Overview
Are you a qualified physiotherapist working in musculoskeletal practice and looking to take your career to the next level? Maybe your role involves assisting patients who require rehabilitation after surgery or sporting injury, or perhaps you work with individuals who have a disability or long-term condition that limits their functional level.
This course in advanced clinical practice of musculoskeletal rehabilitation is designed for physiotherapists who wish to further develop their skills and expertise as an advanced or specialist clinical practitioner across a range of musculoskeletal (MSK) healthcare settings here in the UK and abroad.
On this course, you’ll gain advanced clinical reasoning skills in assessment and evidence-based management for the treatment and rehabilitation of MSK patients, presenting within various clinical/care settings. You’ll be taught the latest theory, science and principles behind MSK practice, which will give you a broad, yet in-depth, understanding of evidence-based rehabilitation approaches and how these can be used to treat patients with musculoskeletal conditions.
Our master’s degree will also develop your cognitive skills, such as writing skills, which are important in clinical practice to enhance communication with other clinicians, allied healthcare personnel, and for research. You’ll be encouraged to be creative in your thinking, as well as enhancing your proficiency in analysis and evaluation - meaning you’ll graduate as a highly competent practitioner, ready to become a leader within your field.
At Brunel, we understand the challenges of fitting study around work and family life. For this reason, we have designed this course to be flexible, so that it can fit around your current commitments. The full master's course can be studied 3 years part-time starting in September.
Please note that it is important you apply for the stage you will be studying in that year, i.e. to study for the PgDip you must have already completed the PgCert and you only apply for the staged MSc once you have completed the PgDip.
If you don’t want to commit to part-time study of the entire master's, you can develop your educational portfolio over a longer period of time by undertaking staged study that leads to the award of Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) after one year of study, Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) after two years of study and full Masters (MSc) after three years of study.
Each stage can be studied 1 year part-time starting in September. You could even just take one or more CPPD modules for your professional development and return to complete your course at a later date.
You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.
Course content
Your learning will be patient-centred and clinically focused, studying evidence, concepts, and theories related to musculoskeletal practice. You’ll benefit from a course designed to incorporate a multidisciplinary perspective, which is essential when entering leadership roles in healthcare systems around the world.
Throughout the course you’ll be required to think broadly about a range of rehabilitation services, exploring how to improve the care and experience of service users, alongside service provision, in a variety of global scenarios.
On this course, you’ll learn a holistic approach to patient care alongside clinical leadership skills and how to use evidence-based practice and research to make informed decisions that grow your knowledge and expertise.
Your learning will be underpinned by the national Advanced Clinical Practice framework as set out by NHS England (formally HEE), encompassing the four pillars: clinical practice, leadership and management, education and research.
You’ll develop the essential skills that are required by advanced clinical practitioners working in the NHS and other clinical settings.
You’ll study a combination of modules consisting of compulsory modules in clinical leadership, teaching and learning, evidence-based practice and research, plus you’ll select from a list of optional modules that define your specialist pathway in musculoskeletal rehabilitation.
Compulsory
- PH5612 - Advanced Clinical Leadership
This module aims to develop advanced knowledge, skills, qualities and behaviours of leadership for clinical healthcare professionals working in a range of roles in healthcare settings in the NHS. This knowledge and skills literacy will nurture and enhance existing team-working skills and clinical leadership requirements in order to evidence advanced level skills.
Indicative content includes principles of clinical leadership, leadership theories and change management. Effective team working, partnership working and communication will be explored alongside service development tools including service co-design.
Click here to watch the video about this module
Process analysis will support your understanding of how to audit and measure systems and identify and track change.
Weds 0900-1200 face to face, 1300 - 1600 online
2025: Jan 29th, Feb 12th, Feb 26th, March 12th
- PH5603 - Quantitative Methods and Design for Health Science Research
In this module we aim to develop your critical understanding of quantitative clinical research methodology and the principles of how to use clinical evidence to constructively inform your practice. This means developing skills and knowledge of quantitative research methods and design, understanding data and how to analyse and interpret it and learning how to critically appraise published research.
Indicative content includes consideration of research ethics, governance and integrity alongside theoretical underpinnings of scientific method. Different research designs will be examined alongside common sampling and approaches to statistics.
- Study mode: Part-time.
- 0900-1200 online. 1300-1600 face-to-face
- Wednesdays (2024) - 9th October, 23rd October, 6th and 20th November and 4th December.
- Assessment MCQ Jan 2025
- Credits: 15
Fees 2024/25
UK: £960
International: £1,965
Optional
- PH5626 - Contemporary Theory and Clinical Application in Musculoskeletal Practice: The Upper Quadrant
This module aims to develop advanced critical understanding of the current theory and science of current upper quadrant musculoskeletal practice, and to develop advanced examination and intervention skills for the management of patients with upper limb, cervical and thoracic (upper quadrant) musculoskeletal conditions.
