BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
- Study Mode: Full Time
- Location: High Wycombe
- Duration: Three or Four Years
- Start Date: September 2026
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Help people recover from injuries, manage chronic conditions, and improve their physical function with our BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree. Combining in-depth theoretical knowledge with hands-on practical experience and placements, you'll develop a strong understanding of prevention, rehabilitation, and improving overall health across all age groups.
Our strong links with NHS and Primary Care Trusts, experienced lecturers with an extensive clinical background and state-of-the-art-facilities will support you as you become a confident and compassionate healthcare professional. This course is accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), meaning upon successful completion of the course you’ll be able to register as a qualified Physiotherapist.
* Please note the Foundation Year of this course is Subject to Validation.
A career as a physiotherapist is rewarding and full of opportunities. This hands-on profession allows you to directly work with a broad range of patients, taking a holistic approach to healthcare. As a Physiotherapist you are at the core of physical wellbeing and treatment. This can be applied in a range of settings both medically and within the sports world. It’s an exciting, dynamic and varied profession that will see you treating all sorts of injuries. No two days will be the same, and each day will bring the satisfaction of making a real difference in people's lives.
As part of this course, you’ll complete practice placements in clinical settings, carefully integrated throughout the programme to help you apply the knowledge and skills you’ve gained in the classroom to real-world healthcare environments.
Your placements will span a range of clinical settings, including acute hospitals, primary care, community stations, and outpatient clinics. By working alongside qualified physiotherapists and other healthcare professionals within local NHS Trusts, you’ll gain invaluable hands-on experience with patients. This not only enhances your learning but also allows you to build early connections within the healthcare sector, all while fulfilling the mandatory practice hours required for professional registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Every aspect of our BSc (Hons), Physiotherapy course has been carefully designed to develop you into a confident, competent, and compassionate healthcare professional. The curriculum is informed by the extensive clinical experience of our academic staff, many of whom have worked across a variety of physiotherapy settings in the NHS and private sector. Their insights ensure that the course remains relevant, practical, and closely aligned with the realities of modern radiographic practice.
We have structured the degree in line with the professional frameworks and standards set by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This includes a strong focus on evidence-based practice, patient-centred care, ethical decision-making, and the safe and effective use of advanced imaging technologies.
Upon successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as a qualified Physiotherapist.
At our High Wycombe Campus, you’ll have access to purpose-built, state-of-the-art facilities designed to enhance your learning experience. These include well-equipped simulation clinics that replicate real-life clinical environments, allowing you to practice and refine your skills in a safe and controlled setting. Our dedicated rehabilitation teaching rooms are tailored specifically for hands-on training in physiotherapy techniques and patient care. Throughout your course, you’ll benefit from these modern resources, which are complemented by expert instruction and support, ensuring you develop the confidence and competence needed for your future career.
Specialist Physiotherapy facilities
In addition to our simulation clinics, you will have access to:
- dedicated manual therapy and assessment rooms
- rehabilitation and exercise therapy teaching spaces
- biomechanics and movement analysis equipment
- clinical skills labs that mirror real patient environments
These facilities allow you to build competence and confidence before entering practice placements.
Clinical Hours Requirement
You will complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of supervised clinical practice, which is required for eligibility to apply for HCPC registration as a Physiotherapist.
If you have an interest in healthcare and are looking for a rewarding and fulfilling professional role with great purpose, a career in physiotherapy may be a perfect fit for you. To support you in becoming a physiotherapist, the UK Government is continuing to provide financial support to radiography students with a payment of at least £5,000 a year, which will not need to be paid back. Find out if you are eligible on the NHS Learning Support Fund website.
As part of your training, you will learn alongside students from other health professions such as Physician Associates, Nursing, Operating Department Practice, Occupational Therapy and Paramedic Science. This interprofessional learning approach mirrors real healthcare environments and helps you develop strong teamwork, communication, and leadership skills essential for modern physiotherapy practice.
What will I study?
Throughout your time on the course, you’ll explore in depth the principles of prevention, rehabilitation, and the promotion of overall health for a wide range of individuals. Whether working with those recovering from injuries, managing chronic conditions, or addressing physical function challenges, you’ll be equipped to provide effective care tailored to each patient’s needs. You’ll learn how to deliver competent, compassionate, and patient-centred care to people of all ages, from children and adults to the elderly.
You’ll gain a deep and thorough understanding of key body systems, including the musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiovascular systems. This knowledge will enable you to perform accurate patient assessments and design individualised treatment plans that support recovery, improve mobility, and enhance overall wellbeing.
