How to apply

Overview

The details

Course: Physiotherapy

UCAS code: B169

Start date: October 2026

Study mode: Full-time

Duration: 3 years

Location: Colchester Campus

Based in: Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences (School of)

What is the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy?

The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy is a three-year degree.

You’ll gain the applied knowledge and professional skills to practise as a physiotherapist in a range of settings.

Why this course

The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy focuses on providing you with significant practical experience alongside classroom and experiential learning.

You’ll undertake six placements in different clinical settings (approximately 1,000 hours) with our extensive network of sports clubs, teams and clinics. You’ll work with qualified physiotherapists and other professionals to consolidate your learning, gain new experiences, and develop and refine your abilities.

Alongside the placements, your learning will take a problem-based approach enhanced with the latest technology.

You’ll learn in small cohorts, providing you with strong working relationships with teaching stage and clinicians in practice.

You’ll graduate on the path to a physiotherapist career, ready to jump straight into practice or specialise.

Who should apply

Future physiotherapists and first-contact practitioners
Those wanting to help people of all ages prevent disease, manage pain and chronic conditions, and stay independent after illness or injury
Students keen to hone their clinical judgement make informed interpretations of clinical information
Practical learners eager to put new knowledge into practice
Self-directed learners ready for a career as a reflective practitioner and lifelong learner

What you’ll learn

Anatomy and physiology: Gain a solid understanding of the human body
Self and others: Explore how to understand, develop and lead yourself and individuals in your care
Interventions: Learn holistic intervention skills across medical specialities
Professional practice: Prepare your clinical reasoning, evidence-based approach and your own scope of practice

Your learning experience

Specialise: Tailor your degree through your choice of optional modules
Expert teaching: Learn from experienced and expert researchers and practitioners with over 10 years’ experience
Specialist facilities: Access our four specialist physiotherapy labs as well as our Sports Arena, sport and physiology labs, sports therapy labs and sports therapy clinic

Careers and outcomes

Our BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy sets you up to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK, by making you eligible to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You’ll then be able to become a full member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Our graduates become practising physiotherapists in:

Ministry of Defence
Hospitals and the NHS
Private clinics
Professional sports clubs
Specialisms such as musculoskeletal practice

A BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree also prepares you for diverse careers in:

Sports teams and clubs: Coaching, sports development
National bodies: Health improvement, health and safety
Education: Physical education teaching (primary or secondary)
Health: Sports therapy, nutrition, physiology
Fitness: Fitness training, personal training

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as a physiotherapist.

Why we're great.

8th in the UK for physiotherapy (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
Top 20 for student positivity in physiotherapy (National Student Survey 2025, English Broad Discipline Universities)
93% of graduates from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences are in employment or further study (Graduate Outcomes 2025)

“My last placement at a Cardiothoracics ITU in Essex was an incredible experience. I learnt so much and it was so interesting I can’t tell you how much! The team were the best I’ve ever been with, and any other students are so lucky to be placed there, it was hands down the best placement I’ve had. I felt sad to leave.”

Lizzie Markham, BSc Physiotherapy student

Meet the experts

Deborah Miles

Expert in physiotherapy, BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course lead

School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex

Debbie is a qualified Physiotherapist with over 10 years' experience in the NHS, London then Kent. She specialises in the management of hand and wrist injuries and conditions, and continues some clinical practice alongside teaching.

Jacalyn Clarke

Expert in physiotherapy

School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, University of Essex

Jacalyn spent her clinical career at Ipswich Hospitals NHS Trust and the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital Trust, and has over 15 years' experience teaching at the University of Essex. She is also Health Professions Council registered and a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Association of Physiotherapists in Respiratory Care.

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

GCSE: 5 GCSEs at C/4 or above (to include Mathematics, English Language and Science). Acceptable alternatives to our GCSE Maths and English requirements are listed further down this page.

Plus one of the level 3 qualifications below:

A-levels: BBB, including one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Life and Health Sciences, Physics, P.E, Psychology, Sport Science, or Mathematics.
BTEC: DDD in a relevant subject. More information about the BTECs we accept can be found on the school of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences Undergraduate page.
QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 15 L3 credits at Distinction and 30 at Merit with at least 12 Distinction credits in relevant Science units.

