Home

Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation MSc

London, Stanmore

This Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation MSc explores the underlying scientific principles of physical therapy. Gain first-hand experience in clinical application of the rehabilitation techniques delivered by specialists at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Delivered face-to-face, our flexible programme is offered over one to five years.

UK students International students
Study mode
UK tuition fees (2025/26)
£20,500
£10,250
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 academic years
5 calendar years
Programme starts
September 2025
Applications accepted
Applicants who require a visa: 14 Oct 2024 – 30 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

A minimum of a second-class UK Bachelor's degree in a related medical, biological science or bioengineering discipline, a clinical qualification, or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard.

The English language level for this programme is: Level 3

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


Physical therapy is a rapidly growing discipline. The benefits to health and rehabilitation are becoming more widely appreciated and demand for it is increasing. As our knowledge grows, physical therapists have a responsibility to integrate this new knowledge into their clinical practice. 

This programme will equip you with the necessary skills to become a specialist in this field. We offer an in-depth exploration of the science underpinning a physical therapy approach to treating musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction.

You will learn all about the biology of the musculoskeletal system, explore fundamental biomechanics and their application to the musculoskeletal system and locomotion, and delve into the psychological aspects of musculoskeletal dysfunction and pain management. You will also look at the relationship of physical therapy to surgical approaches and biological therapies for treating musculoskeletal disease.

The programme has a strong emphasis on research. You will learn about research methodology and governance and have the opportunity to undertake your own research project.

You can study flexibly over one to five years, which is ideal for students who want to expand their skillset alongside part-time work.

Who this course is for

The programme is aimed at physical therapists, including physiotherapists, osteopaths, chiropractors, and chiropodists.

It is also ideal for medical professionals, such as GPs, rheumatologists and nurses who have an interest in the musculoskeletal system, and for biomedical science and bioengineering graduates with an interest in musculoskeletal science and research.

The programme is suitable for UK based and international students. The part-time and flexible learning options make it possible to study the course alongside part-time employment.

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

What this course will give you

This programme offers you the following benefits and opportunities:

  • Opportunities to learn from world-renowned UCL academics at the forefront of musculoskeletal research.
  • Engagement with specialist clinicians in physiotherapy at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
  • Access to state-of -the-art laboratories and facilities to undertake a research project.
  • Observation of clinical practice at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital.
  • Opportunities to work directly with experienced researchers to develop your own research project.
  • Networking opportunities with therapists from a broad range of professions and backgrounds.
  • Cognitive skills in analysis and evaluation of information and creation of new ideas.
  • Academic and research skills in preparation for PhD-level study.
Read about what you'll get out of a graduate programme

The foundation of your career

As well as the multidisciplinary knowledge you gain on this course, you will develop higher-level cognitive skills in analysis and evaluation - skills that are highly sought after by employers. Please note that this programme does not hold accreditation with any professional bodies.

According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), around 95% of Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation graduates reported being in work (79%) or further study (16%), with a majority in highly skilled roles.

The programme is designed to appeal to physiotherapists, osteopaths, sports therapists… What students benefit from coming here is they're seeing people work who are at the top of their field.

Helen Birch

Helen Birch, UCL Professor of Skeletal Tissue Dynamics

Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation, MSc

Hear more from Helen

Employability

Graduates with appropriate clinical qualifications can expect to go into higher positions in clinical practice in the NHS or in private practice. You will also be well placed to enter academic or clinical research or a biomedical/healthcare-related position in industry.

According to the HESA Graduate Outcomes survey (2018-2022), our graduates go on to work at hospitals, both in the NHS and overseas, as well as dental clinics, cardiac rehabilitation specialists CP+R, and Médecins Sans Frontières. Their roles include physiotherapist and therapy professions, GPs, fitness and wellbeing instructors, health associates, health services managers and medical secretaries.

Some graduates go on to use their qualification as a platform for acceptance onto highly competitive postgraduate clinical training programmes.

Networking

There are many opportunities to network on this programme with staff and students from a range of different disciplines and with clinical staff from the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Students are encouraged to attend research seminars held within the department and to attend and participate in external events and conferences where appropriate.

Teaching and learning

The programme is delivered through a mix of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case-based studies, workshops, and practical classes, supplemented with online material.

Most of the teaching takes place at the UCL Stanmore Campus on the site of the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, London. Some teaching may also take place in Bloomsbury and at the Royal Free Hospital in Hampstead.

Assessment is through multiple choice question examinations and coursework, including narrative reviews, structured questions and case studies, and a poster presentation. Your research project will be assessed by a written dissertation and viva examination.

The course is split into approximately 20% contact hours and 80% independent study.

Each 15-credit taught module includes 30 contact hours (three hours a week) and requires an additional 120 hours of independent study to complete successfully.

