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Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics MSc

London, Bloomsbury

Drawing on the best available evidence this unique course will equip you with advanced knowledge and skills in the assessment and management of paediatric physiotherapy. With many optional modules available, the course offers the opportunity to develop your research, leadership, education and clinical skills needed for advanced clinical practice, research and academic roles.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2026/27)
£16,000
£8,000
Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.
Overseas tuition fees (2026/27)
£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 2026
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 26 Jun 2026
Applications close at 5pm UK time

Applications open

Applicants who do not require a visa: 20 Oct 2025 – 28 Aug 2026
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 course 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 Paediatrics MSc gives you the chance to work alongside UCL and external experts to build your knowledge in the key practical and theoretical aspects of paediatric physiotherapy.

You will challenge the foundations of established, but often poorly justified, treatments, carry out your own clinical research, and learn about new and emerging ways to treat paediatric patients.

Studying at a top university that is helping shape new ideas in public health, you will benefit from teaching and clinical mentorship from recognised specialists in this field – and get to focus on the areas of paediatric physiotherapy that interest you most.

With modules planned largely in short blocks, you can fit this course easily around work or other commitments.

As well as taught modules led by university staff and external clinical experts, you will have a 3 week compulsory clinical placement where you will be mentored by experienced clinical specialists to put your skills into practice and gain first-hand insight into current clinical challenges.  

By the end of your Master’s degree, you will be excellently placed to progress into advanced practice roles, leadership or academic positions, such as part-time teaching or lecturing. 

Who this course is for

This degree is only suitable for World Physiotherapy recognised qualified physiotherapists with at least two years postgraduate paediatric physiotherapy clinical experience.

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 3rd in the world for public health (ShanghaiRankings 2024), 9th in the world as a university (QS World Rankings 2026) and is rated No.1 for research power and impact in medicine, health and life sciences (REF 2021). 
  • Choose from an extensive range of modules to fit with your chosen career path, such as Paediatric Neurophysiotherapy, Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy, The Young Athlete: injury prevention and management, Infant Development, Health and Family Wellbeing in Early Childhood, Leadership and Professional Development.
  • Learn through lectures, tutorials and workshops delivered by recognised experts in physiotherapy practice.
  • Tap into our close links to Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH), one of the world’s leading children’s hospitals, as well as with many other leading paediatric specialist NHS hospitals and research centres. Students can benefit from undertaking research and clinical placements with our clinical partners.
  • 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.
  • Learn from and be inspired by expert clinicians and researchers from UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, Great Ormond Street Hospital, The Evelina Children’s Hospital, The Royal London Children’s Hospital, and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, elite and disability sports 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 be in a strong position 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 leading clinical and academic organisations around the world.*

* 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, 2022-23. 

Academically, the course has taught me to think critically, not just about what I do but about everything I’ve learned so far. It’s encouraged me to seek the best possible solutions for my patients using an evidence-based approach. I particularly enjoy how the course invites speakers from various schools of thought – it’s helped me broaden my perspective.  

Uma is pictured standing in front of a bridge over a river. Uma is wearing a scarf and coat and is smiling to the camera. She has red hair and brown eyes.

Uma

Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics MSc

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Employability

This Master’s degree will transform the way you think about expert patient care and give you a solid theoretical foundation to build on for a career in paediatric physiotherapy clinical practice.  

You will 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. Many of the students present their research at national and international conferences and disseminate in peer-reviewed journals. 

Networking

UCL GOS ICH offers seven MSc courses as well as an MRes in Child Health, encompassing a wide range of topics. Our students come from diverse academic and professional backgrounds, from the UK and overseas, providing great networking opportunities within and across courses. We hold social events throughout the year for the whole student cohort to enable networking between students. Students on the Master's courses 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 course is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops, online learning and self-directed learning.

Assessment methods include: written assignments, creation of patient resources,  oral presentations, oral examinations, multiple choice tests, practical assessments, literature reviews and the research dissertation with a written report and oral presentation.

Weekly contact hours will vary depending on module choices. Each 15-credit module equates to 150 hours of student effort. Most modules are delivered as blocks of study, normally over six consecutive days with a weekend in between. Face to face or online teaching for each of these days is normally from 9-5pm. Face to face / online teaching hours normally comprises about one-third of the study hours expected for the module. 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.

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

Modules

Full-time students will take modules to the total of 180 credits over one year. All students will take the compulsory modules: Clinical Education (Part 1), Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination, Applied Statistics for Health Research I and Research Project. Students will then need to choose a minimum of two core clinical modules from this list:  

  • Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy 
  • Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy 
  • Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy  
  • The Young Athlete: Injury Prevention and Management.

Depending on which compulsory modules are chosen from the list above, the remainder of your 180 credits will be made up of optional modules. Please see below the list of optional modules.

In Term 1, you are likely to focus on your compulsory and core clinical modules, as these modules set the foundation for your degree.  

In Term 2, while you may still be completing your compulsory and core clinical modules, you will also begin optional modules and developing the concepts you learnt in Term 1. You will be choosing your research topic during this time and beginning work on this project.

In Terms 2 and 3, you will work on your research project, as well as completing your optional modules. Students often undertake their clinical placement in Term 3. You will hand in your research project towards the end of the academic year.

