If you are the type of person who enjoys working with people and has good communication skills; if you have an interest in working with people who are ill or disabled and would like a practical, hands-on, challenging career, then this programme will suit you.

This programme is designed to prepare graduates who will contribute to the development of Physiotherapy worldwide through their ability to act as competent, reflective and innovative practitioners.  During the 4 years, there will be opportunities for you to engage in shared learning with other students at the University of Limerick, undertake a wide variety of supervised clinical placements. The School culture is identified by students as inclusive and supportive in Athena Swan Self-Assessment and in May 2019 the School received a bronze Athena Swan award.

The Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy is a four-year degree programme which includes a total of 28 weeks of clinical practice. The first year provides a foundation in Anatomy and Physiology, communication and behaviour, and an Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice. Over the remaining three years you will undertake studies in the various disciplines of physiotherapy including cardiorespiratory care, clinical neurology and musculoskeletal disorders for people across the lifespan. Research and evidence-based practice are core elements underpinning the programme.

What you’ll study

This 4-year programme encourages students to explore the scientific basis of clinical practice and concepts of research and clinical evaluation are discussed at all levels of learning. Students are encouraged to develop independence in learning, problem-solving skills, the ability to engage in critical self-evaluation and personal development in order to meet the needs of patients, and the ability to adapt to changes within healthcare provision and the profession.  Here is an overview of what you will study:

Year 1

Basic biomedical sciences form the major component of the first year of the programme and provide a basis upon which knowledge from other modules and later years are built. The modules studied are: Human Anatomy and Physiology; Health Informatics; Exercise and Health Fitness and Introduction to Physiotherapy Skills.

Year 2

The assessment, evaluation and management of disability provide the focus for this year of the programme. Physiotherapy modules, therefore, predominate, as the student is introduced to the management of respiratory musculoskeletal and neurological problems. The student will begin their study of research and evidence-based practice in the Enquiry in Healthcare module. In addition, students are introduced to the sociological perspectives of health and illness and health promotion in order to reflect and prepare them for contemporary practice.

Year 3

This year contains physiotherapy modules that encourage students to develop their practical, evaluative and interpersonal skills at a higher level and consider the needs of clients with complex problems, reflecting on their clinical practice experience. Research Methodology is studied in preparation for the final year research project.

Year 4

Year four introduces two case-based modules that provide students with the opportunities to engage in discipline-specific and inter-professional learning through multi-complex cases scenarios. Independent learning is promoted through the work on a final year project. Students will also undertake their final two Practice Education modules.

Clinical Placement

This 4 year program includes a total of 31 weeks of clinical practice (equal to 1000+ hours) in the last two years of the programme.  Clinical placements will take place within the HSE Mid-West region. It is important that students gain a wide range of experience treating different groups of people in different environments and this will be facilitated by undertaking placements outside of this region.

Entry Requirements

Students will need a high school diploma with a minimum GPA of 85%.  Note that GPA can run higher due to the competitive nature of the program.

Prerequisites:  English, Maths, another language, One of Biology, Chemistry, Chemistry with Physics, Physics, Physical Education or Agricultural Sciences

Professional Recognition

University of Limerick’s Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy program is accredited by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.   Graduates are eligible for physiotherapy registration in county of Ireland through the CORU.  Graduates applying to licensing in Canada will be required to provide details of their program of studies to the relevant bodies and sit a licensing examination.

Students wishing to license as a physiotherapist in Canada should contact the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators for procedures and accreditation procedures. The CAPR is the national federation of provincial/territorial regulators in Canada.

KOM Consultants understands the process and requirements needed to enter the Physiotherapy profession in Canada. Contact KOM Consultants for more information. All students applying directly through KOM Consultants will be supported with the latest information on the accreditation process.