Indicative content includes epidemiology, aetiology, pathology and pathophysiology of upper quadrant conditions. Complex clinical reasoning skills will be developed through consideration of advanced diagnostics and evidence based rehabilitation and health promotion approaches.
Thursdays 1400- 1700 online
2024 - October 3rd, 17th, 31st and November 14th
- PH5625 - Contemporary Theory and Clinical Application in Musculoskeletal Practice: The Lower Quadrant
This module aims to develop advanced critical understanding of the current theory and science of current lower quadrant musculoskeletal practice, and to develop advanced examination and intervention skills for the management of patients with lower limb, and lumbo-pelvic (lower quadrant) musculoskeletal conditions.
Indicative content includes epidemiology, aetiology, pathology and pathophysiology of lower quadrant conditions. Complex clinical reasoning skills will be developed through consideration of advanced diagnostics and evidence based rehabilitation and health promotion approaches.
Thursdays 1400- 1700 online
2025 - Feb 6th, Feb 20th, March 6th, March 20th
Compulsory
- PH5604 - Qualitative Research in Health and Social Care
This module aims to critically explore, reflect upon and develop qualitative research skills and knowledge in health, and to explore qualitative approaches in research in the context of their philosophical, societal, and cultural underpinnings and use in clinical settings.
In additional to theoretical perspectives, through online lectures and interactive workshops you will be introduced to and practice different methods of collecting data and data analysis.
You will learn how to evaluate the quality of qualitative research and consider aspects such as ethics, power, reflexivity and the role of co-construction. This is made relevant to research projects but also service evaluations, quality improvement projects and practice.
- Study mode: Part-time.
- 0900-1200 face-to-face. 1300-1600 online
- Wednesdays (2024) - 25th September, 9th October, 23rd October, 6th November and 20th November.
- MCQ Jan 2025
- PH5615 - Learning and Teaching in Advanced Clinical Practice
Click here to watch the video about this module
This module aims to provide practitioners with advanced knowledge and skills for the planning, organisation, delivering, teaching and evaluation of effective programmes for clinical training in specialist practice.
Current research and theory underpinning the educational process which support a challenging and supportive teaching and learning environment for clinical practice will be explored aiming to enhance practitioners’ individual ability to critically appraise and augment their skills, knowledge and actively contribute to the education awareness for members of their healthcare team, patients, service users and carers.
Note: Students must currently be in practice and have formally identified and entered an agreement with a mentor and/or supervisor for the learning-in-practice elements of this module, prior to commencing the module.
Mondays 0900-1200 face to face, 1300-1600 online
2025. Jan 20th, Feb 3rd, Feb 17th, March 3rd, March 17th
Optional
- PH5641 - Working as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in Musculoskeletal Medicine: Advanced Assessment and Management Skills
The NHS, public health and social care system and the delivery of prevention, treatment and care will continue to change over the coming years. An increased focus on managing complex co-morbidities will place a greater emphasis on the skills of the generalist as will the move towards increased care provision outside of dedicated care settings and professional boundaries.
An increase in the demand for Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner roles is occurring to address complex MSK patients, both within secondary and primary are settings. This module has been developed to address the learning needs of these clinicians who otherwise struggle to get the training they need to fulfil their roles.
Content is guided by contemporary professional standards for the Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner.
Pre-requisites
- CV for review
- HCPC registered
- 4 years working as a qualified physiotherapist
- Minimum of 2 years specialising in MSK
- Have formally identified and entered an agreement with a mentor and/or supervisor for the learning-in-practice elements of a programme, prior to commencing the programme.
Thursdays 0900-1600 online
Oct 10th, Oct 24th, Nov 7th, Nov 27th.
- PH5624 - Pain: Contemporary Science and Practice
In this module, students will engage with contemporary pain science and up-to-date principles of management for the person in pain. The module is designed for clinicians working with people with pain in any clinical setting.
It aims to improve students understanding of pain science and management and help to better embed this knowledge into everyday practice. Students will look at the issue of pain from multiple perspectives, including knowledge from neurobiology, psychology and epidemiology and other disciplines.
Throughout, there will be a focus on developing clinical skills that can be embedded into practice.
Thursdays 0900 - 1600 online
2025 - January 30th, February 13th and 27th, March 13th
Assessment essay April 2025
Compulsory
- PH5611 - Dissertation
Term 1
Fridays 0900-1200 online
2024 - Sept 27th, Oct 18th, Nov 8th, Nov 29th
Term 2
Monday 0900-1200 dual delivery
2025 - Jan 27th, Feb 3rd, Feb 24th, March 3rd
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
This course will prepare you for careers in advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice within a range of healthcare settings. You’ll be able to apply the expert knowledge, clinical reasoning and complex decision-making skills that you have gained to your clinical setting. You could go on to become an Advanced Physiotherapist Practitioner (APP) within the NHS, where roles usually start in Band 8a of the NHS Agenda for change pay scale.
