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CONTENTS

1. Routes to becoming a physiotherapist

2. Skills required

3. Finding work experience

4. How to get a job as a physiotherapist

5. What’s it like to be a physiotherapist

Routes to becoming a physiotherapist

Physiotherapists help those recovering from injuries to become stronger and live easier lives.

Physiotherapists in the UK need to have completed a Physiotherapy degree before they can register with the (HCPC). This then allows physiotherapists to practice professionally.

Several study options are available at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. All courses are slightly different, but they all include practical work experience with real patients.

Undergraduate degrees

Undergraduate options include bachelor’s and integrated master’s degrees in Physiotherapy. These can last three to four years if studied full time, longer if part time. Courses include a mixture of theoretical teaching in lectures and 1,000 hours of placements in physiotherapy environments.

Our Physiotherapy subject guide provides further detail about entry requirements and what to expect when studying for a Physiotherapy degree.

Degree apprenticeships

During a degree apprenticeship, you work while you study. You spend time as an apprentice in a physiotherapy environment and attend university to earn your bachelor’s degree. You are paid for your work and spend less time at university than on a traditional undergraduate degree.

You apply for the degree apprenticeship through the healthcare employer you’ll be working with.

Postgraduate degrees

Postgraduate pre-registration courses are available for those with a degree in related areas such as Sports Science or Psychology. Options include:

• Two-year MSc degree course with a mixture of lectures and practical placements
• Three and a half to four-year PhD programme with a mixture of lectures, practical placements and supervised research projects

Skills required

 Skills required to be a successful physiotherapist include:

• Organisation and time management
• Patience and empathy
• Social and cultural sensitivity
• Communication and interpersonal skills
• Independent work and teamwork
• Problem-solving skills

Finding work experience

Work experience is not mandatory for undergraduate degree courses. Still, it’s good to show a strong interest in the subject area, which you can do through work experience. You’ll need work experience for a professional role.

Places where you could volunteer or find work experience include:

• Physiotherapy clinics
• Hospital physiotherapy departments, NHS or private
• With sports club physiotherapists
• Charities such as Age UK or MS Society
• Support units for disabled adults or children with people with special needs

How to get a job as a physiotherapist

You have to register with the HCPC before you can start practising professionally. You can only register after you graduate. To stay on the HCPC register, you must pay an annual fee and keep your skills up to date.

You can look for job opportunities online on job boards like and , and clinic websites.

What’s it like to be a physiotherapist?

Physiotherapists primarily work in hospices, GP practices, clients’ homes, care homes, hospitals or fitness centres. Daily tasks can be varied but often include:

• Helping patients with physical body issues
• Supporting those recovering from accidents, injuries and strokes
• Working with people with physical or mental disabilities
• Providing specialist techniques such as massages or electrotherapy
• Planning rehabilitation programmes and setting goals
• Collecting statistics and writing reports
• Discussing issues and supporting clients and their families

You could be working alone or as part of a multi-disciplinary team. You’ll often work alongside other healthcare professionals and different departments, such as paediatrics and occupational health.

After qualifying, you’ll have Continuing Professional Development (CPD) meetings to discuss your future career goals. In addition, you can become a member of organisations such as the (CSP), which support your career development.

A working week is typically 37.5 hours. You may have to work evenings and weekends. Salaries for physiotherapists are on the Agenda for Change system (the NHS staff grading and pay scale), usually on band five and with opportunities for growth. You have access to generous pension schemes, holiday allowances, and health service discounts with the NHS.

Is a role as a physiotherapist right for you?

You’ll be working with lots of people with a variety of issues. You have to be very empathetic and good at listening to their problems. Although the role can sometimes be emotionally and physically challenging, helping other people to live better can be hugely rewarding.