Course overview
Study BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Hear from our physiotherapy staff and students about studying BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy at Teesside University.
Physiotherapists treat people of all ages who may be affected by or at risk of illness, injury and pain, though rehabilitation, health promotion and education. Rehabilitative techniques include exercise, manual therapy and providing appropriate equipment to support function.
You gain the knowledge and skills to be a safe, autonomous and professional practitioner. Core skills include movement analysis, problem solving, clinical reasoning, therapeutic exercise and communication.
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). On completion of your degree, you can apply for chartered membership of the CSP and register with the HCPC.
Top reasons to study this course:
- Student satisfaction: 90.6% of physiotherapy students agreed that staff were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024, tees.ac.uk/source).
- Bespoke contemporary facilities: learn in our industry-standard labs, simulated ward space, hydrotherapy pool, simulation suite and IT suite, preparing you for the role.
- Experienced teaching team: benefit from their wealth of clinical experience in both NHS and private sector settings, and collective passion for education.
- Financial support: study this course and you may be eligible for a £5,000 maintenance grant each year from the NHS Business Service Authority. Find out more. You can also apply for our Placement Support Fund if you are experiencing financial difficulties attending your placement. Find out more.
Please note 100% attendance is expected during this programme.
Supporting information for applicants
Course details
Course structure
Year 1 core modules
An Introduction to Evidence-based Practice for Health Professionals
You examine the role of evidence-based practice and sources of evidence: primary and secondary research, guidelines, audits and evaluations to support clinical decision making. You develop skills in formulating focused questions, developing effective search strategies and literature retrieval.
Foundation Skills for Physiotherapy Practice
We introduce you to the core clinical skills and understanding of treatment principles that underpin practice. You integrate knowledge of anatomy and physiology, with that of pathology, exercise and rehabilitation. This knowledge is applied to a diverse range of client groups.
Assessment is through a written assignment and a practical examination.
Foundations of Functional Anatomy for Physiotherapy Practice
Gain a foundation of functional anatomical knowledge, and the biomechanical principles underpinning movement. You also study the neuromusculoskeletal components of clinical physiotherapy practice.
Introduction to Human Physiology for Healthcare Professionals
This multidisciplinary module introduces basic processes principles and concepts of human physiology required by a range of health professionals, including healing and repair processes.
Professionalism for Healthcare Professionals
Gain a core understanding of professional issues and start preparing for a career in healthcare.
Year 2 core modules
Evidence-based Physiotherapy Rehabilitation
You are introduced to evidence-based exercise and rehabilitation programmes across a range of populations, for example children, older people and working age adults.
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
You prepare for clinical practice within the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You learn how to assess and offer evidence-based intervention for a range of musculoskeletal disorders using a range of skills with an emphasis on the biopsychosocial model of care.
You develop the necessary attributes, knowledge, and skills to underpin a person-approach to the assessment and rehabilitation of individuals with long term neurological conditions.
Physiotherapy in Cardiovascular and Respiratory Practice
You develop your cardiovascular and respiratory physiotherapy skills for assessment and management of patients, across the age range, with cardiovascular and/or respiratory dysfunction.
Physiotherapy Practice Placements 2a and 2b
There are two placements of five weeks duration in the clinical practice area. Each placement offers a unique and new educational opportunity as the client groups and practice environments differ.
Final-year core modules
You explore and develop clinical reasoning within physiotherapy assessment, rehabilitation, and management for clients with comorbidities, long-term conditions and complex needs across the lifespan continuum.
Developing Leadership and Service Improvement Skills for the Future Ready Healthcare Professional
Develop your knowledge and understanding of healthcare, statutory and professional policy. Explore their impact on patient care, professional practice and service delivery. Consider theories and concepts related to continuous professional development such as leadership, human dimension of change and quality improvement. You provide evidence of your personal and professional development using an e-portfolio to demonstrate critical reflection and action planning. This ensures you are prepared for the demands and expectations of your role as future-ready healthcare professional and could seek employment in traditional and non-traditional settings.
Dissertation for Health Professionals
You complete a research study which can be a systematic review, evaluation, or quantitative or qualitative study using primary or secondary data.
Physiotherapy Elective Placement
You have the opportunity to undertake a four-week practice placement of your choice and reflect on this experience.
Physiotherapy Practice Placements 3a and 3b
You undertake two 5-week practice placements.
Modules offered may vary.
