The central focus of this modular master’s programme is the evaluation of physiotherapy practice. It has been designed to meet the needs of international practising professionals and is delivered with a student-centred approach. Completion of this MSc may assist with professional registration in the UK for Physiotherapists with international qualifications. For successful completion of the Masters programme, students will complete four taught modules (2 core modules, 1 programme specific module,1 elective module) and a dissertation. Foundations in Research and Evaluation of Interventions in Practice form the core modules. The Programme specific module is Clinical Reasoning. The elective module can be chosen from the wide range of options available as part of the Post graduate Framework. Full details are available on request.

• International Student centred
• Self directed
• Research based

1. A Physiotherapy undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above from a recognised international school. Students may, at the programme leader’s discretion, be admitted with lower classifications if they have suitable professional qualifications or suitable experience related to the proposed programme of study.
2. Professional registration with the relevant Regulatory Body from your home country and/ or current membership of the relevant Professional Body where these bodies exist.
3. At least 6 months relevant work experience is desirable but the applicant’s overall profile will be considered during the admission process

In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.

Students that apply to enter stages of the programme may be admitted through normal Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes, or through an approved articulation agreement. Therefore such applicants must be able to demonstrate and evidence that they have the required learning outcomes as listed in the modules for which they are seeking exemption.

The MSc programme is structured on a semester basis and is taken over a period of one year. The first semester of the academic year runs from September to January and the second semester from February to June. The dissertation must be completed during the summer period and submitted in the middle of September.

All modules are at M Level and are awarded 30 M Level Credits. The taught component of each module lasts for 12 weeks. Each of the modules will entail the same amount of study (300 hours). This is divided between contact time at the University, directed study (pursuing learning objectives specifically associated with the module) and private study which includes reading and preparation of assignments. The allocation of the hours will vary between modules. The Dissertation is the equivalent of two taught modules and is awarded 60M Level Credits. This work is self-directed and is undertaken with the support and guidance of a project supervisor.

Tutorial support is available to you from personal tutors, module leaders and project supervisors and there are additional resources available within the University to assist you with your study skills.

The modules are studied through a variety of activities including keynote lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, workshops, laboratory sessions, web-based learning.

Many of the modules use:-

• presentations, which encourage students to communicate their novel ideas, make interpretations and develop critical awareness with their peers from across the disciplines
• case studies which encourage the students to review and evaluate their own practice;
• practical and laboratory sessions which develop new skills for management and evaluation of practice.

Self direction is encouraged from the beginning and develops throughout the modules, culminating in the dissertation where the student works interdependently with the supervisor. The Stratford Campus library is adjacent to the teaching facilities and provides computer and paper-based resources for students. Additional Web-based support is available off-campus for students via internet access.

All the assessments are by coursework rather than examination. Each taught module of the programme will be assessed and the various forms of assessment are outlined for each module in the module guide. A variety of assessment procedures is used including written and oral presentations, and peer and self assessment as part of the development of a life long independent learner who has the ability to assess their own work. The assignments are also designed so that students can pursue interests related to the specific programme of study and their area of practice. Each module will be assessed by differing means but the overall assessment of each module should reach the equivalent of 5,000 words e.g. 3500 word essay (70%) plus 20 minute class presentation (30%). No more than three pieces of work will contribute to the summative assessment of a module.

As many of the modules are related to the work setting they encourage the transferability of higher level skills and knowledge in order to review or change or transform current practice, often in line with government initiatives. The ability to understand critically, research publications, methods and analysis; conceptual thinking; reflection; group working and communication; and the skills relevant to independent life long learning are some of the transferable skills encouraged.

The students become more confident to articulate their practice in an interdisciplinary setting. This leads to advances in implementing continuing professional development, research or advanced practice in their departments and in wider context.

The Masters Programme comprises two specific research based modules - Foundations of Research, and the Research Dissertation. The Foundations of Research assesses the fundamental principles on which the students build their critical thinking, evidence based practice and research knowledge. Most of the programme modules are process led and therefore the students can focus on their own professional practice. The programme encourages a different way of thinking and conceptual ideas are encouraged through many exercises and assignments. The readings supplement this conceptual understanding so that they are at the cutting edge of published work in the relevant disciplines that form the evidence base for practice. Where appropriate students are able to develop new hypotheses and, where qualitative methodologies are applied, to develop a deeper understanding of the paradigm.

The Foundations of Research module is a core module for all students and must be passed prior to undertaking a dissertation.

The MSc programme offers students the opportunity to develop and enhance specialist knowledge and skills in relation to their chosen programme. It offers students an opportunity to pursue employment and career advancement within their chosen field. Completion of this MSc may assist with professional registration in the UK for Physiotherapists with international qualifications.

All students are allocated a personal tutor who will help them through their study by offering pastoral and academic support. The Programme tutor and module leaders will also advise you about additional learning and support services available in the University. Web-based resources are available to students off campus via the internet.

The international nature of the programme affords students the opportunity to work and learn with programme members from different cultural and professional backgrounds.