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Physiotherapy  (MDS5)

BSc (NFQ Level 8) · Academic Year 2025/2026
School
School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science
Attendance
Full Time
Level
Undergraduate
NFQ Level
8
Award
Bachelor of Science
Mode of Delivery
On Campus
Programme Director
Assoc Professor Tara Cusack
Overall Programme Credits:
240
Programme Credits:
Stage 1
Core/Option: 55 Electives: 5
Stage 2
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Stage 3
Core/Option: 60 Electives: 0
Stage 4
Core/Option: 50 Electives: 10
Major/Minor Core & Option Credits:
Stage 1: 55
Stage 2: 50
Stage 3: 60
Stage 4: 50

Curricular information is subject to change.

Physiotherapists provide services to people in order to develop, maintain and restore maximum movement and functional ability throughout their lifetime.

Mission Statement



The vision of the UCD BSc Physiotherapy Programme is to educate Physiotherapists;




  • Who are highly skilled autonomous practitioners that demonstrate a whole-person and compassionate approach to patient care using evidence and research skills to inform and advance physiotherapy practice.

  • Who demonstrate advocacy and leadership for clients and the profession in local, national and global dynamic healthcare environments.


1 - Function as highly skilled competent autonomous clinicians in diverse and local, national and global dynamic health environments
2 - Collaborate and practice as confident and competent members of inter-professional healthcare teams
3 - Demonstrate a whole-person and compassionate approach to patient care and self-care
4 - Critically evaluate and apply evidence and research skills to inform and advance Physiotherapy clinical practice
5 - Practice in a professional, safe ethical and legal manner
6 - Practice as a reflective clinician and demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and professional development.
7 - Demonstrate advocacy and leadership for clients and the profession
8 - Communicate in ways that recognise and respect cultural and linguistic diversity
9 - Meet the standards of proficiency required by CORU the statutory regulator
10 - Demonstrate a whole-person and compassionate approach to patient care and self-care
11 - Critically evaluate and apply evidence and research skills to inform and advance Physiotherapy clinical practice
12 - Practice as a reflective clinician and demonstrate a commitment to life-long learning and professional development
13 - Demonstrate advocacy and leadership for clients and the profession

Physiotherapists provide services to people in order to develop, maintain and restore maximum physical health, movement and functional ability throughout their lifetime.

The full-time BSc Physiotherapy degree programme offered by the UCD School of Physiotherapy & Performance Science is accredited by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. To date, over 2,000 UCD-educated physiotherapists are working throughout the world. In addition to campus-based learning, you will also spend time on clinical placement in hospitals and clinical centres throughout Ireland.

UCD's Health Sciences Centre brings the research and teaching activities of physiotherapists, physicians, nurses and radiographers together under one roof.

The curriculum covers the broad spectrum of basic, applied and clinical sciences.

The programme is structured so that in Stage 1 you learn the basic and applied sciences. This teaching largely takes place in the UCD Health Sciences Centre. While lectures may take place in larger groups, all hands-on practical physiotherapy skills are taught in small groups of no more than 20 students. Practical skills teaching takes place with close supervision in specifically designed Clinical Skills Laboratories in the School.

Towards the end of Stage 1, you will spend time in the clinical setting where you will put your theoretical knowledge into practice. By the end of your degree programme you will have completed 1,000 hours of clinical practice, which is arranged for each student by the Clinical Co-ordinators in the School.

Clinical practice takes place in hospitals and clinical centres around Ireland, in collaboration with our clinical partners and the Health Service Executive.

Practice Tutors in Physiotherapy co-ordinate clinical education at St Vincent's University Hospital, the Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, Connolly Hospital, Beaumont Hospital, the National Rehabilitation Hospital, St Colmcille's Hospital, Our Lady's Hospital for Sick Children, Our Lady's Hospice, Naas Hospital, Louth Hospital, South Infirmary Victoria Hospital Cork and the Midlands Regional Hospitals.

Professional skills are examined by continuous assessment. Graduates obtain a complete professional education and are ready to practise upon graduation.

These currently include Erasmus programme opportunities in third year with Université Catholique de Louvain, Belgium, as well as elective placement opportunities in fourth year in Europe, Africa and Asia.

Graduates in Physiotherapy have found employment in different roles across the world, in:

  • Hospitals and private practice
  • Primary care
  • Rehabilitation centres and nursing homes
  • Non-government agencies (e.g. Goal, Concern)
  • Education
  • Business, sport and leisure industries

    Graduates can also apply for a range of disciplinary and general graduate taught (graduate certificate, diploma, MSc) and research (MSc and PhD) programmes in Ireland and abroad.
  • School of Public Health Physiotherapy & Sports Science,
    Programme Office,
    Woodview House,
    Belfield,
    Dublin 4

    Tel: +353 1 716 6500
    Email: physio.therapy@ucd.ie
    Web: www.ucd.ie/healthsciences


    Stage 1

    Students must register to 60 credits of modules for Stage 1. 30 credits per Trimester.

    All modules in Autumn Trimester are core to the BSc Physiotherapy Programme.

    6 core modules totalling 30 credits.

    In Spring Trimester students register to 5 core modules totalling 25 credits and request a place on elective module below or alternatively select a first year general elective place for Spring Trimester on another module of choice.

    6 modules totaling 30 credits.

    By enrolment to the programme students consent to participate in the associated practical sessions. Practical sessions may require students to model the role of a service user. During practical classes students will be asked to wear appropriate clothing as specified by the module coordinator.

    Stage 2

    Students must be registered to a total of 60 credits in Stage 2.

    Students must register to all core modules in Stage 2 BSc Physiotherapy - 50 credits.

    Students must also register to option module PHTY20110 Therapeutic Massage in Autumn Trimester for 5 credits.

    For Spring Trimester students can either choose listed elective module or an elective module for 5 credits outside the programme.

    By enrolment to the programme students consent to participate in the associated practical sessions. Practical sessions may require students to model the role of a service user. During practical classes students will be asked to wear appropriate clothing as specified by the module coordinator.

    Stage 3

    Students must register to all core modules in Stage 3 of the BSc Physiotherapy Programme. There are 9 core modules totaling 60 credits. No elective credits will be available in Stage 3

    By enrolment to the programme students consent to participate in the associated practical sessions. Practical sessions may require students to model the role of a service user. During practical classes students will be asked to wear appropriate clothing as specified by the module coordinator.

    Stage 4

    Students must register to all core modules - 50 ECTS credits, and 10 elective/option credits. 10 elective credits can be selected from listed option or Students may also choose to register to elective modules offered outside of the Programme area.


    By enrolment to the programme students consent to participate in the associated practical sessions. Practical sessions may require students to model the role of a service user. During practical classes students will be asked to wear appropriate clothing as specified by the module coordinator.

    Below is a list of all modules offered for this degree in the current academic year. Click on the module to discover what you will learn in the module, how you will learn and assessment feedback profile amongst other information.

    Incoming Stage 1 undergraduates can usually select an Elective in the Spring Trimester. Most continuing undergraduate students can select up to two Elective modules (10 Credits) per stage. There is also the possibility to take up to 10 extra Elective credits.

    Module Type Module   Trimester Credits
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    ANAT10110 Clinical Human Anatomy I Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    BIOC00010 Chemistry-Biochemistry Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PERS10170 Human Physiology Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PHTY10160 Foundations of Health Care Practice 1 Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PHTY10330 Introduction to Applied Biophysics Principles Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PHTY20310 Mechanisms of Disease Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    SMGT20250 Psychology of Sport & Exercise Autumn  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    ANAT20010 Clinical Human Anatomy III Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PHTY10040 Functional Anatomy and Kinesiology Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PHTY10140 Applied Exercise Physiology Spring  5
    Stage 1 Core Modules
    PHTY10170 Foundations of Health Care Practice 2 Spring  5
    Stage 1 Options - A) Min 0 of:
    Students can select their final 5 credit module during a special registration period in Spring Trimester. You will then be able to select place on elective below or alternatively request a first year elective place on another module.
    FDSC10010 Food Diet and Health Autumn and Spring (separate)  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20300 Foundations of Physiotherapy Professional Practice 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20050 Exercise Programming Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20070 Musculoskeletal 1: The Upper Limb Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20150 Cardiorespiratory 1 Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20160 Neurology 1 Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20270 Evidence Based Practice Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20010 Musculoskeletal 2: The Lower Limb Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20020 Applied Physics and Biomechanics Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20040 Musculoskeletal 3: The Spine Spring  5
    Stage 2 Core Modules
    PHTY20290 Fundamentals of Pain Science and Practice Spring  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
    Students must select minimum of two 5 credit modules. Students must select option module PHTY20110 Therapeutic Massage for Autumn trimester. For Spring trimester either select listed option or alternative elective module of choice.
    PHTY20110 Therapeutic Massage Autumn  5
    Stage 2 Options - A) Min 0 of:
    Students must select minimum of two 5 credit modules. Students must select option module PHTY20110 Therapeutic Massage for Autumn trimester. For Spring trimester either select listed option or alternative elective module of choice.
    PHTY20280 Born to Run: The Science of Human Endurance Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30470 Clinical Education 1 Autumn  15
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30480 Clinical Education 2 Autumn  15
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30090 Cardiorespiratory II Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30100 Neurology 2 Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30110 Clinical Exercise Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30120 Research Methods Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30320 Advanced Musculoskeletal Spring  5
    Stage 3 Core Modules
    PHTY30410 Health in a Global Society Spring  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    FLME41030 Legal Medicine (Physiotherapy) Autumn  2.5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHAR20030 Pharmacology Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHTY30450 Digital Transformation in Physiotherapy & Sports Science Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHTY40780 Specialist Physiotherapy Pract Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHTY40790 Professional Career Development Autumn  2.5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHTY41190 Sports Physiotherapy Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHTY41220 Advancing Physiotherapy Practice Autumn  5
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHTY30190 Physiotherapy Clinical Education VI Spring  10
    Stage 4 Core Modules
    PHTY40670 Physiotherapy Clin Ed VII Spring  10
    Stage 4 Options - A) Min 0 of:
    Please select option modules to the value of 10 credits or or alternatively request a fourth year elective place on another module.
    PHTY41010 Physiotherapy Research 2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)  10

    See the UCD Assessment website for further details, including worked examples of how degree award GPAs are calculated

    Module Weighting Info
     
      Award GPA
    Programme Module Weightings Rule Description Description >= <=
    BHPHY001 Stage 4 - 70.00%
    Stage 3 - 30.00%
    Standard Honours Award First Class Honours

    3.68

    4.20

    Second Class Honours, Grade 1

    3.08

    3.67

    Second Class Honours, Grade 2

    2.48

    3.07

    Pass

    2.00

    2.47