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Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Specialise in the clinical, academic and research aspects of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy – and explore better ways to manage patients with cardiorespiratory disorders, including new and emerging treatment options. With plenty of flexibility, this Master’s degree is the ideal grounding for a career in policy-making, lecturing, private or clinical practice, or management.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£16,000
£8,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2025/26)
£36,500
£18,250
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Duration
1 calendar year
2 calendar years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 27 Jun 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 29 Aug 2025
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Apply for this course

Entry requirements

Normally a minimum of an upper second-class UK Bachelor's degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in Physiotherapy; or an approved Diploma in Physiotherapy together with evidence of appropriate clinical and/or teaching experience and a commitment to continuing professional development. We expect students to have had at least 2 years post-qualification clinical experience and UK state-registration is preferred.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 2

UCL Pre-Master's and Pre-sessional English courses are for international students who are aiming to study for a postgraduate degree at UCL. The courses will develop your academic English and academic skills required to succeed at postgraduate level.

Further information can be found on our English language requirements page.

Equivalent qualifications

Country-specific information, including details of when UCL representatives are visiting your part of the world, can be obtained from the International Students website.

International applicants can find out the equivalent qualification for their country by selecting from the list below. Please note that the equivalency will correspond to the broad UK degree classification stated on this page (e.g. upper second-class). Where a specific overall percentage is required in the UK qualification, the international equivalency will be higher than that stated below. Please contact Graduate Admissions should you require further advice.

About this degree

This Advanced Physiotherapy Cardiorespiratory MSc gives you the chance to work alongside UCL and external experts to build your knowledge in the practical and theoretical aspects of cardiorespiratory physiotherapy.

You’ll challenge the foundations of established, but often poorly justified, treatments, carry out your own clinical research, and become familiar with new and emerging ways to treat patients presenting with these issues.

Studying at a top university that’s helping shape new thinking and approaches to public health means you’ll be taught by, and receive clinical mentorship from world-renowned specialists.

The course has a diverse array of module choices, from acute cardiorespiratory physiotherapy skills to the heart through life, health and disease, and is designed largely in short blocks to help you organise your studies around work or other commitments.

As well as taught modules led by university staff and external clinical experts, you’ll have a three-week compulsory clinical placement working in a top London hospital to put your skills into practice and gain first-hand insight into current clinical challenges.  

By the end of your year with us, you’ll be in a strong position to move into advanced practice roles, leadership or academic positions, such as part-time teaching or lecturing. 

Who this course is for

This degree is suitable for World Physiotherapy recognised qualified physiotherapists with a minimum of two years cardiorespiratory physiotherapy clinical experience which does not include internships.

Read about what it takes to study for a Master's at UCL

What this course will give you

  • Study at one of the world's top ten universities. UCL is ranked 6th in the world for public health (ShanghaiRankings 2023), 9th in the world as a university (QS World Rankings 2025) and is rated No.1 for research power and impact in medicine, health and life sciences (REF 2021).  
  • Choose from a diverse array of compulsory and optional modules in specialist areas, such acute care, rehabilitation and cardiac conditions.
  • Learn through lectures, tutorials and workshops delivered by world-renowned experts in physiotherapy practice.
  • Tap into our close links to Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospital, UCLH, Harefield and the Brompton Hospital, as well as many other specialist cardiorespiratory physiotherapy teams and departments in London and outside it. This allows you to tap into the expertise of clinical colleagues working directly with patients with a range of complex conditions. These hospitals are world-renowned for their cutting-edge interventions and innovative approaches to practice.
  • Study and network with students from all over the world, and benefit from a cross-fertilisation of international experience and ideas, as part of an inspirational postgraduate learning environment.
  • Hear from expert speakers from a wide range of different clinical settings, including NHS departments, the private sector and charitable organisations.  
  • Study at UCL’s Bloomsbury campus, in the heart of a London district famous for its cultural and educational institutions.
  • Fit the course around your work and life with flexible study options.
     
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

By the end of your Master’s degree, you’ll have the subject expertise and skills to progress into advanced practice roles in specific fields of physiotherapy practice.  

