Overview
This clinically focused course is offered to qualified physiotherapists who wish to develop their practice to a higher level.
It provides you with the opportunity to develop your assessment, clinical reasoning and treatment skills in the three core areas of practice: cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological physiotherapy.
It also aims to improve your employability by enhancing clinical, management and leadership skills, so that successful graduates can influence practice and service delivery, working in line with government initiatives.
Why Coventry University?
An award-winning university, we are committed to providing our students with the best possible experience. We continue to invest in both our facilities and our innovative approach to education. Our students benefit from industry-relevant teaching, and resources and support designed to help them succeed. These range from our modern library and computing facilities to dedicated careers advice and our impressive Students’ Union activities.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. For courses due to start in September 2020, in light of Covid-19, we are currently preparing for courses to be delivered in a variety of forms, subject to Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority will be staff and student safety.
Global ready
An international outlook, with global opportunitiesEmployability
Career-ready graduates, with the skills to succeedStudent experience
All the support you need, in a top student cityAccreditation and Recognition
This course is accredited by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
The course includes the Global Professional Development - Entrepreneurship module accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Upon successful completion of this module and meeting the CMI evidence requirements, you will gain a level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and a Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership Practice from the CMI. You are also eligible to apply for membership of the CMI (additional costs apply). Please visit the CMI website for full details on the CMI accreditation.
Coventry University’s accreditation with CMI is currently ongoing for the relevant modules, but is frequently reviewed and monitored by the CMI through their quality systems. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation related to the CMI modules, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Mock Operating Theatre
Our Alison Gingell building includes a full-size mock operating theatre, containing scrub sinks and theatre lights. We also have a mock hospital ward so that we can study a complete patient pathway.

Hospital Wards
We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing 4 beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools.

Strength and Conditioning Suite
Our multi-purpose suite is equipped with multiple Olympic lifting platforms, a 20m gait analysis track, an anti-gravity treadmill and even a 3D motion capture system!
What our graduates say
Since graduating, I have realised how much I am using this reflection process lately and that I’ve managed to improve at this cognitive exercise so much. I just wanted to honestly thank you for the role you have played in shaping this idea in our minds, so we could understand its importance in the professional, but also in the personal daily practice. The guidance we received was something that made us all want to really engage in our journeys towards gaining expertise and defining our goals.
Course information
We have a range of taught postgraduate awards to suit your needs, from Postgraduate Certificate or Postgraduate Diploma to a full Master's Degree (MA, MBA, MSc, LLM). In most cases you can decide to exit at Postgraduate Certificate or Diploma level, without carrying onto the full Master's qualification.
Course Specification
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Modules
We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.
In more detail...
This course provides you with the opportunity to develop your physiotherapy skills to a higher level, supported by an experienced and dedicated team of staff. You can be confident that you are choosing a well-established course which consistently receives excellent student feedback and delivers high pass rates. The teaching team comprise staff who are both experienced in teaching and also clinical experts. You will be taught in our new purpose-built Alison Gingell building, which has state-of the-art skills labs, simulation suites, therapy equipment and technological support. Staff view providing support to your transition to master’s level learning as an integral part of their teaching role and past students have found this support to be an invaluable contribution to their academic development.
In addition, you should develop interpersonal skills and cultural competence from learning alongside a globally diverse group of students in both the physiotherapy classes and the inter-professional classes. Finally, one of the great benefits of postgraduate study at Coventry University is the opportunity to undertake the Global Professional Development - Entrepreneurship module, which has been developed in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute. You will have opportunities to develop skills in strategic leadership and entrepreneurship and on successful completion will gain additional qualifications from CMI.
- Development of clinical reasoning skills in the three core areas of practice: musculoskeletal, neurology and cardiorespiratory.
- Personal and professional development using tools such as reflective practice and evidence based practice
- Enhancement of employability through development of communication and leadership skills and the application of entrepreneurship
A wide range of teaching methods will be used during the course, such as lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops; all supported by the university’s virtual learning environment which offers a broad selection of support materials. The clinically focused modules will be taught by clinical specialists and will be based in clinical skills labs, with access to state of the art equipment including gait assessment lab, assessment tools and simulation models.
The use of case studies, illness narratives and videos are used to help you apply your learning to practice. In addition, service users contribute to teaching and learning so that you gain an authentic perspective on the effect of disability on a person’s quality of life.
