BSc (Hons) - Physiotherapy

How you will learn

The Physiotherapy programme is based on educational theories including Social Constructivism and Transformative Learning. This approach adopts active and integrated approaches to learning which will allow you to construct meaning from your study in a way that relates to the complexity of clinical practice. You will construct your knowledge of physiotherapy practice from university-based learning opportunities as well as your practice placements. By the end of the programme, you will have a sound knowledge and understanding of physiotherapy practice which will enable you to be an active member of the physiotherapy community.

The programme also uses a model of education known as Threshold Concepts which links with Transformative learning. It is the idea that the acquisition of new theoretical perspectives enables you to construct a new and better understanding of the world. Important threshold concepts in Physiotherapy include professionalism, critical reflection and strengths-based perspectives.

We recognise that your learning style may differ from your peers and have ensured that the programme has a range of different learning, teaching and assessment methods that will allow you to develop to your full potential and graduate as a physiotherapist. We adopt a blended learning approach that uses a combination of taught sessions, seminars, online activities and peer group discussions which offer flexibility and enhance your student experience.

How you will be assessed

Your assessments will provide a creative and balanced strategy across the programme and provide a range of engaging and challenging opportunities. Individual assessments are designed to test learning outcomes. We aim to provide a varied approach to assessment including:

• Practical skills assessments
• Presentations
• Posters
• Academic writing
• Critical reflection
• Portfolio
• Practice placement assessments

Practice placements are assessed using continuous assessment via the Common Assessment Tool (CAT). This is an assessment document, based on the HCPC standards of practice, and is shared between all the higher education Physiotherapy education providers in the North West of England. This ensures a high level of standardisation across the region.

Summative assessments

Summative assessments are authentic and aligned to module learning outcomes and programme aims. Summative assessment encourages progressive development through feedback and reflection.

Summative assessments will generally occur at the end of each semester. However, the timetable has been created to ensure that there is a spread of assessments across the year, providing a realistic and manageable timetable. To ensure assessment is equitable for everyone, we have a departmental policy ‘Ensuring Assessment is Fair’, which ensures that you can see how your marks are awarded and how marks from the cohort are moderated both internally and by the external examiner.

Formative assessments

Formative assessments are a key feature of your academic journey. It is work which helps to inform or become part of your final ‘summative’ assessment, and the nature of it varies across modules. Formative work may include in‐class or on‐line activities such as presenting draft assignments. Peer and self‐assessment are also used to give you rapid feedback on formative tasks.

Everything that you undertake, and the products of that learning, are embedded through active participation and formative opportunities for dialogue and feedback. The formative work is developmental and prepares you for summative assessment work.

Tuition Fees

2023 - 2024

• £9,250 - UK
• £16,400 - International

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.

Funding

You may also be eligible for additional funding through the NHS Learning Support Fund.

If you're eligible, you can get access to:

• A Training Grant of £5,000 per academic year
• Parental Support of £2,000, if you have at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs
• Travel and Dual Accommodation Expenses
• Exceptional Support Fund (Students experiencing financial hardship)

For more information on the Learning Support Fund please visit the Learning Support Fund Page.

For further funding information, please visit our undergraduate funding page.

*This page was last updated October 2021

More Information

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.

Additional Costs

There will be some additional costs. For example all students will need to purchase stationery and may wish to purchase some text books. Extra costs may also be applicable to cover field trips, membership fees etc. although such features are usually options within the course.

Books are reviewed annually and are therefore subject to change, course welcome information will provide you with an indicative list for the year.

Books and Journals

These key textbooks are used throughout your programme both at University and on placement. Books are available in hard copy and electronically via the library but you may wish to purchase your own copies. Soames R and Palastanga N (2018) Anatomy and Human Movement, 7th Edition. Porter, S. (2008). Anatomy colouring and workbook. (2nd ed). Braun, C.A. & Anderson, C.M. (2017) Applied Pathophysiology: a Conceptual Approach to the Mechanisms of Disease, (3rd Ed) Fruth, S (2018) Fundamentals of the Physical Therapy Examination. Petty, N. (2011). Neuromusculoskeletal Examination and assessment: A handbook for therapists (4th Ed. Physiotherapy essentials). Porter, S (2013) Tidy’s Physiotherapy (5th Ed), Physiotherapy essentials). Kisner, C. & Colby, L.A. (2017) Therapeutic Exercise: Foundations and Techniques, (6th Ed) Lennon, S., Verheyden, G.Ramdharry, G (2018). Physical management for neurological conditions, (5th ed).

Stationery

Students should budget for stationery and consumables for your own personal use. This should include notebooks, pens and pencils for taking notes in class and/or in the field. Students should also budget for the purchase of USB pen drives, as well as occasional printing and photocopying costs incurred in the preparation or submission of coursework. Whilst you will choose how much you need, expect to pay around £30 - £40 per year for these items.

Clothing and Equipment

The following equipment should be purchased: Adult Stephoscope: Tytan Professional Series Deluxe Stethoscope 9 approx £30.00 8” Plastic Goniometer £7.00 A tape measure Practice Placements will incur costs and you need to plan for this in your annual budget. Typically, these costs are for travel and, if necessary, accommodation to access placement. Costs of several hundred pounds can be expected, and in exception over £1000 per year. You may claim placement travel expenses, and costs towards any additional accommodation that may be required to access placements. Currently, the NHS provides some reimbursement of additional placement costs to eligible students through the learning support fund. More information about this can be found at: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/learning-support-fund/about-learning-support-fund. You will be required to practice clinical skills using each other as models, and so will need clothing that is suitable for these sessions.

Field Trips

You may wish to attend a conference (optional not part of the course) the costs vary and depend on whether you go to a one day or several day event, the costs will vary depending on the venue and the cost of accommodation. With conference fees, travel and accommodation you will need to budget £250 and £750.

Other

Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check At the start of your course, you will complete an enhanced criminal record check through the Disclosure and Barring Services. This is paid for by the university. However, you will have to pay the cost of any additional checks for example, if you lose your certificate. If you suspend your studies for a year or more you will also have to pay for a new criminal records check. Occasionally placement providers request an additional check if the certificate is more than one year old. If this is the case, you will need to pay for the additional check.