Overview
The MSc in Musculoskeletal (MSK) Physiotherapy is aimed at fully qualified, experienced practitioners who want to make a difference to clinical practice and work in senior clinical roles.
It is a clinically focused course designed to equip you with high level critical, evaluative and clinical skills across the four pillars of advanced practice (research, education, clinical and leadership). The course provides you with a coherent programme of study relevant to current advanced MSK physiotherapy practice. It also offers a wide range of educationally transformative learning opportunities that will enable you to explore and extend the skills, knowledge and professional expertise required to be able to lead and influence musculoskeletal service delivery in a wide range of practice settings.
The course offers two pathways. One pathway has been established for students who wish to complete a period of mentored clinical practice with a Musculoskeletal Association of Physiotherapists (MACP) qualified mentor. The placement can be sourced for you by the university and there are no additional fees for period of mentored clinical practice (additional costs may apply such as travel and accommodation with respect to the placement). The MACP pathway leads to an additional qualification of membership to the MACP (additional fees to join the MACP apply after successfully completing the course). The placement module facilitates the consolidation and application of university-based learning to the clinical setting and allows for fully authentic development of advanced level clinical practice in MSK Physiotherapy in the work-place.
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.
COVID-19
The University may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses. In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2020/2021 academic year to be delivered in a variety of forms. The form of delivery will be determined in accordance with Government and Public Health guidance. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to Covid-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
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 –module, accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). If you successfully complete the module and meet the CMI evidence requirements, you will gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership and a Level 7 Award in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring 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 these modules, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.
Musculoskeletal Association
Member of Musculoskeletal Association of (MACP) on completion of HLST246 (application and fees may apply).
Course information
Three awards are offered on the programme: MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (180 credits); PgDip Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (120 credits); PgCert Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (60 credits), and you can apply for any one of these awards. To achieve the necessary number of credits for each award, you must achieve 40% pass mark for all modules contributing to the award.
To qualify for the PGCert award you must complete the following modules:
- Musculoskeletal Management for Advanced Practice
- Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
- Advanced Physiotherapy Practice
To qualify for the PGDip award you must complete the following modules:
- Musculoskeletal Management for Advanced Practice
- Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
- Advanced Physiotherapy Practice
- A Clinical Approach to Pain for Health Professionals
- Developing Expertise for Professional Practice
- Global Professional Development - Coaching and Mentoring
- Research Methods, Methodology and Design
To qualify for the MSc award you must complete the following modules:
- Musculoskeletal Management for Advanced Practice
- Specialist Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
- Advanced Physiotherapy Practice
- A Clinical Approach to Pain for Health Professionals
- Developing Expertise for Professional Practice
- Applied Research for Advanced MSK Practice
- Research Methods, Methodology and Design
- Clinical Practice in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (MACP pathway only)
OR - Evidence Based Practice (Non-MACP pathway only)
- Global Professional Development -Coaching and Mentoring
Two pathways are offered on the MSc course: the MACP pathway (HLST246) and non-MACP pathway (HLST247). You are required to choose which pathway they will undertake at the outset of the course. Each pathway consists of one additional mandatory module: Evidenced Based Practice (HLST247) or Clinical Practice in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (HLST246)
Course specification
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Modules
In more detail...
- Well established physiotherapy team and recently update course to meet the educational needs for advanced clinical practice in the musculoskeletal speciality.
- Supports the ‘upskilling’ and development for FCP, ACP and specialist MSK practitioner roles - fully explores the 4 pillars of advanced clinical practice and maps to the Advanced Clinical Practice Framework (2018 Health Education England); the First Contact Practitioner Framework for Musculosketal Physiotherapists (2019, Health Education England) and the International Federation of Manipulative Physical Therapists Education Standards (IFOMPT, 2016).
- Career enhancement – prepares graduates capable of operating at the highest level of clinical practice who will excel as clinical leaders and are ready to move into senior clinical roles with the capacity to influence local service delivery; foster evidence informed practice; lead clinical teams and contribute to the education of the local healthcare workforce.
- Teaching excellence and bespoke facilities - delivered by an experienced teaching team in a state-of- the art building which provide a stimulating learning environment for healthcare professionals.
