Foundation to Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is a health profession concerned with restoring and maintaining movement and function, working with people whose mobility has been affected by injury, illness, ageing or disability. Physiotherapists work across a vast range of settings, including hospitals, sports clinics, community health services and private practice, and they treat patients from neonates through to the very elderly. The work demands both detailed anatomical and physiological knowledge and strong interpersonal skills, since building a therapeutic relationship is central to effective treatment.

This four-year programme at the University of Liverpool includes a foundation year designed to prepare students for entry into the physiotherapy degree, building the scientific and clinical foundations needed to succeed at undergraduate level. The programme is taught through Carmel College, St Helens, and is designed for students seeking a supported transition into a healthcare degree. You will develop an understanding of human anatomy, physiology and movement science, alongside the communication skills and professional values that underpin clinical practice.

A year abroad is included in the degree, providing an international dimension to your training and the chance to experience healthcare systems and approaches in a different context.

Graduates who qualify as physiotherapists are eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and can pursue careers across NHS settings, private clinics, sports organisations, occupational health services and international healthcare environments. Specialisation is common, with physiotherapists developing expertise in areas such as musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory or paediatric practice. Further study at postgraduate level is well supported, whether in clinical specialisation, research or health leadership.