Subject

Physiotherapy

Impatient to help others?

Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a pioneering profession which helps to improve people's quality of life.

 

Most people will need a Physiotherapist at some point in their life, it is a vital role in modern healthcare which seeks to maximise the potential of human function and movement.

Practice-based learning is an integral part of our course, with over 1,000 hours spent gaining hands-on experience, including on clinical practice placements. You will gain experience working with professional physiotherapists across a wide range of practice settings and specialties, including: primary and secondary care; public and private sectors; paediatric, adult and older people; acute care and specialist services, such as mental health or learning disabilities.

Physiotherapists have a broad range of career opportunities which allow professionals to specialise in many different areas, including across hospitals, within clinics or community settings as well as in sporting environments or the armed forces.

Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a physiotherapist which will enable you to work in a wide variety of clinical settings in the UK, and to join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Why study here?
  • Gain practical experience on a placement, giving you the opportunity to develop valuable employability skills which are sought after in the workplace.
  • Our close links with clinicians in practice will strengthen your career prospects.
  • Small cohort sizes enable strong working relationships between students and experienced staff.
"The placements offered have been in a variety of settings and have complemented the classroom teaching, enabling my confidence to grow in the professional clinical environment. I am looking forward to working as a physiotherapist and I feel that Essex has given me an excellent foundation to be successful in my career."
Sarah Jolley BSc Physiotherapy
A physiotherapist checking a patient's leg.
Apprenticeships in physiotherapy

We offer Higher and Degree Apprenticeships in physiotherapy. By studying with us you will be able to recognise, develop and lead through an enhanced understanding of yourself and others.

Learn more

At Essex, we offer a unique approach to physiotherapy with innovative teaching assessment.

Physiotherapists have a broad range of career opportunities which allow professionals to specialise in areas such as working in a sporting team and helping athletes to reach their full potential, hospital or community practice, occupational rehab, or treatment in the private sector.

Postgraduate study will open doors to development and research into ground-breaking services, expanding the influence and possibilities of physiotherapy across the sector.  Our Masters courses will develop your approaches to promote, maintain and restore physical, psychological and social wellbeing, by adopting a patient-centred scientific approach. 

 
Why study here?
  • Improve your employability by developing excellent links with our clinical partners in practice – we score consistently highly for graduate employability.
  • Our pre-registration courses are approved by the HCPC, so when you graduate you will meet the required levels of expertise ensuring you are eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC and practise as a physiotherapist.
  • Small cohort sizes enable strong working relationships between students and experienced staff.
"The course is underpinned by the latest research and expert lecturers. I was encouraged to develop skills and attributes which would help me forge a lifelong career in healthcare. The support and environment helped me become an excellent prospective employee. After graduating, I have enjoyed working in different roles in primary care helping people in pain. With continued support from Essex, I have also begun a research career alongside my clinical role."
Kieran Mitham MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration), 2018
Dr Sue Innes using an ultrasound to check a patients arm.
Continuing Professional Development

Are you a clinician in the musculoskeletal field who wants to advance their practice? Do you want to access musculoskeletal ultrasound imaging? Our CPD pathways allow you to do just that!

Find out more

At Essex, we offer a unique approach to physiotherapy with innovative teaching assessment.

Physiotherapists have a broad range of career opportunities which allow professionals to specialise in areas such as working in a sporting team and helping athletes to reach their full potential, hospital or community practice, occupational rehab, or treatment in the private sector.

Postgraduate study will open doors to development and research into ground-breaking services, expanding the influence and possibilities of Physiotherapy across the sector.  Undertaking a PhD will train you as an independent researcher who can critically assess other research work, and have a comprehensive knowledge of at least one specialist area. The support provided by your supervisor is a key feature of your student experience and you will have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss progress on your research. 

 

Why study here?
  • Study the topics that interest you most - we offer research supervision in a broad range of areas.
  • Benefit from being part of a School based inside our brand new multi-million pound Sports Centre.
  • Use the latest equipment and facilities to assist you with the effective learning and acquisition of new skills.
A row of old looking library books
Explore our research

Discover cutting edge research from the University of Essex. Browse our site to find relevant publications, projects, groups, centres, postgraduate opportunities for research supervision and wider areas of interest. Simply search our site to find information relating to your subject.

Search our research
Student holding books next to the library at Colchester Campus
Want to know more?

Sign-up to learn more about this subject, as well as accommodation, societies, careers support, facilities and more.

Sign-up to emails

 

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. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, or in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.