All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements below apply to 2023 entry.
| UK entry requirements |
| A level |
AAB
Please note: Applicants whose backgrounds or personal circumstances have impacted their academic performance may receive a reduced offer. Please see our contextual admissions policy for more information.
|
| 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. However, we will make allowances where covid has been the reason for practical test results being unavailable. General studies is not accepted.
Plus a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9-5 (A*-B), taken in one sitting, which include maths, English language and either biology or integrated/combined sciences.
Please note: you must have achieved the GCSEs at the point of application and not at the point of entry. |
| IB score |
34 (minimum of three subjects at Higher Level, including 6 in biology at Higher Level) |
| International entry requirements |
| IB score |
34 (minimum of three subjects at Higher Level, including 6 in biology at Higher Level) |
| IELTS |
7.0 (a minimum of 7.0 in reading, listening and speaking and a minimum of 6.5 in writing).GCSE English language at grade 6 (B) or above may also be accepted. |
| High school qualifications |
Check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country |
| A level |
AAB |
| Required subjects |
A levels
A levels must include biology or physical education, or an acceptable biological science (for example human biology).
A pass is normally required in science practical tests, where these are assessed separately. However, due to the pandemic and the uncertainty of practical tests taking place, this will not be required for 2023 applicants. General studies is not accepted.
GCSEs
Satisfy our English requirements outlined in the IELTS section above Plus a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 9-5 (A*-B), taken in one sitting, which include maths and either biology or integrated/combined science. We do not accept functional skill in English or Mathematics.
GCSE qualifications obtained outside of the UK may be considered on a case by case basis. Please check our country-specific information for guidance on qualifications from your country. |
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.
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.
Alternative qualifications
Access to HE Diploma
Pass in the Access to Nursing and Midwifery / Health Professions (or equivalent) to include 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 must be at Distinction and the remaining 15 at Merit or above.
The diploma must include 24 credits at level 3 in human biology all achieved at Distinction. Modules relating to conducting and writing up lab reports will not count towards biology credits.
GCSE English language and maths are also required at grade 4 or above.
BTEC National Extended Diploma
- Sport and exercise science pathway - other pathways may be considered
- Distinction profile (DDD)
Other BTEC diplomas are accepted at (DD) plus an additional A level at grade B or above. If your BTEC doesn't fulfil our science requirement, the A level must be in biology or physical education.
We are happy to consider alternative qualifications on an individual basis. For individual advice, please make an enquiry.
Qualifications for applicants considering a career change or return to academic study
Previous degree
2:1 in a relevant subject (if in a non-relevant subject, contact us for advice).
Interview
Please note that an interview is a mandatory requirement in line with our professional and regulatory body requirements.
Work experience
Physiotherapy is a vocational degree and applicants need to be enthusiastic about the profession and sure in their own minds that they really want to be a physiotherapist.
We usually require you to undertake as much physiotherapy work experience as possible primarily within the NHS hospital and community settings before applying. Experience in other areas, such as special schools, private practice, sports clinics, and centres for the elderly will strengthen your application.
It is desirable to gain work experience prior to applying, to demonstrate that you understand the role of a physiotherapist and the demands and challenges of working in a NHS environment.
Please note, we are not expecting any work experience to have taken place or be ongoing after March 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. Your application for 2023 entry will not be negatively affected if you’ve been unable to complete work experience you had planned.
Health and Criminal Records screening
All applicants are subject to a health screening by Occupational Health, and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks before they can commence the course.
Minimum age requirement
We do not consider your application if you will be under 17 years and 9 months on the 1 September of the year you start your course.
Elite Athletes
We can make a contextual offer if you're an athlete competing at a high level and are offered a Sports Scholarship. We recommend that you complete the expression of interest form as soon as possible so that your elite athlete status can be confirmed prior to an offer being made. More information and how to apply can be found on the UoN Sport pages.
Part-time working alongside University studies
As a student on a full-time professional training course, it is expected that your primary focus would 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.
Previous applicants
Regretfully, we will not consider a second application from applicants who have been unsuccessful in a Physiotherapy interview with us previously.
Foundation progression options
If you don't meet the requirements for this course and you are a UK or EU student, you might want to consider our one-year Health Sciences with Foundation course.
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.