Study route

You can complete the full masters or study to postgraduate diploma (120 credits) or postgraduate certificate (60 credits) level. You can also study individual modules.

To gain the postgraduate certificate you need to complete • reasoning for practice • clinical skills: application and practice or sports specific practical skills • measuring health outcomes • applying research methods in practice.

To gain the postgraduate diploma you would need to complete the postgraduate certificate plus • 45 credits of option modules • professionalism, empowerment and autonomy.

Core modules

Reasoning for practice
This module develops your skills in critical reflection, clinical reasoning and evaluation of literature. It introduces a self-directed approach to learning and the other skills required for MSc study. You consider the role of different sources of information and learn how to access, critically evaluate and apply research to reasoning.

Clinical skills: application and practice
This module enhances the effectiveness of practical physiotherapeutic skills such as precise palpation, handling skills and movement analysis in healthy people and in people with movement dysfunctions. You examine their impact on the therapeutic relationship and clinical effectiveness. Discussions include the adaptation of different skills for different contexts, environments and cultures.

Professionalism, empowerment and autonomy
Physiotherapists must work as autonomous, independent practitioners. This module explores the issues associated with independent working and patient focused care. You explore working within health care organisations and structures, along with changing policies and practices. You critically reflect upon practice and consider changing roles, responsibilities, ethics, changing boundaries, limitations, confidentiality, legal issues and consent.

Measuring health outcomes
This module examines measurement, measuring scales and instruments and how they can be used to provide evidence of effective intervention in the health and social care environment. You develop an understanding of the drivers in health care and the impact of this on measurement and clinical practice.

Applying research methods for practice
You gain a broad understanding of specific qualitative and quantitative methodologies that assist in the development of a research process. You obtain the necessary skills and knowledge for an in-depth understanding of research issues and methodologies such as ethics, grant writing, funding sources, research governance issues, user involvement and current policy issues for researchers.

Dissertation
The dissertation integrates a wide range of aspects of theory in relation to practice in your chosen area of study. You apply an understanding of research methods to the development of practice. The project focuses in detail on real organisational or practice.

Optional modules

• musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice • neurological physiotherapy practice • paediatric management • pain management • sports specific practical skills • teamwork in sport • teaching skills in higher education • applying clinical practice (a placement module)

Optional modules are delivered depending on demand.