MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy

The MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy programme is designed to optimise and enhance the competencies of Chartered Physiotherapists to produce technically competent, effective and safe veterinary physiotherapy practitioners in line with current professional standards. Individuals will be encouraged and supported through critical reflection on the similarities and differences relating to practice in the human field of physiotherapy.

In particular the course promotes the philosophy of life-long learning and encourages students to develop their skills in critical thinking. You will be encouraged to critically analyse research and evidence and apply your findings to practice.

The course aims to help you recognise your role and responsibilities in the field of veterinary physiotherapy and animal welfare. It will enhance your clinical skills as well as your capacity to deal with complex relationships between animals, their owners/handlers and other healthcare professionals. The course will also introduce you to the legal, ethical and financial issues involved in veterinary physiotherapy/ private practice.

This part-time programme is available to registered physiotherapists who are looking to specialise in animals. Graduates from this programme will either have a Postgraduate Diploma or MSc in Veterinary Physiotherapy, which will allow them to upgrade from Category B membership of ACPAT to Category A. Once qualified, students will be eligible to set up their own business in veterinary physiotherapy or be employed in the industry.

Topics you study on this programme could include Clinical Practice, Comparative and Applied Anatomy Physiology and Biomechanics, Understanding Veterinary Diagnostics and Physiotherapy Assessment, Research Methods and Applied Business Management.

Students will also be able to complete their own research and explore their own interests by completing a postgraduate dissertation in the third year if they choose to. You will also be required to undertake periods of clinical placement and students are expected to undertake a significant amount of independent learning.

The course is offered on a part-time basis with teaching delivered in ‘blocks’ of study (each block is usually between two and four days in length and there are approximately 12 blocks of attendance per year) on both weekdays and weekends. Additionally, there will be times when students are required to attend for individual days, e.g. where assessments are scheduled.

The campus is equipped with excellent equine and animal science facilities including laboratories, hydrotherapy both canine and equine, treadmills both canine and equine, a world class championship arena and much more.

Visit the MSc Veterinary Physiotherapy page on the Hartpury University website for more details!