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This course is designed to support practitioners to develop and advance their practice across a variety of contexts. It is designed to equip physiotherapists to develop and promote sustainable and progressive practice globally. It is aligned with the UK’s NHS’s four pillars of advanced practice and the World Physiotherapy Educational Framework to ensure that contemporary practice is embedded though out the course.

As a student on this course, you will:

• develop your knowledge of the evidence base used in current practice and deepen your critical thinking, professional reasoning and research skills;
• build your knowledge of leadership and management and reflect on your practice based on this knowledge;
• explore innovative and emerging practice;
• learn how to be an agent of change;
• consider how best to manage complex patients; and
• explore an additional topic in depth in an optional module.

Structure and exit awards

This is an MSc course (180 credits)

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Teaching, learning and assessment

The learning experience promotes independent, student-led study and classroom-based interaction with online elements. Students will be encouraged to use library, web and other resources to seek out information. Assessment on this course will be carried out through a variety of strategies, drawing on your own practice experiences and theory and learning from the course. It may include case-based work, presentations, essays, systematic and literature reviews, a research proposal outline, development of a business plan, and digital technology.

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Teaching hours and attendance

Each module that you study on campus will require you to attend classes on campus and carry out independent work. Your attendance requirements at QMU will be necessary in line with any visa regulations. Ìý

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Class sizes

We anticipate that there will be up to 20 students undertaking the course each year.

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Teaching staff

You can read more about the teaching staff on this course at the bottom of this page. Please note that teaching staff is subject to change.

Modules described here are subject to change and are examples of the content that will be included following successful validation. Please contact the programme team for more information.

• Professional Development for Health Practice (20 credits): In this module we explore and discuss what it means to be an allied health professional and develop an understanding of the four pillars of advanced practice (leadership, management, education and research). This will enable you to evaluate and reflect upon your practice and consider how these can be applied.Ìý
• Innovative and Emerging Practice in Physiotherapy (20 credits): In this module we explore the current trends in physiotherapy and look at the future of the profession. This will enable you to identify and embed innovative ideas into your practice and be ready to adapt to the changing environment.
• Enterprise and Entrepreneurship in Health Practice (20 credits): In this module we explore how enterprise can influence healthcare, and how as an agent of change you are able to progress your career and develop services.
• Research Methods (20 credits): In this module we explore and discuss the nature of research. We will be enabling you to deepen your understanding of the principles of research, and research methodologies. This will enable you to evaluate the credibility of published research, help you with critical writing and ultimately, to design your own studies.
• Managing Complex Patients (20 credits): In this module we explore the complexity of delivering care to complex patients and their environments under the constraints of resource limitations. You will consider different approaches that might best suit each case from a practical and theoretical perspective.
• Optional module (20 credits): You will be able to choose one of a wide range of options modules from across the School of Health Sciences at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. For example:
  • Public Health (20 credits): This module explores the current issues surrounding public health and wider issues in society. You will gain a wider understanding for the social determinants of health and embrace ways to facilitate collective responsibility as a healthcare practitioner.
• Applying Critical Skills Project (60 credits): In this module you will have the opportunity to apply advanced critical thinking skills to a research question, contributing to the evidence base of a particular clinical area. This may involve building on service user partnerships or developing your own project idea.

This course will enable physiotherapists to develop their career and be competitive when applying for roles in clinical practice, education, research, or management. This might include opportunities in the NHS, private practice, third sector or with in higher education institutes.

It is important to note that successful completion of this course does not guarantee eligibility to apply for registration with the UK’s Health Care Professions Council (HCPC). However, eligible international students may apply for registration with the HCPC prior to (or following) course commencement, which can then often allow them to build their CVs and income by pursuing part-time ‘bank’ work in the NHS during their studies (while adhering to visa restrictions).

Graduates from this course may be eligible to apply for opportunities globally, including in the UK, Europe, New Zealand, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore. Course specifics may need to be reviewed alongside individual performances. It is also possible that you may need to pass an exam and be eligible for the necessary visa.

Please email our International team for more information.

Entry requirements

Undergraduate degree in physiotherapy from an internationally recognised institution which must equate to a minimum of a British Bachelor Ordinary degree standard. 

International: You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 7 with no individual component score less than 6.5 to align with the HCPC standards.

Disability/health conditions

If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or learning disability, it should not stand in the way of your studying at 17³Ô¹ÏÍø. However, if you are not sure whether your disability might be a barrier in your studies or in relation to the professional standards, please contact the disability service who will be able to have a conversation with you about reasonable adjustments and supports available to you.

Applying for this course

For more information on applying, or to apply for this course, please follow the links in the 'Start your application' box at the top right of this page.

Application deadline

The course accepts applications throughout the year, and normally the deadline for each academic year is mid-August. The deadline for international students will typically be the end of June. Applications will close earlier if the course is filled.

Terms and Conditions

The delivery of this course is subject to the terms and conditions set out in our 2025/26 Entry - Terms and Conditions (Postgraduate).

Contact Dr Joanna Long (Programme Leader) or email our Admissions team.

More information on our forthcoming open events.