Course Overview

This contemporary, well-established part time Masters degree is designed for motivated physiotherapists who want to develop and challenge their professional practice and obtain an advanced academic qualification. The programme enables you to critically evaluate current practice, develop advanced knowledge, understanding and skills and undertake contemporary clinical research. Flexibility in the selection and delivery modes of an extensive portfolio of taught, work-based and independent modules and short courses results in a bespoke approach to the development of advanced clinical reasoning, academic and research skills and attributes which equips participants to practice successfully in an ever-changing healthcare environment. The Programme has a proven history of enhancing career progression, with many students progressing into senior roles such as  physiotherapy consultants, first contact practitioners, clinical specialists, team leaders, clinical mentors, lecturers and researchers.

The MSc Advanced Physiotherapy is accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and can lead to full membership of The Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) if specific routes of study are undertaken.

Who is it for?

The course is suitable for qualified physiotherapists who are interested in advancing their existing skills, acquiring new ones and progressing and advancing their career opportunities. You should have at least one year’s relevant post-qualification experience and evidence of relevant continuing professional development. Due to the applied nature of the programme, you should normally have a clinical caseload during the course to apply theory to practice, integrate, consolidate and reflect on new skills and meet the demands of the assessment. You will need to be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). If your first language is not English, you will normally have to provide evidence of IELTs of 7.0 (including 7.0 in the writing component) with no less than 6.5 in every band. Several modules of study will have specific pre-requites for successful application (please see individual application sites for more details). If you have a particular interest in the management of patients with cardiorespiratory problems or long-term conditions, you may wish to explore the master’s degrees offered by our partner Education for Health.  Or if you wish to pursue Advanced Clinical Practice, you may wish to review the university’s MSc Advanced Clinical Practice Programme.

What is the Course Structure?

The course is flexible and modular, which allows you to study at a rate that suits your individual circumstances and needs. You have up to 6 years to complete your Masters course but most students complete in 3-4 years and study 1-2 modules per year.  Some modules must be studied as a pre-requisite to other modules but where this is not the case the order of modules is up to you.

A full-time option is not available in 2024-25.

To attain a MSc Advanced Physiotherapy award, you need to complete 180 credits (including a compulsory 60 credits of research). However, there are also several interim awards available if you do not wish to study to Masters level:

·    Postgraduate Certificate (PgC) in Advanced Physiotherapy (60 credits). Please note that this must include a minimum of 30 credits of “core physiotherapy” modules or the award will be a PgC in Health Studies.

·    Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) in Advanced Physiotherapy (120 credits). Please note that this must include a minimum of 30 credits of “core physiotherapy” modules or the award will be a PgD in Health Studies.

·       Postgraduate Certificate in Leadership in Health and Social Care (60 credits).

·       Postgraduate Certificate in Practice Education in Health and Care (60 credits).

The MSc Advanced Physiotherapy consists of three key elements: core physiotherapy modules, compulsory research modules and optional modules. 

Figure 1 MSc Advanced Physiotherapy course structure

Additional Professional Accreditation

The MSc Advanced Physiotherapy enables students to gain FULL membership of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP) if a specific set of modules is successfully completed. To achieve this, you will need to complete the following modules: 

Figure 2: MSc Advanced Physiotherapy with full MACP membership eligibility

The MACP is a Member Organisation of the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT) who sets and monitors educational and clinical standards in this area of physical therapy. The IFOMPT educational standards have been mapped against the Multi-professional Advanced Clinical Practice (ACP) framework and the Musculoskeletal (MSK) Core Capabilities Framework. 

What choice of Core Physiotherapy Modules/Short Courses are there? 

Lower Quadrant – MSK Physiotherapy (7HSK0331) must normally be successfully completed before Upper Quadrant – MSK Physiotherapy (7HSK0332). Both modules must be successfully completed before Advanced Musculoskeletal Clinical Practice (7HSK0333). The Negotiated Learning modules allow you to gain an in depth understanding of a particular subject area in which you have a specific interest. They are particularly useful where there are no taught modules available. 

What 60 credits of research do I need to complete? 

Research Methods (7HSK0308) can be studied at any stage during your studies. Preparation for Research Project (7HSK2049) should be studied immediately before the Research Project module. Research Methods (7HSK0308) must be successfully completed before Preparation for Research Project which must be successfully completed before Research Project (7HSK2048). Research Project is often chosen as the final module in a programme of study, but this is not mandatory. 

