BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

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UCAS Code:
B160
Institution:
B50

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This course is now full for September 2020 entry. Discover our other vacancies in Clearing.

Physiotherapists work to improve the lives of individuals with physical and psychosocial difficulties.

This degree, which is accredited by The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and approved by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), has excellent employment following completion with 100% of graduates employed or in further study within six months of finishing. The course maintains small cohort sizes resulting in excellent lecturer-to-student ratio meaning more support, education and resource availability, throughout your three years.

As a trainee physiotherapist, you’ll treat people of all ages, with a range of difficulties and discover ways to help maximise each patient’s potential through your knowledge of human movement and function. You’ll also gain healthcare techniques to manage peoples’ physical, psychological and social wellbeing, and because practical experience is central to this course, you’ll gain real-world experience in a diverse array of settings. In your final year you’ll present an innovation project at a student conference, integrated to help to boost your career prospects.

Your learning will be facilitated by a range of staff with relevant clinical expertise and knowledge appropriate to all units of study. All staff are research active, contributing to driving the profession forwards.

See Course details for more information, including how this course will be delivered safely in autumn 2020 in response to Covid-19.

New funding: Physiotherapy students on courses from September 2020 may be eligible for a non-repayable government training grant of at least £5,000 a year. Find out more information about the funding.

An impressive 100% of our final year students are in professional or managerial positions six months after graduation and 89% said that staff have made the subject interesting, so join us on live chat now to find out more, or register to meet us at an Open Day.

All statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats, Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE), BU institutional data and Ipsos MORI (National Student Survey) unless otherwise stated.

Chat with a student from this course

Key information

Next start date:

September 2021 (September 2020 is full), September 2022

Location:

Bournemouth University, Lansdowne Campus

Duration:

3 years, including mandatory placements

Accreditations:

The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Required subjects:

September 2020: Biology, Human Biology, Physical Education. See full entry requirements for September 2021 required subjects.

Entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: 136-152 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject. BTEC Extended Diploma of DDD.

For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2021 entry: If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Accredited by:

Course details

Many of our lecturers are still actively practising, so their fingers remain firmly on the pulse of the profession. We offer state-of-the-art learning facilities and equipment, high-quality placement and volunteering opportunities, and the degree is endorsed by the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

As a trainee physiotherapist you’ll treat people of all ages, with a range of problems, and discover ways to help maximise each patient’s potential through your knowledge of human movement and function. You’ll also gain healthcare techniques to manage patients’ physical, psychological and social wellbeing, and because practical experience is central to this course, you’ll gain real-world experience in a diverse array of settings.

In your final year you’ll present an innovation project at a student conference, integrated to help to boost your career prospects.

Contact hours and assessment

In addition to the scheduled teaching and learning activities you will spend 1000 hours undertaking clinical placements where you gain the practical skills necessary to work as a physiotherapist.

Your study time at BU will be split between scheduled learning and teaching activities and guided independent learning, such as preparing for and writing up coursework assignment, and group work.

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 336KB)

September 2020 – course information

During your first semester (September to January), your course will be delivered online, using interactive platforms that will replicate the experience of being in a lecture theatre or seminar room. You’ll have opportunities to interact with your lecturer and fellow students just as you would have done in any other year. 

For the placement elements of your course, you will gain practical experience at your placement locality, which is allocated at the time of your offer. Your placement could include both community and clinical locations such as care homes, GP practices and hospitals. You will be assigned a tutor to support you during your practical experience. 

We hope to have a full programme of face-to-face sessions on campus for all courses from January if government guidelines permit. 

You will be able to use the Library, the Student Centre, Open Access Centre and social learning spaces, subject to physical distancing measures to undertake group and other work. 

There will be no other changes to the content of your course as a result of Covid-19; we will deliver all of the units we have previously promised we would, and we are not making any changes to the individual learning outcomes on your course.    

It’s important that you know these changes are temporary and that we will be back to our usual on-campus experience as soon as national guidance makes it possible.  

See our Coronavirus FAQs for the latest information from BU.  

This is the latest information, updated on 20 July. We will update this page when more information is available, and we can confirm any additional on-campus activity. 

