About this course

Physiotherapy at Southampton is ranked second in the UK, Guardian University Guide 2025.

Learn how to become a physiotherapist who can manage complex cases, and help people with many healthcare issues. Discover how to treat mobility problems caused by illness, injury, and ageing. Learn how to improve people's physical activity and their quality of life.

Develop a wide range of professional clinical skills with:

academic modules
clinical placements
world-class simulation facilities

You'll develop skills that will prepare you for modern practice that focuses on the patient. These include:

communication
decision-making
team-working abilities
management and leadership

You'll learn to work with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals. Our teaching staff are a mix of academics and practising clinical physiotherapists.

You’ll complete over 1,000 hours of clinical placements as you train to be a physiotherapist, in settings ranging from community clinics to large hospitals. These will help you link theory with practice and will cover the core disciplines:

musculoskeletal
neurology
cardiorespiratory
special client groups

We actively involve patients and carers in our course, which places special emphasis on empathy and compassion.

Funding to support your learning

Subject to eligibility, UK and Irish students joining this degree can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students may also be eligible to apply for an additional maintenance loan to help with living costs.

Additionally, UK students studying this course at University of Southampton may well be able to receive a training grant of £5,000 per academic year from the NHS and entitled to have some of the additional costs of attending a practice placement reimbursed. Students with parental responsibility for one or more children may receive a £2,000 Parental Support payment per student, per academic year. Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website

If you are normally resident in Ireland, you are encouraged to apply for financial support from SUSI.

Support for students with a disability/health condition

We are fully committed to supporting students with disabilities who wish to join programmes of study which require the acquisition and practise of professional competencies.

We offer students personal, informal advice by telephone, email or face to face, and we are happy to discuss your specific needs prior to you applying. This could include how your specific needs may impact on your ability to meet the clinical competencies. This will not affect your application in any way, but may help you to select the right programme for you.

Please email the admissions team for further details.

Foundation year

If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Accreditations

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Download

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

AAB including one pure science subject with a pass in the practical

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Pure Sciences are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including one pure science with a pass in the practical, and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level including a pure science

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Pure Sciences are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in a pure science A-level D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AB in A-level subjects including a pure science at Grade A We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without a pure science A-Level.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

We accept Health Studies or Science

QCF BTEC

DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A in a pure science A-level D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB in A-level subjects including a pure science at Grade A. We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without a pure science A-Level.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 3 years

Occupational Health and Vaccinations

Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme.

Declaration of Good Character and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of each subsequent year of study you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form.

Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

A-levels

AAB including one pure science subject with a pass in the practical

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Pure Sciences are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB including one pure science with a pass in the practical, and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: ABB including one pure science subject with a pass in the practical

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level including a pure science

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Pure Sciences are Biology, Chemistry and Physics.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A in a pure science A-level D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus AB in A-level subjects including a pure science at Grade A We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without a pure science A-Level.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

We accept Health studies or science

QCF BTEC

DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A in a pure science A-level D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AB in A-level subjects including a pure science at Grade A We do not accept the BTEC Extended Diploma without a pure science A-Level. I

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 4/C)

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 3 years

Occupational Health and Vaccinations

Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme.

Declaration of Good Character and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of each subsequent year of study you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form.

Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

You’ll take several core modules each year, which must be passed. Around two thirds of your time will be spent learning on campus. The remainder will be on clinical placements, totalling more than 1,000 hours.

Year 1 overview

You’ll work in groups with other healthcare students, to learn about core values and skills that underpin professional practice.

You'll study:

anatomy and physiology
musculoskeletal and neuromuscular movement and function
social and psychological issues that influence physiotherapy management
identifying and treating common clinical physiotherapy conditions
principles of applied health science

You’ll also complete a clinical placement with an experienced therapist. You'll put your theory into practice with patients in the real world.

Year 2 overview

You’ll complete 2 clinical placements, and:

learn how to manage a broad range of clinical cases
develop the skills to motivate patients to engage with treatments and self-manage their condition
study cases where patients have more than one condition, and learn how to adapt treatment to suit their needs

You'll also study research methods to help plan your research study in year 3.

Year 3 overview

Using a simulated environment, you'll learn how to assess and manage respiratory patients who are acutely unwell. This will prepare you to be an on-call physiotherapist when you graduate.

