BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- B160
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2025
Explore our Campus
Visiting UEA is the best way to find out if you could imagine yourself studying and living on our beautiful campus. Explore our virtual and in person events now.
Why you should choose us
Course Overview
Physiotherapy is a career with an incredibly positive impact, helping people of all ages to reach their health and wellbeing goals. It’s a career ideally suited to great communicators, who can put the patient’s story at the centre of their care. Skilled physiotherapy integrates the physical with the emotional to build a complete picture.
As a physiotherapy student at UEA, you’ll join a close community of therapy staff and students who create a positive learning environment and support your wellbeing throughout the course. Our Physiotherapy team are a dynamic group of active researchers and clinicians, with clinical, research, education and leadership expertise. Our interdisciplinary ethos means that you’ll be studying with a range of allied health professional students in sectors you’ll encounter in your working life. Our programme offers a unique combination of opportunities, including case-based teaching to reflect real practice, learning anatomy using dissection, placements that start in Year One and an elective professional development placement in the final year which you’ll choose and organise within the UK or internationally.
As a physiotherapy student you’ll learn how to apply problem-solving and clinical reasoning to assess and evaluate a client’s health. You’ll master specific assessment and treatment techniques. You’ll gain understanding of how to manage both yourself and those around you. And you’ll develop and hone the interpersonal skills key to enabling the negotiation of action plans, and to engaging effectively with patients, carers, and the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
At UEA you’ll benefit from our bespoke facilities for learning physiotherapy practical skills and enjoy state of the art simulation suites. You’ll experience a wide range of placements throughout and beyond the East Anglia region. Learning in Norwich means you’ll benefit from the buzz of a vibrant city, a stunning coastline and diverse rural communities.
Physiotherapy careers are diverse, and as a graduate from our BSc Physiotherapy degree you’ll encounter many exciting opportunities to apply your clinical, research, education and leadership skills. These include, health and social care, higher education, independent and private practice, the voluntary sector including charities, the military, prison service, industry, and sports clubs.
)
Not sure how to prepare for university interviews? We offer free mock interview days for students who might need extra support.
Placement Year and Study Abroad
Placement Six is a professional development placement within an area guided by your placement profile, in a location you choose and organise (with approval from your advisor and course directory). You can choose where you’d like to complete the placement, based on your previous practice experience. There is the option to undertake your placement overseas, broadening your understanding of physiotherapy within a different country and culture. This is subject to government health advice at the time these placements take place.
Accreditations
Our programme is approved by the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). Following your graduation, you'll need to register with your professional body, the Health and Care Professionals Council (HCPC). You could also join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy. Once HCPC registered, you'll be eligible to work as a physiotherapist in the UK and overseas, although to work in some countries, such as the USA and Canada you may have to sit a further exam.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our Physiotherapy degree is strong on both theory and practice. In each of your three years you’ll undertake mandatory modules, which will vary in credit weight, as well as two practice placements. You’ll also have introductory sessions at the start of each academic year to support your transition between the academic levels.
In your first year, you’ll study five year long topics, consisting of a mix of profession-specific and interdisciplinary learning and varying in weight from 20 to 60 credits. You’ll also complete practice placements, focusing on core transferable and profession-specific knowledge, skills and behaviours.
This first year will provide the foundations for developing your professional practice and will include anatomy, physiology, sociology and psychology, alongside research skills and the theory and practical physiotherapy skills and professionalism.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
This three-year full-time course will provide you with all the theoretical and practical knowledge you need to work as a physiotherapist in a variety of health and social care settings.
As a physiotherapist, you’ll need to be able to operate autonomously and make educated decisions about patient care, and our course is designed to help you do just that.
One of our primary aims is that you’re able to link the theory with practice, so your learning will balance teaching with a series of placements in health, social and educational settings, as well as supervised practice on fellow students. Our teaching methods feature a student-centred approach that mixes simulation, lectures, seminars, group work and self-directed learning.
