Physiotherapy is the largest allied health profession. Physiotherapists work with patients and their families/carers to address problems experienced as a result of illness, injury and disability. They use physical means to promote health, optimal rehabilitation and, where possible, recovery. Physiotherapy is a broad field, making for an exciting and varied career. Physiotherapists practice as autonomous professionals when acting as the first point of contact for clients/patients, or as part of a health or social care team.
Our course will give you the professional skills and knowledge necessary for contemporary practice. The Department of Physiotherapy carries out significant research, and we emphasise the role of research in physiotherapy and the importance of evidence-based practice throughout the course. Through this you will gain experience of a wide range of research methods.
In your first year, you will focus on client- centred, responsive services, and develop your decision making, communication and scientific skills.
In your second year we will address effective and needs-related service, and you will further develop your knowledge of professional skills and the science behind rehabilitation.
In your third year, you will think about the development of service provision for today’s NHS, social care, public health and the rights and needs of various client groups. You will extend your understanding of psychosocial, ethical and legal issues surrounding practice in student directed activities. You will develop your practical, reflective, evaluative and interpersonal skills at an advanced level and integrate theory with practice even further. You will explore the challenge of working with clients with complex problems in depth, and you will also evaluate your own performance and the outcome of treatment.
In order to gain a licence to practice, you will have to complete at least 1,000 clinical hours. At the end of each of your first two years, and during your third year, you will apply what you have learned on a series of clinical placements in a variety of environments, ranging from large teaching hospitals to small special schools within the community. The majority of placements are in Greater London, but you may be placed throughout south-east England.
We have designed this course to match the needs of the modern ever-changing health sector. We work closely with a network of clinical colleagues, primarily in the NHS, and these partnerships ensure that the course’s delivery and development are practice-led.
Teaching
Clinicians from local hospitals will provide some of the in-university clinical teaching. All of our teaching is informed by research, and our teaching staff generally have at least a PhD qualification. Sometimes postgraduate research students studying towards a PhD in a relevant discipline will help with teaching, for example by acting as demonstrators in practical classes or leading revision tutorial sessions.
| Course stage | Percentage of time in scheduled learning and teaching activities | Percentage of time in guided independent study | Percentage of time on placements |
|---|
| Year 1 |
34% |
53% |
13% |
| Year 2 |
35% |
44% |
21% |
| Year 3 |
16% |
48% |
36% |
Typically, one credit equates to 10 hours of work.
Assessment
We will assess you through a combination of exams, coursework and practicals.
| Course stage | Percentage of assessment by written exams | Percentage of assessment by practical exams | Percentage of assessment by coursework |
|---|
| Year 1 |
52% |
29% |
19% |
| Year 2 |
41% |
29% |
30% |
| Year 3 |
19% |
26% |
55% |
Course accreditation
Successful completion confers eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to practice physiotherapy and to apply for membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
Regulating body
King’s College London is regulated by the Office for Students.
Location
This course is primarily taught at the King’s College London Guy’s Campus with clinical placements in London and south east England.
Other related courses:
- Psychology
- Pharmacy
- Nutrition
- Nutrition & Dietetics