BSc Physiotherapy
University of Bradford
Key Information
Campus location
Bradford, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
3 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request Info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* international students: £22,980/year
Introduction
Physiotherapy plays an essential part in the overall health and well-being of a wide range of patients. Physiotherapists work with a diverse caseload across all healthcare settings, often as part of multidisciplinary teams.
As a student at Bradford, you’ll develop the skills you need to take a key role in the management of both acute and long term conditions, helping restore and maintain function and activity and prevention of injury or illness.
The Bradford approach emphasises the integration and application of theory and practice to produce an adaptable, innovative graduate with excellent professional skills who can use a research-based, evaluative, problem-solving approach to physiotherapy practice.
You will develop strong leadership skills enabling you to manage and lead teams often working in emerging roles with new providers.
You will have access to the University's Physiotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation Clinic, and the majority of students will complete one of their clinical placements in this setting.’
The programme is taught alongside the MPhysiotherapy (Sport and Exercise Medicine) programme.
Our BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy received 95% overall satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2021.
Professional accreditation
This course is approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the statutory body for Allied Health Professionals. By the end of your studies, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC and will be eligible to apply for full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Admissions
Curriculum
Year 1 emphasises practical learning; you will be encouraged to participate in practical sessions both as a therapist and model to develop professional skills. The theory is taught in an integrated manner to allow you to link theory and practice. The student-led clinics are another opportunity to put your skills into practice.
In year 2 the emphasis is on the development of more advanced and specialised skills directed toward the common areas of physiotherapy practice. Your research knowledge and skills will be developed in readiness for year 3 modules. There are ‘practice preparation’ sessions to ensure that you are as well prepared as possible for work-based learning, which at this level consists of three placements totalling 540 hours.
In year 3 the emphasis is on independent learning. You will complete a research module which will offer four options – a literature review, a piece of primary research, a research proposal or an audit of an aspect of the practice. Work-Based Learning placements at this level is worth a total of 60 credits and overall placements contribute a maximum of 46.7% to the overall degree classification.
Please note that for the 2022 entry, the module information is subject to change.
First year
Core
- Neuromusculoskeletal- Peripheral (PAR4009-E)
- Developing and Promoting Health and Wellbeing (PAR4008-B)
- People Populations and Contemporary Physiotherapy Practice (PAR4006-D)
Second year
Core
- Neurological Practice (PAR5008-B)
- Cardiovascular Respiratory Practice (PAR5012-B)
- Neuromusculoskeletal- Spinal (PAR5010-B)
- Research Methods in Health and Sport (PAR5011-B)
- Work-Based Learning 1 (Level 5) (PAR5014-D)
Final year
Core
- Evidence-Based Practice (HEA6002-B)
- Employability and Professional Development (PAR6007-B)
- Work-based Learning 2 (PAR6010-E)
Option
- Aspirational Research Proposal (RES6003-B)
- Evaluating Service Delivery (PAR6008-B)
- Literature Review (RES6004-B)
- Primary Research Project (PAR6011-B)
Placement
You will undertake 1000 hours of clinical placements in years two and three. Prior to commencing placements in year two, there are ‘preparation for practice’ sessions to ensure that students are as well prepared as possible with regard to the expectations of work-based learning. There is a debrief session back in the University at the end of the placement to support your integration of theory and practice learning.
Your first placement is ‘formative’, which means it is not credit rated but is marked on a pass/fail basis. This placement will give you the experience of working in health and care settings and allow you to practice the professional and communication skills required to work in such environments before embarking on credit-rated placements later in the second year.
Placement locations are sourced for you by the Faculty. The variety of placements may entail some degree of travel and/or accommodation costs which is typical of physiotherapy education in the UK. However, we expect to be able to source many of our placements in the Bradford/Airedale and Leeds areas.
You will have access to the University's Physiotherapy and Sports Rehabilitation Clinic, and the majority of students will complete one of their clinical placements in this setting.
Placement experience allows you to:
- experience professional clinical environments
- problem-solve with real people and situations
- integrate theory into practice
- learn and improve practical skills
- consolidate learning from modules
- begin to use reflection in and on action
- experience multi-professional working
- develop your professional identity and communication skills
Placement experiences will reflect the diverse nature of the profession and also enable you to work with diverse populations and differing multi-disciplinary teams. You can expect to work in any environment in which you would find a physiotherapist. You must complete a minimum of 1000 hours of placement learning over the three years of the programme.
Placements are assessed with marks contributing to your overall degree classification.
Learning and assessment
A major focus of the course is on problem-solving and clinical reasoning. Some large group teaching utilises the concept of team-based learning (TBL) whereby some knowledge-based content is studied out of class and is then assessed by answering multiple-choice questions individually and then as a small group or ‘team’.
Lectures are supplemented with small group tutorials and practical sessions to facilitate an active and collaborative approach to learning. Case-based scenarios are used to facilitate the development of clinical reasoning skills. Reflection is embedded at all levels. These skills are ultimately evidenced in the practice setting.
The programme uses a diverse range of assessment strategies that accommodate different learning styles. These include:
- some continuous assessment of competency-based clinical skills.
- practical assessments that are designed to mirror the clinical environment.
- assessments that require you to demonstrate academic writing skills.
- a common assessment tool for practice placements used collaboratively with three universities in the region.
- group and individual presentation tasks.
Study support
The Faculty of Health Studies has a dedicated student support office. MyBradford, based in our main Richmond Building, can also provide advice on course fees and maintenance grants/loans from the Student Loans Company.
As a student at the Faculty of Health Studies, you are also able to access the University’s other student support facilities, including the Academic Skills Advice Service, the Counselling Service and the Disability Service.
Research
There is a growing research base within the Faculty of Health Studies. Many of those who will teach on the programme are research active, publishing and presenting internationally.
There are opportunities for students to engage with this research. The research modules are specifically designed for students to work alongside academic staff to develop vocationally relevant research that has the potential to influence and develop practice in the field, and places students at the forefront of knowledge discovery.
Rankings
We are ranked 8th in the UK for Physiotherapy in the Complete University Guide 2020.
The Physiotherapy and Sport Rehabilitation team at the University of Bradford has been recognised nationally with a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE) from AdvanceHE, the most prestigious team award available for learning and teaching in Higher Education.
Career Opportunities
Career support
The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.
Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes, there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.
Career prospects
Physiotherapy is an Allied Health Profession and opens up a range of dynamic and exciting career opportunities in a variety of fields. Most physiotherapists work in the NHS, but opportunities also arise in the private sector, sport, research, education and industry.
Program Tuition Fee
Scholarships and Funding
Over £4m invested in scholarships every year
The University of Bradford offers a wide range of financial help to assist you on your university journey and invests over £4m annually in the Access Agreement and other scholarships to support students from all backgrounds.
Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU, and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances, or economic hardship. Some of our scholarships are also linked to studies in a specific subject area. You can apply for more than one type of scholarship but you can usually only be granted one award.