Everything you need to know...
-
What is the fee?
Home: £21,240 for the course
International/EU: £35,490 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
-
Where will I study?
-
When do I start?
January 2026
Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 95% in highly skilled employment or further study (2020/21 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Course summary
- Study physiotherapy on an applied course with a high level of student satisfaction.
- Gain a specialist level of theoretical and practical understanding.
- Enhance your skills in clinical reasoning, critical thinking and reflection.
- Benefit from well-regarded teaching and excellent practice placement opportunities.
- Train at one of the largest and most established physiotherapy education departments in the UK.
This course provides you with specialist training, qualifications and opportunities to help you begin your physiotherapy career. Aimed at applicants who’ve already studied a degree in a related field, you’ll graduate as an autonomous practitioner – helping those affected by injury, illness or disability to maximise their functional ability, and to manage their condition using a variety of physical or cognitive modalities.
Accredited by
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You must be registered with the HCPC in order to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK.
On completion of the intermediate awards - PgDiploma/PgCertificate in Physical Rehabilitation, you will not be eligible to apply for HCPC registration as a Physiotherapist.
Graduate view
'The placements offered during the course are varied and allow you to access many different areas and specialities of Physiotherapy which bring to life the knowledge you have learnt as a student. The course gave me the confidence and skills to work in a collaborative setting, manage my own workload and present research and training to other Professionals at events. After graduating I began working as a Physiotherapist for Sheffield Neuro Physiotherapy.'
Hannah Wright, MSc (pre reg) Physiotherapy graduate
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
The course is designed to promote independent structured learning – leading to autonomous practice when you qualify.
You’ll gain practice-based learning experience and have the opportunity to learn from, with and about other health and social care students – through integration and co-curricular activities embedded within the course. This approach means you’ll have a strong identity as a physiotherapist, and you’ll know how to work within multidisciplinary teams to support people through health and care services.
Teaching is based around the development of the key transferable skills you’ll need to become a qualified physiotherapist. You’ll undertake practice-based learning experiences in a variety of settings while benefiting from a wide range of teaching and learning methods.
You learn through:
- Practicals and seminars
- Digitally enabled online materials
- Online webinars
- Practice-based learning experiences
- Lectures
Key Themes
Through a structured progression of academic and practice experience, you'll develop the skills to manage a diverse range of health and social care problems. Taking a critical, evidenced-based and proactive approach to learning, you’ll become an effective and autonomous physiotherapist. The course will reflect the cultural diversity within healthcare and practice – identifying global perspectives of health and inequality through a range of inclusive learning and teaching approaches.
The course also has a range of assessment strategies to develop and enhance your academic writing, clinical reasoning, presentation, digital and practical physiotherapy skills – all required to meet the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Proficiency for professional registration in the UK.
This course is approved by the HCPC and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. When you graduate you’ll be eligible to apply to register with the HCPC and apply to become a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Course Support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through a number of key areas, including:
- Access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Live Projects
You’ll apply the theory you study to practice-based learning experiences. Here you’ll develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice – preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional.
These experiences will help you build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity. They’ll take place in different practice-based learning environments – reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered while exposing you to experience across the four pillars of practice (clinical education, learning and education, leadership, and research). This might include simulated learning and virtual placements, alongside real-world experience of services delivered face-to-face to service users.
We’ll ensure the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) which governs the physiotherapy profession. So by the end of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to show that you meet the requirements to register as a physiotherapist in the UK.
Networking Opportunities
During the course, you’ll have opportunities to learn with other allied health practice students to understand other professions and how to work collaboratively ready for future practice. We’ll provide you with the knowledge, skills and values to enhance your employability.
You’ll also benefit from guest lecturers from a variety of healthcare backgrounds, as well as employer presentations and career fairs.
Future careers
When qualified you’ll have a strong professional identity, with the skills, knowledge, values and clinical reasoning ability to work in contemporary and dynamic health and social care environments. You’ll have the skills, knowledge and attributes you need to work as part of an integrated team, focused around the needs of the service user.
This course prepares you for a career in:
- The NHS
- The physiotherapy industry
- Professional sport
- Private practice
- Education
- Research
- Leadership
- Overseas roles
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
Most of our on-campus teaching is carried out in and around practical rooms, clinical suites and ward environments – with all the equipment you’d find in a contemporary clinical space.
On this course you work with
- Specialist modern teaching facilities
- Clinical skills suites, practical rooms and mock ward environments
- High-tech simulation manikins and equipment
- Purpose-built, integrated teaching areas
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Learn more about your department
Health and Social Care Facilities Tour
Learn what it's like to study health and social care at our Collegiate Campus from our adult nursing student Alex.
Entry requirements
All students
You need a first degree recognised in the UK at 2.1 or above in a science related subject including biology, biochemistry, biomedical science, chemistry, medical science and sport science. Applicants with other degrees will be assessed on an individual basis.
And
GCSEs in
*GCSE Science equivalents
**GCSE Maths equivalents
***GCSE English equivalents
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents**
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents***
- OCR Science level 2
- Science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma qualification
- Science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
- Science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
- Level 2 Key Skills/ Application of Number/ Grade D at GSCE Maths/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
- Maths Equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
- Level 2 Literacy
- Level 2 Key Skills
IELTS
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 overall and a minimum of 6.0 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration.
Helping your application succeed
Experience
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.
Reference
You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.
View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration form provided during the admissions process:
- unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
- involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
- involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
- enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University
In addition
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
- if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
- where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
Occupational Health Screening
You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.
Immunisations
You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.
Other professional suitability information
Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
You can contact our disability coordinator on 0114 225 2588 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.
Open day
Our open days give you an opportunity to chat to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities, as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our open days, please follow this link University open days.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Developing Physiotherapy Practice (M)
Evaluating Research Methodologies
Foundations Of Physiotherapy Practice (M)
Placement Pr1
Placement Pr2
Final year
Compulsory modules
Advancing Complexity In Physiotherapy Practice (M)
Creating Original Practice
Evaluating Complexity In Practice
Placement Pr3
Placement Pr4
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £21,240 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £19,470 Year 2: £1,770.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £35,490 for the course which includes a placement supplement. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
Health and social care funding
Home fee-paying students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year. You may also be eligible for additional financial support based on your circumstances.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Physiotherapy coursesLegal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