Year 1

Core units

Science for Physiotherapy: You'll establish core knowledge of human and behavioural sciences needed for therapeutic practice.
Communication for Physiotherapy Practice: This unit aims to establish foundation communication skills which are at the heart of everything as a Physiotherapist.
Foundations for Professional Practice and Research: This unit will set a foundation of professionalism required for working as a life-long, professional learner. In addition foundation research skills will be developed to facilitate the retrieval and interpretation of information.
Physiotherapy Management of the Inpatient: The aim of this unit is to prepare you to work within the inpatient setting. This unit covers assessment processes and basic management approaches including working with elderly patients and in respiratory and orthopaedic environments.
Exercise, Movement and Rehabilitation: Here you’ll develop knowledge of normal human movement, biomechanics and movement analysis. This knowledge will be applied to the use of exercise therapy across a variety of rehabilitation areas.
Physiotherapy Portfolio Units – Orientation and 1: These practice placements cover Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and the use of critical reflective practice.

Year 2

Core units

Research for Professional Practice: This unit aims to raise your awareness of a range of evidence and you will be able to demonstrate an understanding of how different forms of evidence can guide practice.
Acute Rehabilitation: In this unit you will acquire the skills necessary for the management of patients in the acute setting. This includes formulating respiratory and neurology management plans and using appropriate physiotherapy skills.
Community Rehabilitation: In this unit you will learn to manage patients within the community setting with a variety of problems; including cardiorespiratory, neurological and long term conditions. A problem-solving approach will help you investigate the implications for patients and the required holistic approach to their conditions.
Outpatient Rehabilitation: The aim of this unit is to develop your reasoning skills of neuromusculoskeletal assessment and management. It will build on the knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, physiology and pathology. It will provide you with the skills to deliver safe and effective neuromusculoskeletal treatments.
Physiotherapy Portfolio Units 2 and 3: These units contain your two placements where your practice skills are developed. The unit also progresses your use of critical reflection to develop important lifelong learning skills.

Year 3

Core units

Team Working for Service Improvement: The purpose of this unit is to provide you with the opportunity to undertake interprofessional project work and develop your skills in team working. Collaborative working is considered an essential skill in physiotherapy practice.
Progressing Physiotherapy Practice: The aim of this unit is for you to revise, build upon and integrate physiotherapy knowledge and skills in order to manage complex case scenarios in a variety of settings.
Research for Physiotherapy Practice: This unit develops understanding of the research process and ability to undertake a critical literature review. The format of this unit will primarily be through independent study in which you will have the opportunity to undertake an in-depth study of a professional practice topic of your choice.
Innovations in Physiotherapy: In this unit you will explore the complexity of physiotherapy practice and develop your use of evidence informed practice and leadership skills. Innovative examples of physiotherapy practice will be explored and applied to UK and international practice.
Physiotherapy Portfolio Units 4 and 5: These practical units aim to facilitate your progression towards qualifying as a confident and proficient professional, capable of high-quality, autonomous practice within the interprofessional provision of care.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

How you will be assessed

Facilities

With practical learning being integral to your degree, we provide practice simulation facilities, including a plinth suite, to mirror both clinical and community workplace settings and provide a safe environment.

We’re continuing to enhance our state-of-the-art facilities too – with a brand new, £48 million building currently under development, that will house our Health & Social Care courses.

Visit our facilities page to find out more – you can also take a 360° tour to get a feel for where you’ll be studying while you’re based on our Lansdowne Campus.

See our facilities

Placements

Placements are designed to develop your competence and physiotherapy skills.

What hours do you work?

Placements and travel costs

Placement localities

Although your term time address and method of transport are taken into consideration when allocating your placements there is an expectation that all students will have to travel up to 40 miles to reach their placements.

Due to the more rural nature of some of the placements you may be required to travel further. When on placement you will experience shift patterns that might include 12-13 hour shifts and weekends.

You can find out more about our placement locations here.

Your application

Background and experience

Students on this course will typically have an enthusiasm for and insight into the role of a Physiotherapist. Ideally applicants would have some experience shadowing Physiotherapists (PT’s). This could be in a variety of environments such as hospital wards, physiotherapy departments, community settings, domiciliary care, schools or private practices.

We want you to learn from your work experience, so it doesn’t matter how long it was. Use your UCAS application to tell us what you learnt about the role of the PT, their attributes, how the PT gets patients to follow exercise plans, your understanding of the diversity of the job.

