About the course and qualification

Our Physiotherapy Degree Apprenticeship supports apprentices to make the most of their unique opportunities and develop enquiring minds through the combination of practice and research lead learning. 

Our apprenticeship programme is suitable for existing staff such as therapy assistants and support workers and people new to the health and social care sector. 

It usually takes 39 months to complete the programme (41 including the EPA period) which has been designed to be progressively demanding, professionally and academically, so that by the end apprentices can demonstrate mastery of the knowledge and skills specified in the level 6 national apprenticeship standard and those required to apply for Health and Care Professions Council registration and full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

How to Apply

Employer nominations for October 2024 can be made via apprenticeships@essex.ac.uk. 

Course content and delivery

Apprentices will spend approximately 60% of their time in their work-place completing tasks set out in their job descriptions by their employer, and 40% either attending university teaching, developing practice skills, completing personal study tasks or attending placements.

Spread across years 2,3 and 4 apprentices complete four practice placements in health and social care services outside of their employing team. These learning opportunities are identified collaboratively to meet the specific development needs of the apprentice. They are essential experiences that enable apprentices to apply their evolving expertise, develop their scope of practice and appreciate the diverse carer options Physiotherapy has to offer.

Course modules

The modules have been designed around 4 themes: development of self and others, professional craft skills, propositional skills and preparation for qualified practice. 

Course structure

As part of the assessment plan you will complete a variety of assessment methods, including:

• Essays
• Presentations
• Short answer written papers
• Viva
• Research Project/Dissertation
• Portfolio Development
• Video analysis
• Blog writing

Entry requirements

To be eligible to be an Apprentice you must be in current employment within a relevant occupational role in a suitable setting (normally for a minimum of 30 hours a week), with agreement from the employer to be supported.

Our usual entry requirements for this course are:

• English and Maths at Level 2. For example: GCSE grade A-C/4-9, or a Level 2 Functional Skill in English and Maths, or Level 2 Adult Literacy and Adult Numeracy. If you have any other English and Maths qualifications at Level 2 please contact the Apprenticeship Hub at apprenticeships@essex.ac.uk and we can confirm if these are acceptable.
• Level 3 qualification with a natural science focus. For example A Levels/BTEC (115 UCAS Points)

There are no tuition fees to pay as your employer pays these for you. That means you will earn while you learn.

For our Full Time Option (non-apprenticeship route) please see: Physiotherapy | Subject area | University of Essex

About the course

This module has been designed to help people develop the science background knowledge to meet the entry criteria for the physiotherapy degree apprenticeship programme.

This module will provide students with basic knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of a 'normal' human body. By delivering the module virtually students will also experience and learn how to engage in university learning technology systems, further preparing them for future study at Essex.

The aims of this module are:

• To provide students with a broad understanding of the normal structure and function of key human body systems that interact to produce human movement and contribute to wellbeing. Specifically, but not limited to the: skeletal; muscular; nervous; cardiovascular, respiratory, and immune systems.
• To enhance students' knowledge of and interest in human anatomy and physiology by preparing them for the Physiotherapy degree apprenticeship programme.

Entry criteria

Applicants must have a minimum of Grade C/4 in GCSE Maths, English and Science to enrol on this module and are required to upload qualification certificates to demonstrate this as part of the application.

Fees and funding

Module fees for 2024/2025 are £TBC.

How to Apply

Applications will close on Sunday 5 January 2025 at 11.30pm.

This module requires a minimum of 8 enrolments so places on the module will be confirmed once applications have closed.

You can apply online.

As part of the application, applicants must upload proof of meeting the entry criteria for the module.

Course content and delivery

This module will be delivered via:

• 6 hours study time per week facilitated virtually. Composed of a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities. e.g., 3 hours asynchronous / 2-3 hours seminar +/-1-hour of academic support.
• Two days on campus:

1. One at the module launch: Introductions, familiarisation and orientation to university, library, and teaching staff.
2. One mid-way through for science practical session (spirometry) and opportunity to for academic and pastoral support if required.

A blended approach to delivery including a range of synchronous and asynchronous learning activities will assist learners balance their work, study, and personal commitments, and minimise impact upon local employers by not having to commit to staff day release. Asynchronous activities will have deadlines to assist student workload management and monitor progress. Moodle course set up and learning resources will be appropriately accessibility checked.

Indicative content

• Cell structure, life cycle of a cell and cell death
• Tissues, DNA and protein synthesis
• Enzymes and energy systems
• The nervous system
• The musculoskeletal system and biomechanics
• The respiratory system
• The cardiovascular system
• The endocrine system and the stress response
• The immune system and the renal system

Module learning outcomes

By the end of this module, students will be expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of gross anatomy of relevant human body systems and their constituting parts e.g., common cells, tissues, and organs.
2. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of normal physiological processes and their contribution to human movement and wellbeing e.g., energy production, nerve conduction and immune response.
3. Gather information about key concepts from a range of appropriate sources and express subsequent understanding using accurate and academic terminology.

Assessment items, weightings and deadlines

This module is assessed via 100% coursework.

Assessment for this module is made up of two components:

1. Module forum contributions via Moodle (30% of module mark)

There will be three assessed Moodle Forums. These require the learner to write a short answer (a few sentences/short paragraphs) contributing to the forum discussion. Questions will test the learner’s knowledge and understanding of the interaction between body systems.

2. Multiple choice quiz via Moodle (70% of module mark)

A one-hour, online quiz consisting of multiple-choice questions (MCQ). This will assess the learner’s knowledge of the workings of the main systems of the human body and anatomical principles. 

Module supervisor and teaching staff

To be confirmed.