Overview
Physiotherapy is a science‑based profession that helps people improve movement, function and quality of life through exercise, education, advice and hands‑on clinical practice. The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course is designed to develop autonomous, reflective practitioners who put people at the heart of care and who are ready for the breadth of modern employment opportunities.
You’ll build strong foundations in human movement, assessment and clinical reasoning, while developing the professional skills you need to practise safely and inclusively: communication, consent, safeguarding, ethics and reflective practice. Throughout the course you will learn to manage musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological presentations, and you’ll develop confidence in promoting health and supporting people living with long‑term conditions.
What makes this course distinctive is its deliberate preparation for both NHS and non‑NHS routes. Alongside traditional placement learning, the course is designed to make greater use of private practice, community and student‑led clinical services, reflecting the changing landscape of physiotherapy practice. You’ll also learn alongside students from other health disciplines at HSU, strengthening your ability to work effectively in multi‑professional teams.
Please note: Subject to HCPC approval and Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) accreditation.
Course details
Across three years you will develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours expected of a contemporary physiotherapist. You will learn to:
- Assess movement and function, gather histories and apply clinical reasoning to inform safe, person‑centred plans.
- Use evidence‑based approaches to rehabilitation, therapeutic exercise and manual techniques (where appropriate), adapting interventions to individual goals and contexts.
- Work confidently across key areas of practice including musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory/respiratory and neurological physiotherapy, and support people living with long‑term conditions.
- Communicate effectively, educate and motivate people to be active partners in their care, and work ethically with equality, diversity and inclusion at the forefront.
- Apply research evidence, undertake enquiry and develop leadership and management skills that support service improvement and lifelong learning.
Assessment is designed to be authentic and practice‑relevant, helping you build a broad skill set for employment. You can expect a blend of assessment types that may include practical skill demonstrations, written work, case‑based tasks, group work and presentations, and reflective and professional practice activities. These assessments are ‘spiralled’ through the course so you can build confidence and progress your skills over time.
Practice‑based learning is a core part of physiotherapy education. Placements will give you supervised opportunities to apply what you learn in real‑world settings.
Our approach is designed to broaden your experience beyond a single sector. Alongside placements with established providers, we will develop opportunities in private practice and community settings, and through student‑led physiotherapy services aligned to local need. This includes working relationships with local partners and services across Dorset.
This is a full‑time course delivered through a blended model. Your week will typically include a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops and clinical skills teaching, plus guided independent study. Workload varies across the year and will change during placement blocks, where you will follow the schedule and expectations of your placement setting.
Unit breakdown
Please note: The following units are provided for indicative purposes only and may be subject to change pending approval.
Year 1
Foundations of evidence‑based practice – 15 credits 
Develop the core academic and enquiry skills you need to appraise evidence and apply it to practice.
Person‑centred care, communication and ethics – 15 credits
Build the professional behaviours, communication and ethical foundations required for safe, inclusive clinical practice.
Human Anatomy, Physiology and Movement Science – 30 credits
Explore human structure, function and movement to underpin assessment and clinical reasoning.
Foundations of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy – 30 credits
Learn assessment and rehabilitation principles for common musculoskeletal presentations across the lifespan.
Foundations of Cardiorespiratory and Neurological Physiotherapy – 30 credits
Develop baseline knowledge and skills to support people with cardiorespiratory and neurological needs.
Year 2
Research for clinical decision‑making– 15 credits
Strengthen research literacy and data skills to support evidence‑based clinical decisions and service improvement.
Clinical reasoning and collaborative working – 15 credits
Advance clinical reasoning, documentation and teamwork skills, including interprofessional learning activities.
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy across the lifespan – 30 credits
Develop more advanced MSK assessment, rehabilitation planning and progression, including return‑to‑activity decisions.
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy and long‑term conditions – 30 credits
Apply physiotherapy interventions to support people living with long‑term conditions in hospital, community and home settings.
Neurological Rehabilitation and complexity – 30 credits
Explore rehabilitation for neurological presentations, working with complexity and supporting participation and independence.
Year 3
Research project – 30 credits
Complete a substantial piece of enquiry or service‑focused research under supervision, aligned to physiotherapy practice.
Leadership, enterprise and quality improvement– 15 credits
Develop leadership and improvement skills to support safe, effective services and a smooth transition into practice.
Advanced MSK practice and First Contact concepts – 30 credits
Integrate advanced MSK clinical reasoning, self‑management support and contemporary practice models.
