Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) | University of Nottingham

International student

Course overview

What happens when injury or disease stops your body from working the way it should? At Nottingham, you’ll gain the lasting knowledge, hands-on skills and adaptability to navigate the future challenges of healthcare. Through clinical placements and case-based and simulated practice learning, our 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 case studies, you’ll explore the most common conditions physiotherapists help people with. Our problem-solving approach to learning corresponds to clinical practice. You will build excellent knowledge of all areas of physiotherapy needed to provide the best healthcare. Additionally, all our modules are year-long, meaning you’ll gain a thorough and ongoing understanding of all dimensions of physiotherapy and healthcare.

Course highlights

Develop your clinical knowledge and skills through real-life and simulated case studies, plus opportunities to collaborate with healthcare students across the university.
Undertake diverse placements across the East Midlands region to broaden your experience of the profession.
Access to purpose-built facilities including the £40m David Ross Sports Village and an anatomy suite.

Proven results

We’re ranked 11th in the UK for physiotherapy (Complete University Guide 2026).
94% of health sciences undergraduates secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22-2022/23).

How you will learn

Teaching methods

Written reports
Presentations (posters, oral, etc.)
Practical examinations
Clinical placement-based assessment

How you will be assessed

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

Contact time and study hours

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 a minimum of 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 36-37.5 as full time 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.

Modules

6 modules

Human Functioning

How does the human body work? Using case studies and simulated learning, this module develops your foundational knowledge and skills in anatomy, physiology, human movement, disease and injury, and the biopsychosocial framework for health.

Individual Health Evaluation

In this module, you’ll gain the essential communication and clinical skills to be able to diagnose and care for a patient or client. You’ll develop your consultation skills, learn how to take a patient’s history, undertake a physical assessment, note take and record clinical data.

Principles of Rehabilitation

Rehabilitation is one of the essential elements of being a Physiotherapist. To achieve the desired outcomes for a patient or client, treatment and rehabilitation must be planned and applied carefully. In this module you will analyse and learn a range of therapy and rehabilitation skills including physical activity, exercise prescription, and therapeutic skills such as functional rehabilitation, and manual therapy (hands-on skills).

Developing Criticality

Our management of people with healthcare needs should always be based on the scientific research evidence. The ability to think critically about the information you are presented with is therefore essential to the role of a physiotherapist. Through the development of your critical thinking skills, you will be able to assess if something is true or not. You’ll build skills in critical thinking and reflection, critical appraisal - how to read a research paper, clinical reasoning – how to make the best clinical decisions, and logic and argument formation.

Health in Society

How can we contribute to making a healthier society? This module introduces you to the principles of public and population health, epidemiology (incidence of disease and injury in populations), and the global burden of poor health.

Leadership and Citizenship

This module addresses the nature and practice of leadership and citizenship relevant to physiotherapy and your career. You’ll examine local, regional and global healthcare as well as professionalism, workplace structures and governance and healthcare organisations.

6 modules

Practice Education 1

This module consists of three five-week clinical physiotherapy placements where you will be situated in the workplace with supervision by clinically based practitioners. This forms part of your 1000 hours of clinical training.

During your placements, you’ll apply the knowledge gained in your first year to practice. You’ll learn to:

developing effective and appropriate professional behaviours to work within the scope of practice
justifying the appropriate assessment and management interventions to use within the practice placement context, with reference to evidence-based knowledge
critically evaluating the role, benefits and limitations of physiotherapy with reference to current evidence-based practice
demonstrating your ability to plan, deliver, modify/progress and evaluate therapeutic management
write concise and accurate ongoing medico-legal and ethical records

Transforming Practice Learning

How do we use technology in physiotherapy to help people? This module examines the latest healthcare technologies and innovations and assesses how we can use them in practice. You'll learn how to use these technologies across a range of clinical specialities and understand the need to develop more to aid treatment further.

Optimising Function

Building on your knowledge gained in the year one module “Principles of Rehabilitation”, this module strengthens your understanding of rehabilitation to interventions, including exercise and hands-on therapies. You’ll also develop clinical reasoning in assessing and managing complex rehabilitation cases and be able to modify and progress exercise plans throughout patient care.

