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PgC
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Practice Development: Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) First Contact Practitioner
A First Contact Practitioner (FCP) is a diagnostic clinician working in primary care, able to assess and manage undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations.
The programme will enhance your ability to complete a detailed assessment of undifferentiated and undiagnosed primary care presentations and provide you with the appropriate knowledge base to anticipate problems, thus enhancing your ability to manage patients accordingly.
As you develop within the programme you will gain the skills and expertise to critically analyse situations and clinical presentations, approaching the patient holistically in the primary care setting.
You will study this programme over 1 calendar year which equates to one module per semester in addition to a QPU which will run alongside the academic modules across the full programme.
You will be working in the Primary care setting throughout the programme whilst utilising the Qualificatory Practice Unit ‘work-based learning in primary care’ in conjunction with a suitable clinical mentor to develop your practical skills in consultation, examination, and patient management.
On this course you will...
Develop skills that will allow you to practice as a confident and competent First Contact Practitioner
Study content which is relevant to the world of work, emphasising problem-solving and the interaction of theory and practice. It will challenge you intellectually, promoting independence and confidence.
Be involved in a stimulating and challenging academic and scholarly environment for you to advance your academic and professional development, with the support of our encouraging team.
Achieve a recognisable qualification to work as a First Contact Practitioner in primary care.
Be able to apply for accreditation of prior learning (APL) into the MSc Advanced Clinical Practice. 40 credits from your first 2 modules have been mapped against the MSc ACP programme and can be considered for APL into this programme.
Learn how to work effectively as a safe, competent First Contact Practitioner, demonstrating a critical knowledge and understanding of the legal, professional and ethical aspects of the role and its function within primary care
Develop as a critical thinker and reflective/reflexive practitioner, able to apply techniques of rigorous enquiry and critical appraisal and application of an evidence-based approach
Learn how to critically evaluate and apply models of consultation and physical examination skills, assessing, diagnosing and managing undifferentiated and undiagnosed presentations
Learn how to critically evaluate and apply models of clinical decision making, demonstrating professional judgement in complex and unpredictable situations
Learn how to demonstrate critical appreciation of the importance of collaborative working and development of therapeutic relationships, applying underpinning principles and frameworks for effective, inclusive, person-centred and holistic practice
Modules
Each module has been designed to take you through stage one and two of the roadmap and build upon your theoretical knowledge base and clinical skills. Academic and workplace learning are woven into the programme to enable you to ‘marry’ together the new knowledge and clinical skills that enable you to become a First Contact Practitioner
Modules
The Clinical Consultation in First Contact Practice: Integrating Theory and Practice The module will centre on commonly presenting, wide ranging health problems in primary care to facilitate evidence based, critically focused, self-evaluative learning opportunities. To facilitate the internalisation of a reflexive / reflective framework within which you will be able to advance a broad-based critically evaluative patient / client-centred approach to health assessment, diagnostic reasoning and clinical decision making as a Physiotherapy First Contact practitioner within primary care.
Clinical Decision Making in Primary Care: Improving Outcomes in Complex Patients To enhance knowledge and understanding of the complexity of patient and client presentations, demonstrating an appreciation of the pathophysiological processes occurring utilising investigative and evaluatory approaches to improve care.
Primary Care: Challenges and Innovations in Practice The aim of this module is to enhance your knowledge and understanding of primary care in the context of the wider health and social care system, and to critically explore advancements and innovations that improve the efficacy of the primary care system.
Qualificatory Practice Unit: Work Based Learning in Primary Care for Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy First Contact Practitioners The aim of the learning in practice unit is for students to develop their skills in First Contact Practice in line with the knowledge, skills and capabilities established within the Roadmap for Physiotherapy Musculoskeletal (MSK) (Health Education England 2021).
Teaching & Assessment
How you will learn
Learning and Teaching Methods will:
Promote the development of inclusive practice and address a range of learner types
Use learning technology to promote your learning and achievement, for example through the use of mobile technology, podcasts, webinars
Provide active learning and social learning opportunities
Provide appropriate engagement and facilitation models for distance, online and flexible learning students
Foster aspiration and career readiness through work-based, experiential and inter-professional learning
Be relevant to the needs of your workplace, emphasising problem-solving and the interaction of theory and practice
Use research-informed teaching, drawing on health, social care and workplace knowledge and expertise
Scheduled learning and teaching encompasses a variety of approaches to learning and teaching across the framework. Strategies include online and/or class-based workshop activities, facilitated discussion and debate, tutorials, guided study and reading, work-based learning, and reflection on practice.
During the module you will complete assigned formative tasks which will support ECG and cardiac knowledge, completing asynchronous tasks designed to encourage learning and development of practice. Case study review and completion will be undertaken, which supports further study and preparation toward final examination.
The programme will enhance your ability to complete a detailed assessment of undifferentiated and undiagnosed primary care presentations and provide you with the appropriate knowledge base, enhancing your ability to manage patients.
This programme and the modules within it, support self-development whilst meeting the requirements of the capabilities, knowledge skills and attributes set out within Health Education England’s roadmap to First Contact Practitioner in Primary Care.
You will study this programme over 1 calendar year which equates to one module per semester in addition to a QPU which will run alongside the academic modules.
How you will be assessed
Formative assessment throughout the module through use of the University VLE, Blackboard where ongoing individual tutor and peer feedback is given through online tasks. These tasks are the scaffold that builds up the summative assignments at the end of the module.
Module: Clinical Decision Making in Primary Care: Improving Outcomes in Complex Patients Summative Written Assignment (3500 words)
Module: The Clinical Consultation in First Contact Practice: Integrating Theory and Practice Summative Set Exercise, (3500 words)
Module: Primary Care: Challenges and Innovations in Practice Summative Oral Assessment/Presentation 10-minute oral defence with poster (2500 word equivalent)
Module: Work Based Learning in Primary Care for Musculoskeletal physiotherapy First contact: Portfolio
Overview
You must be a registered physiotherapist working in an environment which has ability to support students at this level.
Selection Criteria
You must be a registered physiotherapist working in an environment which has ability to support students at this level.
Fees & Funding
Tuition Fees
UK Tuition fees
Fully Funded by NHS England for students residing in England Entry in 2026/27
International Tuition fees
£5130 Entry in 2026/27
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.
Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.
International Finance
At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.
We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..
You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.
Books and journals
Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies
Optional · Throughout the course · Books and journals
Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.
Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.
Technology requirements
Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose
Required · Throughout the course · Digital learning and IT
You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.
Online learning at the University of Cumbria is an interactive experience that makes use of a range of technologies and media types to provide a rich learning environment.
An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.
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