Preparing for Research in Health
Postgraduate
MSc
Advanced Physiotherapy
School of Health and Society
Attendance
Full-time
Part-time
Course
One year
Three year
Next enrolment
September 2022
In a nutshell
Please note we are no longer accepting applications for September 2021 as the programme is now full. The application window for 2022 entry will open on 18 October 2021. We strongly advise you to apply early as the programme is very popular.
This course is designed for qualified physiotherapists who are looking to further develop their skills and enhance their career.
The programme leader is Dr Nicky Spence: N.Spence@salford.ac.uk
You will:
- Focus on the development of evidenced based clinical assessment and management skills
- Study on a CSP accredited programme with learning outcomes aligned to HCPC registration
- Partake in individual and group based supervised research projects
International
students accepted
Course accreditations
This is for you if...
1.
You want to improve patient outcomes and experiences
2.
You want to enhance your current skills and knowledge to improve professional and workforce development
3.
You want to influence across professional and organisational boundaries, locally and nationally
All about the course
The programme is taught by an academically and clinically experienced staff team who are enthusiastic, supportive and approachable. Over the years we have had an interesting diversity of students from the United Kingdom, European middle East. Africa and other International. This diversity enables discussions around different experiences and management.
You will be taught in small groups how to locate critically comment on and disseminate a range of contemporary evidence. The programme uses a blend of lecture, tutorial, group discussion, practical and research supervision in a blended, supported learning approach.
You will have the opportunity to be involved with staff research projects and may do individual or group based research depending on your particular area of interest or work. This will enhance your critical thinking, presentation and writing skills. The supervisors will challenge you and help to facilitate your progress. This journey may help you to continue to PhD studies or publication.
This course is available on a full time or part time study basis, depending on your preferred study route.
Full-time:
You'll study two modules in the first two semesters and attend the University on Wednesday and Thursday of each week.
Part-time:
You'll study one module per semester and attend the University for two days on alternate weeks.
MSc (one year full-time or three years part-time)
PgDip (nine months full-time or two years part-time)
PgCert (six months full-time or one year part-time
Year one
The focus of this module is to prepare you to conduct primary research and move toward publication.This module is assessed by assignment, based around ethics forms in preparation for your dissertation
Neuromuscular Function and Dysfunction
An exercise and advanced functional examination module which includes motor control and skill acquisition.
Manual Therapy
This module allows a clinically reasoned and practical application of advanced manual therapy. This is a practically based module with case studies. Assessment is by a 2,500 word assignment and a practical viva exam.
Rehabilitation Strategies
This module will develop your critical thinking skills that reflect the current evidence base that underpins contemporary rehabilitation. Innovative sessions will be delivered by nationally and internationally renowned researchers in the areas of neuroscience, motor control and exercise. This is a practically based module that will facilitate your skills for autonomous and effective management of a range of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders, Assessment is by a poster/ conference presentation.
Research Project
This module focuses on preparation for publication and dissemination, encouraging you to conduct primary research using a range of possible techniques or alternatively to complete a systematic review. The project will link this research to practice and recommendations to advance physiotherapy. Students will also have the option of joining ongoing research within the university. Assessment is in two parts a poster and the production of a short project report in the style of a publication.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
The School of Health and Society
The School of Health and Society is a forward-thinking, dynamic school with a commitment to lifelong learning and real world impact.
We live in a rapidly changing world, and we’re keen to leave a productive legacy of helping people at all stages of their lives, improving their physical, psychological and social wellbeing.
FACILITIES
We have some of the best facilities in the UK, including our comfortable plinth rooms, Human Performance Laboratory and gait analysis rooms. Our purpose-built laboratory is probably the best in the country and contains almost every type of physiological and biomechanical equipment you can imagine including:
- 9 AMTI Force Plates, 5 of which are situated in a 40m running track
- ProReflex 10 Camera real-time motion analysis system which can be integrated with force plate data using Qualysis software. Primarily this is used for clinical studies on patients with gait problems. It can also be used by Sports Scientists to analyse athletes performance and technique. We also use a range of Digital Video and High-Speed Digital Video cameras along with Quintic software for the same purpose
- KinCom Isokinetic Dynamometer for muscle strength testing
- EMG (electromyography) system used to measures the electrical activity of muscles and to gather information about the muscular and nervous systems
- Esaote AU5 Ultrasound used to study skeletal muscles, tendons and ligaments
- Laveg Speed Gun which is used to determine the speed of sprints
Take a 360 tour of the facilities here.
