This course is available through the following application route(s)
This Professional Masters Physiotherapy Programme will equip graduates with the expertise and clinical skills required to practice physiotherapy (physical therapy) in the private or public health and social care sector.
The Professional Masters in Physiotherapy programme outcomes are guided by the requirements of the designated approval authority for physiotherapy education in Ireland, CORU, and are informed by the World Confederation for Physical Therapy guidelines for physical therapy education. The programme is delivered by academics, practitioners and experts by experience using a variety of approaches including expert tuition, small group interaction, practical sessions, peer support and autonomous student learning. Assessment modalities include essays, presentations, group-based work, clinical reasoning and critical reflections.
Graduates of the UCD Professional Masters in Physiotherapy will:
Function as highly skilled competent autonomous clinicians in diverse and local, national and global dynamic health environments.
Demonstrate detailed and advanced knowledge of the philosophy, values, skills, and theoretical basis of the physiotherapy (physical therapy) profession.
Integrate theory with practice to enable safe, effective, compassionate, and competent practice across the spectrum of primary, secondary, and tertiary healthcare, preventative healthcare, health promotion, rehabilitation, and performance enhancement.
Practice in a manner that demonstrates autonomous, reflective, and innovative thinking and lead on population health or service development initiatives.
Apply evidence-based practice, advanced clinical reasoning skills and commitment to professional development and lifelong learning.
Integrate knowledge and formulate judgements in complex situations and refer to other professions when appropriate.
Engage and reflect on wider professional issues, including social and ethical responsibilities to adapt and develop services, responding to and planning for changing needs of healthcare provision and professional practice.
Communicate their clinical and academic conclusions, and the knowledge and rationale underlying these conclusions effectively with key stakeholders, including patients and fellow professionals, in ways that recognise and respect cultural and linguistic diversity.
Collaborate with other professionals in health care teams in primary, secondary, and tertiary care settings, and other designated authorities.
Work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.
Organise and manage health care provision in public and private practice, including record maintenance and use of information technology, with due regard for ethical and regulatory frameworks and data protection legislation.
Possess sound research skills and can analyse the results of research and apply new knowledge to enhance evidence based professional practice.
Meet the Standards of Proficiency as specified by CORU, the Health and Social Care Professions Regulator of Ireland
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.
UCD is strongly committed to advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), embedding sustainability in teaching, research, operations, and community engagement. Sustainability principles are integrated into this programme, ensuring students graduate equipped to address global challenges. UCD’s leadership in this area is internationally recognised, ranking 47th globally and 27th in Europe in the QS World University Rankings for Sustainability 2026. UCD also leads impactful research in areas such as climate action, clean energy, and social equity, supported by a comprehensive Sustainability Strategy focused on reducing emissions, enhancing biodiversity, and fostering a sustainable campus culture.
Here are the SDGs which align more visibly with this programme:
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-Being
SDG 3 seeks to ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages. UCD Physiotherapy contributes directly to this objective by developing clinicians with the competencies required to promote active healthy lives and assess, diagnose and manage a broad range of musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory and other chronic health conditions across the lifespan. The programmes’ emphasis on evidence-based practice and person-centred care is consistent with the wider health system goal of reducing the burden of non-communicable disease, minimising disability and supporting rehabilitation, all of which are central targets within SDG 3.
SDG 4: Quality Education
SDG 4 calls for inclusive and equitable quality education and the promotion of lifelong learning opportunities for all. UCD Physiotherapy addresses this goal through its professionally accredited, research-led curricula, which integrate academic rigour with supervised clinical placement. Students are required to engage critically with evolving evidence, fostering the analytical and reflective capacities associated with competent, adaptive professional practice. Continuing professional development which requires reflective practice, identifying learning needs and opportunities underpins the programme learning, consistent with UCD's institutional commitment to high-quality education that prepares practitioners for sustained professional development beyond qualification. Graduates are educated with a view to acting as mentors and educators of the future healthcare professionals as well as engaging in health education of the general population.