Access Diplomas will likely be in a Science or Healthcare related field to meet the requirement for Biological Science units. To check your Access includes a minimum of 12 L3 credits of Biological Science please contact your Access provider or check your course materials.
This Access diploma must be supported by level 2 Maths, Science and English Language (either as GCSE or Functional Skills level 2 qualifications), if relevant units not taken as part of the Access diploma.
IB: 30 points including a Higher Level Life Science (Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Physics or Mathematics) at grade 5, plus Standard Level Mathematics/Maths Studies and Science grade 4, if not taken at Higher Level.
T-levels: Distinction overall with Distinction in the Occupational Specialism and grade B in the Core in one of the following T-levels:
- Science (with Occupational Specialism in Laboratory Science)
- Health (with Occupational Specialism in Supporting the Healthcare Teams)
- Healthcare Science (with Occupational Specialism in Assisting with Healthcare Science).
Foundation courses in Science: normally 70% or above – varies depending on modules studied.
Other level 3 (or higher) qualifications with sufficient Biological Science content may be considered by the Admissions team. If you are taking or have achieved any qualifications that are not listed here, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office.
GCSE/level 2 requirements
All applicants must have GCSE Mathematics, Science and English C/4 (except those taking equivalent high school qualifications).
- In place of GCSE Mathematics C/4, we can accept a number of OFQUAL regulated level 2 qualifications, including Functional Skills level 2, Key Skills level 2 or numeracy units taken as part of an Access to HE Diploma.
- If you do not require a Student visa and are either a first language English speaker or have a lived in the UK for over three years, we can accept a number of OFQUAL regulated level 2 qualifications, including Functional Skills level 2, Key Skills level 2 or literacy units taken as part of an Access to HE Diploma, in place of GCSE English C/4.
We receive a high number of applications for this programme and offers are made based on a combination of information from the application including personal statement, grades, and interview performance. This means that not all students who meet the entry requirements will be offered a place.

Additional requirements

This course has additional requirements including pass of an interview, a satisfactory reference and Occupational Health Check and Disclosure and Barring (DBS) check. For more information see the school of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences Undergraduate page.

International & EU entry requirements

We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.

English language requirements

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English

IELTS 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each component, or specified score in an equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.

Pre-sessional English courses

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Structure

Course structure

Our carefully selected modules will give you the chance to explore, question, and create powerful ideas. Picked to give you an extensive and in-depth education, they'll equip you with the specialist knowledge, vital transferrable skills, and the confidence to make a genuine difference to the world around you.

Our Programme Specification gives more detail about the structure available to our current first-year students.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The course content is therefore reviewed on an annual basis to ensure our courses remain up-to-date so modules listed are subject to change.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Components and modules explained

Components

Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.

Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.

Status	What this means
Core	You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory	You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional	You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.

The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.

Modules

Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.

In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.

Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:

100

The department or school the module will be taught by.

In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.

The module number.

The UK academic level of the module.

A standard undergraduate course will comprise of level 4, 5 and 6 modules - increasing as you progress through the course.

A standard postgraduate taught course will comprise of level 7 modules.

A postgraduate research degree is a level 8 qualification.

The term the module will be taught in.

AU: Autumn term
SP: Spring term
SU: Summer term
FY: Full year
AP: Autumn and Spring terms
PS: Spring and Summer terms
AS: Autumn and Summer terms

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Applied Anatomy and Pathophysiology

(30 CREDITS)

This module will allow you to develop your knowledge and understanding of the pathophysiology and anatomy of the human body. You will consider the impact of pathophysiology on structure, function and wellbeing of the individual.

View Applied Anatomy and Pathophysiology on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Physiotherapy Led Assessment

(30 CREDITS)

This module will allow you to develop holistic assessment skills for a range of patient presentations. The module will focus on the common approaches to physiotherapy led assessment, whilst highlighting and exploring the variations required when assessing different patient groups.

View Physiotherapy Led Assessment on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Practice-Based Decision Making

(30 CREDITS)

This module will give you knowledge and understanding of the academic skills required for life-long learning in physiotherapy. This will include critical thinking and academic skills such as searching, retrieving, appraising and reporting evidence to allow to you to begin to engage with evidence-based practice.

