BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Key Details
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Science
- UCAS Course Code
- B160
- Typical Offer
- AAB (specific subject requirements apply)
- Contextual Offer
- BBB (specific subject requirements apply)
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2026
Chat to us on Unibuddy
Any questions? Chat online with current students, staff and experts. This is your chance to ask anything about UEA, university life, Norwich and more.
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, the opportunity to develop your clinical confidence and competence through immersive hands-on simulation sessions, learning anatomy using dissection, placements that start in year one and an elective professional development placement in the final year.
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 and gain understanding of how to manage both yourself and those around you. You’ll develop interpersonal skills key to engaging effectively with patients, carers, and the multidisciplinary healthcare team.
At UEA, you’ll benefit from our bespoke facilities for learning practical physiotherapy skills and enjoy state of the art simulation suites. 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.
Study Abroad
Placement Six is an ‘elective’ 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 director). 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
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 topics including 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 BSc Physiotherapy 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. 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 students from other health care disciplines, 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, portfolios of evidence, live oral presentations and posters. Written work will be based on critical enquiry and clinical reasoning. Feedback will be provided 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, whilst you 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, including advanced communication skills and recognising strengths for employability. You’ll also complete further practice placements, focusing on the acquisition of more complex skills. Your final placement is known as the ‘elective’ professional development placement, which allows some flexibility to choose and organise a placement of specific interest guided by your interests 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 and a literature review dissertation, 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. Upon 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, 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
- Research
- Education
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.
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.
Contextual offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Merit in 30 credits at Level 3 and Pass in 15 credits at Level 3 in a Health, Care or Science subject, including 12 credits of Biology at Merit
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
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:
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)
Not accepted: BTEC Public Services, BTEC Uniformed Services and BTEC Business Administration.
Other Typical Entry Requirements
-
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- 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 2026. 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.
- UEA International Study Centre
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, UEA International Study Centre 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 6.5 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, UEA International Study Centre 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Progression
Once enrolled onto a course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enrolled.
- 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 2026. 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.
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: