Physiotherapy

This is a 4 year physiotherapy degree in Scotland, where you’ll have the chance to learn about all aspects of physiotherapy. Discover more about some of these areas.

Year 1

You’ll develop a foundation in anatomy and pathophysiology, normal structure, function, movement, exercise and behaviours. You’ll learn the ethos of improving health and supporting behavioural change through working in partnership with individuals and groups. Students will develop assessment and treatment skills with the opportunity to consolidate these skills on clinical placement at the end of year 1.

Year 2

You’ll develop knowledge, analysis and evaluation of abnormal function and its impact upon movement and function as well as physical, psychological, and social aspects of rehabilitation. Skills in assessment, treatment, health promotion, research, team working, leadership and clinical reasoning will also be developed. Two placements will consolidate your learning.

Year 3

You’ll integrate academic and clinical areas to develop skills in managing complex long term conditions, treatment modifications using more independent study skills. You’ll study effective and evidence based practice along with policy and its impact on physiotherapy practice. From the two clinical placements, one will be elective.

Year 4

In your final year, you’ll further develop a critical approach to: practice, clinical reasoning and life-long learning; developing confidence, flexibility in approach and self-evaluation of your skills ensuring you attain clinical competency.  You will work collaboratively and in partnership with other health professions students focusing on leadership, management and service evaluation.

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

Learning Methods

This course adopts a learning approach with a key focus on the application of learning. With small cohorts, teaching is delivered in workshops and tutorials to facilitate depth of learning. In seminars you are encouraged to engage in critical discussion and utilise your knowledge and skills to justify patient management. This is supported by practical sessions where you are given the opportunity to put your new knowledge into practice. Through the use of real clinical scenarios you are challenged further by our volunteer patients, who provide invaluable feedback on your communication, and physiotherapeutic skills. Skills are consolidated by seven clinical placements spread throughout the four year programme.

We offer innovative and student led learning where you will lead exercise groups for different age groups and mobilities, growing your confidence and communication and preparing you for your career.

Activity Summary

Year 1

• Lectures - 38 students per group, 2 hours per week
• Seminars - 38 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Tutorial - 38 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Practical class or workshop - 18 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Placement / Work Based Learning - 30 hours per week for 4 weeks 

How long is an MPhys Physiotherapy course?

A Physiotherapy degree can be successfully completed in 4 years, in which the opportunity to receive the necessary skills are obtained.

Staff Delivering on this Course

Our course is delivered by experienced world leading healthcare professionals who are committed to developing your skills and competencies to become a confident and independent Physiotherapist.

All Lecturers have come from clinical practice holding senior positions in either the NHS or private practice with experience in a wide-range of clinical specialities. Staff maintain HCPC and CSP registration and remain clinically-active, which adds to the currency of our teaching.  All staff members have either gained or are working towards Postgraduate Teaching qualifications, with the majority of staff holding MSc qualifications within health-related areas.  They are research-active, and hold a research supervisory role, with some staff pursuing research degrees at PhD level.  

Independent Study

The volume of independent study increases at each stage of the course. In the early stages of the course, guidance is offered to shape your study skills. By the latter stages of the course it is expected that you will be a successful independent learner, working with a supervisor to complete your research project.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

In Years one and two there are a higher proportion of practical assessments, where assessment of application clinical knowledge and skills are assessed. In the latter stages of the course, there is a mixture of coursework and presentations, to help you develop graduate levels skills.

Typically students will study two modules per term assessed as follows:

YEAR 1

• 1 multiple choice exam
• 2 written assignments, including essay
• 2 practical skills assessment

YEAR 2

• 2 written assignments, including essay
• 2 practical skills assessment

YEAR 3 

• 2 written assignment, including essay
• 1 report
• 1 oral assessment

YEAR 4

• 1 written assignment, including essay
• 1 dissertation
• 1 oral assessment

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

The spiral curriculum, utilising a range of evidence-based learning approaches throughout, forms the basis of the course philosophy. Integration of clinical practice placements from an early stage (Year 1) ensures that you consolidate theoretical knowledge as you progress through the course. Your placement experience will be very hands-on with patient interaction and assessment from the start. During year 3, You will organise your fifth placement (elective placement) in a speciality of your own choice. 

Placements lengths vary from 4-7 weeks. A designated Placement Co-ordinator will organise six of your seven clinical placements and ensure that you have a varied placement profile experiencing a balance of musculoskeletal, cardio respiratory, neurology and with the elderly.

Placements are located throughout Scotland, and you’ll cover a variety of settings including acute hospitals, community setting, private practice and virtually enhanced placements, so you gain wide exposure setting you up for your career. Our clinical educators and your tutors are there every step of the way to offer support. You will organise your fifth placement in a speciality of your own choice.

Student Blog

Physiotherapy student Beinn, shares his experience of undertaking an integrated virtual and clinical placement during the pandemic.

Meet housemates and classmates Izzy and Mairi. Due to COVID-19 they are undertaking their placement with a twist, an in-house virtual physiotherapy placement. Read more to find out how they are getting on and what the placement involves.

Study Abroad

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

Job Prospects

Key policies have initiated a shift in focus supporting the production of more sustainable services with an emphasis on quality of care. Historically, Physiotherapists were predominantly based within acute hospital settings. However, Physiotherapists today work across a broad range of settings within the acute and community sector treating a variety of conditions. This course owing to its practical approach to teaching, which encourages critical thinking from the outset, prepares students well for working with diverse populations across a variety of settings. The course fosters a culture of innovation, creativity and problem solving within it graduates so that they are prepared to work in the rapidly evolving healthcare sector.

Is Physiotherapy a good career choice?

This newly created Master of Physiotherapy programme will prepare you on how to become a Physiotherapist and to work in the changing landscape of health and social care. 

Job roles within this field include:

• Physiotherapist

Previous graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue a career in Physiotherapy in the following environments:

• Health promotion
• Preventative healthcare
• Treatment and rehabilitation

You may work 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.

Graduating from this course will allow you to work at a level beyond what would be expected of a traditional graduate. Further postgraduate study will enable you to explore further career opportunities; for example animal and equine physiotherapy.

Like all Physiotherapy university courses, there is certain criteria that you will need to meet. Find out if you’re eligible to apply.

Standard Entry Requirements

• SQA Higher: AABBB to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and two from Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics required overall from 5th and 6th year. BBBB required from 5th year to be invited to a selection visit.
• GCE A Level: ABB to include two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics. English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) is required at AS Level grade B or above.
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H2H2H2H2 to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and two from Biology , Chemistry, Maths and Physics.
• IB Diploma: 32 to include Higher Level grade 5 in English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and two from Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

Practice Visit: As part of the application process, all applicants are required to demonstrate an informed perspective of physiotherapy and this will normally be achieved through visiting a physiotherapy setting prior to interview.

Selection Visit: All shortlisted applicants are invited to attend a half day selection visit prior to an offer of a place on the course being made. The selection process includes evaluation of your professional suitability, communication and team working skills.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

• SQA Higher: BBB required from 5th year to be invited to a selection visit. Overall from 5th and 6th year a minimum of grades BBBBB to include English or a written subject requiring the use of English and two from Biology/Human Biology, Chemistry, Maths and Physics.

Alternative Qualifications

We welcome applications from those with equivalent qualifications to those stated, including SVQs/NVQs, access programmes and overseas qualifications. Applications from students with non-standard qualifications or work experience will be considered on an individual basis.

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5, or an equivalent.

These are the requirements of the HCPC and supersede the standard University English Language requirements.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Costs

• £45 on Materials 
• £45 on Specialist Clothing
• At the beginning of your course and during all practice placements you are required to purchase and wear an official uniform. If you are a student from Scotland, this uniform will be paid for by the Scottish Government. All other students (the rest of the UK (RUK) and international students) will have to purchase a tunic at £5.59 each and trousers at £7.04 each. Where uniforms become damaged or for any other reason unsuitable, you are responsible for the cost of the replacement.
• Students from out with Scotland (the rest of the UK (RUK) and any international students must pay for PVG membership: £59 (new member) or £18 (existing member).
  MORE INFORMATION ON THE PVG SCHEME

• Health Checks - variable according to needs - must be paid for as well as online screening:
  • Online Health Screening - £22.70
  • Additional Health Screening - £48.70/£72.20
  • Hepatitis B Vaccination x 3 - £26.60 each
  • Hepatitis B Blood Titre Test - £32.00
  • TB Mantoux Test/BCG Vaccination - £33.00/£24.00
  • MMR Vaccination x 2 - £22.45   
  • MMR Blood Test - £31.00
  • Varicella Blood Test/Vaccination - £21.00/£33.00