Physiotherapy BSc

The human body is a complex machine, but what happens when movement becomes a challenge? This course trains the next generation of physiotherapists to use scientific knowledge and patient-assessment in helping to improve the physical well-being of their patients or optimising sports professionals’ physical performance.

Brunel’s Physiotherapy course is designed to be hands-on and practical. Our Mary Seacole Building is purpose-built for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy. The rooms reflect the type of clinical environments that you will work in when you graduate and you’ll learn your practical skills here as you’ll have the opportunity to practice on patients visiting the university and on your fellow students. This means that you’ll be confident and experienced in time for your first placement.

At Brunel we understand the value of making the most of your 1,000 hours of clinical experience. By starting placements in year two, you’ll be able to fully immerse yourself and practice the skills you have learned in year one. Your placements will all be practical learning experiences, not just observational.

You’ll study modules covering a vast range of specialist areas within physiotherapy. You’ll learn the skills necessary to analyse patient symptoms and develop treatment plans. You’ll also learn to assess the effectiveness of your treatments. This is a skill which is vital to working as a physiotherapist.

Our graduates are equipped with a strong scientific foundation and the practical skills required to be first-rate physiotherapists. This is reflected in our employment figures with 100 per cent of our physiotherapy students being in work or study six months after graduating.

The NHS Values are shaped by patients, public and staff have helped develop this expression of values that inspire passion in the NHS and that should underpin everything it does. Individual organisations will develop and build upon these values, tailoring them to their local needs. The NHS values provide common ground for co-operation to achieve shared aspirations, at all levels of the NHS.

Financial Support

Studying at University can be financially challenging so here at Brunel, we want to draw your attention to the UK Government support scheme – NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) aimed to reduce this cost burden.

This scheme is aimed primarily at British Nationals and British residents. There are some eligibility criteria to be met but basically UK students are eligible for a non-means tested grant of £5,000 for each academic year of study. More info can be found here.

This grant does not need to be paid back. Neither are you committed to working in the NHS on graduating and registering.

Please note that the application process and awarding of this grant is totally independent of the University. We are unable to advise or intervene on your behalf. Further information including a short video can be found here.

It’s likely that all students going on clinical placements will incur some travel expenses in excess of their normal travel to and from the University. Very occasionally students may have a travel journey in excess of 2 hours each way to and from placement in which case they would be eligible to stay local to their placement during the working week which would naturally incur extra expenditure for accommodation too.

So, it’s great that UK students are eligible for reimbursement of excess travel or accommodation costs incurred due to undertaking practical training on a clinical placement. This money does not need to be paid back. Further information can be found here.

In addition to the basic Training Grant - UK students who have parental responsibility for a child may be eligible for an additional grant of £2000 for each academic year. This grant does not need to be paid back. Further information can be found here.

UK students may apply for an additional exceptional support grant of up to £3000 for each academic year. This grant does not need to be paid back. Further information can be found here.

To register for an NHS Training Grant you will need to set up a Learning Support Fund Account – which takes around 5 minutes. Click here to start the process.

And remember too that you can still apply for a re-payable student loan in addition to the NHS Training Grant.

Dean’s International Scholarship: This course is eligible for a £2,000 fee waiver, per academic year, subject to availability. This Scholarship is for full-time international students only. Find out more.

All modules are compulsory and cover the broad spectrum of physiotherapy from paediatrics through to cardiovascular health.

This course can be studied 3 years full-time, starting in September.

Successful completion of the programme provides eligibility to apply for statutory registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

We expect all applicants to have thoroughly researched the profession prior to applying for the physiotherapy programme. This research requires review of the CSP website and other relevant web sites/literature and an observational clinical experience is advised. Applicants will be short listed from their UCAS forms on the basis of their academic profile and their insight into the profession. Short listed applicants will be required to attend a Selection Day.

Standard entrants:

These are the requirements which we would normally expect from applicants under the age of 21 at the proposed point of entry onto the programme. For all standard entry applicants, we normally expect 7 GCSEs or equivalent at grade B or grade 5 or above including two science subjects, GCSE English Language and Maths is also required at grade C or grade 4 or above.

• GCE A-level AAB - ABB to include at least one of the following subjects, Biology, Human Biology, PE, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry or Maths. General Studies and Critical Thinking are not accepted.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma 31 points, with a 5 in Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology, PE or Maths at higher level.  GCSE English equivalent SL 5 or HL 4 and Mathematics SL 4 or HL 4.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDD in Applied Science, Health and Social Care, or Sport and Exercise Science with an A-level grade B in  Biology, Human Biology, PE, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry or Maths. 
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma DD in Applied Science, Health and Social Care or Sport and Exercise Science, with two A-levels at grades AB including  Biology, Human Biology, PE, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry or Maths.
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in Applied Science, Health and Social Care or Sport and Exercise Science, with two A-levels at grades AB, including Biology/Human Biology.
• T levels : Not accepted.

Non-standard entrants / mature students:

These are the requirements which we would normally expect from applicants over the age of 21 at the proposed point of entry onto the programme. 

Non-standard entrants and mature students (over the age of 21 years) are welcome and considered on an individual basis. However applicants are normally required to provide evidence of formal academic study of Human Biology/Biology to A-level standard or equivalent within the four years prior to the start of the programme. For all non-standard entry applicants a minimum of 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade B or grade 5 or above are required. GCSE English Language and Maths at grade C or grade 4 or above are also required. A selection of possible entry level academic qualifications is given below:

• GCSE All applicants must have GCSEs in English Language and Maths – equivalents are not normally accepted.
• GCE A-levels At least Grade B in A-level Biology or Human Biology ideally taken within the last four years plus a second A-level at grade B.
• Obtain a minimum of 128 UCAS tariff points in the Access to HE Diploma in Health Science, Health Professions, Health and Social Care, Health Studies, Medicine, Medical Science, Physiotherapy, Science or Science in Health Profession  with 45 credits at Level 3. In addition all Access students must be able to offer us a B grade at A-Level  Biology, Human Biology, PE, Physics, Psychology, Chemistry or Maths.

Advice for mature students:

In order to present us with enough detail on which to base a decision we ask that you:

Document your full academic history on the UCAS form and not just give us your most recent qualifications(s).

Access students please list only the modules you intend to study, not all the ones available for study. Remember that we require GCSEs in English Language and Maths – we do not accept equivalents offered as part of an Access diploma.

Present documentary proof of previous academic achievements at the point of course enrolment.

Health and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check

In addition to meeting our entry criteria and a satisfactory selection day outcome, applicants under offer must demonstrate satisfactory health declaration and complete a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application, previously known as a (CRB) check.

Brunel University London is committed to raising the aspirations of our applicants and students. We will fully review your UCAS application and, where we’re able to offer a place, this will be personalised to you based on your application and education journey.

For further guidance please Contact Admissions.

• IELTS: 7 (min 6.5 in all areas)
• Pearson: 64 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 68% (63% in all areas)
• TOEFL: 98 (min 23 in all areas)

You will be assessed through a mixture of written exams, practical vivas, practical exams, written assignments and your clinical placement assessment record.