If you’re struggling to achieve the above we also consider experience in a healthcare environment e.g. nursing home, elderly care home, HCA, special needs school, voluntary work as a support worker with individuals with disabilities.

For Physiotherapy, we are looking for applicants who:

Have an interest in Physiotherapy as well as the motivation and commitment to undertake the course
Have insight into the role of a Physiotherapist in the health & social care setting from independent research of the profession or relevant work experience
Have an appreciation of the diversity of the profession
Are caring, empathetic and friendly
Can work in a team
Have developed independent learning and study skills.

Physiotherapists work with people all the time and must therefore have excellent communication skills to be able to interact with people from a wide range of backgrounds in different situations.

Good written communication skills are very important for completing course work, creating patient records, sharing information with other professionals and developing an on-going record of professional development. You should be able to be comprehensive yet succinct, use correct grammar and present work neatly.

Our courses are built around the NHS’ constitution values, and when assessing your application we will take these values into consideration:

Working together for patients
Respect and dignity
Commitment to quality of care
Compassion
Improving lives
Everyone counts.

Find out more about the NHS Constitution principles.

IT skills

In the healthcare sector, IT is now a vital tool for accessing and maintaining patient records, accessing literature to client care and conducting clinically-related research. As a student you will receive an introduction to IT near the beginning of your course and you will be provided with computer access and your own email address.

During the course you will be expected to use your developing IT skills to produce assignments, to conduct literature searches, and to use client-related record systems in the clinical setting. Following instruction some of your study will be undertaken through web-based learning tools, for example by participating in online discussions.

Selection methods

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU. We may ask you to provide a portfolio and/or take part in an online interview. You can find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

For September 2020 entry: Because we need you to have practical and applicable skills in this particular subject, we’ll then invite the very best students for an interview. These interviews are designed to demonstrate that you have the necessary insight into Physiotherapy, as well as the motivation and commitment to become a Physiotherapist. Find out more about interviews with the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences.

Additional reference

In addition to the reference on your UCAS form, once we’ve received your application we may contact you to ask for a second reference; depending on the course you’ve applied for, this may be an academic reference, or from an employer or person who knows you in a professional capacity.

Find out more about interviews with the Faculty of Health & Social Sciences

Our offer-making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our Unconditional Offer Scheme (2020 entry)

Applicants who are predicted to achieve strong academic results will be eligible for BU’s Unconditional Offer Scheme in recognition of their academic performance and potential to succeed at university. You will receive an unconditional offer from BU if you are selected for the scheme - course selection measures and other entry criteria (i.e. required qualifications) apply.

We believe that unconditional offers reduce pressure on applicants who will continue to strive to achieve the best grades possible. Excellent grades become a part of applicants’ CVs and also support eligibility for our Academic Excellence scholarship - if you achieve AAA or above at A-level or equivalent, you’ll be automatically eligible for this award.

Visit our Unconditional Offer Scheme FAQ page

Applying for the final year

We have recently reviewed this course to take advantage of new approaches to learning and teaching, as well as developments in industry. As the aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, teaching, learning and assessment methods may have changed as a result of the review, you can find relevant information for your year of entry in the appropriate programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 855kb)

Entry requirements

We use the UCAS Tariff in our entry requirements and will accept a combination of grades and qualifications to meet the overall tariff requirement. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

We have outlined our entry requirements below using the most common qualifications that we consider for this course. If your qualification is not on the UCAS tariff or listed below, please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team who can advise accordingly. You can also find out more about how we consider your application in our offer-making process section.

For September 2021 entry: 136-152 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject.

Required subject for September 2021:

A Level: Biology, Human Biology, Physical Education
BTEC: Applied Human Biology

Numeracy and Literacy requirement: GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all the equivalencies.

A-level and AS levels: 136 – 152 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels, including 40 points in a required subject.

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-Level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.

Access to HE Diploma: 134 - 144 UCAS tariff points with any combination of graded Distinction, Merit, Pass grades, including a minimum of 15 level 3 credits in a required subject.

BTEC National:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Distinction (144 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject.
Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.
Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.
Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.

Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma: 136 – 152 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of two Principal Subjects, including 40 points in a required subject.