On the full-time route, you take four modules per term. You will have 12 contact hours per week, consisting of lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical classes. In addition, you will need to complete around 25 hours of independent study per week, consisting of reading, research and completing assignments.

On the part-time route, you take two modules per term. You will have around 6 contact hours and 12 hours of independent study per week. For students on the flexible route, your weekly study commitment will depend on how many modules you are taking per term per year.

When writing your dissertation, you will spend more hours working independently on your project work supported by your supervisor in terms of one-to-one meetings or group meetings or via technical staff working in the department.

For the Postgraduate Diploma, students undertake eight compulsory core modules of 15 credits each (120 credits). For the Postgraduate Certificate, students undertake four modules of 15 credits each (60 credits).

Modules

The programme is delivered over eight compulsory modules and a project.

In term one, you will study four modules. Three modules are delivered in person from our Stanmore Campus. One of these modules is delivered online through a mixture of pre-prepared resources, including lectures and tutorials, as well as synchronous sessions, such as Q&As and discussions. All four modules will run over 10 weeks of term, with each module delivered on a separate day.

In term two, you will take the remaining four modules following the same structure as in term one.

Term three extends through the summer to September. This is when you will complete your research project and sit a viva examination.

Part-time students must complete the programme within two academic years.

You can choose how many taught modules you take each academic year, but some modules are prerequisites for others, and this will determine the order you do them in. We will help you decide your choice and order of modules at the start of the programme.

You will complete your research project during your second year.

Students on the flexible route must complete the programme within five academic years.

You can choose how many taught modules you take each academic year, but some modules are prerequisites for others, and this will determine the order you do them in. We will help you decide your choice and order of modules at the start of the programme.

You will complete your research project during your final year.

Compulsory modules











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.

For the MSc - Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits. Upon successful completion of 180 credits, you will be awarded an MSc in Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Upon successful completion of 120 credits, you will be awarded a PG Dip in Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation. Upon successful completion of 60 credits, you will be awarded a PG Cert in Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation.

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.

Where you'll study

Medical lamp and equipment

As world leaders in medical and biomedical research, we design innovative courses for clinicians and scientists that meet new patient and industry needs. These are led by some of the greatest scientific minds, so you get a research-based learning experience. Our cutting-edge expertise ensures that you will be taught the latest techniques using the most advanced equipment. Our activities are split across three sites. Our Department of Targeted Intervention is based at Bloomsbury campus in central London. Our Department of Surgical Biotechnology is based at the Royal Free campus in Hampstead. Our Department of Orthopaedics and Musculoskeletal Science is based at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in Stanmore, north-west London.

Learn more about Surgery & Interventional Science

Visit us

All open days and events

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Sports Medicine, Exercise and Health MSc

—

Join us for the online Graduate Open Event for the MSc in Sports Medicine, Exercise, and Health. Discover how our programme covers sports injury management, exercise physiology, and chronic disease prevention. Hear from programme leads and current students, and explore career opportunities in sports and exercise medicine. Ideal for those with a primary degree in medicine, physiotherapy, or sports science. Don't miss this chance to learn more and ask questions!

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation MSc

—

Join us for the UCL Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation MSc virtual open day! This programme explores the underlying scientific principles of physical therapy. You will gain first-hand experience in clinical application of the rehabilitation techniques delivered by specialists at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital. Ideal for those passionate about advancing their careers in physical therapy. Don't miss out—register now to learn more and ask your questions!

Online - Open day

Graduate Open Events: Aesthetics MSc

—

This online session will provide you with an overview of our Aesthetics MS (two pathways: Aesthetic Surgery or Minimally-Invasive Aesthetic). The Aesthetics MS is designed to suit the busy healthcare professional through a blended learning strategy. The focus is on contemporary practice, and teaching evidence-based principles and systems with the support of world leading international experts. The session include a Q&A with the programme leads and alumni.

Fees and funding

Fees for this course

UK students International students
Fee description Full-time Part-time
Tuition fees (2025/26) £20,500 £10,250
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.

The core textbooks for all modules are available electronically or in the UCL Library on the Stanmore campus. Journal articles in your reading lists are also mostly available electronically through your UCL login.

Students may face occasional costs of travel between the Stanmore campus and the main UCL campus in Bloomsbury once or twice a week. Find out about the cost of using public transport at Transport for London.

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

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

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 Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation at graduate level
  • why you want to study Physical Therapy in Musculoskeletal Healthcare and Rehabilitation at UCL
  • what particularly attracts you to this programme
  • how your personal, academic and professional background meets the demands of a challenging and truly international academic environment
  • where you would like to go professionally with your degree.

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

Division of Surgery and Interventional Science
Division of Surgery and Interventional Science

dsis.physicaltherapy@ucl.ac.uk

UCL is regulated by the Office for Students.