BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is one of the Professions Supplementary to Medicine. It opens up a range of dynamic and exciting career opportunities in a variety of fields.

Physiotherapists are experts in human movement. The prime purpose of physiotherapy is to restore and maintain function, activity and independence, and to prevent injury or illness through information and advice on healthy lifestyles. All physiotherapy has a health promotion component and chartered physiotherapists have an important role to play in improving public health and meeting national targets such as those for strokes, cancer, coronary heart disease and mental health. Physiotherapists and assistants work across all healthcare settings and cover a wide range of specialisms, often as part of multidisciplinary teams.

Our 3 years full time course aims to produce an Honours-level graduate physiotherapist who can practise physiotherapy competently and in any setting using an evaluative and problem-solving approach, and who, through a process of evaluation and reflection, can respond to the changing demands of healthcare provision and to the subsequent demands their career will place upon them.

You will have access to extensive and modern learning facilities both within the School of Health Studies and in the University as a whole. The School has a well-stocked specialist library, a newly-installed computer laboratory, movement analysis equipment, and specific profession facilities and clinical teaching resources.

Applications for 2012 entry - International students can still apply. Applications for home and EU students are closed.

Special Features

• The Physiotherapy course closely integrates theory with clinical practice
• The course leads to eligibility to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council, and to full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

Course Information

The course consists of theoretical, clinical, practical, research and reflection components.

The theoretical component provides the background from which you develop your clinical practice. The practical component includes hands-on skills, taught in groups with demonstrations and practice sessions.

The course requires a minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical practice which is co-ordinated and supported by University staff.

The clinical component involves working in clinical settings under the supervision of qualified members of the profession. Approximately one-third of your time will be spent in clinical placements in hospitals, health centres, clinics and specialised clinical units. The theoretical and practical aspects of the course come together in clinical practice, where you are able to apply your knowledge and skills in a real patient care environment.

The course will enable you to develop skills in research and evaluation of practice in order to meet the growing demands for accountability to patients and to the Health Service. Practitioners increasingly need to use scientific evidence to justify patient management strategies.

Course Booklet

Course Booklet - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

When is the start date?

The course has an intake in September of each year.

What are the entry requirements?

You will only be considered for entry to the undergraduate physiotherapy course if you can provide evidence that you have fully researched your career choice and are aware of the diversity and scope of the physiotherapy profession.

2013 Standard Entry

Our standard offer is:

A minimum of seven GCSEs at grade C or above to include

• English Language (Key Skills Level 2 Literacy is accepted)
• Maths (Key Skills Level 2 Numeracy is accepted)
• Biology or Combined Science

AND

300 UCAS points in either:

• Three A Levels to include at least one of Biology, Human Biology, Sports Science or PE (but not including General Studies). Please note that Grade B or above is required in Biology or Sports Science.

OR

• A relevant BTEC qualification (Distinction, Distinction, Merit)

OR

• Irish Leaving Certificate - Higher Level grades ABBBB including Biology at A Grade

OR

• International Baccalaureate - A total of 30 points to include grade 6 in Biology at higher level and English required

2013 Non-standard Entry

Our non standard offer is:

• An Access to Higher Education Diploma in Health Professions or Science.  Those studying on Access Programmes will be asked to obtain a distinction in all science/biology based modules and to pass the remainder of their modules at merit level.

  OR

  • Attainment of 70% or above in the University of Bradford Foundation Year or appropriate Science Foundation Year.

  Applicants will also need to have GCSE grade C or above in English Language and Maths, or the Key Skills equivalent.

  Physiotherapy is a physically demanding profession. You will need to be generally fit and physically capable of performing the professional skills required for qualification. All offers are made subject to medical screening. In view of the need to work with vulnerable patients, offers will also be subject to Criminal Records Bureau disclosure.

How will I be assessed?

Our modules are assessed using a range of assessment strategies. these will include written examinations, assignments, practical assessments, poster presentations, case studies and oral presentations depending on the module being studied. An assessment of physiotherapeutic skills is performed at intervals throughout the course. The assessment of Clinical Practice is performed in the clinical environment by clinical staff and University tutors, and will contribute 50% towards your degree classification.

Placements

Clinical education forms a vital part of the undergraduate course. The importance of clinical education is reflected in its marks: it carries a 50% weighting towards the degree classification.

Approximately one-third of your time will be spent on clinical placements. Placements cover a range of different clinical areas including hospitals, schools, health and daycare centres. You will encounter patients across the entire age spectrum with both acute and long-term injuries and illnesses.

Students are sent to various clinical units across the Yorkshire Region. Wherever possible we take your personal circumstances into account when allocating your to a particular clinical area, but some placements may inevitably involve long-distance travel or residence on site during the placement. Each placement lasts for five weeks, and a member of the Division's teaching staff will visit you during the placement.

What are the course fees?

Please visit our fees page for details of the current fees for this course.

How do I apply?

You should apply for the course through UCAS. The UCAS code for the University of Bradford is BRADF B56. The UCAS code for our BSc Honours course in Physiotherapy is B160 BSc/Phys

Applications should be made between September and 15 January for consideration in the following September. If it is past the 15 January deadline please contact the Recruitment Office who will be able to advise if late applications are being accepted.

For further and more detailed information on application and admission, contact the Student Recruitment Team direct via email soh-recruitment@bradford.ac.uk or telephone on 01274 236367