- Supported and extended induction period
- Excellent academic and pastoral student support
- Equal emphasis on theoretical and practical elements of musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- Enriched learning experience – nationally renowned specialists are invited to lecture on the course
- Academic, management and professional qualifications: Chartered Management Institute qualifications and MACP membership (MACP Pathway only)
- ‘Clinical Approach to Pain’ module
- Suite of four advanced musculoskeletal modules – comprehensive, progressive advanced practice modules
- Dissertation module output - to enhance student publication
- Bespoke Advanced MSK Physiotherapy Practice module
- High level of mentored clinical practice - 150 hours mentored clinical practice placement (MACP Pathway only) where skills and knowledge gained on the course are applied to the practice setting.
- Varied, stimulating and authentic assessment - designed to enhance learning
- Inter-professional learning - shared modules allowing for development of intercultural competence
The course study themes are:-
- Advanced level critical thinking, problem solving and decision-making skills
- Advanced level handling skills
- Leadership skills
- Critical, evidence informed approach to clinical practice
- Sound working knowledge of research methodologies and their application.
- High level communication skills essential for specialist and advanced clinical practice roles
- Clinical expertise within the musculoskeletal field.
You will be taught using a mixture of strategies including practical seminars, debates, group work, presentations, lectures, workshops, peer learning, pre-session activities, involvement of service users and problem-based learning using case reports, case scenarios and case studies. These activities are supported through the use of learning enhanced technology.
The course has been designed to be progressive. Module content in semester 1 of the full-time course is used to inform teaching and learning in semester 2 and 3 to build on and progressively develop the knowledge and skills required for advanced MSK clinical practice. This approach facilitates a meaningful, clinically relevant student experience with the aim of modelling high standards of patient care in a variety of ways.
You will be assessed through a varied schedule of assessments across the course to ensure you are thinking critically, are clinically competent and have developed the key knowledge, attitude, values and skills required for advanced clinical practice and postgraduate study.
The course assessments have been designed collectively to complement each other and to be learning tools in themselves. Examples of different assessment methods used include: - presentations, practical vivas, clinical vivas, case reports, critical literature reviews, essays, reflective assignments, research proposals, articles for publication; poster presentations, educational VLOGs and case studies.
These different assessment approaches are fully relevant to clinical practice and cover written, presentation and visual modes to acknowledge and support different student approaches to learning and different skills required in the workplace.
Successful completion of this course will enable you to demonstrate your competence as a practitioner who is a specialist in the MSK field of physiotherapy ready to move into a wide range of senior clinical roles such as first contact practitioners, advanced physiotherapy practitioners, clinical specialists, consultants, lecturers, researchers, private practitioners and healthcare managers with the ability to deliver and influence current and future clinical practice.
The course also offers the opportunity to gain additional qualifications relevant to advanced clinical practice
- Students who successfully complete the Global Professional Development module and meet the Chartered Management Institute evidence requirements, will gain a Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership and a Level 7 Award in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring.
- Students who successfully complete the MACP pathway will gain membership of the MACP (additional fees and application may apply).
Part-time students are usually in university for one day per week with 8 hours teaching per week in year 1 and 3-6 hours teaching per week in year 2.
Full-time students are usually in university 2 days a week with 3- 8 hours of teaching scheduled per day. In both cases teaching is comprised of a combination of seminar sessions, workshops, practical sessions and lectures
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 2018/19, we were able to provide a total of 5,469 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 2016/17
5,469
Student experiences
The number of student trips abroad for at least 5 days in 2018/19
12,000
and counting
The number of students we’ve helped travel internationally since 2016
12
global programmes
As well as trips, we offer other opportunities like language courses
Entry Requirements
- BSc Hons Physiotherapy 2:1 or above.
- Minimum of 1- 2 years post-graduation clinical experience in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy
- IELTS = 6.5
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) travel, accommodation, activities and visas.
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.
The clinically relevant nature of the course, which aims to directly develop your professional practice skills, enhances your potential for gaining advanced positions within the field of MSK physiotherapy.
Graduate employability is increased not only through the enhancement of advanced physiotherapy skills but also by the development of leadership, entrepreneurial and communication skills which allow graduates to contribute to service development and facilitate the professional development of colleagues within the multidisciplinary team.
Where our graduates work
Previous research carried out at Coventry University has shown that our postgraduate physiotherapy graduates work in a range of specialist and advanced clinical roles such as consultant, clinical specialist, first contact practitioner, advanced physiotherapy practitioner, lecturer, researcher, private practitioner and healthcare manager.
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.