Physiotherapy bsc(hons)

Year 1

Year 1 focuses on the underpinning theory needed to be a physiotherapist, such as anatomy. You will be introduced to core physiotherapy skills such as exercise prescription and massage. Running through the first year is a professional module which explores what it is to be a physiotherapist.

In the second semester you will gain physiotherapy-relevant work experience and have the option to work with a voluntary organisation. This will develop your interpersonal and professional skills and enable you to start work with service users.

• The Physiotherapist as a Professional

  In this module you will be introduced to some of the key concepts that underpin professional behaviour/practice and interprofessional working. The module will provide you with the academic skills required to search, record and structure information from a wide range of sources. You will develop your abilities in scientific writing, critical appraisal, basic statistics and presentation skills.

  The experiential component will give you the opportunity to observe physiotherapy relevant practice with the aim of developing confidence, improving communication and team working skills, encouraging reflective practice and promoting professional behaviour. You will develop the knowledge necessary for the safe moving and handling of patients. The module also explores health psychology and how this applies physiotherapy practice.

• Exercise and Health Promotion in Physiotherapy Practice

  This module will provide you with a foundation in exercise prescription and health promotion principles across the lifespan, in both healthy populations and as part of rehabilitation programmes. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills to design safe and effective exercise programmes (individual and group) to maintain and improve fitness components. You will gain an understanding of exercise physiology and be able to prescribe exercises in line with current guidelines. You will learn about and apply the principles of health promotion and physiotherapists’ role in public health to your practice.

• Applied Anatomy

  This module will cover the study of anatomy, including basic terminology, and progresses to a detailed study of the bones, joints and muscles of both the upper and lower quadrant along with the trunk. The module will cover knowledge of nerves, blood vessels and lymph nodes in the living body. You will be introduced to clinical assessment tests of joints, ligaments and muscles, and nerve integrity testing, and the practical skills of identifying the relevant structures in the living body. Revision sessions will support your understanding of the whole anatomy module.

• Foundations in Physiotherapy 1

  This module will develop your understanding of normal human physiology, and pathophysiology throughout the lifespan. The module will focus on musculoskeletal system disorders and developing associated physiotherapy skills. Pharmacology will also be introduced.

• Foundations in Physiotherapy 2

  This module will introduce you to the structure and function of the cardiorespiratory and neurological systems. You will be facilitated to develop your knowledge and practical skills related to assessing and managing conditions within cardiorespiratory and Neurological Physiotherapy.

• Clinical Reasoning in Contemporary Healthcare

  This module will introduce you to the concept of clinical reasoning and clinical decision making and how the context of care, sociocultural factors, and policy influence this in delivering ethical, patient-centred care within current physiotherapy practice.