Applied Criticality in Health

Research underpins all that we do in healthcare. In this module, you’ll apply and analyse concepts of criticality in healthcare research. You’ll learn how to develop your own research proposal, compare research methodologies and methods, develop ethics and governance processes for healthcare research, evaluate data and undertake statistical analysis.

Population Health and Wellbeing

Traditionally, physiotherapy is seen as a treatment for an individual person, but how can it help on a larger scale? In this module, you’ll examine the principles of population physiotherapy in relation to specific populations and groups of people. You'll gain an understanding of the equalities in different populations (for example: women, children, and marginalised groups) and evaluate the services available in certain locations.

Global Leadership

How can physiotherapists change the world? In this module, you’ll apply the principles of leadership to individual and organisational contexts. You’ll learn how to develop social improvement projects, evaluate impact of health interventions, engage with global professional communities and develop international student networks to lead future change.

5 modules

Practice Education 2

This module covers your final three clinical placements in the workforce and will see you apply all that you have leant into practice. Each placement is five weeks long and covers a range of clinical areas, working with experienced supervisors in the field. These placements will extend and deepen your clinical skills.

You'll learn to:

develop effective professional behaviours
justify and plan evidence-based interventions to a wide range of people with healthcare needs
critically evaluate multiple sources of clinical and research information
write concise and accurate medical records

Sustainable Health

How can we help make healthcare future-proof? This module will evaluate the limitations of current healthcare and consider future-proof, holistic and sustainable healthcare models that can be embedded within rehabilitation practice in both local and global contexts.

Leadership and Quality Improvement

This module asks you to consider how you, as a physiotherapist, could make healthcare work better. You’ll evaluate quality improvement theory and practice and gain an understanding of quality improvement practice to physiotherapy care systems. You will then create your own quality improvement project, which addresses an aspect of physiotherapy practice or clinical education.

Physiotherapy Project

This full-year module will see you complete a substantial piece of research related to your chosen area of interests. As part of your project, you’ll critically review literature, identify a gap in the knowledge base, develop an appropriate research approach to address that gap, and write-up your project.

Contemporary Challenges in Rehabilitation

This module will include theory and practical elements related to focussed rehabilitation challenges in urgent, contemporary and emerging fields.

2 modules

Advanced Professional Development

This module will discuss content related to clinical; research; academic; management and clinical academic career pathways. There will also be a significant focus on business management and industry.

Occupational Health and Workplace Wellbeing

This module will focus on work-related health and wellbeing epidemiology and economic burden. Additionally, exploring myths and facts about occupational health and ergonomics. Work closely with The Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Occupational Health and Ergonomics and the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers for support, networking, and learning opportunities; develop work-based assessment and management skills (DSE etc).

Language study as part of this degree

Our Language Centre offers many languages, and you may start as a beginner or at a more advanced level and you may be able to choose to study a language as part of this degree.

Learning another language can open career opportunities around the globe and enriches your CV. It could also help you in your studies by being able to access learning materials in other languages. If you are planning to travel or work abroad it will help you to broaden your cultural understanding.

Find out more about learning a language as part of your degree.

Select student type

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.

A levels

AAB

32 points overall

DBS and Occupational Health

See requirements below

A level and GCSE requirements

A levels

AAB / A*AC / A*BB

Required subjects

A levels must include biology or physical education, or an acceptable biological science (for example human biology).

A pass is required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.

Excluded subjects

Citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies, global perspectives.

GCSEs

Five GCSEs at grade 9-5 (A*-B), which include maths, English and biology or double science (or equivalent level 2 qualification). We do not accept Functional Skills English and Functional Skills Maths.

We will consider applicants who may have achieved a grade 4 in one of the listed GCSE subjects but have a total of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above.

Please note: GCSE resits are accepted. You must have achieved the GCSEs at the point of application and not at the point of entry.

IB requirements

IB score

32 points overall or 6,6,5 in three HL certificates

IB requirements

HL 5 in biology

Alternative qualifications

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science, Applied sciences (Biomedical science Pathway) - DDD
RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma and A level biology or PE - DDD plus B
RQF BTEC National Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science and A level - DD plus A
RQF BTEC National Diploma and A level in biology or PE - DD plus A
RQF BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Human Biology (including Functional Physiology or Diseases, Disorders Treatments and Therapies unit) or Medical Science and two A levels - D plus AB
RQF BTEC National Extended Certificate and two A levels (including biology or PE) - D plus AB

We can accept a mix of various BTEC qualifications.