In addition, you’ll develop a solid foundation in biological sciences, focusing on normal human anatomy and physiology, particularly as they relate to the neuromuscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. This scientific grounding is essential for understanding how the body functions and responds to injury or illness.
Simulation plays a vital role in your learning journey by helping you build confidence and practical skills in a safe and controlled environment. You’ll have the opportunity to practice clinical techniques under the supervision and guidance of experienced teaching staff who bring real-world expertise to your training. When you move into placements, you won’t be alone, you’ll be supported by dedicated mentors who will guide you as you apply your skills in real healthcare settings, helping you transition smoothly into professional practice and ensuring your success.
Key skills I will develop
Throughout the programme you will develop essential physiotherapy skills including:
- clinical reasoning and problem-solving
- manual therapy techniques
- exercise prescription and rehabilitation planning
- communication and patient-centred care
- leadership and teamwork
- evidence-based practice and critical appraisal
- safe and effective decision-making
How will I be taught and assessed?
On this course you'll focus on clinical skills and problem-based learning. These activities are further supported by lectures, e-learning, practical sessions, tutorials, online and face-to-face seminars.
Our programme and other learning activities experienced on the course will prepare you well for initial practice and will promote continued learning, enabling you to adapt to the opportunities you will face during your career journey.
Each module has at least two forms of assessments in the following formats:
- objective structured clinical examinations (OSCE)
- viva (oral examination)
- oral presentations
- written examinations
- portfolios
- clinical case studies.
These assessments will support the development of practical, clinical and communication skills that you'll need for success not only on this degree programme but for your lifelong learning.
Research and evidence-based practice
You will learn how to interpret research, evaluate clinical evidence and apply it to patient care. These skills prepare you to become an evidence-informed practitioner and support your long-term professional development.
Through partnerships with leading NHS organisations, including Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, The Hillingdon Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust, and Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust as well as selected private physiotherapy clinics, students gain high-quality clinical experience across acute, community, and integrated care settings. This is further enhanced by our on-site physiotherapy clinic, providing early, hands-on experience and helping students build the skills, confidence, and professional readiness needed to succeed in the physiotherapy workforce.Esin Turkaslan PFHEA Associate Professor, Physiotherapy and Discipline Lead
What are the course entry requirements?
A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 112 - 136 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)
UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.
Applicants will need to be able to provide evidence of having achieved one or more of the following:
- A-Levels - Biology and one other natural science is required
- T levels should be in Health and Science
- BTECs - Must be from courses in Science or Health subject areas
- International Baccalaureates - 1 HL subject at grade 5 or above and 1 HL subject at grade 4 or above – to include a natural science. The remaining points come from a combination of HL, SL, and Core subjects.
In addition, applicants will also be required to have attained 5 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above, or valid alternatives including English language or literature, mathematics, and a science subject.
There is a requirement for students whose first language is not English to achieve an IELTS tariff of 7 with no individual component below 6.5. For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.
Students without the required 112 - 136 UCAS points (but have studied relevant subjects) may still be invited to attend the selection event.
Candidates are required to have practical experience relating to Physiotherapy, such as shadowing, work placement, or healthcare work experience, as explained below.
Experience
Examples of work experience include:
- Work experience (paid or unpaid/ voluntary), e.g., in the private, sporting, or military setting or experience in health/social care in acute, primary, or community care environments.
- Non-accredited courses, e.g., in-house training, hobbies
- Life experience of physiotherapy
- Family/friends who are physiotherapy service users
- Reading and Research
- Experience to be documented in table format and include location, speciality, and duration of experience – a contact detail for each work experience must be provided. We recommend a minimum of 20 hours in two settings or 30 hours in one setting.
Application and selection process
In your personal statement, don’t forget to cover:
- Why you wish to study Physiotherapy
- Why you wish to study at Buckinghamshire New University
- Why you’re a suitable candidate for the course; what are your experience and skills
References
We require two references as part of the application. The referees should outline your academic and practical suitability for the course.
Selection day
The criteria for selection considers your ability to study this subject and the professional accrediting bodies' requirements. All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed online by a panel consisting of an academic staff member and a clinical Physiotherapist or a service user. Each interview will last approximately 20 minutes. The interview questions will be based on the NHS values and explore your understanding of Physiotherapy.
The links below may be useful in helping you prepare for the day.
Following the selection day, applicants will be made aware of the result.
Occupational health checks
The admissions team will send a medical questionnaire alongside an offer letter. The questionnaire would be completed by students and returned to the admission team, who then forward all the forms to an external occupational health adviser who will contact the student for further screening if indicated.
