Overview

Physiotherapy is about helping people move, recover and live well. Playing a vital role in healthcare teams, physiotherapists work in areas such as musculoskeletal, neurological and respiratory care, as well as health promotion and rehabilitation.

With our BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course, you’ll learn how to support people of all ages to prevent injury, restore movement and improve quality of life. And at GCU, you’ll study at a university ranked first in the UK for Physiotherapy (The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).

This course combines scientific knowledge with hands-on clinical experience to prepare you for a rewarding career in physiotherapy.

As you progress through the course, you’ll develop the knowledge, practical skills and confidence needed to become a Physiotherapist. You’ll learn how to assess, treat and support people through injury, illness and rehabilitation.

Learning takes place through practical classes, clinical simulation, placements and field trips, giving you real experience throughout your degree. This prepares you to work in a wide range of healthcare settings and with people of all ages.

You’ll undertake at least 1000 hours of supervised practice placement experience during the course, working with real patients in environments ranging from NHS hospitals to health centres and community services across Scotland.

Physiotherapy is a career where science meets compassion, and where every day brings new challenges and rewards. Whether you are helping someone walk again after injury, supporting recovery after illness, or improving someone’s quality of life, the impact you can have is significant.

If you are interested in health, human movement and helping others, physiotherapy offers a meaningful, respected and rewarding career path.

Why study Physiotherapy at GCU?

We’re ranked first in the UK for Physiotherapy (Times & Sunday Times University Guide 2026).
This course has strong links with the NHS, private clinics and government agencies, giving you opportunities for networking and collaborative projects that enhance employability.
Complete over 1,000 hours of supervised placements in NHS hospitals, health centres and community services across Scotland, gaining valuable real-world physiotherapy experience.
Our supportive, inclusive environment encourages peer collaboration and professional development throughout your studies.
Practical simulation, outpatient scenarios, and technology-enhanced learning give you transferable skills for diverse clinical settings.

Chartered Society of Physiotherapy

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Health and Care Professionals Council

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What you will study

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

Physiotherapists are in high demand in the UK and around the world. Ageing populations, increasing long-term health conditions and the need for rehabilitation means skilled physiotherapists are needed across many areas of healthcare.

This degree prepares you to go directly into practice as a registered Physiotherapist in the NHS or other clinical settings. Internationally, opportunities exist in both public and private healthcare sectors.

Our course has strong links with local and national healthcare providers, private clinics and government agencies. This gives you opportunities to take part in networking events and collaborative projects that will help build your experience and professional connections.

Many of our graduates work in:

hospitals
community health services
private practice
sports and rehabilitation centres
public health
international healthcare organisations.

Job roles include:

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Neurological Physiotherapist
Respiratory Physiotherapist
Sports Physiotherapist
Rehabilitation Specialist
Community Physiotherapist
Physiotherapy Researcher
Physiotherapy Lecturer.

Others use their skills in research, education, healthcare consultancy or health policy.

With experience, many physiotherapists move into specialist roles, leadership and management, research or teaching.

This is a career with strong prospects, clear progression routes and the opportunity to make a real difference to people’s lives.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BSc (Hons)	Full time	4 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	B160	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BSc (Hons)	Full Time	4 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	B160	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Year 1

Standard entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 147

Scottish Higher: AABBB or equivalent incl Higher in two sciences

A Level: AAB or equivalent including two sciences

Minimum entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 90

Scottish Higher: BCCC or equivalent incl Higher in two sciences

A Level: CCC or equivalent incl A Level in two sciences

English language

IELTS score of 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (or equivalent).

Additional

Applicants should demonstrate an understanding of the course and have relevant work/shadowing experience.

We understand that face-to-face work experiences are exceptionally limited at present. In place of face-to-face work/shadowing experience, try to be creative about what you can do to strengthen your statement.

For example, this could include tutoring, volunteering, chatting to a health professional or researching the roles of physiotherapy.

We want you to demonstrate that you understand the skills that a physiotherapist is required to have and to demonstrate how you have been developing these skills.

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

The tuition fees you pay are mostly determined by your fee status. What is my student fee status?

Fees are subject to change and are published here for guidance only.

Annual tuition fees

Please visit our central tuition fees section for details.

Additional costs

As a student at the University, there are additional fees and costs which may or may not apply to you, but that you should be aware of.

View additional costs.

Additional costs for all students on this course

You will be expected to become student members of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, which has a membership fee.

Please see the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy website for fee information.

Additional costs for Scottish domiciled students on this programme

Scottish domiciled students, eligible for SAAS, do not need to pay for PVG checks, occupational health checks or uniforms.

You will need to consider costs for accommodation and travel while on placement. However, you may be able to apply to SAAS for additional expense support to help meet these costs.

Check out the SAAS Nursing and Midwifery student placement expenses claim or Allied Health Professions student placement expenses claim forms.

Additional costs for all other students (rest of UK, EU and International) on this programme

During this course, you will be required to cover the cost of:

Accommodation and travel while on placements
Uniforms: approximately £14 each. The number of uniforms you require depends on the duration of your course and can range from two to four.
Occupational health checks and vaccination set fee of £372
Membership of Protection of Vulnerable Groups (PVG) scheme. New applications cost £59. Updates to the existing scheme record cost £18.

Invoices will be issued by the University for payment of all of the above additional costs in Trimester B (March/April) of the first year of your programme.

Teaching and assessment methods

We use a dynamic mix of teaching methods to give you a strong foundation in physiotherapy, along with the practical, academic and communication skills that employers value.

Our learning experience is designed to be engaging, industry‑focused and academically rigorous, ensuring you graduate ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving healthcare landscape.

To prepare you for modern clinical practice, we prioritise interactive and independent learning over traditional, lecture‑based teaching, equipping you with the skills and mindset employers are looking for.

Each module is tailored to achieve learning objectives. Assessment methods vary between modules and may include:

practical exams
class tests
essays
case studies
presentations
group work.

Work placements

You’ll undertake at least 1000 hours of supervised practice placement experience throughout the course. Practice education placements take place in a variety of healthcare settings, ranging from NHS hospitals to health centres and communities across Scotland.

There are also two optional short-term exchanges currently available:

Five weeks’ elective placement at the University of Queensland, Australia
Four weeks at Umea University, Sweden (honours project).

Interprofessional Simulation Centre

Our Interprofessional Simulation Centre is a state-of-the-art teaching facility where health and social care students learn through realistic, hands-on experience. It includes lifelike hospital wards, simulated home and care environments, an ambulance and specialist spaces such as X‑ray, radiotherapy and physiotherapy clinics.

Using real healthcare equipment, advanced patient manikins and video recording, you'll be able to safely practise real-life situations and review your learning. The Centre supports nursing, paramedic, allied health and social care training, helping you learn how to work across specialties while building your confidence and practical skills before working with real patients

Please note:

There is continuous recording within the Interprofessional Simulation Centre (ISC) rooms. These recordings may be used for learning and assessment purposes to fulfil programme requirements, so all students registered on health-related programmes may be recorded while in these rooms. Recordings may be viewed by programme staff, students, and external examiners. Recordings are routinely deleted after 28 days; however, in certain circumstances, this period may be extended to accommodate moderation and education quality requirements.

Accreditation

On completion of this course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) giving full professional recognition and the ability to practice legally. No further study, employment, or placement requirements are needed after graduation to obtain this accreditation.

Visit the Health and Care Professions Council website

This course is also accredited by The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Visit the CSP website

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.

Overview

Why study Physiotherapy at GCU?

Accreditations

What you will study

Careers

Course information