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1. Study
2. Postgraduate
3. Taught Courses
4. Masters
5. Physiotherapy

Course Fact File

Code	MSCPTP
Duration	2 Years Full-time
Teaching Mode	Full-time
Qualifications	MSc
NFQ Level	Level 9
EU Fees	€11,500 See Fees and Costs for full details.
Non-EU Fees	€22,200
Closing Date	12 January 2026
Non-EU Closing Date	12 January 2026
Start Date	7 September 2026

Course Outline

Note: Qualified physiotherapists are not eligible to apply for this pre-registration programme 

Course Outline

The MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) is an accelerated pre-registration programme for students with a relevant primary degree in a subject other than physiotherapy. The programme uses the learning and teaching methods that best supports students to develop the knowledge, skills and professional attributes commensurate with physiotherapy practice.

The aim of the MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-Registration) is to provide each student with an excellent educational experience both in the academic and clinical environments  and to prepare graduates for registration with Coru – the statutory body that registers and regulates health and social care professionals in Ireland.

The constantly advancing and evolving nature of healthcare requires that our programme not only prepares students for current healthcare practice but that it produces graduates who will act as agents for future change and progress. We therefore aim to equip our graduates with the clinical and research skills, and professional attributes required to work and develop as competent practitioners, researchers, and agents for change within the evolving healthcare environment.

The Discipline of Physiotherapy is in Nano Nagle Place, a 15-minute walk from the UCC main campus. The physiotherapy programme is part of the School of Clinical Therapies, falling within the College of Medicine and Health .

Course Content

The course content will be delivered in modules of between 5-30 credits. Students  enrol in modules to the value of 60 ECTS credits per annum, over a period of two calendar years, each year comprising of three semesters. All modules are compulsory.

The academic modules include clinical skills, which will be delivered within each module. In addition, students will complete clinical education, a requirement for registration with Coru. Clinical education will be assessed as part of this MSc programme. 

Year One (60 credits)

• PP6001 Respiratory Physiotherapy (5 credits)
• PP6003 Rehabilitation I - Principles and Prescription of Exercise (5 credits)
• PP6004 Rehabilitation II - Analysis and Rehabilitation of Human Movement (5 credits)
• PP6005 Principles of Research & Research Methods (10 credits)
• PP6007 MSK I - Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation of the Lower Quadrant (10 credits)
• PP6009 Critical Care (5 credits)
• PP6012 Clinical Anatomy (10 credits)
• PP6014 Clinical Practice & Professional Development I (10 credits)*

Year Two (60 credits)

• PP6002 Research Dissertation (20 credits)
• PP6006 Neurological Rehabilitation (10 credits)
• PP6008 MSK II - Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation of the Upper Quadrant (5 credits)
• PP6011 Clinical Practice and Professional Development III (15 credits)
• PP6013 Cardiovascular Health and Health Promotion (5 credits)
• PP6015 Clinical Practice and Professional Development II (5 credits)

* Clinical Module

Course Practicalities

This programme is an accelerated two-year, full-time programme delivered over three semesters per year. Students will attend lectures daily with some time dedicated to independent learning during Semesters 1&2, Year 1, and Semester 1, Year 2. The remaining time is spent in supervised clinical education (1,000 hours to meet professional requirements) or conducting independent research. Students will complete a short research proposal Year 1) and an independent research project of limited scope, relevant to the clinical profession of Physiotherapy (Year 2).

Clinical education will take place in the hospitals and clinics of the HSE South/South West Hospital Group and other HSE Hospital locations nationally, as well as in Community Health Organisations and other clinical facilities nationally.  It may also be necessary to undertake clinical placement in the UK. Students may therefore need to travel and/or arrange short-term accommodation near the placement sites and will incur the costs of travel to clinical locations as well as the costs of accommodation.

Assessment

Assessment will be wholly by continuous assessment. This will consist of presentations, class tests, multiple-choice quizzes, written assignments, OSCE’s, and work placement assessments.

Who teaches this course

Teaching is delivered by staff from the School of Clinical Therapies, HSE and Clinical Specialist Physiotherapy staff from regional and national hospitals, as well as experts from UCC within the College of Medicine & Health. The programme also benefits from interprofessional teaching opportunities and contributions from overseas guest Clinical Specialists.

Why Choose This Course

This dedicated pre-registration programme offers an accelerated route for graduates from other disciplines (related to the discipline of physiotherapy) to gain a recognised qualification in physiotherapy practice. It is a highly regarded postgraduate course which prepares graduates for success in a competitive jobs market.

The MSc Physiotherapy programme is approved by Coru, the Health and Social Care Professions Council. On completion of the MSc Physiotherapy programme, graduates will also be eligible to become a member of The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

 

 

Placement or Study Abroad Information

Clinical education is an integral and invaluable component of the programme. It is strongly embedded within the course structure. Preceding campus-based studies provide the skills and knowledge which students require to be prepared for their clinical education, which takes place in the hospitals and clinics of the HSE South/South West Hospital Group and other HSE Hospital locations, as well as in Community Health Organisations and other clinical facilities nationally.  It may be necessary to undertake clinical placement in the UK.

