Physiotherapists help patients with physical difficulties resulting from illness, injury, disability or ageing to restore and maximise their movement and reduce the risk of further problems arising in the future. 

Physiotherapists help people affected by injury, illness or disability through movement and exercise, manual therapy, education and advice. 

They maintain health for people of all ages, helping patients to manage pain and prevent disease.

The profession helps to encourage development and facilitate recovery, enabling people to stay in work while helping them remain independent for as long as possible.

https://www.csp.org.uk/careers-jobs/become-physiotherapist/routes-physiotherapy

To practise as a chartered physiotherapist you must be registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC). To achieve this, you must successfully complete either an undergraduate or an accelerated postgraduate degree course in physiotherapy approved by the HCPC. All degree courses also hold Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP) accreditation.

For a place on a full-time undergraduate course, lasting three years (four in Scotland), you'll typically need two or three good A-levels (or equivalent), including a biological science (biology or human biology) and/or PE. You'll also need a minimum of five GCSE passes at grade C/level 4 or above, including maths, English language and sciences.

Part-time courses are available at several universities, although some of these are aimed at physiotherapist support workers, already working in a healthcare setting, who want to become chartered physiotherapists. Courses typically last between four and six years.

You can also take an HCPC-accredited degree apprenticeship, which combines work-based learning modules and specialist education. Search for apprenticeship vacancies with a healthcare provider on the Find an Apprenticeship and NHS Jobs websites.

To be accepted onto the two-year accelerated postgraduate course, you'll usually need a 2:1 degree or above in a subject such as biological or behavioural science, psychology, physiology or sports science. Both routes include a mix of theory and practical training. Entry requirements vary depending on the course provider.

You will also need to complete a criminal record check.

All pre-registration undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy students studying in England can receive funding support of at least £5,000 per year via the NHS Learning Support Fund. There is up to £3,000 further funding available for eligible students. You don't have to pay it back and are still able to access funding for tuition and maintenance loans from the Student Loans Company.

For a list of accredited undergraduate, degree apprenticeship and postgraduate courses, see CSP Physiotherapy degrees.

As of 2024 there are over 60 Higher Education Institutions offering pre-registration programmes and degree apprenticeships within the UK.

https://www.csp.org.uk/careers-jobs/career-physiotherapy/physiotherapy-degrees

Accessed from Prospects

Employers want to see that you've researched the profession and have a good understanding of the role. Try to visit a local physiotherapy department and ask to shadow a physiotherapist to get an idea of what the work is like and whether it would suit you.

It's also useful to get some voluntary or paid experience in a health or care setting to show your interest in the area. There may be opportunities with private physiotherapy clinics, sports clinics, football clubs, special schools and units, and nursing homes.

https://getvolunteering.co.uk/places/lancashire/poulton-le-fylde

https://www.sportengland.org/guidance-and-support/volunteering-qa/getting-started

https://www.sportinmind.org/pages/category/volunteering

Some physiotherapists work in a variety of settings. For example, you may work part time at a sports injury clinic and have another part-time post with an NHS or private hospital. Another option is self-employment.

The NHS is the major employer of physiotherapists. Your skills are needed in most departments, such as:

• elderly care

• intensive care

• mental health

• occupational health

• orthopaedics

• outpatients' departments

• paediatrics

• stroke services

• women's health.

You may also work in the community, for local authorities or the private sector in:

• private hospitals and clinics

• GP practices and health centres

• schools and children's centres

• nursing homes and day centres for elderly people

• charities and voluntary organisations, particularly those serving people with disabilities

• sports clinics, professional sports clubs, gyms and leisure centres

• the armed services.

https://universitycompare.com/personal-statement-examples/physiotherapy/

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/personal-statement-advice-physiotherapy

https://www.applytouni.com/applying/personal-statements/physiotherapy-personal-statement

https://www.herts.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0007/193471/Physiotherapy_UK_V2.pdf

HOW TO PREPARE FOR YOUR INTERVIEW

• Check the information provided from the University when you were invited to interview what do you need to take with you? What type of interviews will you be undertaking? 1 to 1/ group/ online?

• Be on time! Make sure you know where you need to be and how to get there with plenty of time to spare.

• Bring all documentation they have asked you to take with you.

• Dress appropriately - remember, this is an interview for a professional course.

• Re-read your application form and personal statement as they will ask you to elaborate on it.

• Be clear about why you want to be a  Physiotherapist. 

• Be ready to answer questions about the profession – brief yourself on current issues. Check current news related to the profession you are hoping to go into.

• Be ready to answer questions about the course

• Be ready to answer questions about the University – have you been to an Open Day; why do you want to study here; how will you fit in?

• What are your core values and how do you display these values – read  NHS England’s Compassion in Practice/ NHS Values. 

• Be yourself! Be confident ! Good luck!

Interview Questions

Some questions could include:

• Why do you want to be a Physiotherapist?

• What do you know of the roles and responsibilities of a Physiotherapist?

• What qualities do you need to be a good Physiotherapist ? Think about how your talents and skills match the qualities needed. 

• Also consider what you would want from a Physiotherapist. 

• Tell us about your work experience. What did you learn from it? Was it a daunting experience?

• Why have you chosen to apply to this university; what do you know about our course; have you been to an Open Day?

• What current issues in Physiotherapist interest/are of concern to you?

• What do you know about the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and what is its role?

TOP TIPS :

For some students it is a shock to have to work with people that are very unwell so showing your understanding to this will both prepare you for your studies but also demonstrate your commitment to the course and your chosen profession. The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists website has some good resources to investigate the profession. NHS careers is good for researching different healthcare professions www.healthcareers.nhs.uk. The British Association for Sport Rehabilitators is good if you are more interested in the sports rehabilitation or sports therapy.

Specific University interview guidance:

https://www.beds.ac.uk/howtoapply/admissions/interviews/preparing-for-interview-physiotherapy/

https://www.uel.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/applying-uel/portfolio-request/bsc-physiotherapy-interview-information

https://blogs.cardiff.ac.uk/physiotherapy-careers/preparing-for-physiotherapy-university-interviews/