Physiotherapy

This Professional Masters Physiotherapy Programme will equip graduates with the expertise and clinical skills required to practice physiotherapy (physical therapy) in the private or public health and social care sector.



• The programme is fully approved by CORU, the Health and Social Care Professions regulatory body of Ireland and accredited by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists; a member organisation of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy.

• Graduates of this programme are eligible for registration with CORU, the Health and Social Care Professions regulatory body of Ireland and membership of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

• The programme combines taught physiotherapy modules and rehabilitation research with over 1000 hours of clinical practice.

• The programme has a strong international reputation in physiotherapy education.



What Will I Learn?

The Professional Masters in Physiotherapy programme outcomes are guided by the requirements of the designated approval authority for physiotherapy education in Ireland, CORU, and are informed by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy guidelines for physical therapy education. The programme is delivered by academics, practitioners and experts by experience using a variety of approaches including expert tuition, small group interaction, practical sessions, peer support and autonomous student learning. Assessment modalities include essays, presentations, group-based work, clinical reasoning and critical reflections.



This two year full time Professional Master of Physiotherapy degree programme is offered by the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science and equips graduates with the expertise and clinical skills required to practice physiotherapy (physical therapy) via a dedicated Graduate Entry programme. Please note that this programme is not appropriate for those who have already completed a physiotherapy degree.

Module/Trimester/Credits



Stage 1 Core Modules

PHTY30330 Foundations of Physiotherapy Professional Practice 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10

PHTY41110 Foundations of Cardiorespiratory Theory and Practice Autumn 10

PHTY41120 Neurology Foundations Autumn 10

PHTY41150 Foundations of Musculoskeletal Theory and practice Autumn 10

PHTY41130 Advancing Cardiorespiratory Theory and Practice Spring 10

PHTY41140 Advanced Neurology Spring 10

PHTY41160 Advanced Musculoskeletal Theory and practice Spring 10

PHTY30340 Practice Education 1 Summer 10

PHTY30350 Practice Education 2 Summer 10



Stage 2 Core Modules

PHTY41170 Advancing Physiotherapy Professional Practice 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr) 10

FLME41040 Legal Medicine (MScPhysio) Autumn 2.5

PHTY40780 Specialist Physiotherapy Pract Autumn 5

PHTY40980 Introduction to Research for Health Professionals Autumn 5

PHTY41080 Prevention and Management of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) Autumn 7.5

PHTY41180 Pain Science and Practice Autumn 5

PHTY41190 Sports Physiotherapy Autumn 5

PHTY30460 Practice Education 3 Spring 15

PHTY40990 Applied Research for Health Professionals Spring 10

PHTY41240 Practice Education 4 Summer 15

PHTY41250 Practice Education 5 Summer 10

This programme is intended for applicants who hold an appropriate primary degree* (NFQ Level 8), with an upper second class honours or international equivalent required. Only applicants with a GPA of 3.3 or above will be considered

Pre-requisites for the programme are:

• Clinical Human Anatomy,

• Applied Human Anatomy,

• Human Physiology,

• Exercise Science,

• Applied Physics,

• Foundation Science**

• Applied Human Biomechanics,

• Behavioural Sciences,

• Research Methods and Statistics.



*This programme is not appropriate for those who have already completed a physiotherapy degree.

**For example, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics

• Motivation and interest must be demonstrated through providing a professional CV and a personal statement outlining motivation to study.

• Three letters of reference are required. These are a mandatory and non-negotiable requirement. They must include an (i) academic reference (from a university professor), (ii) a physiotherapy reference (from a registered physiotherapist) and (iii) one other reference (this can be an additional academic or physiotherapy reference or else, a reference from an organisation external to academia and physiotherapy).

• Applicants whose first language is not English must also demonstrate English language proficiency of IELTS 6.5, (no band less than 6.0 in each element), or equivalent.

• These are the minimum entry requirements – additional criteria may be requested for some programmes.



You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.

Online Application.



Who Should Apply?

Full Time option suitable for:

Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes

International (Non EU) applicants: Yes

2 years full-time. Delivery: On Campus.

X784: Professional Masters in Physiotherapy Full-Time:

Commencing September 2026

Graduate Taught