Bournemouth

The University of Bournemouth currently offers a BSc (Honours) in Physiotherapy (3 years full time).

About the University

BU offers courses tailored to the professions, with a focus on academic excellence and graduate employability. With a student population of more than 16,000, the University is a powerful player in the economic and cultural life of South West England.

The University is the hub of a network of educational, business and local government partners and will be playing a part in the region’s preparations for the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. In the Guardian University Guide 2009 and 2010, the University of Bournemouth was named the UK’s number one new university.

BU has strengthened its research environment offering more-university funded research studentships than any other. Located close to 12 kilometres of sandy beaches, beautiful parks and gardens, the University enjoys a cosmopolitan atmosphere. Bournemouth and the neighbouring town of Poole blend a traditional British seaside resort with a thriving town, while being on the doorstep of the New Forest National Park.

There are unrivalled sailing and watersports facilities, coupled with other outdoor activities such as walking, biking, beach volleyball or horseriding in the forest.  BU also has fantastic sporting facilities including a four court sports hall, floodlit astro courts, fully equipped gym, dance studio, climbing and bouldering wall and cricket ground.

Found on the south coast of England, less than two hours from London, Bournemouth has a population of just over 163,000. It's large enough to have all the facilities of a big town, but small enough to promote a supportive atmosphere.

About the school

The school of Health & Social Care at Bournemouth University is committed to providing excellent student experience, with degrees underpinned by high-quality research which will ultimately benefit the health and well-being of people locally, regionally and nationally.

The school works closely with service providers and service users to design courses that are relevant, innovative and give students the best possible start in their careers. With major contracts with the NHS to educate a variety of health and social care professionals in Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, the school also works with private and voluntary providers offering a range of health and social care courses such as Exercise Science (Health & Rehabilitation), delivered in partnership with the Anglo European Chiropractic College (AECC).

Many of UB's courses are designed so that students spend half their time on campus and half the time on placement. Tutorials, lectures, seminars and web-based learning help develop theoretical understanding while clinical skills laboratories allow students to practice skills on each other.

On placement, students apply their knowledge and develop practical and transferable skills such as communication. Students are also expected to engage with self-guided study, which sometimes involves working in groups. Integral to students' learning is the concept of ‘interprofessional education’, where study in some subjects is shared with students from other health and social care courses.

Many UB lecturers continue to practice outside of university, ensuring that students learn from passionate professionals commanding the most up-to-date knowledge and skills. The excellent graduate employment rates show that students are well placed to embark on their career following an education with UB.

BSc Hons Physiotherapy

Key features

The BSc Hons in Physiotherapy at BU utilises a blended learning approach using innovative methods to accelerate learning. Students are encouraged to explore clinical scenarios to determine what aspects of theory and skills are needed to have confidence managing a patient in a clinical situation. Each week a mix of tutorial groups, lectures and practical skills sessions complement the student’s self-study.

There are opportunities for continued personal and professional development throughout the course. The university aims to develop evidence-based clinicians with transferable academic and practical skills that can be continuously enhanced during professional life, in response to the dynamic nature of the health care and NHS priorities. The role of research and importance of evidence-based practice is emphasised throughout the programme.

During the course, physiotherapy students study with students on other BU healthcare professional courses (inter- professional education), developing an appreciation of the roles of other health care professionals, offering an insight into the prospective working environment.

The units are designed to develop students' skills over the three-year programme. The programme begins by establishing the foundations of therapy. This aims to establish the knowledge, skills and attributes needed for physiotherapy practice including the professional application of the basic sciences, anatomy and physiology.

Subsequent units build on scientific principles and evidence-based practice, focusing on skills applied to the core areas of musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, respiratory and neuromuscular physiotherapy. Later units integrate these core areas by considering complex scenarios and issues developing skills of clinical reasoning.

The final unit enables an exploration of areas of personal interest, through research and professional development.

The course includes a variety of health care issues relevant to physiotherapists. These include orthopaedics, musculoskeletal, sports injuries, cardiac, vascular, respiratory, intensive care, mental illness, neurological conditions, learning disabilities, occupational health, and care of the elderly.

The course offers opportunitie to work with clients, families and health care professionals. Students are assessed both during academic studies and clinical placements using different methods, including written exams, essays, oral presentations, practical exams and development of a research protocol. 

How to apply

Applications go through the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS)

Entry requirements

300 academic points and evidence of recent study at this level. Relevant physiotherapy work experience.

Admission contact details

Contact   admissions administrator 01202 961 916
Email   hsc@bournemouth.ac.uk

Application process

Potential students will be invited to a group interview. Health clearance is required for working within the NHS and an enhanced criminal records check will be required.

Additional information

A minimum of 1,000 hours of clinical placement must be completed throughout the course for professional registration. Clinical placements for core physiotherapy areas are across the whole of Dorset and Somerset. There are five placements across the whole course. A six-week musculoskeletal placement is included in the first year of the course and there are two placements in both the second and third years.