Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy MSc
Study level: Postgraduate
The Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy MSc is aimed at fully qualified, experienced practitioners who want to make a difference to clinical practice and work in senior clinical roles.
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
HLST246 (MACP pathway)HLST247
Start date
September 2023
Course overview
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 musculoskeletal (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 MACP pathway offers 150 hours mentored clinical practice placement2, 5 (sourced by the university) where skills and knowledge gained on the course are applied to the practice setting.
- You will learn from our experienced teaching team in the state-of-the-art Alison Gingell Building which provides a stimulating learning environment for healthcare professionals.

Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2023Why you should study this course
Physiotherapists in advanced practitioner roles are expected to be clinical experts in their fields who provide leadership and strategic vision and contribute to teaching and research. Postgraduate education is essential for physiotherapists taking up these roles to allow them to work at the optimum level of their skill set and to support development of the key qualities required for advanced practice. These include the ability to draw on the evolving evidence base, the capacity for leadership, the ability to be innovative and to initiate change, to facilitate learning in others and the capacity for effective collaboration (CSP 2018; HEE 2018).
The clinically focused programme has been re-designed to support the development of specialist physiotherapists within the changing social and healthcare landscape. It is aimed at fully qualified, experienced and highly motivated practitioners who want to make a difference to clinical practice and work in senior clinical roles. It aims to equip practitioners with advanced level knowledge and skills capable of promoting MSK health, providing safe, effective, high-quality care in the diagnosis and management of individuals with MSK disorders.
Alongside this, the course aims to develop physiotherapists who will excel as clinical leaders 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. The overall course aim is to produce graduates who will operate at the highest level of practice ready to move into senior clinical roles such as first contact practitioners, advanced physiotherapy practitioners, clinical specialists and consultants.
Two pathways are offered on the MSc course: the MACP pathway (HLST246) and non-MACP pathway (HLST247). You are required to choose which pathway you will undertake at the outset of the course.
The MACP 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 university2, 5 and there are no additional fees for the period of mentored clinical practice (additional costs may apply such as travel and accommodation with respect to the placement). This MACP pathway leads to an additional qualification of membership to the MACP (additional fees apply). 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 workplace.
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 a 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 above modules as well as:
- A Clinical Approach to Pain for Health Professionals
- Developing Expertise for Professional Practice
- Leading Diverse Workforces (CMI module)
- Research Methods, Methodology and Design
To qualify for the MSc award you must complete the above modules as well as:
- Applied Research for Advanced MSK Practice
- Research Methods, Methodology and Design
And one of the following:
- Clinical Practice in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (MACP pathway only)
OR
- Evidence Based Practice (Non-MACP pathway only)
Two pathways are offered on the MSc course: the MACP pathway (HLST246) and non-MACP pathway (HLST247). You are required to choose which pathway you will undertake at the outset of the course. Each pathway consists of one additional mandatory module: Evidenced Based Practice or Clinical Practice in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Accreditation and professional recognition
This course is accredited1 by the following bodies:

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 (CMI) for the 2023-24 intake. Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Further details can be found under the modules tab and on the Professional Development module homepage.
Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP)
This course (MACP pathway only) is accredited by the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) for the 2023/2024 intake. We have long-standing, strong links with the MACP, the professional body that sets and regulates postgraduate educational and clinical standards for MSK physiotherapy in the UK. MACP accreditation is an additional statement of course quality. It also maps directly to Health Education England's (HEE) Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) Framework (2018) and their Musculoskeletal Core Capabilities Framework for First Contact Practitioners (2019) both of which reflect the current changes in healthcare delivery.
You will be eligible to become a member of Musculoskeletal Association of (MACP) on completion of the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy MSc (MACP pathway only) (application and fees may apply).
What you'll study
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.
How you'll learn
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.
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
Full-time students are usually in university two days a week with 3-8 hours of teaching scheduled per day.
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.
In both cases teaching is comprised of a combination of seminar sessions, workshops, practical sessions and lectures. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 20 hours each week for full-time students and 10 hours per week for part-time students, depending on the demands of individual modules.
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 COVID-19, we are prepared for courses due to start in or after the 2023/2024 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.
Assessment
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
- 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.
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.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.
Fees and funding
2023/24 tuition fees.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
---|---|---|
UK | £11,200 | Request fee information |
International | £18,600 | 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.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.
The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:
- Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
- Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).
- HLST246 (MACP pathway) also carries a placement fee of £750 for which a separate invoice is raised.
-
How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
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.
- You will have access to clinical skills labs, with the opportunity to use state-of-the-art equipment including gait assessment lab and assessment tools.
Careers and opportunities
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 MACP pathway will gain membership of the MACP (additional fees and application may apply).
- Upon successful completion of the module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost. Further details can be found under the module section and on the Professional Development module homepage.
This course supports the ‘upskilling’ and development for FCP, ACP and specialist MSK practitioner roles. It 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 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapists (2019, Health Education England) and the International Federation of Manipulative Physical Therapists Education Standards (IFOMPT, 2016).
It aims to prepare 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.
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.
How to apply
-
UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
-
International students
Full-time international students applying to start in September should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
-
Disclaimers
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 UK (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.
5Placements
Enhanced DBS check required but health clearance dependent on provider:
However, an enhanced criminal record disclosure will be required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The university is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.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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