Advancing Physiotherapy Practice MSc

Study level: Postgraduate
Physiotherapist assessing patients wrist

The Advancing Physiotherapy Practice MSc course is aimed at qualified physiotherapists. It seeks to enhance those therapists’ knowledge, reasoning and communication skills, to enable them to practise in the UK, and to influence UK practice and service delivery, working in line with government initiatives.

Year of entry

2023-24

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Part-time

Duration

1 year full-time
2 years part-time

Course code

HLST255

Start date

September 2023

How to apply
Book an Open Day
Download a prospectus
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The information on this page is for 2022-23 entry and should be used as guidance for 2023-24 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.

Course overview

This clinically focused course is offered to qualified physiotherapists who wish to develop their practice to a higher level.

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. 

  • Opportunities to develop your assessment, clinical reasoning and treatment skills in the three core areas of practice: cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological physiotherapy
  • Aims to improve your employability by enhancing clinical, management and leadership skills
  • Opportunities to develop and practise your clinical skills in an environment which closely resembles real life clinical practice.
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Global ready

An international outlook, with global opportunities
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Teaching excellence

Taught by lecturers who are experts in their field
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Employability

Career ready graduates, with the skills to succeed

Why you should study this course

  • This course offers physiotherapy graduates the opportunity to progress their professional development immediately following completion of their undergraduate programme.
  • You will have the opportunity4 to be taught in our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building, which has state-of the-art skills labs, simulation suites, therapy equipment and technological support.
  • Our current teaching staff are both experienced in teaching and also clinical experts. 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.
  • You will have the opportunity to 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.
  • One of the great benefits of postgraduate study at Coventry University is the opportunity to undertake the Global Professional Development module, which has been developed in partnership with the Chartered Management Institute1. You will have opportunities to develop skills in strategic leadership and entrepreneurship and on successful completion will gain additional qualifications from CMI.(See accreditation section for more information).

Accreditation and Recognition

This course is accredited1 by the following bodies:

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2022-23 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

During my master’s at Coventry University, I learned lots of new techniques and theories which will help me in my career as a physiotherapist.

Anum Mukhtar, Advancing Physiotherapy Practice graduate, 2019
Student using a model of a body

What you'll study

Modules

  • The aim of this module is to develop the breadth and depth of your theoretical and clinical knowledge of the wide range of approaches currently used within manual therapy in the holistic assessment and management of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction. You will be encouraged to appraise and evaluate the underpinning theory, evidence base and practical application of each approach and to integrate this into their clinical practice through the use of clinical reasoning skills. It also provides the opportunity for you to learn a wide range of current manual therapy techniques from specialists teaching in these clinical areas.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide an overview of the key approaches to designing practice-based healthcare research. You will consider the theoretical and philosophical underpinnings of research, and appraise different design and methodological approaches utilised in health, social sciences and their related fields of practice. The module will develop your ability to prepare a clinically relevant research question, critically evaluate which research paradigm is appropriate to use for that question and then prepare a detailed research proposal relevant to their field of academic study and area of professional practice. The importance of ethical, social, legal, political and economic aspects of research studies will be critically appraised.

    Compulsory

  • Evidence-based medicine, evidence-based practice and evidence-based management are all prominent issues on the contemporary healthcare agenda. This module is designed to examine the theoretical and philosophical basis of evidence-based practice and to explore the practical implications involved in achieving evidence-based practice in a health and social care setting. The aim of this module is twofold. Firstly, to build a critical understanding of how this complex concept is applied in the reality of practice. Secondly, to provide opportunities for you to develop a thorough understanding of the process of evidence-based practice (from the formulation of a problem or question to answer, through to the evaluation of activities intended to disseminate and implement the recommendations from the evidence) and to apply evidence-based principles to their specific (national or international) practice context.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to give you an understanding of the nature of expertise as a multifaceted concept. The characteristics of expertise will be explored in the context of physiotherapy professional practice and the development of expertise in individual practitioners and their profession will be debated. You will be able to consider your personal journey to expertise and gain an understanding of your future needs in relation to their continuing development of professional practice. A synthesis of their module learning will enable you to articulate your current state of expertise along the continuum between novice and expert. The development of reflective skills and understanding of clinical reasoning theories will aid your development of practice skills. A variety of theoretical perspectives relating to expertise will be used which can then be applied to understanding the development of contemporary therapy practice in both practice and organizational contexts.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop the breadth and depth of your theoretical and clinical knowledge of contemporary neurological physiotherapy practice. It aims to develop skills in assessment and clinical reasoning in the holistic management of people with neurological dysfunction. You will be encouraged to appraise and evaluate the underpinning theory, evidence base and practical application of neurophysiotherapy, and to integrate this into plans for clinical practice. Whilst specialising in neurophysiotherapy the module provides an opportunity for you to explore a range of therapy approaches within the multidisciplinary team.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of this module is to develop the breadth and depth of your theoretical and clinical knowledge of the assessment and management of patients with cardio-respiratory dysfunction. You will be encouraged to critically appraise and evaluate the underpinning theory, evidence base and practical application of current cardio-respiratory physiotherapy practice. The module provides the opportunity for you to integrate your learning into their own clinical practice and develop your clinical reasoning skills.