On successful completion, you’ll be best placed to undertake leadership or senior positions within a range of clinical areas. From the NHS and private practices, to the military, public and sports sector; our graduates are well-equipped to make a positive impact and become innovative clinicians within their field. You could also move into academic or clinical research roles or other healthcare-related positions in industry.
UK entry requirements
2025/6 entry
Hold a pre-registration degree in a relevant allied health profession, be currently employed in the clinical speciality you wish to apply for and have the following relevant experience as a minimum:
1. Students currently working in the UK - At least 1 year of post qualification clinical work experience in the specialism they have applied for. Typically this should be work experience from a ‘Band 6’ level role.
2. Students currently working outside of the UK – At least 2 years post qualification clinical work experience, ideally including at least 1 year in the specialism you have applied for.
You must have met the minimum work experience requirement at the point you apply for the programme. For example, if you submit your application in February 2025, you must have 2 years experience by February 2025 (depending on whether you are working in or outside the UK). This is to make sure that you will definitely have enough experience when you join the course. This does not include internships as they are supervised and therefore technically still part of your training. You should aim to provide documented evidence of your clinical work experience. All applicants should include a detailed CV as part of their application. Applicants who are working outside of the UK should could include letters of recommendations and/or confirmation of employment (we appreciate that what you can provide will vary from one person to another and be dependent on your specific background and employer, so please aim to provide as much documentary evidence when you apply).
EU and International entry requirements
If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.
English language requirements
- IELTS: 7 (min 6.5 in all areas)
- Pearson: 64 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 68% (63% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 98 (min 23 in all areas)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£6,060 part-time
International
£12,395 part-time
UK Staged Master £4,040 per stage.
International Staged Master £8,265 per stage.
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
The course will be delivered using a variety of methods that have been chosen to optimise your learning of clinical theories and skills. They have been designed to maximise the level of interaction and engagement with your tutors and fellow students.
The following modules will be delivered through in-person on-campus teaching that requires mandatory attendance:
- PH5641 Working as an Advanced Physiotherapy Practitioner in Musculoskeletal Medicine: Advanced Assessment and Management Skills
- PH5642 Fundamentals of Pelvic Health
- PH5643 Management of the Pelvic Health Patient
- PH5652 Working as an Advanced Postnatal Practitioner (APP) in Pelvic Health
For all other modules you may choose whether to study through live, online interactive teaching that doesn't require attendance on campus, or you may choose to study through in-person campus-based teaching that'll require your attendance on campus.
Support
You'll have a personal tutor throughout your time at university. They'll be a source of support and will help you to make the most of your studies and time at University. You'll have scheduled tutor meetings and be able to access your tutor, as required, either online or via face-to-face meetings on campus.
Assessments
Coursework, such as portfolios and critical essays, will be submitted online via WISEflow and exams will be a mix of on-campus in-person OSCE exams and online open-book style assessments.
The schedule of teaching and assessment has been developed to make the programme as accessible and flexible as possible. Through the provision of both campus-based and online teaching, we'll provide an engaging and stimulating programme that helps you to maximise your learning and professional development in preparation for advanced clinical practice.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
You’ll benefit from the expertise of academics across our well-established health sciences department, giving you a truly interdisciplinary perspective on important topics. Many of our academics currently work in hospitals and other clinical settings, so they'll be teaching you up-to-date scientific knowledge and patient assessment and management skills.
Our lecturers are active in research and often contribute to the development of professional guidelines, so you know you’re being taught by practicing healthcare professionals with a high profile in the sector. You’ll also be able to benefit from studying alongside other healthcare professionals in similar fields, giving you the opportunity to network and share ideas.
Our teaching approach is diverse and you’ll benefit from lectures, tutorials, seminars, and workshops.
Assessment and feedback
The course uses a range of flexible and engaging approaches to assessment. You'll be assessed through exams, critical essays, portfolios, oral presentations and your dissertation.
The choice of the specific type of assessment will be appropriate to the intended learning outcomes of the taught modules. The assessment strategies will balance the need to demonstrate knowledge and competencies with more in-depth and critical approaches to learning. Such assessment approaches will include examinations, presentations of relevant clinical case scenarios, and coursework, which will take the form of critical assessment of literature and research, critical essays, and the development of the selected portfolio of learning.
Finally, the dissertation provides demonstration of an ability to synthesise and critically evaluate current research underpinning clinical practice, and to develop and undertake relevant research, as well as its dissemination.
Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.