You’ll complete another 2 clinical placements and study core modules, which will cover:

evidence-based approaches to assessing and managing complex cases
innovation, leadership, influencing change and business development
the legal, political and cultural context of professional practice

You can choose to take either a module on pain management, or professional development. The professional development module will let you explore a healthcare topic of your choice with the support of an academic coach.

You’ll also complete a research project, carrying out data collection analysis and writing a paper. You'll be supervised by one of Southampton’s renowned research academics.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026

You must study the following modules in year 1:

An Introduction to Professional Practice (Level 4)

At the heart of this interprofessional module is the belief that all health care students should not only share the same core values and skills that underpin their professional practice, but they should also have learning opportunities that enable them t...

Applied Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

This shared module builds upon the preceding 'Foundations of Health Sciences' and 'Principles of Health Sciences' modules by challenging students to demonstrate knowledge in a more applied fashion. On completion of this module, you will be expected to be ...

Clinical Assessment and Treatment

This module builds on learning outcomes achieved from Human Movement and Function, and develops your ability to apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology into a physiotherapy assessment. You will be taught the principles of a physiotherapy assessment to g...

Foundations of Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

Using the biopsychosocial model, you will gain an understanding of the health sciences that underpin physiotherapy practice. You will learn about the relevant anatomy and physiology, and how it is integrated from the cellular level to the organ systems le...

Human Movement and Function (FPP)

This module underpins broad physiotherapeutic practice by providing you with the ability to understand and analyse normal movement. It will facilitate the move from the theoretical understanding of anatomy to its practical application. You will learn th...

Placement Experiences

Overview Placement Experience Week is a university-based learning opportunity to apply the theoretical knowledge developed in the first semester to the practice environment. Learners will also develop an appreciation of the scope of physiotherapy and a...

Practice Placement 1 Physio (BSc)

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in physiotherapy. It will take place in a variety of locations across the south of England. Principle providers of placement will be in community, secondary or primary care settings. You ...

Principles of Health Sciences for Physiotherapy

This module builds upon the preceding 'Foundations of Health Sciences' module. Students will advance their understanding in key aspects of musculoskeletal and neuromuscular physiology and anatomy in addition to being introduced to fundamental and applied ...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

29%

Scheduled learning & teaching

59%

Independent learning

12%

Placement

How we'll assess you

essays
oral presentations
written and practical exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

31%

Written exam

25%

Coursework

44%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Ruth Turk is the course leader.

Careers

This course meets the full academic requirements to register as a Chartered Physiotherapist by the Health and Care Professions Council.

You can expect excellent career prospects in a range of healthcare environments where physiotherapy is practised. These include:

intensive care
stroke rehabilitation
musculoskeletal outpatients
care for the older adult

The NHS is the UK’s largest employer of health practitioners, but other options include social care, private practice and the armed services. There are also career opportunities in industry, leisure and academia.

More information about careers in physiotherapy can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year’s study:

UK and Irish students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £30,500.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations. Your fee also covers the cost of your uniform for clinical practice.

Find out how to:

You'll need to consider extra costs for the following:

suitable shoes for your practice placements
your own fob watch
your enhanced DBS certificate
your professional registration fee (on graduation)

On your placements you can claim travel and accommodation expenses over and above your normal daily travel costs to university. But there are limits on what you can claim. Learn more about placement costs and expenses.

There will also be other costs not covered by the tuition fee. These may include:

stationery
personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
printing

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: B160
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We're interested in the insights you have about the physiotherapy profession. We'll also consider how your personal values are aligned with the profession.

You can demonstrate this in your personal statement by including:

work experience or shadowing of physiotherapy practice
life experience
extracurricular activities

If you're successful at the initial written stage of the application process, we'll invite you to an on-line interview. We'll send an invitation e-mail which will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the interview.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Related courses

Physiotherapy (BSc) is a course in the Nursing, midwifery and healthcare subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

a

BSc

Audiology

MSci

Audiology

c

BSc

Cardiac Physiology (Healthcare Science)

m

BSc

Midwifery

n

MNurs

Nursing (Mental Health)

o

BSc

Physiotherapy (BSc)

About this course

Funding to support your learning

Support for students with a disability/health condition

Foundation year

Accreditations

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP)

Learn more about this subject area

Nursing, midwifery and healthcare

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Non-academic entry requirements

For Academic year 202425

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Non-academic entry requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview