BSc (Hons) - Physiotherapy

How you will learn

Learning on our physiotherapy course is comprehensive; you will embark on an inspiring journey of learning and growth in the field of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. Our programme is designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills, and hands-on experience needed to become a competent and compassionate physiotherapist.

Throughout the course, you will delve into the intricacies of human anatomy, biomechanics, and physiology, understanding how the body functions and adapts to various conditions and injuries. You'll explore a wide range of therapeutic techniques, from hydrotherapy to exercise prescription, and learn how to tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs.

Learning won't be confined to the classroom; you will have ample opportunities for practical training in real-world settings. Guided by experienced professionals, you'll observe and engage in clinical practice, gaining invaluable insights into patient assessment, treatment implementation, and progress evaluation. Additionally, our course emphasises evidence-based practice, encouraging you to stay up to date with the latest research and advancements in the field.

Critical thinking and problem-solving will be honed as you analyse complex case studies and work on challenging patient scenarios. As you progress, you'll also develop essential communication and interpersonal skills, understanding the significance of building trust and rapport with patients, their families, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams. We foster a collaborative learning environment, where you can engage in group discussions, participate in workshops, and exchange ideas with fellow students, fostering a supportive community throughout your journey.

How you will be assessed

Your assessments will provide a creative and balanced strategy across the programme and provide a range of engaging and challenging opportunities. Individual assessments are designed to test learning outcomes. We aim to provide a varied approach to assessment including:

• Practical skills assessments
• Presentations
• Posters
• Academic writing
• Critical reflection
• Portfolio
• Practice placement assessments

Practice placements are assessed using continuous assessment via the Common Assessment Tool (CAT). This is an assessment document, based on the HCPC standards of practice, and is shared between all the higher education Physiotherapy education providers in the North West of England. This ensures a high level of standardisation across the region.

Summative assessments

Summative assessments are authentic and aligned to module learning outcomes and programme aims. Summative assessment encourages progressive development through feedback and reflection.

Summative assessments will generally occur at the end of each semester. However, the timetable has been created to ensure that there is a spread of assessments across the year, providing a realistic and manageable timetable. To ensure assessment is equitable for everyone, we have a departmental policy ‘Ensuring Assessment is Fair’, which ensures that you can see how your marks are awarded and how marks from the cohort are moderated both internally and by the external examiner.

Formative assessments

Formative assessments are a key feature of your academic journey. It is work which helps to inform or become part of your final ‘summative’ assessment, and the nature of it varies across modules. Formative work may include in‐class or on‐line activities such as presenting draft assignments. Peer and self‐assessment are also used to give you rapid feedback on formative tasks.

Everything that you undertake, and the products of that learning, are embedded through active participation and formative opportunities for dialogue and feedback. The formative work is developmental and prepares you for summative assessment work.

Tuition Fees

2025 - 2026

• £9,535 - UK
• £16,900 - International

2024-2025:

• £9,250 - UK
• £16,400 - International

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

Funding

You may also be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

If you're eligible, you can get access to:

• A Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year
• Parental Support of £2,000, if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
• Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses
• Exceptional Support Fund (Students experiencing financial hardship)

For more information on the Learning Support Fund please visit the Learning Support Fund Page.

For further funding information, please visit our undergraduate funding page.

*This page was last updated October 2021

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

These key textbooks are used throughout your programme both at University and on placement. Books are available in hard copy and electronically via the library but you may wish to purchase your own copies. Soames R and Palastanga N (2018) Anatomy and Human Movement, 7th Edition. Porter, S. (2008). Anatomy colouring and workbook. (2nd ed). Braun, C.A. & Anderson, C.M. (2017) Applied Pathophysiology: a Conceptual Approach to the Mechanisms of Disease, (3rd Ed) Fruth, S (2018) Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination. Petty, N. (2011). Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and assessment: A handbook for therapists (4th Ed. Physiotherapy essentials). Porter, S (2013) Tidy’s Physiotherapy (5th Ed), Physiotherapy essentials). Kisner, C. & Colby, L.A. (2017) Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques, (6th Ed) Lennon, S., Verheyden, G.Ramdharry, G (2018). Physical management for neurological conditions, (5th ed).

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

The following equipment should be purchased: Adult Stephoscope: Tytan Professional Series Deluxe Stethoscope 9 approx £30.00 8” Plastic Goniometer £7.00 A tape measure Practice Placements will incur costs and you need to plan for this in your annual budget. Typically, these costs are for travel and, if necessary, accommodation to access placement. Costs of several hundred pounds can be expected, and in exception over £1000 per year. You may claim placement travel expenses, and costs towards any additional accommodation that may be required to access placements. Currently, the NHS provides some reimbursement of additional placement costs to eligible students through the learning support fund. More information about this can be found at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/learning-support-fund/about-learning-support-fund. You will be required to practice clinical skills using each other as models, and so will need clothing that is suitable for these sessions.

Field Trips

You may wish to attend a conference (optional not part of the course) the costs vary and depend on whether you go to a one day or several day event, the costs will vary depending on the venue and the cost of accommodation. With conference fees, travel and accommodation you will need to budget £250 and £750.

Other

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check At the start of your course, you will complete an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Services. This is paid for by the university. However, you will have to pay the cost of any additional checks for example, if you lose your certificate. If you suspend your studies for a year or more you will also have to pay for a new criminal records check. Occasionally placement providers request an additional check if the certificate is more than one year old. If this is the case, you will need to pay for the additional check.