You’ll have a personal adviser who will work with you as you develop a portfolio, demonstrating both the ways you’ve progressed and your reflective practice. As you progress through the course, you’ll be expected to take on greater responsibility for your professional development.
We use a range of media to support your learning to full effect. In particular, we use Blackboard – our virtual learning environment – to guide you and support the syllabus throughout the course, especially during placements when you'll be studying at a distance.
In your first year you’ll learn the foundational skills required for your development as a physiotherapist. You’ll focus on learning relevant to musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurology systems.
You’ll complete a shared human sciences module, working alongside occupational therapy students and covering anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology. You’ll be introduced to basic group work skills and have a variety of opportunities to engage in peer learnings. You’ll undertake two practice placements to introduce you to the workplace, and to enable you to start to establish links between theory and practice.
Through a module shared with Occupational Therapy and Speech and Language Therapy students, you’ll discover what it means to engage with research-based evidence as a health professional, and you’ll be introduced to research methods.
Assessment
In each of the years, we’ll assess each module you complete using a range of methods including Objective Structure Clinical Examinations (OSCEs), course tests, and portfolios of evidence. Written work will be based on critical enquiry and clinical reasoning. You’ll also complete live oral presentations and posters.
You’ll receive feedback throughout so that you can reflect on your practice and learning, helping you identify your strengths, as well as any areas you may need to work on.
We’ll assess your clinical reasoning and analytical skills as they develop. You’ll also create a professional portfolio to capture your development throughout the programme. You’ll continue to build on this portfolio throughout your professional career in preparation for practice.
In your first year, you have an OSCE and then a mixture of essays, multiple choice questions, group presentations, oral presentations and two practice placements.
Structure
In your second year, you’ll undertake two further practice placements, building on your core skills. You’ll continue to engage with learning across a range of year-long modules to enhance your transferable and profession-specific knowledge, skills and behaviours. You’ll explore in greater depth a range of cases, including those which focus on musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
This second year will also provide the opportunity to build on your understanding of existing research, and of how physiotherapy research is produced.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your second year you’ll build on your foundation skills and knowledge and apply this to patient case studies. You’ll develop further physiotherapy-specific skills and become more able to articulate your clinical reasoning.
Throughout this year you’ll continue to work in interprofessional groups and develop your professional identity. You'll build on your research skills so that you can understand the evidence supporting your choice of physiotherapy intervention.
You’ll have two placements in year two giving you the opportunity to apply your learning while working with experienced practice educators.
Assessment
You have a viva and then a mixture of oral presentations, written work and short answer questions for your evidence-based practice module, alongside two practice placements.
Structure
In your final year, year-long modules continue with increasing complexity to aid your transition from student to qualified Physiotherapist. You’ll also complete further practice placements, focusing on the acquisition of more complex skills. Your final placement is known as the professional development placement, which allows some flexibility to choose and organise a placement of specific interest guided by your profile and previous placement experiences. This could include exploring overseas opportunities.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your final year you’ll consider the wider role of physiotherapy across a range of settings with increasingly complex patient scenarios. You’ll study a variety of contemporary health topics, as well as the legislation and policies that drive the health and social care agenda.
Throughout the year, you’ll become increasingly independent and responsible for your own learning, in preparation for your transition to qualified professional life. You’ll complete a further two practice placements, one of which you can plan and undertake in an area of your choice.
Assessment
You have oral presentations, professional poster, a professional interview and development plan, alongside two practice placements.
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate ready to begin your career as a physiotherapist. Our graduates are known for being capable candidates who are well prepared for modern health and social care services. Uppn graduation, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and can look forward to a lifelong career as a qualified health professional.
There will be numerous roles available to you within the NHS, private sector, voluntary sectors, industry, research and education – the opportunities are endless. We’ll support you in developing your portfolio and will work closely with you to get your career off to the best start.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- NHS
- Private independent practice
- Armed Forces
- Industry/occupational health
- Sport and leisure
- Voluntary and charity sectors
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
We require 5 GCSEs to be complete at grade C or 4, including English Language, Mathematics, and at least one Science subject.
