Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession concerned with human movement and function. Physiotherapists assess, diagnose and treat people whose ability to move has been affected by injury, illness, disability or ageing, using exercise, manual therapy, education and a range of other evidence-based approaches. It is a discipline that combines a thorough grounding in anatomy, physiology and biomechanics with strong clinical reasoning skills and the interpersonal qualities needed to work effectively with patients across the lifespan.

This four-year extended degree at the University of Northumbria at Newcastle is built on a person-centred approach to health and wellbeing, with a commitment to respecting equality and diversity throughout clinical practice and professional development. The extended format gives you additional time to develop the academic and practical foundations of the discipline before progressing through the clinical components of the programme. You will study musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy, developing the assessment and treatment skills needed to work with patients in a variety of settings.

Clinical placements are integral to the degree, giving you supervised experience in NHS and other healthcare environments where you apply your learning to real patient care.

Physiotherapy graduates qualify for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, which is required to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK. Most graduates go on to work in the NHS, in private practice, in sports settings, in community care or in occupational health. The profession offers considerable variety and the opportunity to develop specialist expertise in areas such as musculoskeletal physiotherapy, neurology, paediatrics, respiratory care or sports medicine.

Postgraduate training and continuing professional development are a normal part of a physiotherapy career.