What Optional Modules can I take?

An extensive range of optional modules allows you to create a bespoke programme of study. The optional modules can include additional core physiotherapy modules, interprofessional modules, School modules, accredited short courses or credits transferred from other institutions. Modules/short courses may change year on year to reflect new developments or advances in practice. 

Short Courses

Short courses run by the University can contribute towards your award.  Please speak to the programme team to discuss your options e.g. 7SCZ2019 First Contact Practitioner Musculoskeletal Stage 1 & 7SCZ0022 First Contact Practitioner Musculoskeletal Stage 2 (FCP1 & FCP2). You may also be able to transfer in Masters level credits from other Higher Education Institutes. 

Where will you study?

Modules and short courses may include a blend of ‘in person’/face to face, on-line and distance learning encompassing a hybrid approach to delivery.   Most ‘in-person’ teaching takes place on the College Lane Campus, however, there are some sessions on the De Havilland Campus. 

Teaching Methods

Modules and short courses are facilitated by experienced lecturers from the University as well as external experts.  The mode of delivery varies, reflecting innovative ways to enhance your learning experience. You will need to have access to a suitable personal computer and a good reliable internet connection. Assessment takes place by a variety of methods for example: VIVAs, essays, presentations, reports, written, work based learning and practical examinations.

Examples of study routes

• Some suggested study plans are outlined below.  All routes involve 60 credits of research modules.
• It is recognised that your career plans may change during your studies and as such your initial module choices may alter.
• You are strongly advised to discuss your plans for study with the Programme Leads  

Application

Application is via our CPD site On-line application.

There are two modes of application:

1. Independent – you apply for a single module and are registered as an independent student on the Master’s programme. This is a useful approach if you are unsure about applying for a full programme. It will give you an idea of the level of study required and the amount of time involved. You can undertake up to 45 credits as an independent student. If you decide to undertake more credits, then you are transferred to the MSc programme (subject to Programme Team approval and eligibility criteria). 
2. Postgraduate Masters – you apply for the MSc programme at the beginning of your studies. You will normally need to provide a professional reference (usually this is from an employer indicating your suitability for Masters level study and support) and a brief CV. On application you will need to indicate which module/s you intend to study in your first year. You select subsequent modules you plan to study on a yearly basis using the On-line application

    

Fees

• The Masters course is modular, and the fees are payable per module. Some modules are subject to non-standard fees (e.g. 7HSK2058 MSK Injection Therapy, 7HSK0333 AMCP).
• You retain the fee package which you commenced on when you joined the part-time Master’s programme (as long as you do not have a break in study). If you first studied a module as an “independent” student (see section on application) this will mean your fees will increase from your first module on the programme.
• For NHS employees, part, or all, of your fees may be covered through the commissioning process. It is therefore worth checking with the CPD lead for your Trust.
• Some short courses maybe fully funded by NHSE, e.g. First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Stage 1 MSK & First Contact Practitioner (FCP) Stage 2 MSK for eligible students and subject to availability.
• If you completed your undergraduate degree at UH, you are entitled to a fee deduction of 20% on all modules.
• A postgraduate loan is available for this course. If you receive a loan the course needs to be completed within three years. The programme of study must be agreed, in advance, by the Programme Leads.

Fees for self-funding for the 2024/2025 academic year are as follows:

• 865.00 per 15 credits & £1730 per 30 credit part-time for UK/EU students
• Fees may vary for enhanced modules and differ for international students. 

What our students say about their experience of learning on the course

“The course has been flexible in allowing me to choose my particular areas of interest”

“Thank you so much for your support throughout my MSc studies. I've had such a great experience over the last 4 years and have loved studying at UH! I'm sure I'll be back”

“All modules including the one I’m currently doing have been excellent, thank you”

“Staff are enthusiastic when teaching each topic, approachable and tailored sessions to the needs of the group”

Further Information

Please take time to review all the available information to formulate a personalised plan of study. We are happy to have a conversation with you via Zoom/Skype/telephone/email to discuss your individual requirements and questions - Dr Mindy Cairns or Andrea Moulson (Physiotherapy Postgraduate Programme Leads) MScAdvPhysio@herts.ac.uk