Physiotherapy
Full-time
Three year
Four year
September 2025
In a nutshell
If you would like to find out more about the part-time study route, please visit our dedicated part-time 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.
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).
Follow our team on X (formerly Twitter) at @UoS_Physio to stay up-to-date with our work and activities.
You will learn:
- Learn from enthusiastic and knowledgeable tutors including clinical specialists, key physiotherapy textbook authors, physiotherapy researchers and private practitioners.
- Learn theory and practical skills in state-of-the-art facilities.
- Undertake a number of placements to gain hands-on experience.
options available
students accepted
Course accreditations and approvals
This is for you if...
You enjoy solving problems and helping people.
You enjoy working as part of a team.
You are hard working and dedicated to developing your knowledge and skills.
You are interested in how the body moves and heals.
You want to work with people from all kinds of backgrounds.
You have excellent communication skills.
All about the course
Year one lays down the foundation skills of clinical reasoning and problem-solving focusing on the anatomy, physiology, pathology and management of upper and lower limb conditions.
In year two, you will explore the neurological, cardio-respiratory and spinal musculoskeletal systems. Research methods are used to investigate health promotion activities and behaviour change.
In your final year, there are greater opportunities for you to direct your own learning and develop independence in managing your professional development.
You will undertake placements throughout the course, see below for further details.
Assessment and Management Peripheral 1
You will use lectures, practicals and tutorials to learn the anatomy, physiology, pathology and management of lower limb conditions to prepare you for your three week placement. You will be introduced to the concept of evidence based practice by using skills to identify appropriate evidence.
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.
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.
Spinal Assessment and 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 and Management
You will use evidence-based practice skills to develop theoretical knowledge and practical skills of assessment, analysis and management of neurological disorders.
Cardo Respiratory Assessment and Management
Develops problem solving skills in the assessment and management of patients with cardio-respiratory disorders, through the integration of knowledge concerning anatomy, physiology, and pathology.
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.
Assessment and Management in Complex Physiotherapy Practice
Facilitates your development of higher level reasoning skills in dealing with assessment and management of clients in challenging and unpredictable rehabilitation situations.
Research into Physiotherapy
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.
Into Employment
A collaborative module with other health care students at the University, 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.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
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.
We're proud of our student physios and the work they do. You can hear about their experiences via the link below.
We're very social!
Looking for a realistic insight into life as a physio student? We share it all on social media!
Follow our team on X (formerly Twitter) @UoS_Physio.
Follow our Physio Society on Instagram at @salfordphysiosociety.
Check out our takeover on The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists Instagram:
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 Building is home to a number of plinth rooms used by physiotherapy and sports students with multi-purpose couches for in-house clinical 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.
Simulation Suites
Our Simulation Suites 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.
The equipment includes:
- Emergency Care Patient Simulators: Anatomically correct, feature-rich mannequins, which can be used for the physical demonstration of various clinical signs including bleeding, breathing, blinking eyes and convulsions.
- iStan Patient Simulators: A step up from the ECS, the iStan adds an essential human element to patient simulation. It moves, breathes, can cry out or moan with pain, providing a realistic patient for you to practice on
- Pedia Patient Simulator: A complete reproduction of a six-year-old child enabling you to practice paediatric scenarios
- Baby simulator: This mannequin makes it possible to interact with our most vulnerable patients - in a safe, realistic learning environment
All the simulation equipment can be linked up to some very hi-tech computer and audio-visual aids. Groups of students get to role-play a wide range of different scenarios, with a lab co-ordinator observing, running and intervening in the scenario remotely.
Sophisticated computer equipment can also provide detailed physiological information for each of the simulators under observation. The lab will help you develop the clinical skills you need but also the high-level communication skills that will make a real difference to your patients.
What about after uni?
Through the programme, you will have developed key employability skills e.g skills of enquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving and reflection. You will leave the programme 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 clinical 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.
Read about graduate Claire George's experience of volunteering in Uganda for a summer during her physiotherapy degree.
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 and community-based Trusts, private hospitals, sporting organisations and private practices both locally and beyond the north-west region. On each clinical placement, you will be supported by experienced clinicians and work as part of health care 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.
Have a look at our top ten tips for preparing for your interview.
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 course enquiries team.
Applicants for the full-time physiotherapy programme apply via UCAS. Applicants for the part-time programme apply directly to the University via our online application form. Visit our guidance page for details of how to use the online application form.
The application deadline for the full-time programme applications is 26 January with interviews being conducted late January through till March. The application deadline for the part-time programme is 31 January with interviews being held in early March.
English language requirements
If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.
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 UCAS Tariff points.
A level
128 UCAS Tariff 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).
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 Tariff 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 UCAS Tariff points 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 Tariff 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.
T-levels
We accept T-levels with distinction overall.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
The University offers two routes for entry under the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. As this course is part of the School of Health Sciences you will only be considered under Entry Route 1.
How Much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,250.00per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £19,000.00per year |
Additional costs
For more information about uniforms, DBS, Occupational Health clearance, and immunisations, visit our student onboarding webpage.
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.
Additional funding support for healthcare students
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.
All Set? Let's Apply?
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us:
By email: enquiries@salford.ac.uk
By phone: +44 (0)161 295 4545
Enrolment dates
UCAS information
Course ID B160/B160P
Institution S03