Physiotherapists treat patients with muscle and skeletal injuries, neurological problems and breathing problems. They help people rehabilitate and regain movement after an illness or injury. Most work in hospitals or in private clinics, while some may work for sports clubs or the armed forces. Physiotherapy is a popular option and you'll need good grades to get a place on a course, particularly in a biological science. Courses typically combine theory with learning practical diagnostic and treatment skills.
We don't have a breakdown of the profile of people who study this subject yet. Look at specific courses on The Uni Guide to see things like male:female and full:part-time ratios.
Here's a guide to what to expect from the application process - also check individual university entry requirements, as these may differ.
January application
October application
Personal statement
Portfolio
Interview
Entry test
Work experience
Audition
Personal statement advice
Your personal statement is a core part of your university application, and getting it just right takes time. Before you start work on yours, take a look at our five quick tips on writing a personal statement. We'll help you past that writer's block!
Physiotherapy is a popular subject, and the graduates of 2012 had a slightly lower unemployment rate overall than related subjects such as anatomy and physiology, having seen job prospects improve significantly in the last 12 months. Physiotherapy graduates mainly go straight into work, and a majority got into physiotherapy roles within six months of graduation in 2012, either in hospitals or private practice. If you fancy working for yourself, physiotherapists are rather more likely than the average graduate to start their career self-employed.
We don't have information on typical graduate jobs for this subject yet.
Average graduate salary
We don't have the average graduate salary for this subject yet.
% of graduates in work or further study
Data Missing
Longer term career paths
Jobs where this degree is useful
Physiotherapist
Veterinary physiotherapist
Biokineticist
Other real-life job examples
Rehabilitation therapist
Prison officer
Sports coach
What employers like about this subject
As part of a physiotherapy degree, you would expect to gain subject-specific skills in areas such as the professional practice of physiotherapy and in investigating and diagnosing health issues; in the principles and ethics of evidence-based health practice and in the principles of rehabilitation. Transferrable skills you can develop include good communication skills, problem-solving, team-working and decision-making. Physiotherapists tend to get jobs with hospitals, specialist physiotherapy practices, gyms, sports clubs, the Armed Forces, in welfare organisations and in education (particularly universities).