Specifically, all prospective physiotherapy students will require immunisation or evidence of immunity for the following:
- Hepatitis B - You are advised to have at least two doses of hepatitis B vaccine before admission to the University
- Tuberculosis (TB) - You should have evidence of ‘Bacillus Calmette-Guérin’ (BCG) vaccination either by a visible BCG scar or documented proof of vaccination
- Mumps, measles and rubella (MMR) - Satisfactory evidence of protection would include documentation of having received two doses of MMR or having had positive antibody tests for measles and rubella
- History of vaccination for Tetanus, Diphtheria, and Polio
- Varicella history for those born and raised the UK, and Non-UK varicella screening
The above lists are based on the immunisation and infection control standards required for new NHS healthcare workers and students, from the Green Book 2013. View the online version of the book.
Pre-clinical vaccination
All applicants (excluding Foundation Year applicants) will need to show evidence of completed vaccination for Hepatitis B, BCG, Varicella, and Influenza, where applicable, prior to starting the programme's placement component. These vaccinations can be received from most GP surgeries in England. There is up-to-date information on the NHS Choices on how to obtain these vaccinations.
DBS Checks
All applicants (excluding Foundation Year applicants) are required to complete a criminal record disclaimer form and give their permission for us to obtain an enhanced police check with the Disclosure and Barring Screening Service (DBS).
Each year after that, students are required to self-declare any Police cautions or convictions before each practice education module. The DBS in the United Kingdom does not currently conduct overseas criminal record checks.
Therefore, international applicants, those without British citizenship and British citizens with a significant overseas residency, require a criminal record check or certificate of good conduct from their home/overseas country before entering the course.
Where an equivalent check is provided, applicants must complete an enhanced police check with the DBS a year later.
The government has said it will remove the proposed legal requirement to have Covid-19 vaccinations to work, or attend placements, in health and social care. We & our practice partners continue to encourage you to get vaccinated for your & others' safety.
Foundation Year
This course is also offered as a four-year programme, including an initial Foundation Year. The Foundation Year will allow you to develop your academic study skills and build confidence in your abilities, identifying your own strengths and development needs for progression onto an undergraduate programme.
Professional checks
Professional checks (DBS, Occupational Health, and character and suitability) are not required when you join the Foundation Year. They are only required when you move into Year 1, and you must pass these checks to progress.
Modules
This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.
What are the tuition fees
Home
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Home Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 *
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Home, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £9,790 per year *
International
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Overseas/International Foundation Year, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 *
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Overseas/International, Academic Year 2026 - 2027: £15,910 per year *
Following the Government’s announcement of 4 November 2024, we will be increasing our full-time undergraduate tuition fees for UK students to £9,535 per year from the start of the 2025/26 academic year. Our part-time fees for UK undergraduate students will increase to £7,145 per annum. Please visit The Education Hub, on the Government’s website, for more information about the changes.
Tuition fees for Home undergraduate students (including with foundation year) may increase in subsequent years for both new and continuing students in line with an inflationary amount determined by the Government.
Tuition fees for both new and continuing international students may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year.
Tuition fees for postgraduate courses and CPD may be subject to an inflationary increase based on the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the 12-month period to 31 January each year. This increase will apply to both new and continuing students.
We understand, and really appreciate, the significant financial commitment our students make when they choose to study at BNU. We take our responsibilities to our students very seriously, and are ambitious for each to reach their full potential and succeed in their chosen career. Our fees help us to continue providing our students with a high-quality education, and to invest in the services and facilities which create an excellent student experience at BNU.
The following factors will be considered by the University when we set the annual fees: measures of inflation such as the retail price indices; projected increases in University costs; and any changes in the level of funding for teaching received from the Government.
NHS Learning Support Fund
To support your studies, the UK Government are continuing to provide healthcare students with a payment of at least £5,000 a year which will not need to be paid back. Find out more about the NHS Learning Support Fund.
What are my career prospects?
We see your journey with us as much more than a degree and are committed to supporting you in shaping your future career and life beyond university. The programme supports the development of professional, leadership, and employability capabilities. We support graduates in developing employability and career-readiness. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages.
Upon graduation, you will have the knowledge, professional attributes, and attitudes required to pursue a career as a physiotherapist across a range of settings. Graduates will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Physiotherapists work in different areas of healthcare, including acute hospitals, primary care settings, community, and out-patient clinics. They also work in professional sport, health clubs, the commercial sector. You may also choose to set up your own practice. This degree gives you a variety of options and helps set you up for your future career.
International opportunities
HCPC registration is recognised by many international regulators, subject to local requirements, and may support career opportunities in countries such as Australia, New Zealand, the Middle East, Canada, and parts of Europe.
Course leader
- Associate Professor - Lead for Quality Assurance and Enhancement
