Undergraduate student physiotherapist assisting a client doing a barbell squat in the Sports Injury Clinic, David Ross Sports Village

Physiotherapy BSc

Medical School Building, Nottingham, UK

Course overview

Humans are intricate beings, but what happens when injury or disease stops your body from working the way it should? Through clinical placements, case-based and simulated practice learning our newly accredited Physiotherapy BSc enables you to master the knowledge, clinical skills and confidence to become a qualified physiotherapist.

We’re leading the way in physiotherapy teaching and will ensure your skills are of the highest standard for your future career. Through real-life case studies, you’ll study each area of the body in relation to a simulated patient problem. This approach to teaching corresponds to clinical practice, meaning you’re gaining knowledge of anatomy and relevant experience of patient care. Additionally, all our modules are year-long, meaning you’ll gain a thorough understanding of each aspect of the human body.

As well as practical teaching, you’ll also complete a series of diverse supervised placements. Our placements are undertaken in six blocks of five weeks, giving you extended time in each clinical setting to really deepen your learning and skill set. Areas you can work in include: cardio-respiratory, intensive-care, neurology, musculoskeletal departments, community settings, as well as leadership and research placements. These placements build your confidence and abilities so that by the time you graduate, you’re able to embark on a career as a physiotherapist.

At Nottingham, you’ll gain the lasting knowledge, hands-on skills, and adaptability to navigate the future challenges of healthcare.

Indicative modules

Mandatory

Year 1

Human Functioning

Mandatory

Year 1

Individual Health Evaluation

Mandatory

Year 1

Principles of Rehabilitation

Mandatory

Year 1

Developing Criticality

Mandatory

Year 1

Health in Society

Mandatory

Year 1

Leadership and Citizenship

Mandatory

Year 2

Practice Education 1

Mandatory

Year 2

Transforming Practice Learning

Mandatory

Year 2

Optimising Function

Mandatory

Year 2

Applied Criticality in Health

Mandatory

Year 2

Population Health and Wellbeing

Mandatory

Year 2

Global Leadership

Mandatory

Year 3

Practice Education 2

Mandatory

Year 3

Sustainable Health

Mandatory

Year 3

Leadership and Quality Improvement

Mandatory

Year 3

Dissertation Project

Optional

Year 3

Contemporary Challenges in Rehabilitation

Optional

Year 3

Advanced Professional Development

Optional

Year 3

Occupational Health and Workplace Wellbeing

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About modules

The above is a sample of the typical modules we offer, but is not intended to be construed or relied on as a definitive list of what might be available in any given year. This content was last updated on Wednesday 6 March 2024.

Teaching methods

  • Case-based learning
  • Clinical reasoning sessions
  • Clinical skills sessions
  • eLearning
  • Lectures
  • Placements
  • Practical classes
  • Problem-based learning
  • Self-study, Seminars
  • Small group learning
  • Tutorials

Assessment methods

  • Case studies
  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Formative assessments
  • Lab reports
  • Objective structured clinical exams
  • Portfolio (written/digital)
  • Poster presentation
  • Practical exams
  • Presentation
  • Workplace-based assessment

You can expect between 12 to 24 hours of contact time per week, with 12 to 24 hours of independent self-guided study each week.

You will also complete 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice throughout your degree, in order to comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy's requirements. For each week that you are on placement, you'll work for approximately 36 hours, although the times for each placement may vary slightly. Some placements may require you to work longer days or weekends but you will be notified of this in advance.

By the end of the course you will have a sound knowledge of the fundamentals of physiotherapy and will have extensive experience of relating theories to practice in your clinical placements. You will have developed skills in research, and spent considerable time on personal development.

In the UK, most physiotherapists work within the wide variety of specialities offered by the NHS, including:

  • burns and plastics
  • healthcare of the older person
  • maternity and obstetrics
  • mental health
  • neurology
  • orthopaedics
  • out-patients
  • paediatrics
  • respiratory
  • pelvic health

There are many other settings open to you including research and academia, charitable organisations, industry, special schools, sports centres, the armed forces, social services and veterinary practices.

Average starting salary and career progression

98.30% of undergraduates from the School of Health Sciences secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £25,798.


HESA Graduate Outcomes (2017- 2021 cohorts). The Graduate Outcomes % is calculated using The Guardian University Guide methodology. The average annual salary is based on graduates working full-time within the UK.

Studying for a degree at the University of Nottingham will provide you with the type of skills and experiences that will prove invaluable in any career, whichever direction you decide to take.

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service can work with you to improve your employability skills even further; assisting with job or course applications, searching for appropriate work experience placements and hosting events to bring you closer to a wide range of prospective employers.

Have a look at our careers page for an overview of all the employability support and opportunities that we provide to current students.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers (Ranked in the top ten in The Graduate Market in 2013-2020, High Fliers Research).

Laboratory staff helping second year undergraduates in a chemistry lab session, Chemistry building, University Park. November 5th 2021.

The whole course is challenging but fun! I particularly have fond memories of placement working in learning disabilities. It also helps that the department has a helpful culture whereby students are treated like colleagues and this results in us as students becoming our best selves but we are also well supported on that journey. "

David Williams

BSc Physiotherapy

Course data