Part-Time Physiotherapy
Part-time
Four year
September 2024
In a nutshell
If you would like to find out more about the full-time course, please visit the dedicated course page here.
Physiotherapy is a science-based profession and takes a 'whole person' approach to health and wellbeing. Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness, and/or disability to maximize their potential to return to or maintain function(s). To do this, we use approaches such as movement/exercise, manual therapy/handling, technologies, education, and behavior change techniques.
This degree, accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), equips you with the knowledge and skills required by physiotherapists to provide evidence-based health care. Our physiotherapy graduates have excellent problem-solving skills. They are technically proficient, professionally aware, and, as such, move seamlessly into graduate practice. In short, they are very employable. The course benefits from dedicated and innovative teaching staff operating from purpose-built, state-of-the-art technical and learning facilities.
Upon graduation, you are eligible to become a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and apply to be placed on the Health and Care Professions Council's (HCPC) Register of Physiotherapists. This part-time course is delivered alongside the Physiotherapist Degree Apprenticeship.
We are proud to have scored excellent ratings, including:
- Sixth in the UK for physiotherapy, rising seven places, and first in the North of England in The Guardian University Guide 2025.
- Fourth in the UK for student satisfaction and first in the North West, according to the Complete University Guide 2025.
- 21st overall and first in England (second in the UK) for both teaching quality and student satisfaction in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025.
- 96% on the ‘Teaching on my Course’ category in the National Student Survey 2024.
- 94.4% of our Physiotherapy 2021/2022 graduates are in highly skilled employment (Complete University Guide 2024).
We are delighted to have a set number of places sponsored by the Professional Footballers Association (PFA) which are solely for PFA members Find out more about our relationship with the PFA.
Follow our team on X (formerly Twitter) at @UoS_Physio to stay up-to-date with our work and activities.
You will:
- Benefit from passionate and expert teaching staff including clinical specialists, physiotherapy researchers and private practitioners.
- Develop theoretical and practical skills in our cutting-edge facilities.
- Undertake a range of hands-on placement opportunities which reflect the breadth of Physiotherapy provision.
options available
Course accreditations and approvals
This is for you if...
You enjoy solving problems and helping people.
You are interested in how the body moves and heals.
You are hard working and dedicated to developing your knowledge and skills.
You enjoy working as part of a team.
You want to work with people from all kinds of backgrounds.
You have excellent communication skills.
All about the course
The course is, on average, 4-years long, consisting of 80 credits in years 1 and 4, and 100 credits in years 2 and 3. University-based sessions are delivered on Mondays and Thursdays from 2.00 to 7.30pm.
In year one, the course lays down the foundation skills of working as a communication practitioner, focusing on practice-based reasoning, problem-solving, and the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and management of lower limb conditions. Additionally, designing exercise programs is covered.
Year two covers the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and management of the upper limb and cardio-respiratory systems. It also includes research methods in the context of health promotion activities and behavior change.
Moving on to year three, you will delve into the anatomy, physiology, pathology, and management of the spinal and neurological systems. Building upon research methods, you will have the opportunity to specialize in an area of your choice.
In your final year, there are greater opportunities for you to take charge of your own learning and develop independence in managing your professional development. This is achieved through a deeper understanding and application of research methods, as well as exploring the transition to becoming a qualified physiotherapist and critically analyzing the complexities of practice-based reasoning.
Throughout the course, you will also undertake placements. Please refer to the information below for further details.
If you would like to find out more about our full-time (3 years) course details, please visit the BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy page. If you are interested in our degree apprenticeship, you can find more information on our course page here.
Assessment & Management Peripheral 1
Develops problem solving skills in the assessment and management of patients with lower limb conditions, through the integration of knowledge concerning anatomy, physiology, and pathology. You will be introduced to the concept of evidence-based practice by using skills to identify appropriate evidence.
Fundamentals of Professional Practice
Communication is the fundamental skill that underpins effective professional practice in healthcare. This module allows learners to recognise the knowledge and skills required, analyse their own communication, and develop new skills through a range of simulated and practice-based activities.
The module emphasises the importance of a person-centred approach and includes varied modes of communication (including verbal, written and digital) with a range of people. Learners will be supported to build a portfolio record of their experiences and development gained through simulation activity and a 3-week practice-based placement or work-based learning.
Principles of Exercise and Activity
Principles of Exercise and Activity introduces you to the role of exercise and physical activity for people's health and how Physiotherapists use exercise to support people with health conditions. You will develop the skills required to plan and implement exercise interventions working on case studies with your peers, building a portfolio of exercise plans through the module which will be used within the assessment.