How you learn
You learn through taught sessions on campus and online, including lectures, seminars, group work and practical sessions. You also undertake a range of practice placements and receive constructive feedback to help you develop academically and professionally. To comply with regulations of the CSP you must complete at least 1,000 hours of practice placements, which are built into the course. These give you an opportunity to put your skills into practice in a variety of settings. With the exception of the elective placement, practice placements are organised by the University to ensure a well-rounded profile of experiences. Placements may require up to one-hour travel from your term-time address and could include out-of-hours and weekend working. You are encouraged and supported to engage in self-directed learning throughout the course, as well as interprofessional learning opportunities.
How you are assessed
You are assessed through written assignments, oral presentations and practical examinations on-campus and using the common placement assessment form (CPAF) on at your practice placements.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
You are expected to have:
- level 3 academic study
- a minimum of three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English language, maths and science. Key skills/functional Skills level 2 in communication and application of number can be accepted in place of English and maths GCSE. Please note these are not required if you are doing an access course, however you must have English and maths as listed below.*
Plus any of the following qualifications:
GCE and VCE Advanced Level
128-144 points from three A levels (or equivalent T levels) including 40 points from a science or social science subject, excluding general studies or critical thinking. If you are studying an Advanced Double Award (ADA) you need 88 points from a combination of ADA and one additional A level (40 points must be from a science or social science subject) excluding general studies or critical thinking.
AS Level
These are only acceptable when combined with other qualifications but must be at least a grade B (16 points) and must be studied concurrently with other qualifications.
Access course
128-144 UCAS points from a QAA recognised Access course (any combination)
*We can accept Level 2 Access units in communication and maths in place of English and maths GCSEs.
BTEC QCF Extended Diploma
128-144 points (DDM) in a science or health-related subject. Sport (performance and excellence), sport and exercise science, sport coaching and fitness, and sport subjects are acceptable.
CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care
144 points (A) in health and social care.
Irish Leaving Certificate
128-144 points from five Highers/Honours subjects including 24 points from a science or social science subject.
NVQ
Not acceptable.
Open University
Level 2 modules in biology, science, social science or health are acceptable as evidence of recent study if all other academic requirements have been met.
Scottish Highers
128-144 points from five Highers including 27 points in a science or social science subject.
Advanced Scottish Highers
128-144 points from three Advanced Highers including 48 points in a science or social science subject.
For further detailed entry requirements for this course please visit www.ucas.com.
The selection process includes shortlisting of your application which, if successful, will result in you being invited for an interview.
Shortlisting criteria
Your application will be measured against the following criteria:
- your ability to complete all sections of the application form fully and correctly
- the level of all qualifications and grades are specified
- appropriate academic entry requirements achieved or predicted
- evidence of successful level 3 academic study
- personal statement that is supportive of your chosen programme and demonstrates an understanding of the uniqueness of the profession and the role of the professional
- a satisfactory reference
If you are invited to interview and the date is not suitable, we may not be able to offer you an alternative date due to the high volume of applications received for this course - but it is important that you contact the Admissions Office immediately.
Interview criteria
At interview you will be measured against the following criteria, mapped against the NHS Constitution:
- knowledge of chosen profession/career
- an appreciation of the demands of the programme and chosen profession
- enthusiasm for the programme/profession
- ability to communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally
- attitude towards equity of care
If you are successful in both shortlisting and interview you will receive a conditional offer which is subject to the following:
- evidence of achievement of the required academic qualifications
- a successful work based risk assessment which will reflect the HEOPS recommendations. More information on all of the HEOPS standards
- an enhanced criminal history (DBS) check may be required for certain modules or placements which involve working with children and/or adults at risk. The DBS check is funded by the School of Health & Life Sciences so you do not need to pay for this process
- satisfactory references.
Please note until these have been successfully completed the offer of a place on the course remains conditional. If you have at least a 2.1 degree in a physiotherapy-related subject and are considering applying for an undergraduate course, you may wish to apply for our MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration).
International applicants
- International applicants must have IELTS 7.0 with a minimal score of 6.5 in all sections or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 100/120
- If you are successful at shortlisting you will be invited to attend an interview (which may be in person OR video call) in one of our international offices in either India, Malaysia or China, or through a secure web link (which will be arranged by the University).
- If you cannot attend an interview as stated, you will be unable to proceed with your application.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
Employability
Career opportunities
A physiotherapy degree can lead to a rewarding, fulfilling and lifelong career with opportunities for progression and development. The need for physiotherapists is growing in the UK and globally, and Teesside has an excellent track record for graduate employment.
Employment opportunities are available within the NHS, private sector or charitable trusts. Settings for graduate jobs include NHS and private hospitals, GP surgeries, schools, industry, rehabilitation centres, the military, sports clubs and in the community including in peoples’ homes and care homes. You could also consider a career working in clinical research, leadership or teaching, in the UK or overseas.
Information for international applicants
Qualifications
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Useful information
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy 