If you hold or are working towards Mathematics and English Language GCSEs, but do not hold 5 GCSEs/a science GCSE, please contact Admissions.
- Contextual Offers
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB including Biology, Human Biology, or PE.
Contextual offer: BBB including Biology, Human Biology, or PE.
Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English exam board require a pass in the practical element.
BTEC
DDD.
Contextual offer: DDM.
See BTEC / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 section below for further information on accepted subjects.
Combinations of BTEC and A levels
Diploma: DD plus B at A level.
Contextual Offer: DD plus C at A level.
Extended Certificate: D plus AB at A level.
Contextual Offer: D plus BB at A level.
BTEC in Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration are all excluded from our BTEC offers.
See BTEC / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 section below for further information on accepted subjects and combinations.Access to HE Diploma
Pass Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 36 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 9 credits at Level 3 in a Health, Care or Science subject, including 12 credits of Biology.
T levels
Obtain an overall Pass including an A in the core of the T Level and a Distinction in the Occupational Specialism. We accept the Science T Level only.
- Further Examples of Typical Entry Requirements
Bachelor’s Degree (hons)
2:1 or above in Biology, Human Biology or PE.
Alternative subjects can also be considered alongside grade B in A Level Biology, Human Biology or PE.
BTEC / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3
Grade requirements:
-
DDD (made up of Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma subjects)
-
DD (made up of Extended Certificate or Diploma subjects) plus B at A level
-
D (Extended Certificate) plus AB at A level
Subject requirements:
Please note: Unfortunately, we are not able to accept all BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 subjects for this course. Please check the list below carefully to see what we can accept. If your subject is not listed below, then we do not accept it for entry to this course.
Our subject requirements are:
-
Extended Diploma in one of the subjects listed below
-
A combination of BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 subjects, which includes at least one of the options listed below
-
Any BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 subjects, taken in combination with A level Biology, Human Biology or PE
-
A combination of one of the BTEC/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 subject options below alongside A levels in any subject(s)
Applied Human Biology (2018 RQF suite) – must include one of the following units:
-
Functional physiology
-
Diseases, disorders, treatments and therapies
Applied Science (2010 QCF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:
-
Physiology of human body systems
-
Physiology of human regulation and reproduction
-
Diseases and infections
Applied Science (2016 RQF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:
-
Physiology of human body systems
-
Human regulation and reproduction
-
Biological molecules and metabolic pathways
-
Diseases and infections
Applied Science (2020 RQF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:
-
Principles and applications of biology II
-
Functional physiology of the human body system
-
Human reproduction and regulation
-
Biological molecules and metabolic pathways
-
Diseases and infections
Fitness Services (2016 RQF suite) – Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma.
Health and Social Care (2010 QCF & 2016 RQF suites) – Extended Diploma only.
Sport (2010 QCF suite) – must include at least two of the following units:
-
Fitness testing for sport and exercise
-
Exercise, health and lifestyle
-
Sports injuries
-
Sports and exercise massage
-
Research investigation in sports and exercise sciences
-
Applied sport and exercise physiology
Sport (2016 RQF suite) – Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma.
Sport and Exercise Science (2016 RQF suite) – Diploma or Extended Diploma.
Sport and Physical Activity (OCR Cambridge Technical - 2016 suite) – Extended Diploma. Diploma or Extended Certificate must include at least two of the following units:
-
Improving Fitness for Sport and Physical Activity
-
Biomechanics and Movement Analysis
-
Physical Activity for Specific Groups
-
Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation
Sports Coaching and Development (2019 RQF suite) – Extended Diploma only. Must include at least three of the following units:
-
Anatomy and Physiology in Sport
-
Sporting Injuries
-
Functional Sports Massage
-
Fitness Training
Sporting Excellence and Performance (2019 RQF suite) – Diploma or Extended Diploma only.
Sport, Fitness and Personal Training (2019 RQF suite) – Extended Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma.