Cambridge Technical:

Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Distinction (144 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject.
Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.
Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.
Introductory Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.

Extended Project Qualification: Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by either an A-level in a required subject with 40 points or a vocational qualification in a required subject with 48 points.

International Baccalaureate Certificates: 136 – 152 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.

International Baccalaureate (Diploma): 33 - 34 points, including grade H5 in a required subject.

Scottish Highers: 136 - 152 tariff points from Scottish Highers, including 33 points in a required subject.

Scottish Advanced Highers: 136 – 152 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, you can request a deferral by contacting our Admissions Team.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please contact our Future Students Enquiry Team for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Non-academic requirements

Occupational Health (OH) Checks

This course is physically and mentally demanding and you will need to be mentally and physically able to undertake your chosen course. Places are offered subject to passing an OH check, and this will be carried out at the University Hospital Southampton.

Health conditions need to be dealt with on an individual basis e.g. deafness, blindness, eczema (or other dermatological allergic reactions) on exposed areas, epilepsy, back problems, or mental health conditions, eating disorders and other disabilities.

These do not automatically exclude you but please ensure that you fully disclose your condition to OH. The University can then consider the recommendations made by OH and whether reasonable adjustments can be made to support you on your chosen course. If you require more guidance please contact us for more information.

You will be required to provide a record of your immunity status or be vaccinated or have the required blood tests. Please see this table for the required immunisations. You may need to ask your GP or current OH department or find your childhood vaccination record for details of your past immunisation records.

You should be aware that there may be charges made (for which you will be liable) relating to your gaining the appropriate immunity required prior to starting your training programme.

Refusing Immunisations

The University has an expectation that all students will comply with the vaccination programme. This ensures that you will be able to undertake the wide range of training placements that your course will require. Occasionally some vaccinations are contraindicated in certain medical conditions. OH will advise the University in these cases.

The University will consider students on an individual basis. Refusal to have immunisations will result in the student not being allowed to attend practice placement and being withdrawn from the course. There is no opportunity to appeal against the requirements of the immunisation policy.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (previously known as CRB)

All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barred List check; this will be a condition of offer and will need to be completed prior to commencing the course. Please see the Government website for the most up to date information.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2021 entry:

Диплома за средно образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Education) or Диплома за средно специално образование (Bulgarian Diploma of Completed Secondary Specialised Education). Minimum score of 5.5
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma with required scores (4,4,5 to 4,5,5. Minimum 4 in English required)
Italian Esame di Stato[AB1] with minimum 80%+
Spanish Curso de Orientaciòn Universitaria (COU) prior to 2009 or if you hold a Titulo De Bachillerato awarded from 2009 onwards with a minimum of 8/10+
USA High School Diploma with minimum GPA 3.25 plus SAT Reasoning (1300) or ACT (26-29). If there is a subject specific requirement SAT Subject (600) or AP (4-4) will be required.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2021 entry: IELTS (Academic) 7.0 with minimum 6.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Careers

The aim of this course is to give you all the skills you need to work as an autonomous physiotherapist once you graduate. 100% of our students working or in further study within six months of finishing their degree. In addition, an impressive 100% of our students are in a professional or managerial position six months after graduation.

This qualification will allow you to work all over the world, as well as in the UK.

Typical job roles and industries

On graduating, you can feel confident to apply for jobs in the NHS or the private sector, or may choose to move into education rather than practice. Among the roles you can apply for are:

Basic grade – band 5
Specialisation – band 6
Specialist practitioner – band 7
Consultant therapist – band 8
Lecturer – practitioner.

On successful graduation, you can apply to become a registered physiotherapist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) and you can become a professional member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). These accreditations can be vital when it comes to securing work as a physiotherapist overseas.

Industries worked in

Healthcare
Sport
Education
Therapy.

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our pages on funding support for healthcare courses. Our fees and funding section also includes information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be.

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Professional body accreditation of the programme resulting in eligibility of membership on successful completion of the programme.
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check.
Occupational Health Services and checks. Please note that you will be charged if you do not attend Occupational Health appointments without giving appropriate notice.
Uniforms.
One set of study-related consumables such as a memory stick.
Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity.
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and/or fieldwork and non-financial support whilst on placement.
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme.
Disability and additional learning support.
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information.
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses.
Travel costs to and from the university campus (and occupational health referrals if required). An annual bus pass is included in your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation
Travel costs to and from your placement which could be based at various locations across the southwest region. Students may claim reimbursement towards travel and accommodation costs from the NHS. Please visit the NHS website for more information.
There may be an additional charge for replacement uniforms.

