Physiotherapy with Integrated Foundation Year
Physiotherapy is a clinical profession concerned with restoring, maintaining and maximising people's movement, physical function and quality of life. Physiotherapists assess and treat individuals across all age groups, working with people recovering from surgery, managing long-term conditions, preventing injury in sport and exercise, and supporting people with neurological, respiratory and musculoskeletal conditions. The role requires both detailed scientific knowledge of anatomy, physiology and biomechanics and the interpersonal skills to work sensitively and effectively with patients across diverse clinical contexts.
At the University of Plymouth, this four-year programme includes an integrated foundation year, which gives you the scientific foundations needed before progressing into the full degree. The foundation covers relevant biological and biomedical content, including microbiology, immunology and the biology of disease, building the scientific literacy that the subsequent clinical training requires. The programme prepares you for clinical practice in a range of placements, where you develop the assessment skills and therapeutic techniques that registered physiotherapists employ.
The full degree leads to eligibility for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, which is required to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK.
Qualified physiotherapists work in NHS hospitals, community health services, specialist rehabilitation units, mental health teams, schools and sports medicine settings. Private practice, occupational health, the armed forces and sports organisations also employ significant numbers of physiotherapists. The profession has expanded considerably in its scope of practice in recent decades, and many physiotherapists develop specialist expertise in areas including musculoskeletal health, neurological rehabilitation, respiratory care, paediatrics or pelvic health.
Postgraduate study leads to advanced clinical roles, consultant physiotherapist positions and academic careers in physiotherapy education and research.