Sport and Outdoor Activities (2019 RQF suite) – Extended Diploma only. Must include all of the following units:
-
Anatomy and physiology in sport
-
Sports injuries
-
Fitness training
BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services and BTEC Business Administration are not accepted to make up any grades.
Certificate of Higher Education
65% in Biology, Human Biology or PE, plus ABB at A level.
Diploma of Higher Education
65% in Year 2, in Biology, Human Biology or PE.
Alternative subjects considered alongside grade B in A level Biology, Human Biology or PE.
Foundation Degree
65% in Year 2, in Biology, Human Biology or PE.
Alternative subjects considered alongside grade B in A level Biology, Human Biology or PE.
Foundation Year
70% or above in a Foundation Year of an undergraduate degree programme at a UK university, in Biology, Human Biology or PE, plus ABB at A level.
International Baccalaureate
33 including HL 5 in Biology or Sports, Exercise & Health Science.
Irish Leaving Certificate
4 subjects at H2 and 2 subjects at H3, including Biology, Human Biology or PE.
Open University
60% in Open University module SK299 (30 credits) accepted in lieu of A Level Biology only.
Scottish Advanced Highers
BBC including Biology, Human Biology or PE.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
Scottish Highers
AAAAA including Biology, Human Biology or PE.
A combination of Advanced Highers and Highers may be acceptable.
WJEC Level 3 Diploma
Grade B or above in Medical Science accepted in lieu of A Level Biology, if taken alongside two other A levels with grades AAB overall.
WJEC Level 3 Diplomas in other Health or Science subjects can be taken to make up three grades alongside A Level(s) in Biology, Human Biology or PE.
Please contact Admissions if you need clarification or to check grade requirements.
Additional Information
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications, and we also recognise that some students might take a mixture of some of the qualifications above. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
Please note that we do not consider A Levels in General Studies or Critical Thinking, Apprenticeships, NVQs (any level) or Work-based Level 3 Diplomas (previously NVQs) to meet the minimum academic entry requirements, although these can be used as evidence of recent study.
Graduates may wish to consider our accelerated Masters programmes.
-
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Offers will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews, and will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check (including evidence of appropriate immunisations), an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required. We will let you know what you need to do (and when) to meet these conditions if you are successful in gaining an offer.
If you have previously studied at degree level in a health based subject, we will want to see that you have passed all of the study that you have undertaken. We’ll be unable to consider you for this course if you’ve obtained an academic fail from a previous health based degree programme, including where an exit award has been achieved.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your UCAS application. For more information on the application process and what to expect at each step, take a look at our handy Applying to HSC infographic, which explains the application journey from start to finish.
Interview format
Our interviews for 2025 will take place on our campus. The format will match the process outlined in our animation: What to expect from a Health Science interview at UEA, as closely as possible. You will be invited to book your interview for a morning or afternoon session by email. The email will include the arrival time and building location. We use a variety of the buildings on our campus for interviews, but they will either be on our Main Campus or on our West Campus (which is around a 20-minute walk from the centre of the Main Campus, near the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital). The session will last no longer than 3 hours in total. Applicants who are based outside of England at the point of applying will be offered an online interview.
As part of the session, you will take part in ‘multiple mini-interviews’ with academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
You will undertake your ‘multiple mini-interview’ alongside 1 or 2 other applicants for the course. Together, you will be taken to your interview room, which will be furnished with three interview stations. You will attend each interview station in turn, rotating with the other applicants you have been grouped with.
Before you visit each interview station, you will be given time to read some information. The information will include the interview questions or topics that you will be asked about. You will then be given a set amount of time with the interviewer(s), who will ask you the questions verbally.
The other applicants who you have been grouped together with will be following the same process as you at the same time. They will be speaking to alternate interviewer(s) to you simultaneously. You will all continue the process above until you have been interviewed at all three interview stations.
As part of your interview day, you will also have an opportunity to join some other sessions, for which you will not be assessed. The sessions are an opportunity for you to learn more about the course, the university, the students that study here, and for you to ask questions of current students and teaching staff. There may be an opportunity to undertake some practical skills during some of these sessions, if possible. There may also be an opportunity to tour the teaching facilities. These parts of your interview day are not compulsory, and do not form part of the assessment.