Repeat units

Funding for physiotherapy students (new for 2020)

Physiotherapy students on courses from September 2020 may be eligible for a government training grant of at least £5,000 a year, which you will not need to pay back. The funding will be given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing, midwifery and many allied health students from September 2020.

Students will receive at least £5,000 a year, with further funding available for eligible students, including:

Parental Support allowance of £1,000, on top of the £1,000 already on offer.
Up to £1,000 specialist subject payment for subjects such as mental health nursing.
A regional incentive payment in areas of the country which have seen a decrease in people accepted on some nursing, midwifery and allied health courses.

Students will not need to apply for specialist subject or incentive payments as they will be automatically added to their account, if eligible.

This means that some students could be eligible for up to £8,000 per year, with everyone getting at least £5,000.

Find out more about the funding

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice in the physiotherapy sector which is integrated into the teaching of this course.

You can find out more about some of the staff that are currently teaching on the course and their research activities below. Please note that teaching staff can change.

Louise Fazakarley – Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Louise joined BU in November 2006. Prior to that, she worked at the School of Health Professions and Rehabilitation Sciences at the University of Southampton. Her research experience is varied and spans over several years. Her most recent experience was working on an RCT testing a Physiotherapy intervention with people with PD who fall.

Louise is currently undertaking PhD research, looking at home-based physiotherapist-led intervention using the Nintendo Wii to facilitate people with early stage Multiple Sclerosis to exercise. The focus of this work has been the development and testing of this intervention in a pilot/feasibly study. The study uses a mixed methods design as well as service user input.

Louise Fazakarley's profile

Dr Jonathan Williams – Principal Academic in Physiotherapy

Dr Williams received training both in the UK and Australia and has emerged as a prominent researcher in the field of Physiotherapy and Biomechanics. He enjoys the challenge of experimental measurement and is passionate about the fusion of Physiotherapy with Engineering.

Jon has a keen interest in the use of engineering principles to solve biomechanical and clinical problems. This has been applied to create novel measurement solutions for motion analysis which has been applied to many body regions. Such methods have also been applied to investigate the mechanisms behind movement alterations evident in low back pain sufferers, with a special focus on pain.

This work has led to international conference presentations, publications and being commissioned by an engineering company to work on novel clinical applications for their technology.

View Dr Jonathan Williams' profile

Dr Vikram Mohan – Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Vikram completed his Bachelor and Master’s degree in Physiotherapy from Annamalai University, India and a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Chiang Mai University, Thailand. His PhD focused on Respiratory Characteristics of Individuals with Nonspecific Low Back Pain and the Effect of Therapeutic Exercise.

He worked in a range of physiotherapy settings and locations in India, Malaysia and United Kingdom as a clinician and as a teaching faculty.

He served as a World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT) Accreditation Committee Member for Bachelor Degree at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM), Malaysia. Since 2008, he also reviewed cardio-respiratory physiotherapy units as a part of the curriculum review in UiTM. In addition, he was also appointed as a sub-committee member for Malaysian Research Assessment Instrument (MYRA) at the faculty level (2016-2017).

His research interest includes Pain and Breathing, work related musculoskeletal disorders, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) & musculoskeletal disorders and COPD & pulmonary rehabilitation.

Dr Vikram Mohan's staff profile

Dr Kathryn Collins – Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Kathryn graduated as a physiotherapist in 2003 from The Sage Colleges in Troy, New York, USA and then worked as a physiotherapist for nine years in Chicago, USA, specialising in neurology. During this time she enjoyed being a clinical supervisor to physiotherapy students and became interested in research. Kathryn worked on a research trial with stroke survivors; this experience further sparked her interest in pursuing research, which led her to England in 2012 to undertake a PhD. Kathryn graduated with a PhD in Health Sciences from the University of East Anglia in 2016. After finishing her PhD she worked as a researcher and grant writer before joining Bournemouth University in 2017 as a Physiotherapy Lecturer.

