Regulations for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (Honours)

For the purpose of these Regulations, 'the Board of Examiners' refers to examiners as constituted at Board of Examiners' meetings in March, June and September or, where appropriate, at the School Board following the relevant meeting of the Board of Examiners.

All units involved in the undergraduate and taught programme referred to below are credit-rated in line with national recommendations. Details of the CATS arrangements are included in the relevant student handbooks.
  1. The programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy shall be of three years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be five years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.

  2. Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations. They must normally offer at least two A level passes and, additionally, at least five GCSE passes at Grade C or above. English Language, Mathematics and a science subject must be offered either at A level or GCSE. Mature candidates or candidates with other academically equivalent qualifications are considered on their merit.

  3. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.

  4. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.

  5. Students holding a professional qualification in Physiotherapy may register for individual modules and, on satisfactory completion of that module, may be awarded the appropriate credit.

  6. All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy shall be candidates for an Honours degree since this is the minimum level of attainment laid down by the professional body as a pre-requisite for registration as an physiotherapist.

  7. In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, candidates must:

    1. have satisfied the entry requirement;
    2. have followed the three-year curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
    3. have completed to pass-level all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
    4. be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health Professions Council's register.

  8. Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of clinical work and placements.

  9. The first level of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and comprise of the following units of study:

    • Foundation Science 1
    • Foundation Science 2
    • Professional Practice - Foundations
    • Professional Practice - Communication
    • Professional Practice - Collaborative Learning
    • Professional Practice - Moving and Handling
    • Clinical Practice - Placement A
    • Clinical Practice - Placement B
    • Clinical Sciences - Human Movement
    • Clinical Sciences - Applied Anatomy
    • Clinical Management - Foundations
    • Clinical Management - Therapeutic Interventions
    • Clinical Context - Neuro-musculo-skeletal 1

  10. Students who are successful at all level one assessment but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Allied Health Studies.

  11. The second level of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and comprise the following units of study:

    • Applied Science - Psychosocial Sciences
    • Professional Practice - Practising Ethics
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Enquiry
    • Professional Practice - Interprofessional Team Working
    • Clinical Management - Health Promotion
    • Clinical Context - Neuro-musculo-skeletal 2
    • Clinical Context - Cardio-respiratory
    • Clinical Context - Neurology
    • Clinical Context - Special Client Groups
    • Clinical Practice - Placement C1
    • Clinical Practice - Placement C2

  12. Students who are successful at all level two assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma of Allied Health Studies.

  13. The third level of the curriculum shall extend over one academic year and comprise:

    • Professional Practice - Professional Development
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Enquiry
    • Professional Practice - Enabling Change in Practice
    • Professional Practice - Interprofessional Problem Solving
    • Clinical Management - Complex Clinical Management
    • Clinical Management - Options
    • Clinical Practice - Placement D1
    • Clinical Practice - Placement D2

  14. Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat degree named BSc with Honours in Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be names as BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy since the term 'physiotherapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for whose who are fully qualified and registered as physiotherapists.

  15. Any student who accrues more than 300 credits (but less than 360) shall be eligible for the award of an ordinary degree named BSc Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be named as a BSc Physiotherapy since the term 'Physiotherapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as Physiotherapists.

  16. The outline of the content of each unit shall be specified in the Unit Profiles and made available to students in the programme handbooks.

  17. In each year, students shall be examined by mans of in-programme assessments, clinical assessments and formal examinations. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners will normally be re-examined during the second semester or the following summer vacation. Failure at re-examination will normally result in a recommendated for termination of the programme. Under normal circumstances, only one opportunity to re-take assessment will be permitted.

  18. In order to progress from one level of the programme to the next, students must successfully complete the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, practice placement and other practical work in the particular level of study.

  19. In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Examiners may allow the retake of an entire academic level, although this opportunity will be permitted on only one occasion and is subject to the payment of fees through the normal contract arrangements.

  20. Where a fail mark has been recorded by the Board of Examiners, and where medical or other exceptional and substantial circumstances have affected a candidate's performance, the candidate may be granted a concessionary attempt at the examination or part thereof without recording the previous attempt.

  21. To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all components including the required practice plaement hours.

  22. Following the Board of Examiners, a list of successful candidates will be issued with their full names in alphabetical order arranged in the following classes and divisions: First Class; Second Class (Upper Division); Second Class (Lower Division); Third Class.