You could use the course to move forward in your clinical career, or progress into leadership. You could also take up other career development opportunities, such as part-time teaching or lecturing. 

Recent graduates have pursued senior careers in healthcare policy, university lecturing, private practice, management and highly specialist clinical practice. Several students have also used the MSc successfully to gain funding for PhDs.  

Graduates of this course have gone onto work with the NHS and hospitals all over the world including Singapore, Australia, Europe, Hong Kong and Chile.*

* Graduate Outcomes survey carried out by the Higher Education Statistics Agency (HESA), looking at the destinations of UK and EU graduates in the cohorts 2019-20, 2020-21, 2021-22. 

Employability

This Master’s degree will transform the way you think about cardiorespiratory patient care and give you a solid theoretical base to enhance your clinical practice.  

You’ll receive rigorous, evidence-based training in the latest research, and go away with the skills and expertise to put forward strong applications for clinical, educational or research posts. 

Networking

We hold social events throughout the year for the whole student cohort to enable networking between students. Students on the Master's programmes have the opportunity to join events such as the Otto Wolff lectures hosted by the research and teaching departments. These cover a variety of topics and provide an opportunity to hear from national and international experts and to network at the social event that usually accompanies these events. 

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, online learning and self-directed learning. 

Meet the academics currently leading this programme on the Department's website.

Assessment methods include: written assignments, online assignments, oral presentations, multiple-choice tests, literature review and research proposal, assessed coursework, unseen and prior disclosure written examinations, and the dissertation with a written report and oral presentation.

Each 15-credit module equates to 150 student effort hours. Most modules are delivered as blocks of study, normally over six consecutive days from 9-5pm. Overall, we expect full-time students to study a full 35-hour week, with time outside classes spent in self-directed study. Part-time and flexible students study at a pro-rata rate.

Modules outside of this pattern will have around two to three hours of contact time per week.

A Postgraduate Diploma (120 credits, full-time 12 months, flexible 2-5 years) is offered. Students take 75 credits of core modules and 45 credits of optional modules. A Postgraduate Certificate (60 credits, part-time 12 months) is offered. Students take 60 credits of core modules

Modules

This programme is offered as full-time (one year) or as a part-time/modular flexible (two years +) course. The content includes a set of taught clinical core and compulsory modules plus your research project (dissertation) module. These clinical core and compulsory modules are focused on the Cardiorespiratory pathway. There is some choice in the core clinical modules to allow specialism or a more generalist route. You must then choose optional modules to complement your specialty and complete the degree requirements.

We continually review the optional modules on this course to ensure that they fit the remit of this programme and reflect current research in our field.

In First Term, you are likely to register for and focus on your clinical core and compulsory modules as these modules set the foundation for your degree and prepare you for further topics by introducing the fundamental principles in your specialty. You will also acquire the research and statistics skills necessary for conducting research.

In Second Term, while you may still be completing your compulsory modules, you are probably also now doing your optional modules and developing the concepts you learnt in First Term.

In Second and Third Term, you will work on your research project, as well as completing your optional modules and attending your clinical placement. You will hand in your research project towards the end of the academic year.

In First Term, you are likely to register for and focus on your compulsory modules, as these modules set the foundation for your degree, preparing you for further topics by introducing the fundamental principles in your specialty. You will also acquire the research and statistics skills necessary for conducting research.

In Second Term, while you may still be completing your compulsory modules, you are probably also now doing your optional modules and developing the concepts you learnt in First Term. You will be choosing your research during this time and beginning work on this project.

In Second and Third Term, you will work on your research project, as well as completing your optional modules. You will hand in your research project towards the end of the academic year.

Students have two years to complete their programme of 180 credits. In the first year you will need to undertake 90 credits comprising both core and optional modules. In the second year you will register on the remaining 90 credits including the 60-credit research project module. The clinical placement is undertaken after you have successfully completed the relevant core theoretical modules. This may be in either the first or second year.

Students have up to five years to complete their programme of study which consists of 180 credits. The 60-credit research project is usually taken in the final year.

The clinical placement is undertaken after you have successfully completed the relevant core theoretical modules.