Assessment and Management Peripheral 2
This module introduces you to the role of the physiotherapist in helping a wide range of people upper limb musculoskeletal disorders. You will develop the skills to subjectively and objectively assess signs, symptoms and problems and devise, implement and evaluate appropriate treatment techniques. You will do this by working on case studies, practising on peers and utilising low-infidelity simulation-based learning.
Discovering and Evaluating Health and Wellbeing Interventions
This module covers the crucial skills of health and wellbeing promotion and team working areas of Physiotherapy and how to apply research critical appraisal skills to these areas of practice.
The module culminates in a group project around the discovery and evaluation of rationalised health and wellbeing intervention using a team approach, as well as a written assignment that discusses a team working skills topic.
Cardio-Respiratory Assessment & Management
You will develop problem-solving skills in the assessment and management of patients with cardio-respiratory disorders, through the integration of knowledge concerning anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
Practice Based Learning 1
This is a 6-week practice-based learning module.
Spinal Assessment & Management
You will use evidence-based practice skills to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills of assessment, analysis and management of acute and chronic spinal conditions and pelvic floor dysfunction.
Neurological Assessment & Management
You will use evidence-based practice skills to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills of assessment, analysis and management of neurological disorders.
Research in Physiotherapy Practice
You will develop skills in evaluating current literature in the context of practice-based practice. You will be taught how to produce either a research protocol, or completed study, via a poster or assignment option.
Practice Based Learning 2
This is a 6-week practice-based learning module.
Practice Based Learning 3
This is a 6-week practice-based learning module.
Assessment and Management in Complex Physiotherapy Practice
This module will facilitates your development of higher-level reasoning skills in dealing with assessment and management of clients in challenging and unpredictable rehabilitation situations. Further practice-based learning is an option as part of this module.
Into Employment
A collaborative module with other healthcare students at the University of Salford, exploring health and social care services in the context of current government policy with profession specific aspects to prepare you for employment in a changing environment.
Practice Based Learning 4
This is a 6-week practice-based learning module.
Please note, to keep content current, some module content may vary.
Our Facilities
Clinical Skills Rooms
In our clinical skills rooms, you’ll be able to practice new skills in a safe environment under the supervision of a qualified practitioner. The Mary Seacole & Allerton Buildings are home to a number of plinth rooms used by physiotherapy and sports students with multi-purpose couches (plinths) for in-house practice-based sessions.
Human Performance Laboratory
Our world-class human performance laboratory is one of the best equipped in the country and contains almost every type of physiological and biomechanical testing equipment, including a 30-metre sprint track with in-built force platforms, motion cameras, blood and gas analysis equipment and speed guns.
The University is also home to three gait labs, which, together with the human performance lab, are used to conduct groundbreaking research by the Centre for Health, Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences Research that underpins your learning.
Patient Simulation Suites
The patient simulation laboratory provides you with the opportunity to tackle real-life scenarios in a safe and supported environment. Set up like a hospital ward, the lab contains hi-tech patient simulators that can mimic everything from the common cold to a major heart condition.
Take a 360 tour of the facilities here.
Our Physio Community
We have a large community of physiotherapy students but that doesn’t mean you’ll feel one of many. Our cohorts are close-knit, and our students often say that the sense of community and support are the best things about Salford.
What about after uni?
Through the programme, you will have developed key employability skills e.g. skills of enquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving and communication. You will leave the course with an extensive portfolio to demonstrate these skills and your CPD. You will be well prepared for the application process to successfully gain employment in a variety of roles in physiotherapy and other health and well-being related fields and/or further study.
Our graduates have gone onto work in a variety of health and wellbeing related fields. Some examples include the NHS, private sector, social services, industry, the armed forces and sporting organisations. We have seen the return of graduates working in advanced practice-based roles to our postgraduate study programmes to further enhance their career development. Some of our graduates work at the highest levels of a professional sport such as rugby (Sale Sharks), football (Manchester City), cricket (Derbyshire CCC) and basketball (New York Knicks). Some have taken the skills they have developed and now work overseas or in Physiotherapy-related research and education
Career Links
We have very strong links with industry which you can take advantage of. You will gain wide-ranging experience from placements in NHS hospitals, community-based Trusts, private hospitals, sporting organisations, and/ or private practices, as well as some opportunities working alongside Physiotherapists who work in other roles such as leadership and research, both locally and beyond the North-West region. On each practice-based placement, you will be supported by experienced Physiotherapists and work as part of professional teams.