Skills and Careers Information

What can I do after I graduate with an MSc in Physiotherapy

By studying this course, you have the opportunity to become a highly-skilled, evidenced-based clinician, who can use a range of resources and evidence to improve the effectiveness of clinical interventions. During the course you build on a wide base of transferable clinical skills which may enable you to specialise in a specific area of Physiotherapy following successful graduation.

Occupations associated with an MSc in Physiotherapy

Physiotherapists are employed in a variety of locations, providing opportunities in areas such as HSE Hospitals & Clinics, Industry, Professional Sport, Private Practice, Education, Research or Working overseas. Opportunities to work in research in physiotherapy are expanding and students may use their MSc qualification as a stepping stone to Doctoral study in Ireland, the UK, or overseas, or teaching in higher education.

Requirements

To be shortlisted for interview, applicants must satisfy the following criteria:

Educational Qualifications

Applicants will hold a minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade 1 in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8) or a Master’s degree in a field directly related to the discipline of physiotherapy, such as but not exclusively, Anatomy, Physiology, Biomedical Science, Medicine, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Education, Rehabilitation, Sports Science.

Please note:

• The programme team reserves the right to shortlist only those applicants who hold undergraduate or postgraduate degrees most relevant to physiotherapy.
• All applicants must have obtained and submitted evidence of their final results (whether undergraduate or postgraduate) before 31^st July; incomplete applications will not be considered. Please note that we cannot accept transcripts for programmes where a significant component remains incomplete, for example, where a placement forms part of the final year assessment. Transcripts must include the overall final degree result in order to meet the entry requirements by the stated deadline.

In addition to the educational requirement above, applicants must also provide the following:

Motivation Statement

Applicants will submit a motivation statement as part of the application process. The applicant’s motivation statement will:

• Explain their motivation for a career across the broad spectrum of the physiotherapy profession.
• Indicate how their previous degree will contribute to their development as a physiotherapist and to their knowledge and understanding of the core areas of physiotherapy.
• Provide detail on their contributions beyond academia.
• Provide detail on their experience related to healthcare and to the physiotherapy profession (this can include shadowing, observation, volunteering, etc.) to highlight their informal learning.

References

• Once and application is submitted, applicants will be required to submit the name and email address of one referee from an academic institution. When this information is entered by the applicant, it will send a reference request to the academic referee to complete
• The responsibility rests with the applicant to ensure that the required reference request is completed before the closing date. Please note that the applicant will receive an email alert confirming when a reference has been duly submitted. 
• Applications will be considered incomplete without the submission of this reference and will not be considered.  Please note, a reference other than from academia can be included as part of Additional Documentation submitted but does not void the requirement of an academic reference. 
• All  additional supporting documentation for application to the MSc in Physiotherapy, including the academic reference, must be submitted by 19 January 2026, one week after the application closing date. Failure to do so will result in the application being considered incomplete and not processed further.

Interview 

Shortlisted applicants will be invited for interview, which may consist of Multiple Mini Interviews (MMI). Each applicant will be scored by an interview panel on the basis of:

• Motivation for a career across the broad spectrum of the physiotherapy profession
• Relevant academic qualifications and interests
• Knowledge and understanding of the physiotherapy profession
• Problem solving skills
• Communication skills and ability to express concepts and ideas

Please note: Unfortunately, due to the high volume of applications specific individualised feedback cannot be given after shortlisting or interview.

All applicants accepted onto the programme will be required to have evidence of appropriate vaccinations for working in hospital environments. Mandatory vaccination screening will be organised for all successful applicants (at a personal cost) to confirm vaccination history and/or administer required vaccinations.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Entry to this programme is assessed on the basis of both formal and informal learning. While applicants must hold the requisite educational qualification to apply, their informal learning will also be considered as part of their application to deem their suitability for the programme. Exemptions are not permitted on this programme due to professional body regulations. Please see the university RPL policy here: https://www.ucc.ie/en/academicgov/policies/learning-policies/recognitionofpriorlearning/

Garda Vetting
Students, or applicants in receipt of an offer, on this programme will be subject to Garda Vetting as relevant. Students will be prohibited from engaging in a relevant work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view UCC's Student Garda Vetting Policy.

Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy - full details may be found here. 

Fees and Costs

The EU fee for this course is €11,500.

The Non-EU fee for this course is €22,200.

How To Apply

Additional Requirements (All Applicants)

Please note you will be required to provide additional information as part of the online application process for this programme. This will include the following questions:

• You may enter the details of professional or voluntary positions held. We strongly encourage you to complete this section with all relevant work experiences that will support your application.
• In addition to your previously declared qualifications, please outline any additional academic courses, self-learning and professional training relevant to this programme.
• Please describe your motivation and readiness for this programme.
• Please upload certifications of achievements.

• All additional supporting documentation for application to the MSc in Physiotherapy must be submitted by 19 January 2026. Failure to do so will result in the application being considered incomplete and not processed further.

Deposit

Please note that successful EU applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €500 on acceptance of their place. Successful international applicants will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit of €1000 on acceptance of their place.

 

Deferrals

Deferrals are not permitted on this course.

Applications for September 2026

Applications for September 2026 will open in October 2025. 

 

The closing date for non-EU applications is 12 January 2026

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