Physiotherapy

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The MSc in Physiotherapy (pre-registration) builds on the strong tradition of excellence in health, sport and exercise science in the DCU School of Health and Human Performance.



The MSc in Physiotherapy at DCU is a 2-year full time intensive programme, and includes 1000 hours of clinical practice with healthcare partners in hospital, primary care and community settings.



Student-centred and practise focused teaching and learning approaches are a feature of this programme, affording students the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and professional attitudes for contemporary physiotherapy practice, to work with diverse populations and interprofessional teams in dynamic healthcare environments.



The programme is rooted to the principles of sustainable development, with an emphasis on health equity, inclusive health and sustainable physiotherapy practice.



The MSc in Physiotherapy is situated in the School of Health and Human Performance, part of the DCU Faculty of Science and Health. The School is situated in the state-of-the-art Polaris Building on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus, in close proximity to the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health and to DCU Sport.



Graduates of the MSc Physiotherapy programme will be autonomous, evidence-based practitioners who will deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care across diverse settings, demonstrate leadership and collaboration, and engage in lifelong learning to advance physiotherapy practice and adapt to evolving healthcare needs. This programme has made an application for approval by CORU. There is no guarantee that the programme will be approved.



The MSc in Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) is a Level 9, 180 ECTS credit programme, delivered full time over two years and in person. Students undertake 90 ECTS per year distributed over 3 semesters, (Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer period).



All modules are compulsory and designed specifically for the programme. Students will attend daily lectures, clinical skills and problem based learning session, supplemented by independent study hours during semesters 1 & 2 across both years of the programme. The curriculum will be structured into modules that integrate both clinical and academic components, delivered concurrently. Assessment across the modules will be by continuous assessment which will consist of presentations, class tests, essays, case studies, practical, oral and work placement assessments. Students will complete clinical practice placements, which will serve as a formally assessed element of the MSc. programme’s clinical education component. Clinical practice 1 and 2 will take place at the end of year 1 and clinical practice 3 and 4 will take place in year 2. Each clinical placement is of 7 or 8 weeks duration. Students are required to engage in at least 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice to meet the professional requirements of the programme. In year 2, students are required to complete a short research proposal and complete a research project, relevant to the clinical profession of Physiotherapy.

Applicants must hold a minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade I (2.1) in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8 or equivalent) or a Master’s degree (NFQ, Level 9) in a health science discipline or a cognate area (e.g. athletic therapy, sports science and health, exercise science, kinesiology)



Pre-requisites modules for entry to the programme are:



- Human Anatomy



- Human Physiology



- Biomechanics



- Exercise Science



Applicants are required to provide evidence via submitted transcripts of completion of prior learning in these areas.



Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)



In line with DCU policy, students who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment outlined for direct entry to the programme may apply for access via RPL. DCU recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL applicants will be required to demonstrate that their learning is comparable in terms of academic level training, learning outcomes and assessment to the programme entry requirements. Further information regarding applications via RPL can be found under ‘How to apply’.



More information on RPL can be found here.



Language requirements



Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements and provide evidence of competence in English as per DCU requirements. Please see link https://www.dcu.ie/recognition-prior-learning



POST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - PLEASE CONTACT THE FACULTY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE BELOW.



Health Screening



All applicants accepted onto the programme will be required to comply with health screening protocols in place to ensure appropriate vaccinations are acquired prior to beginning clinical placement.



Garda Vetting



All applicants in receipt of an offer to join the programme will be subject to Garda Vetting. Students will be prohibited from engaging in work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view DCU's Student Garda Vetting Policy.



Fitness to Practise

This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy. Full details of the policy can be found here.

2 Years full-time.