You’ll need to apply for this course through your employer, with their support. Individuals cannot apply directly to the University.
This means that when you graduate, you can apply for registration to practice as a Chartered Physiotherapist.
Overview
After building a strong foundation of anatomical knowledge, you will learn how to diagnose and rehabilitate across a range of conditions, as well as how to prevent illness and disease. You will gain substantial practical experience in our purpose-built simulation laboratories and a range of real-life clinical environments, such as hospitals.
Our team of experienced physiotherapists will supervise you as you complete 1,000 hours of placement in different clinical, health, and social care settings. This gives you familiarity with the profession, patients, and various conditions.
You’ll study alongside students from our Medicine, Nursing, Social Work, and Occupational Therapy courses, providing opportunities to learn from each other and preparing you to work seamlessly in a ‘one workforce’ team in the NHS.
The Physiotherapy Degree Apprenticeship is delivered alongside an employing partner organisation allowing you to immediately embed your learning into practice in the workplace. This route to a professional qualification responds to contemporary workforce challenges in health and social care, as well as working to widen participation. The apprenticeship is suitable for those in an existing role, for example, physiotherapy assistant or a massage therapist, as well as those that are new to this sector.
How apprentices study
Teaching and learning on an apprenticeship will be a collaborative process between you, your employer and the university. This will include attending university for tutorials, work-based learning, when required to complete the apprenticeship an alternative placement and mentoring by a qualified/experienced colleague.
In a typical week apprentices have around 6 - 9 contact hours of university teaching across 3 semesters. However, the precise contact hours will depend on the year of study and the module you are studying. An example of teaching contact time will be structured around:
- 3 hours of interactive workshops/skills simulations or student seminars either face to face or online
- 3 hours of (large group) lectures either face to face or online
- 3 hours of asynchronous online teaching and learning
Apprenticeship students will have the opportunity to study alongside other students completing a BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons) Degrees.
As an apprentice, you’ll spend part of your working time developing the knowledge, skills and behaviours needed for your qualification. This is known as ‘off-the-job’ learning, and your employer will support you to complete it. You and your employer will agree how this learning is structured to best support your development and progress.
Course content
Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course.
Careers
Most graduate apprentices are offered roles within their work place as registered physiotherapists.
You will become a scientifically oriented clinician with transferable intellectual and practical skills. You’ll also develop the advanced problem-solving and leadership skills required to succeed in the dynamic healthcare environment.
Physiotherapists are in demand across the UK and abroad, which creates many exciting job opportunities.
You could:
- become a senior physiotherapist or service manager in the NHS in a hospital, care home, GP practice, or other setting
- specialise in a specific area, like sports physiotherapy, stroke care, or working with children
- work for a professional sports club
- become self-employed and set up your own practice
- move into research or training
Course highlights
Teaching and assessment
The University places emphasis on enabling students to develop the independent learning capabilities that will equip you for lifelong learning and future employment, as well as academic achievement. A mixture of independent study, teaching and academic support through the personal academic tutoring system enables you to reflect on progress and build up a profile of skills, achievements and experiences that will enable you to flourish and be successful.
Teaching and assessment contents
You are taught through a combination of interactive workshops, lectures, seminars and group activities. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures and group activities are focused on developing physiotherapy specific skills.
Apprentices will have opportunity to engage in inter-professional learning through the course along with health and social care professionals within the school of Allied Health and Community.
There will be opportunities to engage with IMPACT, the university organisation of service users and their families/carers to support teaching and assessments.
Learning is supported by a range of excellent learning facilities including the Library Services at The Hive, virtual learning environments and extensive electronic learning resources.
Regular meetings will be scheduled between the apprentice, the university and then employer to monitor and support learning and development with goal setting.
Placements in a setting different to their employed role will be embedded into course. This will enable apprentices to apply their knowledge, skills and behaviours in a variety of setting within the pillars of physiotherapy professional practice.
Entry requirements
We accept a range of qualifications, including Access to HE Diplomas. We also take into account any work or life experiences you have, alongside any qualifications you hold.
You’ll need to apply for this course through your employer, with their support. Individuals cannot apply directly to the University.
Employer entry requirements
Under UK Government apprenticeship funding requirements, apprentices are normally employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week and must have the right to live and work in the UK (and lived in the UK for the last 3 years).
All apprentices must be employed in an appropriate workplace setting with an identified employer partner in a job role that enables them to undertake the apprenticeship.
All apprentices must supported by their employer to apply for the apprenticeship. The support of the employer is articulated in an Apprenticeship Agreement.
University entry requirements
- 120 UCAS points. Work out your estimated points with the UCAS tariff calculator
- GCSE English at grade C/4 or above
- Students are required to demonstrate health and character sufficient to ensure safe and effective practice. This includes a satisfactory Enhanced DBS and occupational health assessment, evidence provided by your employer.
We also take into account any work or life experiences applicants have; alongside any qualifications they hold.
Recent study
We know that some people may have had a considerable gap between study and application for the Physiotherapy Degree Apprenticeship. If you want to discuss your individual situation, please contact the Apprenticeship Office, by emailing apprenticeships@worc.ac.uk
Recommendations
We strongly encourage you to gain some work experience with an physiotherapy where possible. If direct shadowing is not possible, think about other experiences that would be beneficial.
Other information
Where an applicant does not hold 120 UCAS points including a minimum B grade (or equivalent) in Biology/Human Biology/PE, evidence of successful study at Level 3 And 6-months + of experience in a health and/or social care setting may be considered.
Any questions?
If you have any questions about entry requirements, please email our admissions@worc.ac.uk
Fees
Fees contents
Fees for this apprenticeship will be paid by the employer, through Department for Education (DfE) apprenticeship funding.
How to apply
How to apply contents
All applications are through your employer, and you must have the support of your employer to complete the Level 6 Physiotherapy Apprenticeship.
Please discuss the possibility of completing the apprenticeship with your line manager and/or HR department. Your employer can then contact the University to discuss applying to the programme.
Individuals cannot apply directly to the University.
Contact
If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.
Apprenticeships team
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