Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation

This unique programme is designed to provide an education in the underlying scientific principles of physical therapy - physiotherapy, osteopathy, sports therapy - and an opportunity to experience the clinical application of specialist rehabilitation techniques with expert clinicians at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH).

Students can expect to acquire a broad and deep understanding of the science underpinning a physical therapy approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. In addition, the MSc builds on cognitive skills, and students will become creative in their thinking and highly skilled in analysis and evaluation, and thus ideally placed to become innovative leaders within their field.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits), and a research project (60 credits).

Core modules

• Clinical Aspects of Musculoskeletal Medicine
• Movement Science and Pain
• Musculoskeletal Biomechanics and Application in Physical Therapy
• Musculoskeletal Tissue Biology - Disease and Dysfunction
• Musculoskeletal Tissue Biology - Form and Function
• Rehabilitation and Multi-Dimensional Patient Management
• Research Governance
• Research Methodology and Generic Skills

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case-based studies, workshops and practical classes. Assessment is through MCQ examinations; coursework, including narrative reviews, structured questions and case studies; and poster presentation. The research project is assessed by a written dissertation and viva examination.

The programme will be taught mostly at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, London. Some teaching will also take place in Bloomsbury.

A minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a related medical, biological science or bioengineering discipline, a clinical qualification, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.