You will learn alongside other qualified physiotherapists in the clinical skills modules and during the theoretical modules, you will learn alongside students from a range of professional and cultural backgrounds. Group discussions and presentations will allow you to develop your communication skills and cultural competence.
Assessment methods are aligned to the learning outcomes of each individual module and over the course, a range of different assessments are used, including essays, presentations, reports, vivas, critical appraisals and the dissertation. Formative assessment is used in all modules to provide you with useful feedback about your work which can be used to enhance subsequent summative assessments.
On successful completion, you will be able to:
- Discuss the principles of assessment, treatment and holistic management of clients with a range of impairments and activity limitations;
- Justify clinical decision making through effective clinical reasoning;
- Evaluate theoretical basis of physiotherapy practice.
- Appraise contemporary research to formulate evidence-informed approaches to physiotherapy management;
- Use self-reflection effectively as an integral part of life-long learning;
- Communicate decision making effectively with others;
- Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of entrepreneurship and the theories and practices found in leadership;
- Justify choice of research design, methodology and methods to investigate a research question relating to physiotherapy practice and present it in a way that would stand up to review in academic and professional settings.
If you choose the full time route, you should expect to attend face to face classes for three half days (approximately 3-4 hours) each week during term time. In addition to this are mandatory support sessions which aim to enhance your study skills and employability. Content includes sessions on searching the literature, academic writing, planning assignments adn careers advice. International students have access to an in-sessional academic English course. Part-time students will be taught alongside full-time students but not complete as many modules each year and weekly contact hours on the part-time course are reduced depending on the modules taken.
This course normally attracts students from many different countriesincluding the UK, India, Pakistan, Japan, Thailand and the Middle East. Each student brings their own experience of physiotherapy from their home country, which they have the opportunity to share with fellow students and teachers. Thus, all students gain a global experience of physiotherapy as they learn alongside physiotherapists from different cultural backgrounds or from tutors who have experience of teaching students from across the globe.
Global ready
Did you know we help more students travel internationally than any other UK university according to data from the experts in higher education data and analysis, HESA?
In 2016/17, we were able to provide a total of 3,482 student experiences abroad that lasted at least five days.
Much of this travel is made possible through our Global Leaders Programme, which enables students to prepare for the challenges of the global employment market, as well as strengthening and developing their broader personal and professional skills.
Explore our international experiences1st for
international experiences
Sending more students overseas than any other UK uni (HESA 2016/17)
3,482
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2016/17
21,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally so far
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
What our graduates say
I consider that during this year I learnt a huge amount of information that will surely make me a better physiotherapist in practice. I especially discovered the importance of research, how to develop clinical reasoning in practice and I also developed a critical awareness of evidence based practice. Overall, the experience was extremely rewarding and fun!
Entry Requirements
What our graduates say
I see my experience at Uni as unbelievably rewarding. It was tough, as we were required to raise our professional abilities from those of an undergrad to a higher academic level. What I found extremely helpful was all the support we received from our tutors, everybody was so kind, professional, patient and helpful that I loved every minute spent in class.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis and offer a wide range of scholarships to support students with their studies. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, travel, accommodation and visas).
EU student fees
EU nationals and their family members starting in the 2019/20 academic year remain eligible for the same fees as home students and the same financial support. Financial support comes from Student Finance England, and covers undergraduate and postgraduate study for the duration of their course, providing they meet the residency requirement.
For tuition fee loans
EU nationals must have resided in the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland for the three years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that three year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
For maintenance loans
EU nationals must have resided in the UK and Islands for the five years prior to the start of their course. The purpose of that five year residency should not have been mainly for the purpose of receiving full time education.
What our graduates say
I consider myself a very fortunate student, who had a opportunity to learn from the highly qualified and experienced tutors of Coventry University’s Physiotherapy team and I indeed will be thankful and grateful for their support, guidance and encouragement throughout and after my academic time at Coventry University.
Career prospects
Graduate Immigration Route visa
Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.
As well as providing opportunities to develop advanced clinical physiotherapy skills, the course well enhance your understanding of research and evidence-based practice. In addition, you will develop your communication and leadership skills to a higher level. All of these skills are designed to allow graduates to move into higher positions within the field of physiotherapy and wider health and social care, research or education.
Where our graduates work
Previous graduates have gained advanced clinical physiotherapy positions in the UK and in places as far afield as Japan, India, Pakistan, Thailand, the Middle East, Africa, Canada and the USA. Many graduates have progressed into teaching roles, others have taken research positions or enrolled in doctoral studies.
Disclaimer
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the 2020/21 Contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.