What You Need To Know
APPLICANT PROFILE
We are looking for bright, motivated, and dedicated applicants who can demonstrate a commitment to becoming a physiotherapist. We would expect applicants to understand the scope of physiotherapy practice and the settings in which physiotherapists work. To gain this understanding you could visit the CSP website, join us at one of our Open Days or gain some work-based shadowing of a Physiotherapist.
You should possess good social and communication skills, have a caring disposition and be team minded. An ability to be flexible, open-minded and a willingness to take part in interactive, lively sessions will help you to get the most out of your studies with us. Physiotherapy is a ‘hands-on’, skills-based profession, consequently, our practical classes reflect this. Practising techniques on each other in supervised mixed groups is the norm. This does involve some level of undressing to allow a safe practice to occur. There are facilities and systems in place which preserve modesty.
As part of the application process, you may be invited to an online interview - if this is the case, we will contact you with further details and guidance. Acceptance on the programme is subject to satisfactory Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance.
The list of qualifications below is not exhaustive. We consider other relevant qualifications of equivalent merit. Further information in this regard can be obtained by talking with representatives of the Physiotherapy team at one of our Open Days or contacting the University of Salford’s Central Admissions Unit Tel: +44(0)161 295 4545, email enquiries@salford.ac.uk.
Applicants for the part-time programme need to apply directly to the University via our online application form. Visit our guidance page for details of how to use the online application form. Our application deadline is formally set at the end of January; however, we will still consider applications received after this date. It is important to note that if your application arrives after the end of January, you may be considered for a reserve list when it comes to offering interviews.
GCSE
Five GCSE's at Grade 5/B or above including English Language, Maths and a Science. You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
128 points - must include a minimum of grade B in a science subject.
A Levels
128 points from a minimum of three A-levels. including at least one Science, (preferably Biology/Human Biology). Other acceptable subjects include: Chemistry, Physics, Psychology or PE.
BTEC National Diploma
DDM (Science based).
T-level
If applying with T-Levels, you will need a distinction in a Health and Science related T-Level (Health, Healthcare Science, Science).
Access to HE
Physiotherapy, health and science subjects. 60 credits with 45 credits at level 3 at distinction grade. The other 15 credits will be level 2 and will not be graded.
Scottish Highers
128 UCAS points from A/ B grades only. C grades and below will not contribute towards tariff requirement. Advanced Highers may be combined with Highers to contribute to 128 tariff point requirement, A/B grade Highers considered only. At least one science subject required (preferably biology/human biology but other acceptable qualifications are chemistry, physics, PE or psychology).
Irish Leaving Certificate
128 UCAS points required, points from H1-H3 grades (A/B grades in the old system) considered only. H4 grade (C grade in the old system) and below will not contribute towards tariff requirement. Must include English, Mathematics and a Science at Higher H6 grade or above (D3 grade in the old system) or Ordinary O4 grade or above (C2 grade in the old system). At least one science subject, preferably biology/human biology, at grade H3 (or B3 in the old system) is required. Applicants without biology/human biology but with other science subjects (physics, chemistry, psychology or PE) will be considered.
International Baccalaureate
32 Points. At least one science subject (biology, human biology, physics, chemistry, psychology or PE) is required but applicants without may be considered on a case by case basis. Applicants must hold English language and mathematics as composite parts of the IBDP.
European Baccalaureate
Pass in Diploma of at least 65% to include at least 75% in Biology
International Students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
The Accreditation of Prior learning (APL) process is available to enable students who work with physiotherapists (such as Physiotherapy assistants) to make their work and life experience count. APL allows us to consider applicants who may not have the traditional entry criteria but do have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully. Assessment may consider employer references, previous coursework/examinations or a portfolio of your work. If you are made an offer, you’ll be notified about what you need to do next to proceed with this route.
Further information can be found here: https://www.salford.ac.uk/salford-alternative-entry-scheme
T-Levels
We accept T-levels with distinction overall.
How Much?
The NHS Learning Support Fund is available to students studying the following courses:
- Diagnostic Radiography
- Occupational Therapy (including pre-registration Master's)
- Physiotherapy
- Podiatry (including pre-registration Master's)
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Midwifery
- Nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability, joint nursing/social work; including pre-registration Master's)
Visit the NHSBSA website for further information.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Part-time | 2025/26 | Part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis. |
Additional costs
For more information about uniforms, DBS, Occupational Health clearance, and immunisations, visit our student onboarding page.
Optional costs may include approximately £60 for a stethoscope. Costs are approximated based on the current academic year.
You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our International Scholarships.
All Set? Let's Apply?
UCAS code B160P Part-time, Institution code S03, Frederick Road Campus.
Enrolment dates
UCAS information
Course ID B160P
Institution S03