Your path to... Physiotherapy

This page aims to help you find out how to become a Physiotherapist after doing a different degree in NUIG.

The Career Development Centre offers advice and information in good faith and based on the best information available to it. The Service does not accept any responsibility for any decisions made by individuals based on such advice or information. The Career Development Centre does not take responsibility for the contents of any sites linked to from its pages.

• What is a Physiotherapist?
• How do I become a Physiotherapist in Ireland?
• Are qualifications gained abroad recognised in Ireland?
• Studying in the UK
• Useful links

What is a Physiotherapist?

The Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP) website answers many questions about working as a Physiotherapist.

The The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (UK) equivalent has a large career section online also.

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How do I become a Physiotherapist in Ireland?

To practice Physiotherapy in Ireland, you must become a member of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP). To be accepted as a member of the ISCP, students must successfully complete the degree programme at University College, Dublin, Trinity College, Dublin, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, University of Limerick.

TCD: Apply to CAO and TCD Admissions Office if a mature student. 

UCD: apply through the CAO before February 1st.  

University of Limerick:  4 years. Apply through CAO.  

Royal College of Surgeons: mature students (broadly defined as students with a degree other than Physiotherapy) should apply on-line, closing date is 15 February. Students can also apply through CAO.

For more information, contact the universities above.

Prospective students are strongly advised to find out about Physiotherapy before applying for a place. All those who apply should spend some time with a Physiotherapist if possible before interview. If you are interested in becoming a Chartered Physiotherapist contact the Physiotherapy Department nearest you and arrange to go along and see for yourself what the work involves.

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Are qualifications obtained abroad recognised in Ireland?

If you study physiotherapy outside Ireland, you must validate your qualifications with the ISCP before you can practice in Ireland. You must be a current member of ISCP to work as a Chartered Physiotherapist. There is an application form and handbook available to download on their website.

Studying Phyiotherapy in the UK

To practice physiotherapy in the UK, you must register the the Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (CSP) and Health Professionals Council (HPC).  Successful registrants must have taken a pre-registration course accepted by the CSP.

UK undergraduate degree courses have application through UCAS. A full list of available degrees can be viewed on the NHS, UCAS or CSP websites.  UCAS code B160.

Postgraduate (MSc) pre-registration programmes include the following - application is directly to the university:

Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen. MSc in Physiotherapy.

University of Birmingham. MSc in Physiotherapy. 

University of Brighton. MSc Rehabilitation Science.

Queen Margaret University College, Edinburgh. MSc in Physiotherapy.

University of East Anglia MSc Physiotherapy.

University of Essex: MSc Physiotherapy.

Glasgow Caledonian University. MSc Rehabilitation Science.

University of Huddersfield: Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (accredited).

University of Northumbria. MSc Physiotherapy.

Kings College London. MSc in Physiotherapy.

University of Southampton MSc Physiotherapy.

University of Teeside, Middlesborough. MSc in Rehabilitation Science. 

Leeds Metropolitan University. MSc Physiotherapy.

Manchester Metropolitan University: MSc Physiotherapy

For more information, closing dates, application forms etc., for the above, contact the individual university directly. Check with CSP as more courses may be added.

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Useful links:

• Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists - Physiotherapy as a career, job opportunities and news.
• The Chartered Society of Physiotherapists (UK) - Online jobs pages, student handbook, and careers information.
• Health Professions Council - accreditation body for UK
• NHS Careers. Education pages of this site gives a good overview of courses leading to qualifications in Physiotherapy.

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