths to practise assessment and treatment techniques.

• Clinical simulation facilities: Simulation labs provide realistic healthcare scenarios where students can practise clinical skills in a controlled environment before working with patients.

• Specialist physiotherapy equipment: The facilities include equipment such as an ultrasound scanner, supporting practical learning and clinical skills development.

• 1,000 hours of professional placement: Students gain extensive practice-based experience across healthcare environments in the Yorkshire, Humber and North Lincolnshire region.

• Real clinical experience: Placements allow students to apply classroom learning to patient care, develop professional confidence and work alongside experienced healthcare professionals.

• Interprofessional learning: Students can work alongside and observe other healthcare professionals during placements, developing an understanding of multidisciplinary teamwork.

• Case-based learning: Students work through realistic clinical cases and discuss scenarios with fellow physiotherapy students to strengthen their problem-solving and clinical reasoning skills.

• Service development projects: Students can develop leadership skills and take part in service development activities linked to healthcare improvement.

• Research experience: The Dissertation allows students to develop a research proposal, collect and analyse information and explore a topic relevant to physiotherapy practice.

• Audits and service evaluation: Later practice-based learning can provide opportunities to take part in audits and service evaluations, giving students experience of quality improvement in healthcare.

• Practical assessments: Students demonstrate their developing clinical skills through practical assessments, placement assessments, presentations, portfolios and vivas.

• Digital learning: The programme combines face-to-face teaching with online learning, supporting both academic study and professional development.

• PebblePad e-portfolio: Students use PebblePad to record and manage placement-related learning and professional development activities.

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) prepares graduates for professional physiotherapy practice by combining clinical knowledge, practical training and extensive placement experience. After completing the programme, graduates can apply for professional registration and pursue careers across hospitals, community healthcare, rehabilitation and other clinical settings.

Typical career options include Physiotherapist, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Neurological Physiotherapist and Rehabilitation Physiotherapist. With professional experience, graduates can move into specialist, advanced clinical, research, education or leadership roles:

• Future You careers service: Students receive personalised careers support, including one-to-one guidance, CV and application advice, interview preparation, employer events and support with finding work experience. Support is also available after graduation.

• Professional placement experience: The programme includes 30 weeks of professional practice, allowing students to apply their learning in different healthcare environments and develop valuable professional connections.

• Employment outcomes: York St John reports that 95% of its students were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, based on its published Graduate Outcomes data for 2021. This is a university-wide figure rather than a Physiotherapy-specific statistic.

• Salary information: York St John does not publish a specific graduate salary figure for this MSc, so a course-specific salary cannot be confirmed.

• Employer connections: The university's Careers team provides access to employer events, vacancies, placements and internships through Handshake, where employers can also connect directly with York St John students and graduates.

• Professional accreditation: The programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Graduates can apply for HCPC registration and CSP membership, providing an important professional foundation for a long-term physiotherapy career.

• Advanced clinical progression: After gaining professional experience, graduates can return to further study and develop their expertise towards advanced practitioner roles.

• Research and service improvement: The dissertation, audits and service evaluation activities provide a foundation for careers involving clinical research, healthcare improvement and evidence-based practice.

Further Academic Progression: After gaining professional experience, graduates can pursue further postgraduate study and specialist clinical training, including pathways towards advanced practitioner roles. Students interested in research or academia can also build on their dissertation experience through further research-focused study and higher degrees.