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit including Distinction in 24 biology/physiology units (please contact us for advice on acceptable units).

Previous degree

2:1 in a relevant subject (if in a non-relevant subject, contact us for advice).

Foundation progression options

Our Health Sciences with a Foundation Year provides an alternative route onto our degree if you do not meet the entry requirements for the course and you are a UK student.  

Mature students

At the University of Nottingham, we have a valuable community of mature students and we appreciate their contribution to the wider student population. You can find lots of useful information on the mature students webpage.

Notes for applicants

Interview

An interview is mandatory, in line with our professional and regulatory body requirements.

All offers are also subject to a successful interview and satisfactory health screening, and disclosure and barring service (DBS) clearance. Visit our Physiotherapy page to find out more about personal statements, work experience and interview - how to prepare, and what to expect.

Health and Criminal Records screening

In accordance with Professional and Regulatory Body requirements, all applicants are subject to health screening by Occupational Health, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before they can commence the course.

More information can be found on the School of Health Sciences Occupation Health and DBS page.

Work experience

You should consider work experience or extracurricular activities to boost your application. This can include experience in a caring environment or other environments, such as working in a café. You need to identify any skills that you have gained from this experience and reflect these in your personal statement and interview.

Minimum age requirement

We do not consider your application if you will be under 17 years and 10 months on the 01 September of the year you start your course. 

Sport scholarship scheme

Our range of sports scholarships are aimed at providing an unrivalled level of support to the brightest and best talents in the sporting world.

As well as a reputation for academic excellence, we have a history of sporting success and are passionate about supporting promising athletes during their time at Nottingham. Please check the sport website for further details, including eligibility criteria. 

Part-time working alongside university studies

As a student on a full-time professional training course, it is expected that your primary focus will be your full-time university studies. If you're considering part-time paid employment alongside your university studies, it is advised that you discuss your position with your personal tutor before committing.

Placements

As part of your course, you will undertake six supervised practice placements, which are organised for you by the clinical placement team. During your placement you will be supported by the University placement team and your clinical educator.

You will complete 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice throughout your degree, to comply with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy's requirements. This includes six, five-week placements across years two and three.

Placements are designed to reinforce what you have learned on your course and prepare you for practice in a range of settings.

We work with several hospital trusts and private organisations offering expertise across Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire, and Leicestershire. It may be necessary to live away from your term-time accommodation or travel daily. We will do our best to ensure that no student does more than their fair share of travelling or living away. Your placements could include any of the following areas:

Musculoskeletal outpatients (clinic or gym based)
Neurology (may include stroke rehabilitation)
Cardiorespiratory (experience in intensive or high dependency units, community cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation)
Paediatric
Oncology
Community health care of the older person
Trauma and orthopaedics (either elective, trauma, or spinal)
Clinical research project-based placements
Sports clubs/clinics
Physiotherapy Education placement
Physiotherapy leadership placement

You may be assigned to a ‘pod’ with other healthcare students, supporting University of Nottingham’s sports teams through pre-season screening, pitch-side care, and injury management.

Find out more on our physiotherapy placements page

To attend placement, students need to complete all pre-placement requirements inclusive of mandatory learning, and ensure they have necessary documentation, including a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and an Occupational Health assessment. Students also need to be aware of their learning or health needs and have a placement-specific student support plan in place where appropriate.

Please note

In order to undertake a placement, you will need to achieve the relevant academic requirements as set by the university and meet any requirements specified by the placement host. There is no guarantee that you will be able to undertake a placement as part of your course.

Tuition fees

2027/28 (UK undergraduate students)

This is the UK undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 27/28. It may increase for the academic year 28/29 and we will update our information once we have received confirmation of the fee.

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), please visit our fees page.

Additional costs

As a student on this course, you should factor some additional costs into your budget, alongside your tuition fees and living expenses. This includes purchasing suitable sport clothing, such as trainers and swimwear, for practical sessions.