Dr Kathryn Collins' profile

Dr Judith Chapman – Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Dr Judith Chapman's area of interest is education and she have conducted studies in undergraduate learning and client education, particularly readability of health education literature.

She graduated from Kings College Hospital, London and worked there for two years before moving to Canada. There she worked in Barrie, Ontario and Toronto followed by 18 years at McMaster University Health Science Centre, Hamilton specialising in the management of Rheumatological conditions.

Judith undertook an MSc at McMaster University researching the Effectiveness of a Patient Education Programme for Clients with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RCT) and subsequently joined the academic staff in the Undergraduate BSc programme.

Alex Dunford – Lecturer In Physiotherapy

Alex Dunford is an experienced physiotherapist specialising in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Before starting a full-time role at Bournemouth University, she worked as a senior musculoskeletal physiotherapist in Wiltshire. As a physiotherapist Alex’s experience includes working in private practice, acute and community hospitals, GP practices and private schools.

Alex has been working as a part-time lecturer at Bournemouth University since 2018 and in July 2019, took a full-time position as a Physiotherapy lecturer.

Alex interests include lower limb pathologies and persistent pain. Alex is currently working on her PhD in knee pain.

Alex Dunford's profile

Course changes

Changes in 2020

Date	Changes to this course
03/06/2020	Where the change was made: Entry requirements changed for September 2021 entry, Interview removed from selection methods (for September 2021 entry) Change: New entry requirements for September 2021: 136 - 152 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject. BTEC Extended Diploma of DDD. Previous text: 128-144 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject. BTEC Extended Diploma of DDM.

Date

Changes to this course

03/06/2020

Where the change was made: Entry requirements changed for September 2021 entry, Interview removed from selection methods (for September 2021 entry)
Change: New entry requirements for September 2021: 136 - 152 UCAS Tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject. BTEC Extended Diploma of DDD.
Previous text: 128-144 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject. BTEC Extended Diploma of DDM.

Changes in 2019

Date	Changes to this course
21/06/2019	Where the change was made: Course re-validation Change: Course overview, assessment, core units, contact hours, placement information Previous text: N/A

Changes in 2018

Date	Changes to this course
18/09/2018	Where the change was made: 2019 entry requirements Change: 2019 entry requirements updated Previous text: 112-120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.

Changes in 2017

Date	Changes to this course
28/04/2017	Where the change was made: Programme specification Change: Slight amendment to the learning outcomes in year 1 'Skills For Therapy Practice' unit.
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: Key Information and 2018 Entry Requirements Change: 136 - 144 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject Previous text: The entry requirements for this course are 120-128 tariff points from 3 A-levels. BTEC Extended Diploma: DDM.
06/09/2017	Where the change was made: 2018 Entry Requirements Change: GCSE English and Mathematics grade C (or grade 4 in the reformed GCSE grading) or equivalent qualifications. Previous text: This course requires a minimum of 4 GCSEs grades A* - C (or grade 4 or above in the newly reformed GCSE grading) including Maths and English or equivalent qualifications.
20/12/2017	Where the change was made: 2018 Entry requirements Change: Entry requirements for BTEC Extended Diploma now Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 tariff points) and 40 points from an A-level in a required subject Previous text: Distinction, Distinction, Distinction (144 tariff points) and 40 points from an A-level in a required subject.

What our graduates think

Tracy Sherwood

Bournemouth University allowed me to learn in a supported environment, while giving me the freedom to develop and become the autonomous practitioner I am today.

What our graduates think

Jo Ponting

One of the massive benefits of the BSc Physiotherapy at Bournemouth was the expertise of tutors, not only were they leaders in their fields but also truly passionate towards teaching and very approachable.

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

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Read about why Ellen chose BU

Sarah's Trip to Helsinki as a Physiotherapy student

Read BU student Shaay’s blog on why you will love Bournemouth

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September 2020 – course information

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Louise Fazakarley – Course Leader and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Dr Jonathan Williams – Principal Academic in Physiotherapy

Dr Vikram Mohan – Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Dr Kathryn Collins – Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Dr Judith Chapman – Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy

Alex Dunford – Lecturer In Physiotherapy

Course changes

Changes in 2020

Changes in 2019

Changes in 2018

Changes in 2017

What our graduates think

Tracy Sherwood

What our graduates think

Jo Ponting