View Practice-Based Decision Making on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Understanding Self and Others

(30 CREDITS)

In this module you will consider your own lived experiences, along with those of others through the contexts in which they live. You will discuss and develop your understanding of being a Physiotherapist, focusing on what this means in contemporary and evolving UK practice. You will also consider your own development as a student healthcare professional.

View Understanding Self and Others on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Developing Self and Others

(30 CREDITS)

You will develop holistic intervention skills for a range of patient presentations across different medical specialities. The module will focus on the common approaches to physiotherapy led intervention, whilst highlighting and discussing any variations required when managing different patient groups, thus preparing you for some of the multi-faceted clinical presentations seen in practice.

View Developing Self and Others on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Physiotherapy Led Interventions

(30 CREDITS)

You will develop holistic intervention skills for a range of patient presentations across different medical specialities. This module will focus on the common approaches to physiotherapy led intervention, whilst highlighting and discussing any variations required when managing different patient groups, thus preparing you for some of the multi-faceted clinical presentations seen in practice.

View Physiotherapy Led Interventions on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Promoting Health and Activity

(15 CREDITS)

This module enables you to explore the expanding role of physiotherapy in the wider context, by promoting healthy choices and activity throughout the lifespan (infancy, childhood, adolescence, adulthood, old age, end of life). You will explore the links between lifestyle choices and the effects on well-being, and will learn skills in promoting the use of activity and healthy behaviours. This knowledge and skills will be discussed in relation to physical, mental and social health of individuals, families, communities and societies.

View Promoting Health and Activity on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Research Methods

(15 CREDITS)

On this module you will develop an understanding and appreciation of research and evidence informed practice, building on the Level 4 module (Practice based decision making) where the paradigms and basic literature search skills have been introduced. This is a more advanced module where you will provide clear rationale for the evidence you have chosen based on the critique of the literature. You are expected to select a topic relevant to your own profession and inter-professional specific interest.

View Research Methods on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: CORE

Physiotherapy Practice 1

(15 CREDITS)

Through this placement, you will have the opportunity to link the theoretical knowledge you are acquiring with practical experience in a clinical setting. You will gain an understanding of the health care environment and start to develop the hands-on skills physiotherapy assessment and patient management skills required for competent practice.

View Physiotherapy Practice 1 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: CORE

Physiotherapy Practice 2

(15 CREDITS)

This second placement offers you the opportunity to build on your learning and earlier placement experience and consolidate your knowledge and skills. This practice-based learning module will enable you to develop your understanding of and competence in physiotherapy skills and your clinical reasoning and reflective skills.

View Physiotherapy Practice 2 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 01: CORE

Leadership of Self and Others

(15 CREDITS)

You will consider your own development as future leaders, recognising how the contexts in which they will practice, are constantly evolving. You will learn about the concepts and theories of leadership, and will begin to develop skills to enable you to lead your own develop and that of others, in preparation for qualified practice.

View Leadership of Self and Others on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 02: CORE

Preparation for Professional Practice

(30 CREDITS)

On this module you will be facilitated to be proactive in identifying your current scope of practice. Reflecting upon this, you will then identify and develop strategies to expand knowledge and skills in your own chosen areas. Based upon these areas, you will be able to select sessions to attend in order to proactively develop your current scope of practice.

View Preparation for Professional Practice on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 03: CORE

Research Project

(30 CREDITS)

You will be provided with experiences relating to how social researchers go about applying their skills and knowledge in an empirical investigation. You will be supported to identify a topic they find interesting, and wish to learn more about. You will then be facilitated to plan the organisation and timing of your work with a degree of independence and self-motivation.

View Research Project on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 04: CORE

Physiotherapy Practice 3

(15 CREDITS)

In this module, you will continue to progress your generic and physiotherapy-specific skills, building on your practical experiences from earlier levels of study. This module is designed to enable you to further expand your ability to practice effectively and independently within the practice-based setting and to consolidate your learning by experiencing more complex patient problems. The module will prepare you to take up the role of independent and autonomous practitioners. This will be your final clinical placement module.

