Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSc/PGDip/PGCert)

The Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy MSc is for qualified physiotherapists wanting to build on their skills and knowledge, advance their professional practice, and earn a further professional and academic qualification.

This course has been developed with the International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists (IFOMPT). Course graduates benefit from being able to apply for full membership of the Musculoskeletal Association of Chartered Physiotherapists (MACP).

You will develop your advanced evaluative and problem-solving skills for the examination, assessment and treatment of patients with musculoskeletal dysfunction.

Choosing option modules means you can create a CPE study programme to suit your professional or personal interests and aspirations. 

The course is designed to fit around your existing physiotherapy practice hours. Week-long intensive study blocks allow attendance for students based in the UK, EU and internationally.

We are known for our flexible approaches to practice-based learning, with course durations and intensities that can be adapted to your individual needs and outside commitments. 

Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in practice.

Course structure

The flexible modular framework enables you to tailor your degree course to suit your professional and personal interests and aspirations.

You will complete two one-week modules and two three-week modules at the university, as well as two three-week clinical placements which can be completed part- or full-time.

The course is delivered in a variety of ways, typically via group discussion, case studies, supervised placements, lectures, seminars, and practical sessions in our Human Movement Laboratory, and Clinical Skills and Simulation Rooms.

Assessment is via the method most appropriate to your chosen modules. 

School of Health Sciences postgraduate education

This course is part of our School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme. The programme allows you to sign up for one module at a time and build your qualification as you go. It also gives you access to interdisciplinary modules across a broad selection of health and social science subjects.

Syllabus

Modules

• Musculoskeletal Management – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb
• Musculoskeletal Management – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb 
• Research Methods for Healthcare
• Dissertation (not necessary for award of PGDip)

And

• Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Lumbo-sacral spine and lower limb 
• Musculoskeletal Clinical Placement – Cervico-thoracic spine and upper limb

Plus

• Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy: Exploring Practice

OR

• a module of your choice from the School of Health Sciences postgraduate education programme.

Facilities

Human Movement Laboratory

The Human Movement Laboratory is used widely by our physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry students, and is also used for commercial consultancy. 

In the lab you will use the latest technology to measure and assess all aspects of human movement, joints, muscles, soft tissue structure and nerves. The laboratory has equipment for conducting cardio-pulmonary investigations including Cosmed metabolic system and spirometry.

Practical Skills and Simulation Rooms

Our practical skills rooms are equipped so that you can learn and practise practical skills including palpation, massage and manipulation with other students before you work with real patients and clients.

We also have specialist classrooms for physiotherapy practise, including manual skills and exercise therapy rooms, which are equipped with treatment couches.

Careers and Employability

Masters-level education is an important component of advanced and specialist practice. It allows you greater autonomy and to accelerate personal and professional development or promotion in your practice.

The course enhances professional and academic development, enabling graduates to pursue careers in research, lecturing in higher education, or expanding and developing their own clinical practice.

Visit the Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (MSc/PGDip/PGCert) page on the University of Brighton website for more details!