Compulsory modules








Optional modules









Patient Safety






Please note that the list of modules given here is indicative. This information is published a long time in advance of enrolment and module content and availability are subject to change. Modules that are in use for the current academic year are linked for further information. Where no link is present, further information is not yet available.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory.

Placement

There is a compulsory three-week placement (105 hours of contact time) and an optional second placement. These placements are part of the Clinical Education in Advanced Physiotherapy modules.

Accessibility

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information can also be obtained from the UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services team.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Physiotherapy Studies MSc and Advanced Physiotherapy MSc (all routes) Information Session

We welcome you to book your place at our virtual open events. You will meet our Programme Directors, hear about the MSc programmes in Physiotherapy available at UCL and have the chance to ask any questions you might have. These sessions are free and open to all. If you cannot join for the full length of the session, you are welcome to drop-in, or out, at your convenience.

Watch on demand event

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2025/26) £36,500 £18,250

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Fees for subsequent years may increase or otherwise vary. Where the programme is offered on a flexible/modular basis, fees are charged pro-rata to the appropriate full-time Master's fee taken in an academic session. Further information on fee status, fee increases and the fee schedule can be viewed on the UCL Students website: ucl.ac.uk/students/fees.

Additional costs

For Full-time and Part-time offer holders a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For flexible/modular offer holders a £500 fee deposit will be charged.

There is no fee deposit required for PG Dip and PG Cert applicants.

Further information can be found in the Tuition fee deposits section on this page: Tuition fees.

There may be additional costs for students on the Advanced route during their compulsory clinical placement, which may include:

  • Travel to the placement site. The cost of travel will vary as some students may choose to carry out their placement in London, while others may wish to undertake their placement elsewhere.  
  • Accommodation, if students need to live nearer to the site for the three-week placement. The cost of accommodation will depend on where the student chooses to under their placement. 
  • Uniform costs: purchase simple white polo tops, blue trousers and blue/black shoes. These items can be purchased very reasonably from £5.00 - £20.00 per item. 
  • Occupational Health check. The cost of an occupational health check can range from £75.00 to £500.00 in the UK. 

UCL’s main teaching locations are in zones 1 (Bloomsbury) and zones 2/3 (UCL East). The cost of a monthly 18+ Oyster travel card for zones 1-2 is £114.50. This price was published by TfL in 2024. For more information on additional costs for prospective students and the cost of living in London, please view our estimated cost of essential expenditure at UCL's cost of living guide.

Funding your studies

Visit the funding and studentship pages of the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute for Child Health website for details of funding available to students, including the UCL GOS ICH bursary.

For a comprehensive list of the funding opportunities available at UCL, including funding relevant to your nationality, please visit the Scholarships and Funding website.

See all the ways you can fund your studies

Michelle Zalkin Scholarship

Deadline: 30 June 2025
Value: £10,000 (Duration)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Mukul Madhav Foundation Scholarship

Deadline:8 May 2025
Value: Full tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

The Peter and Loek Wheeler Child Health Scholarship

Deadline: 30 June 2025
Value: €32,000 (Euros) (Duration of study)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Scholarship

Deadline: 15 August 2025
Value: £3000 for one year for full time students, £1500 each year for part time students (over 2 years) ()
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Next steps

Students are advised to apply as early as possible due to competition for places. Those applying for scholarship funding (particularly overseas applicants) should take note of application deadlines.

There is an application processing fee for this programme of £90 for online applications. Further information can be found at Application fees.

When we assess your application we would like to learn:

  • Why you want to study Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory at graduate level.
  • Why you want to study Advanced Physiotherapy: Cardiorespiratory at UCL.
  • What particularly attracts you to this programme.
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging programme.
  • Where you would like to go professionally with your degree.
  • What is your research experience and research interests.

Together with essential academic requirements, the personal statement is your opportunity to illustrate whether your reasons for applying to this programme match what the programme will deliver.

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate programmes (or one application for the Law LLM) in any application cycle.

Choose your programme

Please read the Application Guidance before proceeding with your application.

Year of entry: 2025-2026

Apply for this course

Got questions? Get in touch

UCL GOS Institute of Child Health
UCL GOS Institute of Child Health

advancedphysio@ucl.ac.uk

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