Keele

Keele University currently offers a three year single honours programme.

About the University

Keele University is a research led, teaching University situated within beautiful campus grounds. There is a full range of social and sporting facilities provided by the students' union of which students take full advantage.

Keele has 13 academic Schools, and 7 Research Institutes grouped within 3 faculties of Health, Humanities & Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences. Educational activity is managed by Schools and research and related enterprise activity managed by Research Institutes.

Health is an area of major growth and investment at Keele University. The new Schools of Medicine and of Pharmacy started taking undergraduates in 2002 and 2006 respectively. Together with existing programmes in Nursing, Midwifery, Physiotherapy and other health-related disciplines, the total number of clinical students at Keele will approach 2,000 by 2010. Postgraduate education and training in these disciplines is complemented by research activity that is focussed on clinical laboratory and community medicine within the Institutes of Science & Technology in Medicine and Primary Care & Health Sciences.

About the Faculty/School

The two Research Institutes and four Schools that comprise the Faculty of Health are each based in new custom-built accommodation on the University campus and at the nearby teaching hospital, the University Hospital of North Staffordshire, which itself is undergoing major redevelopment. Close links with general hospitals in Shrewsbury and Stafford and the specialist orthopaedic hospital in Oswestry, together with the mental health and primary care NHS Trusts covering Stoke and North Staffordshire, ensure that students receive broad clinical experience during the course of their training.

Keele's commitment to inter-disciplinarity is reflected by inter-professional health education at undergraduate level and research collaboration with health-related academic groups in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, including gerontology in the Institute of Life Course Studies and NHS management in the Institute of Public Policy & Management. Collaboration also extends to companies on the University's Science Park where around half of the current 40 businesses are related to biomedical R &D and healthcare. Already the UK's largest campus university, development of a further 70 acres of the site will bring expansion in facilities for the Faculty of Health as well as new opportunities for incubation and enterprise.

The School of Health & Rehabilitation is based on Keele campus and has a well-established undergraduate physiotherapy programme and taught postgraduate programmes. It has strong connections both with local clinical units and with other Schools within the University such as the Schools of Nursing & Midwifery, Medicine, and Pharmacy. As well as the taught postgraduate programmes there are opportunities to study for MPhil and PhD degrees (full-time and part- time). Research in the School relates to the evaluation of musculoskeletal therapy, chronic pain assessment, neurological rehabilitation and ethics of rehabilitation. The QAA Major Review of Healthcare in 2005 gave the most favourable judgements for Keele's Physiotherapy and Nursing and Midwifery Undergraduate Programmes that a review team can make.

Teaching methods include: lead lectures, tutor and student led tutorials, problem solving scenarios, case study, presentations, small group work and the use of the VLE - discussion groups, conditional released tasks.

The programmes are assessed by a variety of techniques chosen to reflect the aims and objectives and teaching methods of individual modules, for example: critical review papers, essays, portfolios, presentations, interactive practical examinations, assessment in the field and use of the VLE - online assessments.

The undergraduate physiotherapy programme is the primary focus within the school. The programme is challenging and demanding, yet rewarding. Students balance the demands of the programme well and staff support and facilitate their learning. The programme is structured to develop progressive levels of autonomy through successive years of the course, ensuring graduates are well prepared for the dynamic and constantly changing health care environment

The postgraduate programmes include two Masters degrees (Neuromusculoskeletal Healthcare, and Pain Science and Management) and a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Clinical Anatomy. Programmes are open to Allied Health Professionals and other related disciplines. Students have access to a wide choice of modules either as part of a full programme, or which may be undertaken as 'stand-alone' modules for CPD purposes

About the programme

The BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy is a three year single honours programme which will, in an environment of reflection and research awareness, enable students to develop into autonomous professionals who are able to initiate and respond to change in a wide variety of settings. During the programme, students develop responsibility for their own continuing professional development enabling clinical effectiveness in a changing culture.

Programme content

Year 1

First year modules cover the anatomy and physiology of the human body, the principles of assessment and the bio medical, psychological and social aspects of health. Aspects of personal and professional development are explored and basic research skills are developed. The first clinical placement occurs at the end of the first year.

Years 2 and 3

Throughout the second and third year students cover therapeutic management of a range of conditions, as well as learning to deal with difficult clinical situations and the changing NHS environment. Research continues as a theme throughout these two years and in year 3 students will be required to complete a dissertation. In addition, the core aspects around professional practice are developed. Theoretical and practical skills are further refined by the undertaking of clinical placements.

Assessments

A variety of assessment methods are used throughout the programme, these include: essays, presentations and written and practical examinations.

Entry requirements

• A levels (B B B) must include one of biology, human biology or PE
• BTEC National Diploma DDM (contact for particulars)
• 14-19 Advanced Diploma SHD (B for progression Diploma & B on ASL)
• Scottish Higher (300 UCAS tariff points must include a biological science)
• Irish Leaving Certificate (5 Bs including biology at higher level)
• International Baccalaureate 28 points (biology at higher level)
• Access to HE Programmes (must include Biology) 60 credits minimum 45 at level 3
• OU modules for selected students
• International students contact the School for details

Admission contact details

Programme Leader: Sandy Robertson
Admissions Tutor: Ben Ambrose
Contact: +44(0) 1782 734191
email: enquiries@shar.keele.ac.uk

How to apply

Applications are made through the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS).

Application process

Personal statements and references are criterion assessed. Non standard entry students will be required to attend for interview. All offers are conditional upon satisfactory occupational health screening, enhanced Criminal Records Bureau disclosure and eligibility for NHS funding.

Additional information

Access to the BSc(Hons) Physiotherapy can also be achieved via the Health Foundation Year (see contact details above).