We have a range of cycle and rowing ergometers, two treadmills, and two online gas analysis systems. There is also an off-line gas analysis system for use with Douglas Bags.
We can perform blood analysis with our Analox GM7 Multi-Assay Blood Analyser to measure blood lactate, glucose and a range of other blood substrates.
There is also the Reflotron which another multi-use system that can measure blood cholesterol and haemoglobin as well as portable blood glucose and lactate analysers.
Teacher Profiles
Joint programme leader and physiotherapy lecturer, private practitioner and senior Higher Education Academy fellow.
Clinical areas of research and publication interest are neurological rehabilitation, outcome measurement and quality of life.
Email: N.Spence@salford.ac.uk
Duncan Mason
Module Leader, physiotherapy lecturer, private physiotherapy practitioner and sports coach and trainer.
Interests and publications relating to biomechanics and kinematics of running and risk factors for commonly occurring lower limb injuries in runners.
Raymond Healy
Physiotherapy lecturer and private physiotherapy practitioner.
Interest and publications relating to biomechanics and the assessment and management of the shoulder.
What about after uni?
This course will boost your career prospects and broaden your skills portfolio. You’ll have the opportunity to choose modules and assignment topics of relevance to your interests and area of professional practice. Graduates of the MSc may also choose to pursue an academic or research-based career path.
You may also choose to pursue further study and research on our Professional Doctorate (Health and Social Care/Advanced Practitioner/Social Work).
Career Links
The Programme teams are linked with Health Authorities within the North West in their roles as visiting lecturers. Four of the Programme lecturers are physiotherapy practitioners.
What you need to know
Please note we are no longer accepting applications for September 2021 as the programme is now full. The application window for 2022 entry will open on 18 October 2021. We strongly advise you to apply early as the programme is very popular.
APPLICANT PROFILE
This course is suitable for qualified physiotherapists who wish to further develop their skills. The modules within the course may also be relevant for health professionals including occupational therapists, podiatrists, chiropractors, sports therapists and strength and conditioning coaches.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
To gain a place on the MSc Advanced Physiotherapy, you’ll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.
Within your personal statement (up to 500 words), we’ll want to understand:
• What motivates you and what undergraduate and post qualification clinical experience you have had.
• What are your clinical interests
• What continuing professional development courses you have attended and how these have helped you.
• What are your future career goals.
• Why you have chosen to apply to the University of Salford and the MSc Advanced Physiotherapy programme.
You should also provide a CV and two references (at least one should be an academic reference) provided on letterhead paper, signed, and dated. As English qualifications are an essential entry criteria for the programme, special attention should be paid to your writing style and expression in the statement, avoiding grammatical and spelling errors.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Students whose first language is not English will be required to demonstrate proficiency in English – IELTS – a minimum overall score of 6.0 with 5.5 in any component.
Students will be permitted to register for stand-alone modules as CPD. In this case, students may gain entry with an appropriate healthcare BSc (Hons) degree or a Graduate Diploma in physiotherapy under university APEL regulations.
Standard entry requirements
Undergraduate degree
- A BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy
- Graduate Diploma in physiotherapy under university APEL regulations.
Prospective students would normally be expected to achieve a 2.1 Honours degree, but consideration would be given to students with a 2.2 Honours degree with appropriate experience and satisfactory references. Students who do not have a physiotherapy qualification can also take the programme and attain the MSc qualification but a differently titled MSc.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
International students (full-time route only)
We welcome applications from international students and the University offers a wide-ranging support network for those who want to come to Salford to study. Relevant qualifications will be considered.
How much?
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2021/22 | £8,100per year |
| Full-time international | 2021/22 | £15,030per year |
| Part-time | 2021/22 | Your annual fee will be calculated pro rata to the full-time fee according to the number of credits you are studying. |
| Full-time home | 2022/23 | £8,280per year |
| Full-time international | 2022/23 | £15300per year |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships.
We have a range of scholarships available for students applying for courses in 2020-2021 and 2021-2022. Our Global Gold Excellence Scholarship is worth £3,500 and our Global Silver Excellence Scholarship is worth £3,000 - both are available for students studying in our 2021/22 intakes.
We also offer the Salford International Excellence Scholarship which offers up to £5,000 discount on tuition fees. As this is a prestigious award we have a limited number of these scholarships available.
See the full range of our International Scholarships.