Physiotherapy

Undergraduate degrees

Physiotherapy is a science-based health care profession committed to extending, applying, evaluating and reviewing the evidence that underpins and informs its practice. Physiotherapists adopt a ‘whole person’ approach to maximise the potential of a person’s function and movement. They not only help people stay independent for as long possible after illness or injury, but also help maintain health for people of all ages; preventing disease and managing pain.

Practice-based learning is an integral part of our BSc Physiotherapy 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.

Once you’ve graduated from Essex, you will be 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.

Career prospects

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. Trained physiotherapists are in high demand in the NHS. Other examples of where you can take your skills including working as part of a rehabilitation team within the Ministry of Defence or joining a private physiotherapy practice.

Successful completion of our BSc Physiotherapy degree leads to eligibility to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) which allows you to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK, and to join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) as a full member.

Masters degrees

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.

At Essex, we offer a unique approach to studying physiotherapy with innovative teaching and assessment. Our full-time MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) course is studied over two years and is designed as a continuous progression of integrated theory and practice, placing emphasis on students being proactive partners in their learning experiences. Our teaching staff include clinically qualified lecturers in physiotherapy, alongside clinically qualified members of other health professions from the School of Health and Social Care, and many clinical partners.

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

Besides our MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) degree, we also offer CPD pathways which enable experienced clinicians in musculoskeletal fields to advance their practice. Our CPD pathways allow you to study flexibly. The structure, mode of delivery and level of support allow you to progress towards a qualification at postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma or MSc level.

Continue your research journey

Within our multidisciplinary School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences, we offer research supervision in physiotherapy and musculoskeletal practice, as well as related areas. Postgraduate study will open doors to development and research into ground-breaking services, expanding the influence and possibilities of physiotherapy across the sector.

As a research student at Essex, you’ll work at the heart of our internationally acknowledged and well-connected research community. Our School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences offers an environment with an excellent reputation for research and teaching. A unique feature of our School is that many of our staff work with local National Health Service (NHS) Trusts and other local health agencies, which enhances our grasp of the contemporary links between academic research, the major issues of the day and practice.

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 Essex supervisor is a key feature of your student experience and you will have regular one-to-one meetings to discuss progress on your research.

Start your application with us

Explore our Physiotherapy research by theme or your area of interest and find a supervisor that can support your through your studies. More information can be found about research degrees on our school pages. Our courses below will help guide you through the various research degree programmes we offer.