Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that involves working with people to promote their own health and wellbeing in a wide variety of health settings, from intensive care units to Premier League sports clubs, to help restore movement and function to as near normal as possible.

Our course is delivered by experienced health care professionals who are committed to ensuring that you develop the skills and competencies needed to become a confident and independent physiotherapist. This course will enable you to effectively assess and treat patients, continually analyse and evaluate your practice, and meet the demands of the rapidly changing health sector.

The vital clinical placement aspect of the course will provide you with the practical and ‘real world' experiences which will help to ensure your employability after graduation.

Your learning experience will be enhanced by state-of-the-art teaching and clinical skills facilities. The therapy practical rooms and human performance laboratory, which has a sophisticated three-dimensional motion analysis system, are key facilities you will utilise during your study. In the clinical skills area you will be introduced to the ward setting and our computerised SimMan who is used to practice the treatment of an acutely ill patient in a safe environment.

Stage 1

During this year, knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology will be integrated with key physiotherapy skills to allow you to undertake the first clinical placement at the end of the stage.

Stage 2

Stage 2 furthers physiotherapy assessment and treatment skills with an increasing variety of people with neurological, musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions. An ability to measure performance and outcomes is also developed. Two further clinical placements are undertaken to reinforce these skills and link theory and practice.

Stage3

Further development in the complexity of the patients problems and the physiotherapy skills needed to manage them are included alongside a further placement which is organised by you to a placement of your choice.

Stage 4

The emphasis in your final stage relates to evaluation and research skills necessary for a qualified physiotherapist in conjunction with understanding key issues relating to policies and interdisciplinary teamwork. Two final clinical placements allow development of the required treatment and management skills prior to qualifying.

SQA Higher: Minimum BBBB or equivalent in one sitting from 5th year. English and two sciences are required at B from 5th or 6th year. Maths may be considered as a science. Further subjects may be required from 6th year.

GCE A Level: BBB to include 2 sciences.

Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: Minimum 6 subjects at Higher, 2 A grades and 4 B grades to include English and 2 sciences (excluding Maths).

IB Diploma: 32, including grade 6 at Higher Level in 4 subjects, to include English and 2 science subjects (Maths counted as a science). Must also pass the extended essay and Theory of Knowledge.

Alternative Qualifications: Equivalent overseas qualifications, SQA, BTEC, S/NVQs and some Access programmes will be considered.

Interview: Students who fulfil the entrance criteria will be invited to attend a multi-stage selection visit. Offers will be made following completion of a selection interview.

Special Requirements: Minimum IELTS score of 7 is required from international students. There is a requirement to undergo a medical examination and obtain an enhanced criminal record clearance prior to course commencement.

* All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Placement 

Seven clinical placements, starting at the end of year 1, are integrated throughout the course. This allows you to bring your experiences back into the University and enhances your learning. You will complete placements in a range of clinical areas across Scotland, under the close supervision of experienced physiotherapists. You will also have the support of university tutors who will visit you at least once during each of your placements.

The elective placement in year 3 of the course gives you the opportunity to study physiotherapy provision in another country if you wish.

Find out more about  Health Professions Placements & Professional Links

Professional Accreditation 

Graduates of the course are eligible to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council and membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

If you are a Scottish resident or EU national you are not liable to pay fees and should apply to SAAS for full payment of tuition fees.

Financial Assistance

Students from Scotland, England, Wales, N Ireland should also apply to SAAS for an income-assessed Scottish Executive Health Department bursary.

For up-to-date information please visit http://www.saas.gov.uk/  

For a student loan, students from Scotland should apply to SAAS and students from England, Wales and N Ireland should apply to the appropriate student finance body.  

• Scotland - http://www.saas.gov.uk/ 
• England - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm
• Wales - http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/
• Northern Ireland - http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/

Practical Placement Expenses

• If you have to go on a practical placement away from University and you have extra travel or accommodation costs, you may receive assistance with these from SAAS.
• You can claim up to £10.08 each day for placements during term-time and £8.57 each day for placements during the summer.
• You should complete form AB24, available from the University. This form should not be used for normal daily travel expenses from and to University during term-time. These should be made in the normal way - refer to the Travelling Expenses section of this leaflet.

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change.

All full-time undergraduate course applications to Robert Gordon University must be made through UCAS at www.ucas.com/apply.

It is important that you keep track of your application process using the UCAS website, as it will update you on whether you have been offered a place from the University. It is also where you should respond to offers and receive confirmation of your place within your chosen course, rather than contacting the institution in the first instance.

Physiotherapists work in health promotion, preventative healthcare, treatment and rehabilitation, with patients ranging from children to older people and with a variety of conditions from sports injuries to mental health issues. You will be prepared to work within a wide range of NHS and private sector environments. Further Postgraduate study will enable you to explore further career opportunities; for example animal and equine physiotherapy.