You are provided with a uniform to wear in practice placements however you may wish to purchase additional items.

You should be able to access most of the books needed through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies.

Travel to your placements is self-funded and costs will vary depending on location. However, you may be eligible to reimburse some of your costs while on placement. for further details, you can visit the NHSBSA website.

Scholarships and bursaries

The University of Nottingham offers a wide range of bursaries and scholarships. These funds can provide you with an additional source of non-repayable financial help. For up to date information regarding tuition fees, visit our fees and finance pages.

Home students

Over one third of our UK students receive our means-tested core bursary. Full details can be found on our financial support pages.

A 'home' student is one who meets certain UK residence criteria. These are the same criteria as apply to eligibility for home funding from Student Finance.

Funding

As an allied health student, you'll receive an additional payment of at least £5,000 a year of government funding, which you will not need to pay back.

Sports scholarships

Financial support is available for the brightest and best talents in the sporting world through our sports scholarships.

Quick glance

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements listed apply to 2027 entry.

32 points overall

A levels

AAB

DBS and Occupational Health

See requirements below

IB requirements

IB score

32 points overall or 6,6,5 in three HL certificates

IB requirements

HL 5 in biology

A level and GCSE requirements

A levels

AAB / A*AC / A*BB

Required subjects

A levels must include biology or physical education, or an acceptable biological science (for example human biology).

A pass is required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately.

Excluded subjects

Citizenship studies, critical thinking, general studies, global perspectives.

GCSEs

We will consider applicants who may have achieved a grade 4 in one of the listed GCSE subjects but have a total of five GCSEs at grade 5 or above.

Please note: GCSE resits are accepted. You must have achieved the GCSEs at the point of application and not at the point of entry.

Alternative qualifications

RQF BTEC Nationals

RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science, Applied sciences (Biomedical science Pathway) - DDD
RQF BTEC National Extended Diploma and A level biology or PE - DDD plus B
RQF BTEC National Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science and A level - DD plus A
RQF BTEC National Diploma and A level in biology or PE - DD plus A
RQF BTEC National Extended Certificate in Applied Human Biology (including Functional Physiology or Diseases, Disorders Treatments and Therapies unit) or Medical Science and two A levels - D plus AB
RQF BTEC National Extended Certificate and two A levels (including biology or PE) - D plus AB

We can accept a mix of various BTEC qualifications.

Access to HE Diploma

30 Level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits at Merit including Distinction in 24 biology/physiology units (please contact us for advice on acceptable units).

Previous degree

2:1 in a relevant subject (if in a non-relevant subject, contact us for advice).

IELTS/English requirements

IELTS

7.0 overall (7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and 6.5 in writing)

English language requirements

As well as IELTS (listed above), we also accept other English language qualifications. This includes TOEFL iBT, Pearson PTE, GCSE, IB and O level English. Check our English language policies and equivalencies for further details.

For presessional English or one-year foundation courses, you must take IELTS for UKVI to meet visa regulations.

If you need support to meet the required level, you may be able to attend a Presessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP) course. Our Centre for English Language Education is accredited by the British Council for the teaching of English in the UK.

If you successfully complete your presessional course to the required level, you can then progress to your degree course. This means that you won't need to retake IELTS or equivalent.

Foundation progression options

Our Health Sciences with a Foundation Year provides an alternative route onto our degree if you do not meet the entry requirements for the course and you are a UK student.  

Mature students

High school qualifications

Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country.

Visa restrictions

International students must have valid UK immigration permissions for any courses or study period where teaching takes place in the UK. Student route visas can be issued for eligible students studying full-time courses. The University of Nottingham does not sponsor a student visa for students studying part-time courses. The Standard Visitor visa route is not appropriate in all cases. Please contact the university’s Visa and Immigration team if you need advice about your visa options.

Notes for applicants

Interview

An interview is mandatory, in line with our professional and regulatory body requirements.

Health and Criminal Records screening

More information can be found on the School of Health Sciences Occupation Health and DBS page.

Work experience

Minimum age requirement

We do not consider your application if you will be under 17 years and 10 months on the 01 September of the year you start your course. 

