Subject to HCPC Approval and USW Validation

The BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course is a part-time degree course, delivered over four years. Each academic level will be delivered over a 16-month period, with each timetabled week consisting of 23 hours of learning, using a blended learning approach with both online and face-to-face learning opportunities. Face-to-face learning will be used to synthesise and apply asynchronous online learning, and develop team-working, critical thinking and practical skills. 

Note: this course is more condensed than the normal study duration for a part-time course.

Year 1

• Number of credits assessed: 80 credits
• Practice Based Placements: No placements

Year 2

• Number of credits assessed: 100 credits
• Practice Based Placements: Three x 4-week part-time (18.75 hrs) various specialties

Year 3

• Number of credits assessed: 80 credits
• Practice Based Placements: Three x 4-week full-time (37.5 hrs.)  various specialties

Year 4

• Number of credits assessed: 100 credits
• Practice Based Placements: Three x 4-week full-time (37.5 hrs.)  various specialties

Year 1 Modules

• Promoting Health and Wellbeing
• Anatomy and Physiology
• Bio-psycho-social Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice.
• Physiotherapy Assessment

Year 2 Modules

• Developing Confidence in Physiotherapy Practice
• Biomechanics of Human Movement
• Short-term Conditions
• Treatment and Rehabilitation

Year 3 Modules

• Professional, Legal and Ethical Issues in Physiotherapy
• Informed Decision-Making in Practice: The Physiotherapist as a skilled practitioner
• Research Methods
• Long-term Conditions

Year 4 Modules

• Managing patient treatment – Synthesis and Integration of Profession Specific Learning
• Life-long Conditions
• Becoming an Autonomous Physiotherapist
• Evidence and Research Based Practice: Initiating and managing evidence-based change and compassionate leadership in Physiotherapy practice

All modules on this course are core, this means that every module must be taken and passed in order to be awarded the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy. No other modules can be used to compensate or replace the modules on this course. 

The course is delivered part time, with each level of study (16 months) equivalent to one full-time year. You will undertake timetabled university and placement activities over 2-3 days per week depending on the year of study and will be expected to devote an additional 12.5 hours of individual study per week.

The course is designed using a blended approach to enable a flexible approach to learning whilst maintaining a sense of belonging within the cohort population. The delivery schedule will be designed to bring students face-to-face for workshops, seminars and some group and tutorial study, however where possible, students will be facilitated to adopt adaptable approaches to time, place and mode of study, utilising technologies to enable remote learning and in turn build the students’ digital fluency.

Practical sessions will take place in our simulation and practical teaching areas, which are extensively equipped to replicate the facilities and situations encountered in a range of real-world practice locations.

For elements of your course, you will be taught alongside other USW courses such as Occupational Therapists, Nurses, Midwives, Operating Department Practitioners and will benefit from the holistic understanding this brings. This focus on interprofessional education will continue with shared elements taught alongside a broad range of USW courses these opportunities facilitate student learning and enrich the physiotherapy student lifecycle and learning journey.

Practice Based Learning

Practice-based learning is an integral part of the Physiotherapy course at the University of South Wales. Through practice-based learning, students have the opportunity to experience a variety of settings to apply and practice their newly acquired knowledge and skills in a safe environment.

Practice-based learning is fully embedded within the course across 9 different placements, enabling students to integrate theory and practice in a logical progression, from assessment and planning at level 4 to evaluation, service improvement and compassionate leadership level 6. On successful completion of the course students will have passed a minimum of 1000 hours of assessed practice-based learning, leading to eligibility for the application of registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and professional membership to the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). Students will, on successful completion of the course, be practicing as autonomous Physiotherapists ready for transition into the workplace. 

The assessment schedule has been designed to build your skills across a range of academic, practical, and digital capabilities. All assessments have been designed to replicate the real-world (practice and research). The design of assessments and transparency of transferable skills to the workplace, are designed to motivate you and develop partnership working with our practice partners.

Assessments can include such formats as essays, reports, presentations, digital posters, case studies and care plans, and practical assessments of clinical skills (known as OSCE). You will also have the opportunity to work on a research-based project to improve or enhance an aspect of service delivery. The assessments are designed to develop reflective practice and professional skills for transition into the workplace or if you choose to follow a research pathway.