Sophie O'Leary, Class of 2020

My name is Sophie O’Leary and I was fortunate to have been part of the first cohort of MSc Physiotherapy students from UCC. I graduated in March 2021 and have since began my career as a Chartered Physiotherapist. The course provided an excellent combination of both theory and practical learning, as well as a wide range of placement opportunities, which covered all the key areas including MSK, neurology and respiratory care.

We had outstanding support from the lecturers and department staff at all times and also had excellent input from outside professionals that regularly contributed to the modules to widen our knowledge and share their experiences in their speciality areas. I would highly recommend this programme for anyone who aspires to become a Physiotherapist.

I know that I have graduated with a high standard of training and that my time spent in UCC will stand to me throughout my career. It was a pleasure to have been part of such a wonderful class and to have made lifelong friends along the way.

Brian Lane, Class of 2020

The Masters in Physiotherapy in UCC is a fantastic programme which laid the foundation for the beginning of my professional life. One of the best aspects of the course was the friendly, welcoming staff who often went above and beyond for us, the students. The approach of the lecturers created a learning rich environment with a fine balance of humour, constructive criticism, and collaborative learning. Guest lecturers and speakers were frequently invited to cover specialised topics and delivered some excellent presentations and practical classes.

I found the clinical placements towards the end of the course to be a phenomenal experience where I was exposed to the many different sectors that physiotherapists can work. The support provided by the UCC practice tutors during each of the placements was exemplary. I felt that they understood and appreciated the strains and challenges that clinical placement can present and were quick to reassure us that we were making progress.  The base of the MSc. physiotherapy course, Nano Nagle Place, is stunning and provides a calmer location for master’s students, away from the hustle and bustle of the main campus.

I would strongly recommend this course to anybody who aspires to become a well-rounded physiotherapist who delivers first class healthcare.

Aisling Reid, Class of 2021

Completing the MSc. in Physiotherapy at UCC has been invaluable to me
as a professional. After taking several years away from study, the
prospect of returning to education was daunting. However, the
attentive nature of the Physiotherapy staff enabled a smooth
transition back to academia.

The course delivered comprehensive module content with concurrent
learning materials used in unison with lecturer's own clinical
experiences which aided the development of my knowledge base and sound
clinical reasoning. Similarly, access to wider UCC resources such as
the Flame Lab in conjunction with guest lectures from various clinical
specialties facilitated my learning in all branches of physiotherapy.

When it came to putting theory into practice, clinical placement
educators worked tirelessly to ensure that we gained well-rounded
placement exposure in preparation for clinical practice. Learning was
further facilitated by the ongoing support and guidance from highly
committed clinical placement tutors who were always readily available
for consultation when needed. Nearing the completion of the programme,
the Physiotherapy staff ran an information afternoon covering CORU
registration application, competency-based applications and panel
interviews in order to further prepare us for transition into
practice.

Even since graduating, the Physiotherapy staff remain fully
accessible and responsive, exemplifying their continued support for
their students.