Overview

This programme is aimed at physiotherapists working in the speciality of Women's Health in a variety of health care settings.

MSc Rehabilitation Studies: Physiotherapy in Women's Health
PGDip Physiotherapy in Women's Health
PGCert Physiotherapy in Women's Health

It offers physiotherapists a range of opportunities to develop an evidence based approach to clinical reasoning through the ability to identify, analyse and interpret the current best available evidence and apply this to the rehabilitation and promotion of Women's Health using appropriate assessment and therapeutic intervention skills.

Students will study in-depth issues including pelvic girdle pain, ante- and post-natal care, continence, exercise, bone health and menopause. The modules include teaching blocks at the Faculty of Health Studies, University of Bradford to encourage shared learning. Further learning and teaching on the practice module occurs in the clinical setting.

Students must therefore have access to an appropriate clinical caseload in order to be able to undertake the practice module. Each student will be allocated a clinical mentor for the practice module. Peer physical examination is used during teaching in the practice module, viable alternatives are available if required.

This is the only programme of its kind in the UK offering this specialist area of study. The Certificate was developed jointly and is regularly reviewed by Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP), (formerly the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Women’s Health) and the University of Bradford.

This ensures the continued clinical relevance of the programme. A further strength of the programme is the use of external lecturers who are specialists within their field and continue to have a clinical caseload.

Professional accreditation

The programme is endorsed by the Pelvic, Obstetric and Gynaecological Physiotherapy (POGP). Physiotherapists who successfully complete the Certificate are eligible for full membership of POGP.

Entry requirements

Students should:

Hold a relevant professional qualification normally at Bachelors degree level (Ordinary or Honours) or equivalent.
Be a physiotherapist registered with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) if you are intending to undertake the practice module
Normally have two years post qualification experience
Normally be working in the field of women's health and/or continence care
Have access to appropriate clinical practice whilst undertaking the practice module (the theory module can be undertaken without this)

Admission is on the basis of submission of an application form, curriculum vitae, references, letter of support from your physiotherapy manager (if relevant), and possible advisory interview (to discuss the content and expectations of the programme).

English language requirements

Overseas students whose first language is not English must satisfy the University that they meet the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS). An overall band score of at least 6.5 in IELTS with no banding below 6.0 is required.

If you do not meet the IELTS requirement, and you have a UKVI approved IELTS, you can take a University of Bradford pre-sessional English course. See the Language Centre for more details. For further information on English Language requirements please see the dedicated international entry requirements page.

What you will study

The core modules, which consist of theoretical and practical components, are delivered in residential blocks and in an appropriate clinical setting. Each student will be allocated a clinical mentor.

All module information is subject to change.

First year

Postgraduate Certificate

Core

Postgraduate Diploma

Modules to be confirmed individually and may include Research Methods and Data Analysis to prepare for the Dissertation - depending on which final stage is selected.

MSc

Option

Please note: you are unable to apply for Practice of Physiotherapy in Women's Health as a standalone module - this must be completed after the Theory of Physiotherapy in Women's Health module.

Learning and assessment

Teaching is delivered through any number of the following:

Lectures: To a group of students where information will be presented and discussed whilst informed by the core values.
Facilitated seminars and group discussion: Where learning will be through the interpretation and critical application of information and group learning.
Tutorial: Where small group number of students reflect and discuss issues related to their learning.
Work-based learning: Where learning is directed within the work environment and is reflected upon and then reported on.
Work-based learning: Where skills are taught in relation to theory and best practice enabling students to develop advanced competence and clinical practice skills in their field of practice.
Use of Web based virtual learning environments, such as video analysis, To access information and to interact with other students undertaking group work or developing wikis.
Directed reading: Where set reading may be recommended.
Self-Directed learning: Where student are expected to develop their own learning by identifying areas of interest and areas in which knowledge needs to be developed thus encouraging independence and development of critical thought.
Undertaking a work based project or a research module which is shaped by self-directed learning needs and the learning outcomes at MSc level.

Students will be expected to develop an autonomous learning style and become self-directed as a learner.

Students learning will be assessed through a range of different assessment techniques, which may include one or more of the following approaches:

Written assignment
Reflective case study
Development of a reflective portfolio
Practical examination (OSCE/OSPE)
Computer based open book examination
Seminar presentation
Written project report
Completion of a dissertation
Research paper/executive summary

Official programme specification

Fees, finance and scholarships

Tuition fee 2023

PG Cert: £3,872
PG Dip: £7,454
MSc: £10,038

Additional costs

Modules are subject to enhance fees. Please see our for more information.

There may be additional costs that you may incur as a student. Though these are not essential to your programme of study you need to be aware of them as a student of the University. A list of the sort of costs you might expect can be found on our fees and finance section.

Financial support

See our fees and financial support section.

Scholarships

Every year we award numerous non-repayable scholarships to UK, EU and international students on the basis of academic excellence, personal circumstances or economic hardship. For full details, visit our scholarships section.

Career support

The University is committed to helping students develop and enhance employability and this is an integral part of many programmes. Specialist support is available throughout the course from Career and Employability Services including help to find part-time work while studying, placements, vacation work and graduate vacancies. Students are encouraged to access this support at an early stage and to use the extensive resources on the Careers website.

Discussing options with specialist advisers helps to clarify plans through exploring options and refining skills of job-hunting. In most of our programmes there is direct input by Career Development Advisers into the curriculum or through specially arranged workshops.

Career prospects

This programme offers the physiotherapist a range of opportunities to develop advanced theoretical knowledge and practical skills relevant to their role in Women's Health the chance to extend and enhance their clinical practice and career pathway.