Interview questions
At each interview station you will be asked questions that focus on a particular domain. The order in which you are asked about these domains will be variable. The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
On all interview stations, interviewers will also consider your ability to clearly present information and communicate your responses effectively.
Experience of healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular, the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
During the course, no less than 33% of your time will be spent on practice placement. This might be in a variety of settings that include hospitals, community services, general practice, social services and voluntary or private organisations. Placement allocation occurs throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
Assessing your fitness to become a registered healthcare professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- Age on Entry
Applicants for this course need to be aged 18 or over by 31 December 2025. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in September each year.
We welcome and value a wide range of qualifications, and we recognise that some students might take a mixture of different qualifications. We have listed typical examples that we accept for entry.
You should hold or be working towards the specified English and Mathematics requirements and one of the examples of typical entry qualifications listed below. If your qualifications aren’t listed, or if you are taking a combination of qualifications that isn’t specified, please contact Admissions.
- English and Mathematics
All applicants must hold or be working towards GCSEs in English Language and Mathematics at minimum grade C or grade 4.
We accept a wide range of English Language qualifications, please see our English Language equivalencies page.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
We require 5 GCSEs to be complete at grade C or 4, including English Language, Mathematics, and at least one Science subject.
If you hold or are working towards Mathematics and English Language GCSEs, but do not hold 5 GCSEs/a science GCSE, please contact Admissions.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
A levels
AAB including Biology, Human Biology, or PE.
Where applicable Science A levels awarded by an English Exam board require a pass in the practical element. Not accepted: Critical Thinking and General Studies.
International Baccalaureate
33 including HL 6 Biology or Sports, Exercise & Health Science.
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. For specific details about your country, view our information for International Students.
- INTO UEA
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
- Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Offers will be made to applicants after completion of successful interviews, and will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check (including evidence of appropriate immunisations), an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required. We will let you know what you need to do (and when) to meet these conditions if you are successful in gaining an offer.
If you have previously studied at degree level in a health based subject, we will want to see that you have passed all of the study that you have undertaken. We’ll be unable to consider you for this course if you’ve obtained an academic fail from a previous health based degree programme, including where an exit award has been achieved.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your UCAS application. For more information on the application process and what to expect at each step, take a look at our handy Applying to HSC infographic, which explains the application journey from start to finish.
Interview format
Applicants who are based outside of England at the point of applying will be offered an online interview. You will be invited to an online interview by email. These are typically 40 minutes long and the email will include a link to your online interview. This is conducted on Blackboard Collaborate.
The interview will be conducted by one or multiple interviewers including academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
After an initial introduction, the lead interviewer will conduct an ID check and then explain how the interview will unfold.The interview will cover three distinct domains which will be introduced to you by the interviewer at the start of your interview. The interview questions will be shared in the chat with you so you can read them.
The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
During the interview, the interviewer(s) will also consider your ability to clearly present information and communicate your responses effectively.
Experience of healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular, the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
During the course, no less than 33% of your time will be spent on practice placement. This might be in a variety of settings that include hospitals, community services, general practice, social services and voluntary or private organisations. Placement allocation occurs throughout the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex and Cambridgeshire.
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
Assessing your fitness to become a registered healthcare professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness.
- Deferred Entry
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all undergraduate applicants.
- Recent Study
We would prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If your last qualification will have been completed more than 5 years ago by the time the course starts, please contact Admissions.
- Age on Entry
Applicants for this course need to be aged 18 or over by 31 December 2025. This is owing to the integrated nature of placements within the first year of the course and safeguarding implications. In view of this, applicants who will not be 18 years old or over by this date, should consider applying for deferred entry.
Not sure how to prepare for university interviews? We offer free mock interview days for students who might need extra support.
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
You can find information regarding additional costs associated on our Fees and finance webpages.
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information: