Overview

Take your physiotherapy career further and develop the advanced skills needed to make a greater impact in modern healthcare.

The MSc Advanced Physiotherapy Practice supports registered Physiotherapists to move into advanced roles and help address the clinical, organisational and policy challenges shaping today’s healthcare.

Whether you’re moving into a specialist role or developing your current practice, this course will help you progress your career. You’ll strengthen your skills in research, clinical assessment, analysis and evidence-informed practice, while building a clear understanding of the demands of advanced physiotherapy.

You can tailor your learning through a range of general and specialist areas, such as:

musculoskeletal physiotherapy
neurology
diabetic management
leadership.

You'll learn in state-of-the-art facilities built for immersive, hands-on learning and advanced clinical research, including our Interprofessional Simulation Centre. Alongside leading academics, practising clinicians, and specialist experts, you’ll engage with the latest developments shaping modern physiotherapy.

Teaching is shaped by academics, practising clinicians and specialist experts, so your learning reflects current practice. You’ll also be learning at a university ranked first in the UK for Physiotherapy and Subjects Allied to Medicine (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027).

As the largest provider of allied health education in Scotland, we offer a collaborative environment that helps you build confidence and gain different perspectives. You’ll learn alongside professionals in nursing, podiatry, occupational therapy and radiography, building skills in teamwork, communication and clinical decision-making. Through this collaborative environment, you’ll develop an understanding of how multidisciplinary teams deliver effective, integrated patient care.

By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to take on advanced roles and use your knowledge and skills to improve physiotherapy services across the NHS, private sector and wider health and social care, in the UK and internationally.

Flexible study options

You can study this course full time or part time, giving you the flexibility to balance your learning with work or personal commitments. There is also the ability to study individual modules to suit your career goals.

Why study Advanced Physiotherapy Practice at GCU?

Study at a university ranked first in the UK for Physiotherapy and Subjects Allied to Medicine (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027).
Advance your physiotherapy practice and prepare for specialist roles across the NHS, and public and private practices around the world.
Focus on advanced skills in clinical assessment, research, analysis and evidence-informed practice to support confident decision-making in complex settings.
Choose from a variety of general and specialist modules including musculoskeletal, neurology, diabetic management and leadership.
Learn in purpose-built facilities, including the Interprofessional Simulation Centre, designed for hands-on learning and clinical practice.

What you will study

We aim to display the most up-to-date information possible.

The modules listed on this page and the Programme Specification are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course. Please note that course content, modules, teaching and assessment may change each year and after you have accepted your offer to study at GCU. This might be because we are required to do so by law, by a governmental authority, regulator or accrediting body. We may also make changes for quality assurance reasons, or to enhance the course.

Modules

Careers

This advanced degree opens doors across the UK and internationally.

Our graduates progress into specialist roles such as:

Clinical Specialist
Consultant
Researcher
Private Practitioner
First Contact Practitioner
Extended Scope Practitioner.

Past students go into positions across the public, private, and third sectors.

They have taken up roles in the UK and across Europe, as well as New Zealand, Canada, USA, Hong Kong and Singapore.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	2 - 3 years	Jan 27	Glasgow	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Full time	1 Year	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	2 - 3 Years	Sep 27	Glasgow	Enquire
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location
MSc	Part time	2 - 3 years	Jan 28	Glasgow	Enquire

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.

Minimum academic requirement

UK honours degree 2:2 (or equivalent) in physiotherapy. Alternatively an unclassified degree or professional diploma in physiotherapy with over two years of professional experience.

English language requirement

Academic IELTS 6.5 with no single element below 6.0; or equivalent.

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.

Flexible study options

You can study this course full time or part time, giving you the flexibility to balance your learning with work or personal commitments.

There is also the ability to study individual modules to suit your career goals.

Teaching and learning

The course is built around the four pillars of physiotherapy practice:

clinical
research
leadership
facilitation of learning.

Gain confidence and capability through a rich variety of learning experiences, including:

lectures
seminars
practical classes
simulation experiences
group work
online learning
clinical case studies
problem‑solving activities
peer-supported sessions.

Teaching is delivered either in person or online, depending on the module.

Assessment methods

We use a range of assessment methods, including:

written coursework
oral coursework
practical assessment
group work
blogs and wikis
portfolio presentations
formal examinations and class tests.

The above approaches may be delivered either in person or online as appropriate and determined at module level by the Module Leader.

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 Xray, radiotherapy and physiotherapy clinics.

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

Please note:
We use video and audio recording of students during practical exercises in our teaching and assessment. If you’re applying to study a health-related course, you should be aware that you may be recorded. These recordings may be viewed by staff, students, and external examiners for learning and assessment. This is not an optional component of the course.

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 of 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

Flexible study options

Why study Advanced Physiotherapy Practice at GCU?

What you will study

Core modules

Physiotherapy-based optional modules

Generic optional modules

Careers

Course information