Sport scholarship scheme

Our range of sports scholarships are aimed at providing an unrivalled level of support to the brightest and best talents in the sporting world.

Part-time working alongside university studies

Placements

Placements are designed to reinforce what you have learned on your course and prepare you for practice in a range of settings.

Musculoskeletal outpatients (clinic or gym based)
Neurology (may include stroke rehabilitation)
Cardiorespiratory (experience in intensive or high dependency units, community cardiac or pulmonary rehabilitation)
Paediatric
Oncology
Community health care of the older person
Trauma and orthopaedics (either elective, trauma, or spinal)
Clinical research project-based placements
Sports clubs/clinics
Physiotherapy Education placement
Physiotherapy leadership placement

You may be assigned to a ‘pod’ with other healthcare students, supporting University of Nottingham’s sports teams through pre-season screening, pitch-side care, and injury management.

Find out more on our physiotherapy placements page

Please note

Tuition fees

If you are a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland, you may be asked to complete a fee status questionnaire and your answers will be assessed using guidance issued by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA).

For full details including fees for part-time students and reduced fees during your time studying abroad or on placement (where applicable), see our fees page.

Additional costs

You are provided with a uniform to wear in practice placements however you may wish to purchase additional items.

You should be able to access most of the books needed through our libraries, though you may wish to purchase your own copies.

Scholarships and bursaries

International students

We offer a range of international undergraduate scholarships for high-achieving international scholars who can put their Nottingham degree to great use in their careers.

Funding

As an allied health student, you'll receive an additional payment of at least £5,000 a year of government funding, which you will not need to pay back.

Sports scholarships

Financial support is available for the brightest and best talents in the sporting world through our sports scholarships.

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

Careers overview

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.

Career paths for graduates

NHS Physiotherapist – Work in hospitals, outpatient clinics, or community settings across specialties like:
- Musculoskeletal (MSK)
- Neurology
- Respiratory/Cardiopulmonary
- Paediatrics
- Elderly care
- Intensive care units (ICU)
Private Practice Physiotherapist – Provide tailored treatment in private clinics or as a self-employed practitioner
Community Physiotherapist – Support patients in their homes or care facilities, focusing on rehabilitation and mobility
Amateur and Elite Sport - Work in roles ranging from community club support to high-performance team positions
Specialist and Advanced Practice
Education, Research and Leadership

Job prospects

Average starting salary and career progression

94% of health sciences undergraduates secured graduate level employment or further study within 15 months of graduation. The average annual starting salary for these graduates was £28,324 (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22-2022/23).

Support every step of the way

Throughout your time with us, our Careers and Employability Service will work with you to boost your employability even further – helping with job and course applications, finding relevant work experience and hosting events that connect you with a wide range of potential employers.

The University of Nottingham is consistently named as one of the most targeted universities by Britain’s leading graduate employers.

We’re also the top UK university for the number of graduates entering highly skilled jobs (HESA Graduate Outcomes survey data 2021–2025 for full-time, UK, UG and PG graduates).

Careers and Employability

Health and Care Professions Council and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

This course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Welcome to your campus

Located at Queen’s Medical Centre, one of the UK's largest and busiest hospitals, the Medical School offers an exceptional learning environment. You’ll have access to cutting-edge facilities and learn from leading clinicians and researchers, enjoying easy access to University Park for a full campus experience.

Physiotherapy - U6UPSTPY

Course overview

Why choose this course?

Teaching and learning

Modules

Core modules

6 modules

Human Functioning

Individual Health Evaluation

Principles of Rehabilitation

Developing Criticality

Health in Society

Leadership and Citizenship

Core modules

6 modules

Practice Education 1

Transforming Practice Learning

Optimising Function

Applied Criticality in Health

Population Health and Wellbeing

Global Leadership

Core modules

5 modules

Practice Education 2

Sustainable Health

Leadership and Quality Improvement

Physiotherapy Project

Contemporary Challenges in Rehabilitation

Optional modules

Language study as part of this degree

Select student type

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

£10,050 per year

Entry requirements

3 years full-time

Fees

Careers

Accreditation

Compare this course

Discover life at Nottingham

Related courses

Welcome to your campus

Ready to help