Physiotherapy in UK (2023): Courses, Eligibility, Universities

You’ve probably heard people mention lots of times that certain illnesses don’t respond well to certain medications and instead call for additional medical care from particular specialists. One of them is Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy. This blog will be very beneficial to you if you intend to pursue a profession in physiotherapy, especially from abroad. Continue reading to learn more about physiotherapy in the UK.

Program Type and Duration	BSc: 3 Years MSc: 1-2 Years PhD: 3 Years
English Proficiency Test	IELTS– 6.0 TOEFL– 75-88 PTE– 64
Tuition Fee	GBP 25,000 (INR 23.23 Lakhs) to GBP 32,000 (INR 29.72 Lakhs) per annum.
Cost of Living	GBP 1,215 (INR 1.12Lacs) – GBP 1,715 (INR 1.59 Lakhs) monthly
Top Recruiters	BMI Healthcare, Global Data, Greenwich Council, National Health Service Scheme (NHS), Government and Private Hospitals.
Average Salary	GBP 34,690 (INR 32.22 Lakhs) per annum

What is Physiotherapy?

Courses in Physiotherapy are based on science that addresses the well-being of people and improves lifestyle. It can benefit those who suffer from backaches, unexpected injuries, asthma, pelvic problems, lung problems, intestinal problems, lack of muscle strength, etc.

It is a form of care intended to maintain and restore a patient’s ability to move, function, and work as normally as possible. This particular area of medical science treats patients holistically, taking into account their lifestyles and including them in their care.

Below is a list of how this profession is divided based on chronic illness:

Skills	Condition
Respiratory	Asthma Chronic, Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Cystic Fibrosis
Neuromusculoskeletal	Back Pain, Whiplash, Associated Disorders, Sports Injuries, Arthritis
Cardiovascular	Chronic Heart Disease, Rehabilitation After a Heart Attack
Neurological	Stroke, Multiple Sclerosis Parkinson’s

Why Study Physiotherapy in UK

• Some of the universities and colleges in the UK, which date back to the 12th and 13th centuries, are among the oldest in the entire globe. Because of its long history, the UK has set the bar high for other nations’ educational systems. One of the industries in the UK that is expanding the quickest is healthcare.
• Over 1.4 million people are employed by the National Health Sector, making it one of the major employers in the nation, according to NHS Workforce Statistics. Healthcare personnel are in high demand post-COVID-19 outbreak.
• The UK’s Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) is an autonomous agency that routinely evaluates the educational standards of all of the nation’s colleges and universities. It also assists in identifying the best educational approaches and provides feedback for improvisation, in addition to evaluating their performance through audits and subject evaluations.

What Does a Physiotherapy Degree in the UK Includes?

Physiotherapy in the UK is a 3 year course with the first year involving more of a fundamental coursework. Students are taught foundational healing principles and movement analysis in their first year. It deals with the response of the human body towards healing and injuries. By the time they reach the second year of their study, students start getting more practical knowledge of patient care. They are patient assessment techniques and how to manage different situations. The final year is the year of specialisation. Along with developing clinical reasoning abilities and decision-making skills students also gain expertise in a research area under the realm of physiotherapy. When they leave the program, these students have transformed into specialists with learning experience in clinical and outdoor environments.

Top Physiotherapy Programs in the UK

Wondering what degree options you will have to pursue a Physiotherapy degree in the UK? We have curated a list of top programs offered under physiotherapy that make students competent and ready for a global job market.

• BSc Physiotherapy
• MSc Physiotherapy
• MSc Advanced Physiotherapy
• Master of Philosophy in Physiotherapy
• Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Manipulative Physiotherapy
• PhD Physiotherapy
• MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy

Top 10 Universities for Physiotherapy in the UK

The UK has consistently been the top destination for students who want to study abroad for a promising future. To further explore the extent of Physiotherapy in the UK, let’s look at the popular courses and universities in more detail.

Name of the University	QS World Ranking 2023	Popular Program Offered	Average Fee
1. Nottingham University	66	BSc in Physiotherapy	GBP- 13425 (INR 12.47 Lakhs)
2. University of East Anglia	342	BSc in Physiotherapy	GBP – 13953(INR 12.96 Lakhs)
3. University of Hertfordshire	801-1000	BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy	GBP- 13985INR 12.99 Lakhs
4. University of Bradford	701-750	M Physiotherapy (Sports and Exercise Medicine)	GBP- 16074 (INR 14.93 Lakhs)
5. Robert Gordon University	800-1000	MSc PhysiotherapyDoctorate of Physiotherapy	GBP – 24267 INR 22.54 Lakhs

Nottingham University

The Physiotherapy program at Nottingham University begins in September. It is ranked #4 by the Guardian UK University Rankings for Physiotherapy in 2023. Candidates need at least 85% marks in class 12, an IELTS score of 7.0 and an IB score of 34 for admission.

University of East Anglia

The BSc Physiotherapy program provides a comprehensive and in-depth understanding of theoretical and practical knowledge about physiotherapy. It ensures clinical experience as well as better judgement in the students. The A-level requirement for entry into this course is AAB. Moreover one also needs an IELTS score of 7.0 and a class 12 result in science from a recognised institution.

University of Hertfordshire

Some of the best Physiotherapists are graduates of the University of Hertfordshire. The university lures students with its five dedicated physiotherapy laboratories and practical clinical placements after course completion. Students get placements in private sectors as well as in National Health Services. The requirements for admission include an A-Level of ABB or AAB. The IELTS score required for admission is 7.0.  

