Physiotherapy

ProfMasters Physiotherapy
Graduate Taught (level 9 nfq, credits 180)

This MSc Physiotherapy pre-registration course 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.

- This 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.

- Combines 8 taught physiotherapy modules and rehabilitation research with over 1000 hours of clinical practice.

- Strong international reputation in physiotherapy research

Course Description
What is the programme about?
Physiotherapy (Physical Therapy) is the study and application of the scientific knowledge and professional skills required for the promotion of optimal health and well-being of adults and children through physical means. As a qualified physiotherapist from UCD, you will be in a position to pursue one of the most rewarding of careers. You will provide services to people to develop, maintain and restore their maximum health and movement, and, ultimately improve their quality of life.

- This full time programme is designed to be completed over two academic years.
- Lectures will normally be held on Mondays - Fridays.
- A wide variety of assessment methods are used, including continuous assessment, reflective writing, practical examinations, oral examinations, presentations and end-of-semester written papers.
- UCD expects that students who register for its programmes are in a position to commit to attending and being available on scheduled programme and assessment dates.

What will I study?
In Year 1, students attend lectures, practical classes, problem based learning classes and tutorials, followed by 15 weeks of clinical placement. Most modules in first year (Musculoskeletal, Cardiorespiratory and Neurology) involve development of the theoretical basis and clinical skills required to practice as a physiotherapist and serve to develop a foundation in clinical reasoning skills. The clinical education modules in Semester 3 serve to consolidate knowledge and allow the student to further integrate theory with practice, to enable safe and effective practice.

The programme in Year 2 aims to prepare students for physiotherapy practice as competent and independent practitioners. During this year, emphasis is placed on advancing students' physiotherapy knowledge and skills via modules in pain management, rehabilitation, health promotion and management of non-communicable disease. In addition, the Advancing Professional Physiotherapy Practice module provides essential education in professional responsibilities and career planning. This module, together with the practice education placements in Year 2, strengthen clinical reasoning processes by consolidating and enhancing the learning achieved in Year 1.

All modules place a heavy emphasis on evidence based practice. Research skills are further developed through the Rehabilitation Research modules, whereby students conduct a research project.

How will I benefit?
Physiotherapy at UCD is based in the multidisciplinary School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science. Our philosophy is to foster excellence in all disciplines and to focus on student-centred learning in an environment where research and scholarship stimulate high achievement. UCD is the largest provider of undergraduate and graduate physiotherapy education in Ireland, and our high quality programmes are internationally recognised. Our graduates contribute to the physiotherapy profession worldwide. UCD has a strong international reputation in physiotherapy research with many national and international partners in non-governmental organisations (NGOs), clinical research, industry and academic arenas.

The academic faculty is made up of recognised experts in Physiotherapy education and research, providing leadership and innovation across the suite of taught and research programmes provided. The Professional Masters in Physiotherapy programme aims to provide a stimulating and collaborative educational environment which builds on existing graduate knowledge, skills and attributes. Student learning is facilitated through a student-centred approach, involving contextual and experiential learning so that graduates have the opportunity to achieve excellence in professional practice as competent, autonomous physiotherapists, critical thinkers and life-long learners.

This is a 24 month, full time degree programme combining taught physiotherapy modules at the state-of-the-art UCD Health Sciences Centre and high quality research project, with over 1000 hours of supervised clinical physiotherapy practice at our partner clinical sites.

1 Year Modules
Foundations of Physiotherapy Professional Practice PHTY30330
Cardiorespiratory Foundations PHTY41110
Neurology Foundations PHTY41120
Musculoskeletal Foundations PHTY41150
Advanced Cardiorespiratory PHTY41130
Advanced Neurology PHTY41140
Advanced Musculoskeletal PHTY41160
Practice Education 1 PHTY30340
Practice Education 2 PHTY30350

2 Year Modules
Legal Medicine (MScPhysio) FLME41040
Specialist Physiotherapy Practice PHTY40780
Introduction to Research for Health Professionals PHTY40980
Prevention and Management of Noncommunicable Diseases (NCDs) PHTY41080
Advancing Physiotherapy Professional Practice PHTY41170
Pain Science and Practice PHTY41180
Sports Physiotherapy PHTY41190
App. Research for Health Profs PHTY40990
Practice Education 3 PHTY30360
Practice Education 4 PHTY41090
Practice Education 5 PHTY41100
Practice Education 6 PHTY40760

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.

- Pre-requisites for the programme are:
Clinical Human Anatomy, Applied Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Exercise Science, Applied Physics, Chemistry-Biochemistry, Applied Human Biomechanics, Behavioural Sciences, Research Methods and Statistics.

*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

How to apply?
The following entry routes are available:

Professional Masters Physiotherapy FT (X784)
Duration
2 Years
Attend
Full Time
Deadline
30-APR-24

180

2 years full-time. Mode of Delivery: Face-to-Face.

ProfMasters Physiotherapy (X784) Full Time
EU Year 1 - € 16545 **
EU Year 2 - € 16545 aa
nonEU Year 1 - € 25600 **
nonEU Year 2 - € 25600 aa

aa Second Year Fee applies to Students in 2nd Year in 2020 and who were a 1st Year Student on the programme in 2019/20
** All students entering X784, Masters in Physiotherapy, are required to pay a Healthcare Screening charge on registration.

Fees are subject to change

Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.
www.ucd.ie/fees

NEXT INTAKE: 2024/2025 September.

Careers & Employability
Graduates from UCD Physiotherapy are working in the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Europe, Africa and South East Asia in a range of areas; hospitals and private practice, primary and community care, rehabilitation centres and nursing homes, non-governmental agencies, education, research, business, sport and leisure industries. Graduates can also apply for a range of disciplinary and general postgraduate taught (Postgrad Cert/Dip, MSc) and research (MSc and PhD) programmes.