Physiotherapy with Foundation Year BSc
4 years
If you would love to study Physiotherapy here at Leicester, but your A-level subjects don’t match our entry criteria, or you don’t quite have the entry requirements to get in, this degree is your bridge to making it happen.
Start date:
Course information
UK fee £9,535
UCAS code B161
International fee £25,900
Institute code L34
Course description
Course description
This Foundation Year course is aimed at students who want to study on the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy in the School of Healthcare at the University of Leicester, whose A-level subjects don’t match our entry criteria or who don’t have the necessary entry requirements
Completion of the integrated Physiotherapy Foundation Year at the level required will enable you to progress onto the first year of the BSc in Physiotherapy.
You will be taught by expert academic staff from across different departments in the College of Life Sciences, studying alongside other students in the School of Healthcare, School of Biological Sciences, School of Medicine and School of Psychology.
The course strongly emphasises the development of the study skills that will be necessary for success in your undergraduate studies and beyond. These study skills will be integrated within the course material and take advantage of innovative learning technologies.
During your Foundation Year you will join our student community and be able to enjoy all aspects of the University of Leicester student experience. You will be able to join the Students’ Union, use our academic and leisure facilities, live in our accommodation and access all our support services.
You will have a personal tutor to support you, and our excellent staff/student ratio means that you will get all the help you need throughout your studies.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A-levels: BBC including at least one science-based subject from Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology and PE.
- GCSE: Six subjects at grade 5/C which must include English Language, Maths and Combined or Single Science subjects.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass diploma with 45 credits at level 3, 15 of which must be at Distinction and 15 at Merit. Please contact the Admissions Team with the details of your Access to HE Diploma for eligibility.
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 27 points including grade 5 from one higher-level science-based subject from Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology and Sports, Exercise & Health Science. Minimum of 4 in HL Maths or 4 in SL Maths Analysis and Approaches, or 6 in SL Maths Applications and Interpretation required if grade 5/C not held at GCSE. Minimum of grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B required if grade 5/C not held at GCSE. Minimum grade 3 required in at least three other subjects if not held at grade 5/C at GCSE.
- BTEC Nationals: Pass Extended Diploma with DDM in Sport and Exercise Science or Health and Social Care. Please contact the Admissions Team to confirm if other Sport-related BTEC subjects will be considered without a required A-Level subject. Any other BTEC subject must be taken with an A-Level in Biology, Human Biology, Physics, Chemistry, Psychology or Physical Education.
- T Levels: Merit in Health (with an Occupational Specialism in Supporting the therapy teams).
You will be expected to show academic attainment at the required level within 3 years of the course proposed start date.
Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.
If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.
Contextual offers
The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.
Health Requirements
All students who have applied to study our healthcare programmes are subject to Occupational Health clearance. This is to ensure that you are fit for all aspects of the course, and to protect the public who may be affected by your placement activities.
As a healthcare student, you must comply with any Department of Health, governing body or University guidelines on immunisations, vaccinations, and screening required to protect you and your patients during the course of your work. This also includes compliance with any health and safety requirements stipulated by these organisations such as the wearing of facemasks etc.
In order to undertake placement activities you will be required to be vaccinated for some infectious diseases. Some of our placement providers specifically request the COVID-19 vaccination. Without this vaccination, we cannot guarantee all of the clinical hours required for professional registration.
We also pride ourselves on using service users during our teaching. This teaching is an opportunity to see and feel first-hand the impact of disease, illness, and injury within the learning environment. Our service users can request that students involved in this face-to-face experience be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
During your course, you will be given the opportunity to be screened and given any relevant vaccinations at no cost to you. Without appropriate immunity or vaccinations, your place on the course may be at risk.
Criminal Records Check (DBS)
The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 does not apply and all convictions, including those which are spent, must be disclosed. This is in accordance with the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. As part of the course entry requirements you must provide the university with an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) certificate. The university will bear the cost for this and will provide successful applicants with details of how to obtain their DBS certificate prior to the start of the course.
Age requirement
You must be at least 18 years old when you start the course. If you are not yet 18 you can still apply but you will need to defer your entry by a year if your 18th birthday will be after the start of the course.
Specific Learning Difficulties and Disabilities
Candidates with specific learning difficulties or disabilities are welcome to apply and will be considered according to the University’s Equality, Diversion and Inclusion Strategy. The Physiotherapy course may be able to make reasonable adjustments for such candidates, including at interview. However, it must ensure that all candidates will be able meet the core learning outcomes and competencies of the course, and in addition be able to practise as a physiotherapist on completion of the course. Initial scoring of the UCAS form and interview will be undertaken separately to any subsequent Occupational Health assessment. If you have a declared additional learning need or disability please inform the physiotherapy admissions team as soon as possible when you receive your interview invitation so that we can discuss reasonable adjustments. However, a satisfactory Occupational Health assessment may be a conditional part of any subsequent offer to determine if reasonable adjustment can be made.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 6.5 in each component. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements. Countries list
Fees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2025
The tuition fees that will be payable by you to the University for the 2025/26 academic year will be £9,535
- £9,535 in your first year. Tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with inflation, subject to government regulations. The inflation rate used will be the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage payments (RPIX)
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2025
- £25,900 per year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).
Find out more about scholarships and funding.
Accreditation
Accreditation
After successful completion of your undergraduate course you will receive your BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy degree.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Physiotherapy at Leicester prepares you to be a professional physiotherapist and the course exceeds the minimum of 1,000 clinical placement hours you need to qualify.
Once you have graduated and qualified, you can use the protected title of Physiotherapist and practice physiotherapy as an autonomous practitioner working in any area of your choosing.
Graduate destinations
Graduate physiotherapists are in high demand and can choose from a number of career pathways. Many of our graduates go into employment as Band 5 Physiotherapists in the NHS to consolidate their knowledge and skills as they undertake clinical rotations, which encompass all key areas of physiotherapy. Others have used their qualification to travel and work abroad either for VSO, local health provision or private practice. Numerous graduates have gone on to work in professional sport.
Graduate testimonial
"The course had a really personal feel with the lecturers being both knowledgeable and approachable. I managed to gain my first Physiotherapy role following a placement set up by the University and have not looked back since. I completed my band 5 rotations over a couple of years before concentrating on gaining more experience in the musculoskeletal field. I am now Head Physiotherapist with a professional sports team. My dream job when starting University!" Jonathon.
Careers and Employability Service
Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Related courses
Sustainable Development Goals
Sustainable Development Goals
We are committed to providing skills and knowledge to help prepare you tackle global challenges. We have mapped our undergraduate degrees for learning which aligns to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals.
This degree includes learning which relates to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- Goal 3: Health and well-being
- Goal 4: Quality education
- Goal 5: Gender equality
- Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals
Placement
Placement
Practice placements are an essential element to this course. As a Physiotherapy student at Leicester, your placements will allow you to complete the 1,000 clinical practice hours you need to qualify as a Physiotherapist.
We offer a fantastic range of practice placements that allow you to develop your skills in the diverse areas that physiotherapists work in. Your placement experiences may include areas in private practice, NHS, sports and charities, research and leadership. Up to 25% of the hours you spend on placement could include simulation and alternative placement areas such as research and leadership. Past and current students have had the opportunity to present research conducted during their placements at national and international conferences. Additionally, there is an opportunity for a placement abroad at the end of year three.
When placements take place
You will complete your assessed placements in year two and three of your studies and will have a week of simulation and observation at the end of year one.
Year two
You will complete two six-week placements in year two. Currently, all students complete a whole-cohort placement for their first placement in Shipley (Bradford).
Year three
In year three, you will complete two six-week and one five-week placement. For the final placement in year three, there is the opportunity for some students to complete an international placement.
Support during your placement
You will have a named clinical educator and visiting tutor during each placement. You will also have access to support from the wider clinical and academic teams. Each student has a personal tutor who will provide support throughout the three year degree.
You can access support via the School of Healthcare placements Blackboard site, which has information about placement providers, transport whilst on placement, the placement handbook and other useful resources to support you whilst on placement. All clinical uniform will be provided.
Additional financial support whilst on placement
For placements outside Leicester, UK students are entitled to reimbursement from the NHS Learning Support Fund for some of the additional costs of attending, including travel expenses and accommodation. Please note this is not available for international students.
Placement areas
Currently students complete placements in the following areas; however, we are consistently expanding and exploring new placement opportunities so this may change.*
- University Hospitals of Leicester
- Leicestershire Partnerships Trust
- University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire
- North West Anglia Foundation Trust
- Northampton Community Trust
- Spire Leicester Hospital
- LOROS Hospice
- Rainbows
- Military of Defence (MoD) Loughborough, The Defence and National Rehabilitation centre
- Nuffield Health
- Matt Hampson Trust
- LCFC Academy Team
- LCFC Women’s Team
- Neoniq, Bradford
- Cleveland Clinic London
- Primary care placements – Merridale Health Centre
- University Hospitals of Northamptonshire
- Kettering General Hospital
- Flint House Police Rehabilitation Centre
- In-house Research at University of Leicester
- In-house student Placement Clinic
*placements are allocated by the school of Physiotherapy and are dependent on availability.
Hear from our students
Want to find out what life is like during a Physiotherapy placement? Watch our day in the life videos.
For further information on placements in physiotherapy please contact physiotherapy@le.ac.uk.
Course structure
Foundation Year
Foundation Year
- Foundations of Biological Sciences (double module)
- Introduction to Medical Sciences (double module)
- Brain and Behaviour (double module)
- Introduction to Human Anatomy and Analysis of Movement (double module)
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 1
Year 1
In the first year the majority of study occurs in the university setting introducing the necessary theoretical background to support clinical education. The final week provides an opportunity to observe clinical practice and to contextualise knowledge and skills introduced thus far. In the practice environment you will work alongside and be supported not only by physiotherapy practitioners and fellow students, but also by a range of colleagues from other health and social care disciplines. This inter-professional collaboration continues into Years 2 and 3 as you develop towards professional autonomy.
Within the university, you will study the science of normal body systems to promote an understanding of their structure, function and inter-relationships, before moving on to altered and abnormal function and the role of assessment and rehabilitation. You will explore issues of personal and professional development, health and well-being in order to further prepare for learning in the practice environment. An awareness of the evidence base for health care professions and the research process is a fundamental and ongoing theme, promoted throughout the course.
- Clinical Skills: Pathophysiology 1
- Clinical Skills: Introducing Practice 1
- Professional Development 1
- Clinical Skills: Axial Anatomy
- Clinical Skills: Pathophysiology 2
- Clinical Skills Introducing Practice 2
- Evidence Based Practice 1
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 2
Year 2
The second year develops your knowledge and skills, relating these to the scientific and therapeutic bases of physiotherapy in 20 weeks of university-based activity and 12 weeks of clinical practice. Opportunities for consolidation of learning and application of theory to practice are an integral part of the course.
Within both practice and university settings, the learning environment enables you to safely and effectively determine and implement comprehensive and integrated programmes of care for patients. You will be able to justify the selection of interventions, accurately assess patient outcomes and progress/end treatment or refer back for re-assessment by an appropriate qualified practitioner, whether that is a physiotherapist or a colleague from another health discipline.
- Clinical Skills 2: Developing MSK Professional Practice
- Clinical Skills 2: Developing Cardio-Respiratory Practice
- Clinical Skills 2: Developing Neurological Practice
- Evidence Based Practice 2
- Professional Development 2
- Practice Education 1
- Practice Education 2
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Year 3
Year 3
The third year and final academic year further develops clinical practice by enhancing your ability to function as an autonomous practitioner, partner and leader in 16 weeks of university-based activity and 17 weeks of clinical practice. The learning environment will enable you to build upon what you learned in Year 2 and once again you will have the opportunity to work with a range of professional colleagues. Inter-professional learning continues across the modules in both university and practice settings.
Within both university and practice settings you will progress to be able to safely and effectively carry out a diagnostic assessment and manage patients with more complex needs. You will develop the capacity to lead and manage a physiotherapy/multidisciplinary team and exhibit awareness of the context of practice by exploring and identifying improvements to the service which will improve patient satisfaction and outcomes, and promote equality of care.
- Clinical Skills 3: Enhancing Practice
- Professional Development 3
- Evidence Based Practice 3
- Practice Education 3
- Practice Education 4
- Practice Education 5
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Graduate ready for a career as a Chartered Physiotherapist. Through your placements, you will exceed the minimum of 1,000 clinical placement hours you need to qualify.
Our extensive practice placements offer hands-on experience and insight in a broad range of areas, including: NHS and private hospitals, mental health placements, learning disability services, palliative care, high level sport, specialist head injury and sports injury facilities. Ideal preparation for your professional career.
Learn in small groups from leading physiotherapist lecturer-practitioners. Our staff are experts in their clinical field and work as specialist physiotherapists in areas such as private practice and high-level sport, as well as the NHS, while also carrying out groundbreaking research.
Dedicated state-of-the-art facilities allow you to enhance your skills and knowledge, including our superb practical rooms, movement analysis lab and advanced clinical skills labs. You will also learn anatomy in Leicester Medical School's anatomy dissection room.
Teaching and learning
Teaching
To mirror the work of a qualified physiotherapist this course is very hands-on and you will be taught to embrace a vision of patient-centred care within contemporary health and social care environments. Following an initial period of underpinning theoretical teaching in a university setting, you will embark on a series of six-week practice placements. After each practice placement experience you will return to the University for a period of reflection to facilitate development of knowledge and skills, informing performance in your subsequent practice placement.
In University-based teaching there is a balanced mixture of lectures, clinical skills teaching and group work. In each academic year there is an opportunity to learn alongside other health and social care students supported by experienced academic lecturer-practitioners and clinically qualified staff. Your iPad will support your learning throughout.
In your third and fourth years (Years 2 and 3 of the regular course) you will be working with trained physiotherapy practice educators in hospitals, in the community and in a variety of private, independent and charitable practice placements. For each placement you will be given clear learning outcomes defining what you should be able to do by the close of each practice placement.
Physiotherapy is a vocational course requiring a commitment to lifelong learning. Throughout the course you should be prepared to reflect on your skills and organise your own self-directed study.
Assessment
Your teaching will be delivered through a combination of practical’s, tutorials and lectures. The teaching will focus on developing core study skills necessary for successful university level study. The Biological Sciences module exams in the Foundation Year use a variety of assessments to cover a broad range of skills. These include multiple choice exams, short answer questions and essays. These assessments will allow you to develop your study skills in preparation for moving into the undergraduate programme.
At the end of the first semester in the Foundation Year you will be able to review your overall performance, enabling you to closely monitor your progress and, if necessary, adjust your work pattern.
In your second semester you will study a physiotherapy specific module, anatomy and human movement. This module forms a vital building block in order for you to successfully transition onto the undergraduate course. This module and its assessment align to the profession and the very practical requirements of a physiotherapist’s role.
Application process
In line with Health Education England’s Values-based Recruitment Framework, the aim of the Physiotherapy admissions team is to have a selection process that is open, objective and fair in order to select students with the ability, character and values to become caring, competent, effective and safe physiotherapists.
Stage 1: UCAS form
Your UCAS application will be reviewed and your application will be assigned a score based on your GCSE grades, confirmed (not predicted) A/AS-levels or other academic qualifications, actual/predicted degree (where appropriate) and the quality and appropriateness of your personal statement and reference. Applications are then ranked and the highest scoring candidates invited for interview.
Stage 2: Interview
If you are invited for interview, you will be asked to attend either a morning or afternoon event in the Physiotherapy facilities at the University of Leicester. Within the interview event there will be some group and individual activities which will include a brief presentation, followed by an interview with members of the physiotherapy student recruitment team. We will then decide whether to make an offer (which may be unconditional or conditional) and this will be communicated to you via UCAS. If you narrowly fail to meet the terms of a firm conditional offer, we may still consider you and might admit you to the course if there are unfilled places.
Student Learning Contract
As part of the offer for a place on a Physiotherapy course at the University of Leicester all students are required to agree to abide by the conditions of a Student Learning Contract which you will be asked to sign during the induction week at the beginning of the course. This learning contract will apply to the entire duration of the course and the signed copy will be stored as a PDF on your University electronic record.
All students are subject to contractual regulations of University of Leicester, the Physiotherapy Course and of the Practice Education Organisation at which they are placed.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Physiotherapy with Foundation Year | Qualification BSc | Duration 4 years | UCAS Code B161 | Availability How to apply |