University of Bradford

Bradford offers a Masters course in Physiotherapy with Sports and Exercise Medicine. As the name suggests the course offers specialisation in the field of sports. To get admission the students must score at least AAB in the A-Levels and the students will also have to go through an occupational health screening and a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Robert Gordon University

This university has an amazing Doctorate of Physiotherapy program. Students here qualify as Chartered Physiotherapists upon completion of the program. Moreover, the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education has accredited this university for the program and Robert Gordon University is the only university in North America to qualify for the program. Students with prior qualifications in the field have a GPA of 3.6 out of 4.0 and an IELTS score of 7.0 can take admission at the university.

Eligibility 

As you have got an idea about the popular universities now let’s look into the eligibility criteria to plan your undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a better way:

Eligibility for Undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy:	10+12 with Science Stream. IELTS– 6.0 TOEFL– 75-88 PTE– 64 SAT– 1100 (Subject to change as per University specific requirement)
Eligibility for Postgraduate degree in Physiotherapy	Bachelor’s degree in Science/Physiotherapy or related field. IELTS– 6.0 TOEFL– 75-88 PTE– 64 GRE – 320 (Subject to change as per University specific requirement)

Application Process

The application process takes place over some time and begins months before the commencement of classes. The universities have two main intakes known as the fall intake and winter intake for international students to kick-start their journey. You can call our study abroad consultants on 1800 572 000 to find out how the application process can be fast-tracked and streamlined! Here’s an easy 5-step process to complete your application process to study Physiotherapy in the UK:

1. Call our experts on 1800 572 000 to shortlist your favourite universities and courses. Start your application to multiple universities through our one dashboard platform.
2. Compile all your documents like SOPs, essays, certificates and LORs and exam scores like IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT, etc.
3. Meet all the application deadlines and start the application process for accommodation, student visas, and scholarships/student loans.
4. Accept the offer letter and meet your teachers, college mates and roommates virtually
5. Get your visa approved and fly to your dream university.

Documents Required

Many students from around the world choose to study abroad in the UK. The universities from the UK should be on your list of study-abroad options due to their high academic standards, expanding economy, and substantial engineering advancements, to name a few. Let’s now talk about the documents required to apply:

• Academic Transcripts from all attended universities/colleges
• English Proficiency Test Scores
• SOP/LOR (Varies from University to university)
• Passport
• Passport size photographs
• TB Test Report
• Visa
• Financial Proofs

Must Read: How to Pick the Right Study Abroad Consultant

Scholarships

The greatest approach to spread out the cost of your education and living expenses is through scholarships. Here are a few of the scholarships available:

Name of the Scholarship	Eligibility	Benefit Amount
1. Felix Scholarships	Postgraduate students from India and other developing nations	100% Tuition fee and living expenses of 15840 EUR (INR 12.91 Lakhs)
2. Future Fund Women’s Leadership MSc Scholarship	Female Students want to pursue MSc Physiotherapy	10,000 EUR(INR 8.08 Lakhs)
3. Oxford Brookes Scholarship	Oxford enrolled students	100% of tuition fees; living cost
4. 1st Formations Business Scholarships	Awarded to the students of UG and PG programs at the universities of the UK and US	782 EURO(INR 63.46 Lakhs)
5. Warwick Chancellor’s International Scholarship	PhD students with a minimum 3.0 GPA or 83% in bachelor	Coverage of tuition fees, a maintenance stipend

Visa

To apply for a UK student visa, you must provide several documents. Applications are typically processed three weeks after submitting the following documents: 

1. Completed Visa Application form
2. Visa fee payment receipt
3. Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies
4. Proof of Funds

Demand for Physiotherapists in the UK

The UK has reflected a demand for physiotherapists in the upcoming years. By 2025 the UK will need around 6700 more physiotherapists. The country has excellent training facilities and prefers students who graduate from its own courses and programs to work as professionals in the field to meet the demand. The need for Physiotherapists is growing each day because of the altered lifestyles and habits of people making them prone to ailments that require physiotherapy.

Career Prospects

After earning a master’s degree in physiotherapy, a person in the UK can find employment in a variety of settings, including paediatrics, orthopaedics, intensive care, outpatient, stroke services, and intensive care. Additionally, there are employment opportunities with private sector organizations like hospitals, educational institutions, professional sports teams, gyms, and leisure centres (teaching and research). Military and regional government organizations like schools and daycare centres are included in the public sector. Charity organizations and nonprofits in the health sector.  Professionals in this profession might discover rewarding employment opportunities with competitive salaries and possibilities for growth.

Some of the popular professions:

• Assistant Physiotherapist
• Therapy Manager
• Osteopath
• Researcher
• Research Assistant
• Self-employed Private Physiotherapist
• Rehabilitator
• Sports Physio Rehabilitator

How to Apply for Physiotherapy Jobs in the UK?

People who have higher education qualifications as a physiotherapist can apply for the position at the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). One can also apply for a degree apprenticeship with a healthcare provider while studying and build connections in the field to find a job after completing your course. Universities also assist students to find placements after graduating and help them through seminars, guest talks, and meets with industrial experts to ensure a better career for them.

Also Read: Study in UK 2023

FAQs

This was all about Physiotherapy in the UK. If you want to get into a high-ranked university for Physiotherapy in the UK, you may enlist the assistance of Leverage Edu specialists to assist you with the application process so that you can realise your goals. Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.