Optimising Physiotherapy in long‑term conditions – 30 credits
Apply person‑centred physiotherapy across long‑term conditions, prevention and community‑based care.
Professional readiness and employability – 15 credits
Prepare for registration and employment through consolidation of professional, reflective and career‑readiness skills.
Why study Physiotherapy at HSU?
Study BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy at HSU and join a specialist health sciences community focused on real‑world clinical learning. You’ll learn in purpose‑built facilities, develop hands‑on skills through simulation and practical teaching, and gain placement experience designed to reflect the modern physiotherapy landscape across NHS, private and community care. Our curriculum prioritises person‑centred practice, inclusivity and evidence‑based decision‑making, helping you graduate confident, compassionate and work‑ready.
Careers and progression
Physiotherapists work across a wide range of settings including the NHS, private practice, community services, the military, sport and performance environments, education, research and service management. This course is designed to prepare you for diverse employment routes and for lifelong professional development.
Interprofessional learning
You will have opportunities to learn alongside students from other health disciplines across HSU, building the collaborative skills needed for multi‑professional practice.
What you can expect
- Person‑centred practice embedded throughout the curriculum.
- A strong focus on clinical reasoning, communication and professional practice.
- Preparation across musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological physiotherapy.
Placement learning focus
Placement learning will include a mix of settings and is designed to broaden experience beyond a single sector, including community and private practice opportunities alongside more traditional routes.
Facilities and learning environment
You’ll benefit from HSU’s specialist facilities, including simulation spaces, anatomy resources and on‑site clinical environments that support applied learning.
Support and next steps
If you have questions about entry requirements or applying, contact Admissions. We encourage you to visit an Open Day or arrange a campus tour to explore facilities and meet the team.
Facilities
- AI‑enabled simulated ward environment and clinical skills spaces (including physical condition simulation equipment).
- Digital Anatomage Table for anatomy and clinical learning.
- Prosection laboratory / anatomy learning facilities.
- On‑site clinics and treatment spaces to support applied learning and patient‑centred care.
- Clinical imaging facilities (including digital X‑ray suite, ultrasound and open upright MRI) to support multidisciplinary learning.
- Specialist rehabilitation and exercise spaces for therapeutic exercise and performance‑informed practice.
- Library and digital learning resources to support evidence‑based practice and academic skills development.
Entry requirements
What qualifications do I need?
What qualifications do I need?
Indicative entry requirements:
- GCSEs: 5 GCSEs A*–C including Maths and English (or grade 4+).
- A levels: typically BBB–BBC normally including Biology/Human Biology or Physical Education.
- BTEC Extended Diploma: typically DMM in a relevant health/science/sport subject.
- Access to HE Diploma: 112–120 UCAS points in a relevant health/science pathway.
- International Baccalaureate: typically 30–32 points including Biology (or equivalent) at Higher Level.
Is there anything else that is required?
Is there anything else that is required?
Because this is a clinical course with placement learning, you should expect:
- An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check (UK applicants).
- Occupational health screening prior to starting the course.
- An interview as part of the selection process.
- Placement participation is a required element of the programme.
International Students
International Students
International applicants are welcome. Entry requirements and English language requirements vary by country/qualification.
Please refer to our International Entry Requirements and English Language Requirements guidance and contact Admissions if you need support.
If you require a Student visa, you should check the latest visa and CAS information before applying.
Still have questions about applying?
Staff
Louise Stanley
Course Lead and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
Louise is a Course Lead and Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy in the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences.
Full bio
Course fees
Tuition Fees 2027/28
UK/ROI/Channel Islands
£10,050 Fees for overseas students are still to be confirmed.
These fees are for the 2027/28 academic year only and may be subject to an increase in subsequent years of study. Any future increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy which can be accessed on our Study Money Matters page.
Additional Course Costs
In addition to tuition fees, there may be further course-related costs and requirements which should be taken into consideration when planning for your studies. Visit our Additional Costs page for more information.
More information
Visit The Funding Clinic for more information.
For questions related to payment of tuition fees please visit our Fees and Payment Information page or contact studentfinance@hsu.ac.ukÂ
Additional Funding
Students studying for a recognised Allied Health Profession qualification may be entitled to apply for additional funding from the NHS Learning Support Fund.
This fund provides supplementary financial support to the mainstream student loans system, and is intended to support students whilst they train and gain professional registration. This funding is not means-tested and is a grant rather than a loan, so the majority of students will not need to pay it back when they start work in the future.
Register your interest
Register your interest / enquiry
Why choose Health Sciences University
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
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