View Physiotherapy Practice 3 on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 05: CORE

SE312-6-AU

(15 CREDITS)

View SE312-6-AU on our Module Directory

COMPONENT 06: CORE

SE313-6-SP

(15 CREDITS)

View SE313-6-SP on our Module Directory

Teaching

Undergraduate students in the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences typically attend a one-hour lecture and one-hour seminar for each module every week. In vocational programmes such as Physiotherapy, the focus is placed on practical sessions.
We employ a variety of teaching methods including problem-based learning, technology-enhanced learning, and experiential learning.
The use of peer support and self-directed learning enables you to take control of your learning experience.
You undertake placements in six different clinical settings.

Assessment

Practical examinations
Viva voce examinations
Essays
Reflective writing
Poster and seminar presentations
Practice-based learning assessment
Practical examinations in the academic setting

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

£9,790 per year

The Learning Support Fund is available for healthcare students starting their course on or after 1 August 2017. Please see the NHS BSA for more info.

International fee

£22,600 per year

Fees will increase for each academic year of study.

If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:

Placement year

20% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Study abroad

Full year abroad

15% of your standard tuition fee for that year

Single term abroad

Standard tuition fee

Scholarships and financial support

There may be scholarships, bursaries or discounts available to help with the cost of this course.

Fees and funding guide

Home/UK fees and funding information

International fees and funding information

What's next

Our events are a great way to find out more about studying at Essex. We run a number of Open Days throughout the year which enable you to discover what our campus has to offer. You have the chance to:

tour our campus and accommodation
find out answers to your questions about our courses, student finance, graduate employability, student support and more
meet our students and staff

Check out our Visit Us pages to find out more information about booking onto one of our events. And if the dates aren’t suitable for you, feel free to book a campus tour here.

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Saturday 11 April 2026 - April Open Day

Saturday 20 June 2026 - June Open Day

Find out more

Applications for our full-time undergraduate courses should be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). Full details on how to apply can be found on the filling in your UCAS undergraduate application web page.

Our UK students, and some of our EU and international students, who are still at school or college, can apply through their school. Your school will be able to check and then submit your completed application to UCAS. Our other international applicants (EU or worldwide) or independent applicants in the UK can also apply online through UCAS Apply.

The UCAS code for our University of Essex is ESSEX E70. The individual campus code for our Loughton Campus is 'L'.

You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.

If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2026 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Open Days. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, join interesting taster sessions, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. You can visit our Open Days event page for more information, including terms and conditions.

A sunny day with banners flying on Colchester Campus Square 4.

Set within 200 acres of award-winning parkland - Wivenhoe Park and located two miles from the historic city centre of Colchester – England's oldest recorded development. Our Colchester Campus is also easily reached from London and Stansted Airport in under one hour.

Find out more

View from Square 2 outside the Rab Butler Building looking towards Square 3

If you live too far away to come to Essex (or have a busy lifestyle), no problem. Our 360-degree virtual tour allows you to explore our University from the comfort of your home. Check out our Colchester virtual tour to see accommodation options, facilities and social spaces.

Chat to us

Got a question about this course? Chat with Aleksandra Birn-Jeffery from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences.

Chat with Aleksandra

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At Essex we pride ourselves on being a welcoming and inclusive student community. We offer a wide range of support to individuals and groups of student members who may have specific requirements, interests or responsibilities.

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include, but are not limited to: strikes, other industrial action, staff illness, severe weather, fire, civil commotion, riot, invasion, terrorist attack or threat of terrorist attack (whether declared or not), natural disaster, restrictions imposed by government or public authorities, epidemic or pandemic disease, failure of public utilities or transport systems or the withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications. The University would inform and engage with you if your course was to be discontinued, and would provide you with options, where appropriate, in line with our Compensation and Refund Policy.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy

Overview

What is the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy?

Why this course

Who should apply

What you’ll learn

Your learning experience

Careers and outcomes

Professional accreditation

Meet the experts

Deborah Miles

Jacalyn Clarke

Entry requirements

UK entry requirements

GCSE/level 2 requirements

Additional requirements

International & EU entry requirements

English language requirements

Structure

Course structure

Components

Modules

Teaching

Assessment

Fees and funding

Home/UK fee

International fee

Placement year

Study abroad

Full year abroad

Single term abroad

Scholarships and financial support

Fees and funding guide

What's next

Open Days

2026 Open Days (Colchester Campus)

Applying

Visit Colchester Campus

Virtual tours

Sign up for emails

Apply now

Visit us virtually

Book an open day