MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
St Mary's University Twickenham, London, offers a highly regarded MSc Applied Sport...
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is a highly reputable and contemporary three-year undergraduate degree designed to equip students with the knowledge, understanding, and practical skills essential for a rewarding career in physiotherapy. This program focuses on educating students in the management and care of individuals across the lifespan, addressing a range of musculoskeletal injuries and prolonged conditions. It takes a patient-centred approach, integrating theoretical learning with extensive practical experience through a range of well-supported clinical placements. Taught by a dedicated team of lecturers with strong clinical experience, the curriculum prepares students to work autonomously as first points of contact for patients or as integral members of multidisciplinary healthcare teams. Upon successful completion, graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and membership with the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), ensuring their professional recognition and employability within the NHS, private practice, and sports sectors.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy program at St. Mary's is meticulously structured to provide a comprehensive and integrated understanding of physiotherapy practice. In the first year (Level 4), students build foundational knowledge through core modules such as "Clinical Anatomy," "Clinical Physiology and Pathology," "Professional Skills and Inter-Professional Practice," "Physiotherapy Assessment," "Research Methods 1 and Evidence-Based Practice," and "Exercise Prescription in Rehabilitation." These modules combine theoretical learning with practical sessions, group work, and online resources. The second year (Level 5) advances clinical knowledge and practical application with modules including "Current Physiotherapy Concepts," "Neuromusculoskeletal Assessment and Management," "Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy," "Neurological Rehabilitation and Neuroscience," alongside "Clinical Placement 1 – Introduction to Practice" and "Clinical Placement 2 – Evolving Practice." The final year (Level 6) focuses on more complex patient management and professional development, featuring "Physiotherapeutic Management of Complex Patients," "Leadership and Management in Physiotherapy," "Research Methods 2 and Dissertation," and further clinical placements: "Clinical Placement 3 – Autonomous Skills Preparation," "Clinical Placement 4 – Quality of Practice," and "Clinical Placement 5 - Becoming an Autonomous Practitioner." Assessments are varied, including objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs), vivas, oral presentations, written examinations, portfolios, and clinical case studies.
Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy program at St. Mary's University is underpinned by a strong commitment to evidence-based practice and research-informed teaching. The Faculty of Sport, Technology and Health Sciences, within which physiotherapy is situated, has a robust research culture, with staff conducting "internationally excellent and world leading" research. Academics teaching on the physiotherapy program are often active researchers or specialised practitioners, ensuring that students are exposed to the latest scientific knowledge and contemporary practices. Research interests within the Faculty cover a broad spectrum, including musculoskeletal mechanics, injury and rehabilitation, lifestyle management, and exercise physiology. The curriculum includes dedicated "Research Methods" modules in the first and second years, culminating in a significant "Research Project" (dissertation) in the final year. This empowers students to critically appraise existing research and conduct their own original investigations, fostering an evidence-based approach that is vital for modern physiotherapy practice.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a crucial and integral component of the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy program at St. Mary's University, designed to provide extensive practical experience and significantly enhance graduate employability. The program incorporates a range of well-supported compulsory clinical placements, allowing students to apply their theoretical learning in diverse professional settings under the guidance of skilled clinicians. These placements are undertaken in a variety of environments, including NHS hospitals, private clinics, schools, and within the independent and voluntary sectors across the greater London area. St. Mary's actively fosters close relationships with healthcare providers to ensure students gain exposure to a wide range of working practices, including extended hours and multidisciplinary team settings. This direct exposure not only builds essential clinical competencies but also enables students to network with professionals and experience the demands of the profession first-hand, preparing them for immediate entry into the workforce.
Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy program at St. Mary's University inherently incorporates a global perspective, recognising that the principles of physiotherapy and patient care are universally applicable, yet culturally nuanced. The curriculum prepares students to work within diverse healthcare systems and with a wide range of patient populations, fostering an understanding of global health challenges and the international standards of physiotherapy practice. While the primary focus is on UK-based clinical practice to meet HCPC and CSP requirements, the theoretical foundations in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and rehabilitation science are universally relevant. The program's emphasis on evidence-based practice encourages students to engage with international research and clinical guidelines. Graduates are equipped with skills that are transferable globally, allowing them to pursue professional opportunities in physiotherapy practice, research, or further study in various countries, contributing to healthcare outcomes worldwide.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 17820
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is a highly esteemed and contemporary three-year undergraduate degree designed to equip students with the essential knowledge, understanding, and practical skills for a fulfilling career in physiotherapy. The program focuses on patient-centred care across the lifespan, addressing musculoskeletal injuries and prolonged conditions. It integrates theoretical learning with extensive practical experience through supported clinical placements.
NHS Physiotherapist (Rotational): Graduates commonly begin their careers within the National Health Service (NHS) on rotational posts, gaining experience across various specialities such as musculoskeletal, neurological, respiratory, orthopaedics, and care for older adults, providing a comprehensive foundation for future specialisation.
Private Practice Physiotherapist: With strong clinical skills developed through the program and placements, graduates can work in private physiotherapy clinics, offering assessment, diagnosis, and treatment for a diverse range of musculoskeletal conditions, often with more direct patient contact and flexible working hours.
Sports Physiotherapist: Specialising in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of sports-related injuries, graduates can work with professional sports clubs, national teams, sports academies, or private sports clinics. This role often involves pitch-side emergency care and athlete rehabilitation.
Paediatric Physiotherapist: Focused on the physical development and rehabilitation of infants, children, and adolescents, these physiotherapists work with conditions ranging from developmental delays to neurological disorders and orthopaedic injuries in a variety of settings including hospitals, schools, and community centres.
Neurological Physiotherapist: Graduates can specialise in treating patients with neurological conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis, aiming to improve mobility, function, and quality of life through targeted rehabilitation programs.
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist: These specialists work with patients experiencing conditions affecting the heart and lungs, including chronic respiratory diseases, post-cardiac surgery rehabilitation, and critical care, using techniques to improve breathing, exercise tolerance, and reduce breathlessness.
Rehabilitation Specialist/Coordinator: Beyond direct patient treatment, physiotherapists can move into roles coordinating rehabilitation services in hospitals, community settings, or specialist centres, overseeing patient pathways and multidisciplinary team input for complex cases.
Physiotherapy Researcher: With the program's strong emphasis on evidence-based practice and research methods, graduates can pursue further academic study (e.g., MSc, PhD) and careers in research, contributing to the advancement of physiotherapy practice and understanding of human movement and rehabilitation.
Lecturer/Educator in Physiotherapy: Experienced physiotherapists with further academic qualifications can transition into teaching roles within universities, educating the next generation of physiotherapists by sharing their clinical expertise and contributing to curriculum development.
Occupational Health Physiotherapist: Working in corporate settings or within dedicated occupational health services, these physiotherapists focus on preventing work-related injuries, promoting workplace wellbeing, and facilitating the return to work for employees recovering from injury or illness.
