Physiotherapy BSc (Hons)
Study human movement and function. Learn how to prevent and treat disease, injury and disability. Become a future leader in the healthcare profession.
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Study human movement and function. Learn how to prevent and treat disease, injury and disability. Become a future leader in the healthcare profession.
Physiotherapy is recognised as a healthcare profession where human movement and function are viewed as central components of individual health, wellbeing and quality of life. Physiotherapy uses physical approaches in the prevention and treatment of disease, injury and disability recognising that physical, psychological, social and environmental factors may limit movement and function.
The course content is person-focused, in line with the direction of the profession. We aim to develop well-rounded, safe and effective physiotherapists who can communicate appropriately to service users, carers, peers and other healthcare professionals. By promoting the integration of science and practical-based knowledge and skills, we aim to develop graduates capable of practice at the highest level within all areas of the profession, who also develop essential skills for continued and lifelong learning to enhance service delivery and become future leaders.
You will be taught by a highly-skilled and motivated team with both clinical and teaching expertise. Evidence-based practice is embedded in the course, which ensures you are taught the most current and up to date skills and knowledge. You will learn through a variety of methods including lectures, presentations, seminars, group work, clinical simulation, self-study, practical clinical and physiotherapy skill sessions, online tutorials and problem-based learning activities. A strong professional identity and confidence to work with various professional groups is an essential part of the course. You will have the opportunity to work and learn alongside students from other professions and to learn about the other professions through participation in inter-professional education. As this course leads to a professional qualification a minimum attendance level of 80% per semester is required.
Assessment is varied to reflect different styles of learning. You will be assessed through written coursework assignments, critical reflective practice, oral presentations, poster presentations, and practical and written examinations. You will be supported by a personal tutor who will offer support with personal and professional development.
You will also undertake a variety of practice placements (minimum of 1,000 hours) where you may be expected to work outside normal working hours including weekends. Placements can be anywhere in the North East region. Practice placements are arranged by academic tutors and you will be expected to travel daily or stay in local accommodation for the duration of your placement. Practice placements occur in every year of your study and range from four to eight weeks. Please note some placements take place outside the normal University academic calendar.
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement | GPA 3.0 or above and: |
| Sat score of 1250/1600 from SATs | |
| AP (Grades 3+ in at least 3 subjects) | |
| ACT (score of 30+) |
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
BTEC Extended National Diploma (Sport and Exercise Science, Health Science, and Applied Science preferred) DDM. Other BTEC National Diplomas may be considered with AS or A2 Biology/Human Biology/PE at grade B.
Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you to study with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.
Your completed application form will be reviewed by our Admissions Team to ensure that you have the required entry qualifications. If you meet these requirements, then your application will be individually assessed by the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy Admissions Tutor and if successful, you will be shortlisted for interview.
Medical assessments of your mental and physical health and disclosure of criminal convictions apply to all physiotherapy courses and are based on current HCPC requirements. Physiotherapists are registered health care professionals and the ability to practise safely, effectively, and professionally is essential, so all applicants are required to follow our fitness to practise procedures. This means you are required to complete the following:
Instructions on how you complete these checks will be sent to you once you hold a conditional firm offer with us. These forms are then reviewed alongside your application, and you must meet both the academic and fitness to practise requirements before you will be given an unconditional offer. If you are successful, you will also need to complete an annual declaration form to confirm you are fit and there are no changes to your DBS.
We prefer you to have some experience of delivering care in a professional or voluntary capacity and have a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution. Evidence of the experience gained, understanding of the profession and a genuine, reasoned commitment to studying a professional course must be explicit in your personal statement to be selected for interview.
Your personal statement provides a unique opportunity to express your personal qualities and attributes related to a rewarding career in physiotherapy. The statement should include a clear articulation of:
As a shortlisted applicant you will attend an interview as part of the selection process, which includes an individual and group activity. Your values, problem-solving, and communication skills will also be assessed. Your interview event will provide opportunities to interact with academic staff, clinical staff, students, patients, and their families or carers.
We select students based on their knowledge, motivation, experience, values and behaviours, not just academic ability. You need to demonstrate the ability to:
If English is not your first language, you need an overall IELTS score of 7, with at least 6.5 in each band.
Fees for 2026/27 are tbc.
In addition, you will be expected to buy your books, stationery, travel, and accommodation. For practice placements, you will be provided with a uniform by the University.
Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.
A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 is available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about the Training Grant on The NHS Business Services Authority website.
Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
Graduate Physiotherapists are key workers and will be eligible to work in multiple organisations. This includes the acute NHS Trusts, GP surgeries, schools, industry, community physical health services, mental health services, learning disability services and social services / local authorities as well as private practice, charities and other non-traditional and third sector organisations. Graduates could also consider a career working in clinical research or teaching, in the UK or overseas.
You will undertake a range of practice placements to gain real-life experience and apply your learning to real-life situations which may lead to further employment opportunities. To further assist in preparing you for employment as a physiotherapist, this course:
As you may be expected to travel long distances, start your shift in the early hours, or finish your shift late at night, you could be entitled to Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses (TDAE) which allows you to make a retrospective claim for excess travel costs and/or expenses for temporary accommodation near to the location of your placement. Find out more about the NHS Learning Support Fund.
Physiotherapy is a protected profession, which means that it is regulated by law to ensure that only people who have passed state approved training courses and have registered with the state regulator, may practise. The state regulator for physiotherapists is the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Only those who register with the HCPC may call themselves physiotherapists and practise physiotherapy autonomously.
On successful completion of the course graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Pre-registration students are also eligible to join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy as student members, and on graduation will be eligible for full membership.
There is demand in all health and social care services including the acute NHS Trusts, community physical health services, mental health services, Learning Disability Services and Social Services / Local Authorities as well as private practice, charities and other non-traditional and third sector organisations. Therefore graduate prospects and opportunities are far greater than other similar courses.
Physiotherapy is included in the NHS Agenda for Change (AfC) pay rates. According to Prospects, starting salaries for physiotherapists are in Band 5, with earning potential between £27,055 to £32,934. With further training and experience, physiotherapists can earn between £33,706 and £40,588 (Band 6), and as a clinical specialist/team leader between £41,659 and £47,672 (Band 7).
Salaries for advanced clinical practice, extended scope or clinical lead physiotherapists are around £48,526 to £54,619 (Band 8a), rising to between £56,164 and £65,262 (Band 8b) for consultant physiotherapist roles.
The tutors are amazing and the facilities are first class
I love every day and absorb as much of the university life as I can
