- Study
- International
- Business and employers
- Research
- About us
Develop your evidence-informed practise and gain specialist skills with a masters degree that challenges you clinically and academically.
Designed for qualified physiotherapists, this course gives you the opportunity to develop your knowledge and professional practice across a range of practical and theory-based modules. The course focuses heavily upon evidence-informed practice and developing a clinician’s critical thinking at masters level.
You’ll ...
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Neha - MSc Advanced Physiotherapy"Exposure to research and evidence-based practices enabled me to broaden my perspective towards the ever-evolving science of physiotherapy. Some of the key skills I gained through the course were clinical reasoning and the skill to diagnose through a comprehensive format."
This masters degree helps you expand your knowledge and skills through a mix of practical and theoretical modules. The course emphasises evidence-based practice and develops critical thinking at masters level.
You can choose to study full-time or part-time, with both groups learning together in core and optional modules. Alternatively, you can take individual modules to meet specific career goals and decide later if you want to pursue the full degree. Previous module credits may be applied to the degree through our Recognition of Prior Learning policy.
All students complete three core modules over the academic studies:
These core modules account for 120 out of the 180 credits needed for the degree. To complete the course, you’ll choose additional option modules, primarily focused on musculoskeletal physiotherapy. Depending on your choices, you will typically study two or three of these optional modules.
The course includes a blend of lectures, tutorials, and hands-on practical sessions. For practical modules, we teach the theory in lectures, demonstrate techniques, and supervise your practice. Assessment methods vary by module and may include written assignments, presentations, or practical skills assessments.
Most of your study will take place on campus. Our lecturers are registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), and many are practicing clinicians.
The teaching team also includes researchers with expertise in areas like knee and spinal dysfunctions, rehabilitation, and musculoskeletal interventions. Additionally, guest lecturers who are leaders in their fields contribute to our course, bringing cutting-edge research and clinical insights.
Whether you've already made your decision about what you want to study, or you're just considering whether postgraduate study is right for you, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about postgraduate student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
Applicants must hold a minimum 2:2 UK undergraduate honours physiotherapy degree (or international equivalent) and post-qualification clinical experience is recommended. Students with graduate diplomas in physiotherapy with evidence of recent practice can also apply. Overseas applicants will require IELTS with an overall score of 6.5 with no less than 5.5 in any category, or an equivalent accepted English qualification.
Some option modules on the course have additional entry requirements;
Applicants who wish to take the Musculoskeletal Medicine Injection Therapy module are required to have:
A minimum of four years’ clinical experience is required, of which 12 months should have been with musculoskeletal patients.
Access to musculoskeletal patients while attending the course.
Successfully completed postgraduate training in the diagnosis and treatment of musculoskeletal lesions in musculoskeletal medicine in the upper and lower limb.
Clinical supervision is in place with an appropriately qualified practitioner (doctor or physiotherapist qualified and experienced in injection therapy) for the inter-unit course work/supervision of injections.
Applicants who wish to take the First Contact Practice and Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice module are required to have:
Four years’ clinical experience is normally required, of which 12 months should have been with musculoskeletal patients.
Access to musculoskeletal patients whilst attending the module.
Current HCPC Registration and appropriate Personal Liability Insurance.
Applicants who wish to take the First Contact Practitioner (Musculoskeletal) Placement module are required to have:
Four years’ clinical experience is normally required, of which 12 months should have been with musculoskeletal patients.
Access to musculoskeletal patients whilst attending the module.
Current HCPC Registration and appropriate Personal Liability Insurance.
Successfully completed Stage 1 of the ‘First Contact Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners in Primary Care: (Musculoskeletal) A Road Map to Practice’ either by completing a taught master’s level unit mapped against the Roadmap e.g First Contact Practice and Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice or the NHS England Portfolio Route.
Access to a clinical supervisor who is a GP, GP trainer or Advanced Clinical Practitioner during the module, who would supervise the student.
Full-time fee: £10,250 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £1139 per 20 credits studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.
Full-time fee: £20,000 per year. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
Part-time fee: £2223 per 20 credits studied. The fee per credit will remain the same for each year of your course providing you complete it in the normal timeframe (eg no repeat years or breaks in study). The total amount you pay each year may differ based on the number of credits studied.
A masters qualification typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, a PGCert 60 credits, and an MFA 300 credits. Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of study provided the course is completed in the normal timeframe (no repeat years or breaks in study).
One option module on the course will require you to build at least 75 hours of supervised clinical practise within a primary care setting. If you’re eligible for this module and wish to study it, it will be your responsibility to find and arrange a placement at a primary care setting, which may incur a daily travel cost to attend that location. This travel cost is not covered by the University and will vary dependent on the travel mode and travel time required.
Compulsory estimate: £0.00 to £51.00 depending on your status
Students do not need to hold a Professional Membership to join the course and study its core modules and its theory-based option modules.
However, some option modules on the course require access to patients in the UK as an entry requirement. For a student who wishes to take these modules, they must hold a professional registration and professional liability insurance (PLI). Students wishing to undertake those option modules must be registered as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Continuing registration with the HCPC is approximately £120 per year. New HCPC registration for international students includes a scrutiny fee which is approx. £550.
PLI may be held through Membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which costs approximately £450 per year as a full member. Alternative providers of PLI are available. It is the student’s responsibility to arrange and maintain both their professional registration and their PLI.
An enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check may be required, which costs approximately £50.
Students who have resided outside the UK continuously for a period of twelve months or more in the last ten years, while over the age of 18, will also be required to provide evidence of a satisfactory overseas police check, and to meet any associated costs, including the cost of a certified translation if required.
Returning students who have previously obtained DBS clearance but who require a new check, for example, due to a suspension of study, are required to pay the DBS application fee of £38.00 (accurate at 6th April 2022) and any associated costs, including the cost of ID verification through the Post Office Certification Service, which is approximately £13.00 but subject to the relevant cost at the time of application.
Optional estimate: £550
All of the books and resources required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a short-term laptop loan service. However, many students choose to use or buy their own laptop. Students may also need to print their assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £500 for a laptop and up to £50 each year for printing.
On our course, you will develop the knowledge and critical thinking to help you in clinical practice along with evidence-based practice and research skills.
Upon completion of this course, you will have gained significant knowledge and skills, widening the opportunities to apply for more senior and specialist physiotherapy roles within the NHS (National Health Service). Here, you could apply for a promotion to the next band in the NHS pay scale or help improve the clinical competencies required to gain a first contact practitioner status. In particular we have module learning that is matched to the clinical competencies required to complete the ‘ First Contact Practitioners and Advanced Practitioners in Primary Care: (Musculoskeletal) A Roadmap to Practice.’ In the private sector, this qualification might open routes to work or establish your own private practice. It may also open avenues in higher education teaching or research.
MEET JOE LOFTUS
Meet Joe Loftus, who completed a part-time masters while balancing his career and raising a young family.
Everyone has their own way of learning and commitments outside of studying.
To help you fit your course around work and family life, we offer a range of study options, including full-time and part-time routes.
Please contact our course enquiries team.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.