    Compulsory

  • This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategic and entrepreneurial way whatever the master’s degree of specialisation you elect to follow. You will explore for example, the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, the principles of entrepreneurial practice and understand the different contexts in which entrepreneurship can flourish as well as the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership within different types of organisational scenarios. Ultimately, you will be given the opportunity to develop strategic priorities for entrepreneurial leadership. Finally, the module requires you to reflect critically on your personal learning and development needs and how you work with others, from an ethical and professional standpoint to encourage your continuing professional development.

    Compulsory

  • The aim of the dissertation is to engage you in supervised but independently undertaken research at an advanced level. You will be encouraged to integrate and practice the skills acquired during the course and to investigate in depth at master’s level an area of specific interest to you. Additionally, you will be expected to demonstrate a critical and evaluative understanding of the research process including the ethical, theoretical and methodological issues associated with research in your area of interest.

    Compulsory

How you'll learn

A wide range of teaching methods will be used during the course, such as lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical workshops. These are 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.

This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.

Teaching contact hours

If you choose the full-time route, you should expect to engage with a mixture of online and face to face activities, including face to face classes for approximately 3-6 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 and 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.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2022/2023 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.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module. 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.

Assessment methods include:

  • Essays
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Vivas
  • Critical appraisals
  • Dissertation

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

This course normally attracts students from many different countries including 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 may have the opportunity to gain a global experience2 of physiotherapy as they learn alongside physiotherapists from different cultural backgrounds or from tutors who have experience of teaching students from across the globe.

Entry requirements

Applicants should be professionally qualified physiotherapists and hold a minimum BSc (or Diploma) in Physiotherapy with a minimum 2:1 grade or equivalent.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Applicants should be professionally qualified physiotherapists and hold a minimum BSc (or Diploma) in Physiotherapy with a minimum 2:1 grade or equivalent to the UK. Students whose first language is not English should have achieved a minimum IELTS: Overall 7.0 with no element less than 6.5.

Each application will be considered on its merits and the final decision will be made by the course director.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

Europe

Americas

Middle East

South Asia

South East Asia

East Asia

Africa

Russia and Central Asia

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 Tuition fees

Student Full-time Part-time
UK £11,200 per year Request fee information
International £18,600 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

  • We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

    If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities4.

clinical skills lab

Clinical Skills Labs

You will have access to clinical skills labs, with the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment including gait assessment lab, assessment tools and simulation models.

Mock Operating Theatre

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

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.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Critically 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
  • Critically evaluate theoretical basis of physiotherapy practice.
  • Critically appraise contemporary research to formulate evidence-informed approaches to physiotherapy management
  • Use critical self-reflection effectively as an integral part of life-long learning
  • Communicate decision making effectively with others
  • Critically evaluate the principles for leading and developing people and entrepreneurial practice in strategic contexts
  • Justify choice of research design, methodology and methods to investigate (under supervision) a research question relating to physiotherapy practice and present it in a way that would stand up to critical review in academic and professional settings.

This course 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. 

As well as providing opportunities to develop advanced clinical physiotherapy skills, the course aims to understanding of research- and evidence-based practice. In addition, you will have the opportunity to 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.

How to apply

  • Coventry University together with Coventry University London Campus, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the “University”) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University. 

    1Accreditations

    The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

    2UK and international opportunities

    Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or International opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

    3Tuition fees

    The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For Home Students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University 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.

    For International Students, we may increase fees each year but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

    4Facilities

    Due 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.

    Student Contract

    By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. The 2023/24 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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.

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