Physiotherapy degree apprenticeship

Physiotherapy is a varied, stimulating and highly rewarding profession.  Physiotherapists work with individuals and their families and carers, from birth to end of life, in a wide range of health and social care settings. These settings include the NHS, private sector, with charities, in hospital or in the community.

Physiotherapy helps people affected by injury, illness or disability to maintain and restore movement and function. Through a holistic, person-centred approach, physiotherapists use a range of physical and psychological methods, including movement, exercise, manual therapy, education, health promotion and coaching.

This degree apprenticeship provides a new and innovative route to becoming a physiotherapist. On completion, you’ll be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and apply for full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). You’ll ‘earn while you learn’ as you progress through the four-year course , combining on-the-job learning through clinical employment, additional and varied practice placements and academic learning.

The course has been developed in line with the Level 6 Physiotherapist (Integrated Degree) standard set out by the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education. We’ll encourage you to take responsibility for your own learning and acquire continuing professional development (CPD) habits that are essential for lifelong learning as a physiotherapist. The structure consists of three elements: on-the-job learning, practice placements and off-the-job learning.

You’ll study a range of subject areas which are listed in the table below.

*Modules include a Practice Placement Component

On completing this apprenticeship successfully, you'll achieve a BSc(Hons) Applied Physiotherapy degree, approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). 

By the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is required to practice as a Physiotherapist.

In order to be eligible to apply, applicants will need to be employed in a health or social care position for a minimum of 30 hours per week and be sponsored by their employer. All candidates are considered on an individual basis and will need to show evidence of the following:

• GCSE
  • Grade C/4 or above in English and Mathematics or equivalent (we accept Functional Skills Level 2 in Maths and English).
• Recent Study
  • We require evidence of recent assessed academic study within the last three years.
• Other entry criteria include 128 UCAS tariff points or any of the following:
  • A-level subjects: Grade C in Biology or Human Biology.
  • EDEXCEL (BTEC) Diploma: Six units in Biology or Human Biology. We will consider BTEC qualifications in Applied Science, Applied Science (Medical Science), Health and Social Care (Health Sciences) and Sports and Exercise Science. However, we will require you to clearly identify the units you are studying or have achieved as part of the qualification in your application. We will not accept BTEC qualifications in Sport (Performance and Excellence) or Sport (Development, Coaching and Fitness).
  • Access Diploma: 15 Level 3 credits at Merit in Biology.
  • Baccalaureate IB: A minimum grade 5 in Higher Level Biology or Human Biology.
  • Other Level 3 qualifications or above are considered from a vocationally relevant subject. This includes a Level 3 Senior Healthcare Support Worker Apprenticeship where the applicant has chosen the Senior HCSW Allied health profession - therapy support option.

Employers must ensure the applicant meets the entry requirements before they are put forward for consideration.

Additional selection criteria

Health assessment/declaration/vaccinations

Applicants must be in good health and be up to date with routine immunisations e.g. tetanus, diphtheria, polio and MMR. Employers are responsible for ensuring this can be evidenced at the start of the course. Applicants will also be required to confirm their status in respect of several infectious diseases and immunisations (tuberculosis, measles, mumps, rubella, chicken pox, varicella, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV antibodies) and be prepared to have all required vaccinations funded by the employer. If vaccinations are not up to date this will affect ability to continue the course. Concerns with regards to vaccinations should be raised at the point of application.

Disclosure of Criminal Background

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. Employers must ensure that applicants who are offered a place have an up-to-date enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Prospective students may only apply for a degree apprenticeship through their employer. If you are interested in any of our degree apprenticeship programmes, speak to your employer in the first instance.

Your employer will then need to contact UWE Bristol’s Apprenticeship team: apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)117 32 84888.

Deadline for application submission 31 August 2023.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. The interviewing panel will include a member of the UWE Bristol physiotherapy programme team, a local employer and a service user, who will ask questions about the candidates understanding of the role of the physiotherapist and that they understand the commitment and the apprenticeship journey. There may be some preparatory work in the form of a case vignette provided prior to the interview.

BSc(Hons) Applied Physiotherapy benefits health and social care services struggling to employ physiotherapists, enabling them to ‘grow their own’ from their own employees. This degree apprenticeship offers a new way to plan for your future workforce, allowing you to invest in their training and education, while retaining their talents.

Successful graduates will be ready to take their next step towards becoming confident, autonomous physiotherapists who can make a positive contribution to your organisation. They’ll develop the skills needed for success in this career, from clinical reasoning and problem solving, to leadership and communication. By training as a person-centred practitioner, they’ll not only offer strong practical skills, but strong interpersonal skills to match.

Collaborating with UWE Bristol and your employers, you’ll benefit from practice-based and academic learning that’s cohesive and effective. The course will provide the structure, environment and support network to create a safe and positive learning experience.

You’ll have the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and experience using a variety of learning platforms, both online and in person. Apprentices will also engage in practical skill-building sessions and problem-based learning with others in their cohort.

UWE Bristol will work in partnership with your employers to optimise work-based learning opportunities and experiences. We’ll support the developmental needs of your assessors and mentors, equipping them to teach you how to apply your knowledge and skills in a real-world setting.

You’ll refine your ability to work with patients, their families and other healthcare professionals, developing your inter-professional and interpersonal skills to support rehabilitation and wellbeing.

Extensive student support is available throughout the apprenticeship. Learning will be supported through our learning pods, comprising of problem-based learning groups. You’ll also have 24/7 access to IT support, whether you’re on campus or at your workplace.

To find out more about the Physiotherapy Degree Apprenticeship, or for more information about the levy, funding available and degree apprenticeships, please email our Degree Apprenticeships Team at apprenticeships@uwe.ac.uk or call us on +44 (0)117 328 4888.