Part-time students will take modules to the total of 180 credits over two years. All students will take the compulsory modules:  Clinical Education in Advanced Physiotherapy, Part 1, Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination, Applied Statistics for Health Research I and Research Project . Students will then need to choose a minimum of two compulsory modules from this list:  

  • Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy
  • Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy 
  • Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy  
  • The Young Athlete: Injury Prevention and Management. 

Depending on which compulsory modules are chosen from the list above, the remainder of your 180 credits will be made up of optional modules. Please see below the list of optional modules.

In Year 1, you will need to undertake 90 credits comprising both core and optional modules. In Year 2, 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 Year 1 or Year 2.

Modular/flexible students have five years to complete the course, completing modules worth a total of 180 credits. All students will take the compulsory modules: Clinical Education in Advanced Physiotherapy, Part 1, Physiotherapy Research and Dissemination, Applied Statistics for Health Research I  and Research Project. Students will then need to choose a minimum of two compulsory modules from this list:   

  • Paediatric Neuro-Physiotherapy 
  • Paediatric Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy 
  • Paediatric Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy  
  • The Young Athlete: Injury Prevention and Management.

Depending on which compulsory modules are chosen from the list above, the remainder of your 180 credits will be made up of optional modules. Please see below the list of optional modules.

The 60-credit research project is usually taken in the final year and the clinical placement is undertaken after you have successfully completed the relevant core theoretical modules.

Compulsory modules










Optional modules













Health and Family Well-Being in Early Childhood

Infant Development


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: Paediatrics. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics.

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

The department will endeavour to make reasonable adjustments for students with disabilities, including those with long-term health conditions, neurodivergence, learning differences and mental health conditions. This list is not exhaustive. If you're unsure of your eligibility for reasonable adjustments at UCL, please contact Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

Reasonable adjustments are implemented on a case-by-case basis. With the student's consent, reasonable adjustments are considered by UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services, and where required, in collaboration with the respective department.

Details of the accessibility of UCL buildings can be obtained from AccessAble. Further information about support available can be obtained from UCL Student Support and Wellbeing Services.

For more information about the department and accessibility arrangements for your course, please contact the department.

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Physiotherapy

Study a physiotherapy master's degree and work alongside experts at UCL and our NHS partners to build advanced clinical, academic, and research skills. Watch the recording to explore our physiotherapy courses. Meet Programme Directors, and learn how to make your application stand out.

Watch on demand event

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 (2026/27) £16,000 £8,000
Tuition fees (2026/27) £36,500 £18,250

Programme also available on a modular (flexible) basis.

Postgraduate Taught students benefit from a cohort guarantee, meaning that their tuition fees will not increase during the course of the programme, but UCL reserves the right to increase tuition fees to reflect any sums (including levies, taxes, or similar financial charges) that UCL is required to pay any governmental authority in connection with tuition fees.

The tuition fees shown are for the year indicated above. Where the course 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 with a fee status classification of UK, a fee deposit will be charged at 2.5% of the first year fee.

For full-time and part-time offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a fee deposit will be charged at 10% of the first year fee.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of UK, a £350 deposit will be charged.

For modular/flexible offer holders with a fee status classification of Overseas, a £500 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 undertaking clinical and research placements, which may include:

  • Travel to the placement site. The cost of travel will vary as some students may carry out their placement in London, while others may undertake their placement elsewhere. 
  • Accommodation. If students need to live nearer to the site for the placement. The cost of accommodation will depend on where the student undertakes their placement. 
  • Uniform costs: white polo tops, blue trousers and blue/black shoes. These items can be purchased very reasonably from £5 - £20 per item. 
  • Occupational Health check. The cost of an occupational health check can range from £75 to £500 in the UK. 

For in-person teaching, 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 £119.90. This price was published by TfL in 2025. 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 GOS ICH website for details of funding available to students, including the UCL GOS ICH bursary.

External funding opportunities:

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

Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health Bursary

Deadline: 17 August 2026
Value: £3,000 (1 year or 2 years part-tim)
Criteria Based on both academic merit and financial need
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Michelle Zalkin Scholarship

Deadline: 30 June 2026
Value: £10,000 (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: UK, EU, Overseas

Mukul Madhav Foundation Scholarship

Deadline: 7 May 2026
Value: Full tuition fees (1 year)
Criteria Based on financial need
Eligibility: EU, Overseas

Peter and Loek Wheeler Scholarship

Deadline: 30 June 2026
Value: International full fees (Duration of programme)
Criteria Based on academic merit
Eligibility: 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 course 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: Paediatrics at graduate level.
  • Why you want to study Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics at UCL.
  • What particularly attracts you to this course.
  • How your academic and professional background meets the demands of this challenging course.
  • 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.


Frequently asked questions

Question: What type of clinical experience is needed to undertake the Advanced Physiotherapy: Paediatrics pathway?
Answer: Two years of clinical experience in a paediatric setting is required.   

Question: Can placements be taken part-time as well as full-time?
Answer: Yes, full-time placements of 5 days over 3 weeks and part-time placements of 3-4 days per week over a 4-6 week period are possible. This is subject to agreement between the placement provider and UCL placement organiser. In total 105 hours is required.
 

Please note that you may submit applications for a maximum of two graduate courses (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: 2026-2027

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

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.