SDG 5: Gender Equality
SDG 5 seeks to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. UCD physiotherapy embeds leadership principles that support career progression irrespective of gender. The physiotherapy programmes emphasise a commitment to ensuring equitable access to health for all. The programme includes dedicated education in women's health across the lifespan, preparing graduates to address the distinct and often neglected healthcare needs of women within a broader framework of gender-sensitive, inclusive care. Recognition of gender differences in care seeking and health risk are also emphasised in the curricula
SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
SDG 8 promotes sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, productive employment and decent work for all. UCD Physiotherapy emphasises the value of work for good health and self-esteem. Specific programme content addresses the role of ergonomics, occupational health and the prevention and rehabilitation of work-related injury, with ongoing meaningful engagement in work and return to work as critical rehabilitation outcomes for many.
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
SDG 9 promotes the development of resilient infrastructure and the fostering of innovation. Within the context of health professional education, this goal is reflected in the programmes’ engagement with technology, digital health literacy and innovation in clinical practice. A research-driven ethos underpins the programme, supported by dedicated research methods education and an active programme of scholarly enquiry. UCD Physiotherapy prepares graduates to critically evaluate and adopt emerging technologies, including but not limited to telerehabilitation, virtual reality, wearable monitoring systems, digital outcome measurement tools and electronic health data systems, all of which are increasingly integral to contemporary physiotherapy practice. By embedding innovation competencies within its curriculum, the programmes contribute to the broader development of a resilient and adaptive healthcare infrastructure capable of responding to evolving population health needs.
SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
SDG 10 aims to reduce inequality within and among countries. Physiotherapy, as a discipline, has a well-established track record in addressing health disparities, particularly in the management of conditions disproportionately affecting socioeconomically disadvantaged, people with disability and older populations. UCD Physiotherapy prepares graduates to practise across diverse clinical environments, including acute hospital, community and primary care settings, thereby supporting access to rehabilitation services for populations that may otherwise face structural barriers. Opportunities are provided for experiential learning in a diversity of settings including in areas of social disadvantage in Ireland, as well as in developing countries, including Uganda and Tanzania. At its core, physiotherapy aims to optimise physical function and participation in activities of daily living, work, exercise and sport. Advocating for older adults and people living with a disability is integral to physiotherapy education and practice. Consideration of the social determinants of health is embedded within the programmes’ professional formation framework.
SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
SDG 16 seeks to promote peaceful and inclusive societies, provide access to justice, and build effective institutions. UCD Physiotherapy educates future healthcare professionals regarding inclusive interdisciplinary healthcare models and systems, and their role in advocating for the needs of healthcare service users. The programme emphasises the adequate resourcing of healthcare services, including entry-level and continuing education, workforce planning and development and enhancement of physical and digital infrastructure.
SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
SDG 17 emphasises the importance of multi-stakeholder partnerships in achieving sustainable development. UCD Physiotherapy has an extensive network of national and international partners, spanning research, education and clinical practice across disciplines. Nationally, there is sustained engagement with a range of institutional partners, including but not limited to Public and Private healthcare service providers, regulatory bodies (CORU), the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists, ISCP) other higher education institutions and the Department of Health. Additionally, UCD physiotherapy has a major international network from engagement with international higher education and research Institutions, professional bodies (eg, World Physiotherapy), research associations, global health service leaders and a variety of non-governmental organisations. These relationships facilitate practice-based learning, drive research and innovation, support professional socialisation and positively impact on healthcare and research, ensuring the alignment of graduate competencies with national and international healthcare standards and the SDGs.
Conclusion
The UCD Professional Masters and Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy programmes demonstrate meaningful engagement with the UN SDG framework, most notably across SDG 3, SDG 4, SDG 5, SDG 8, SDG 9, SDG 10, SDG 16, and SDG 17. UCD Physiotherapy’s integration of clinical excellence, academic enquiry, innovation and social responsibility positions it as a contributor not only to individual graduate outcomes, but to broader health system sustainability and equity goals in Ireland and internationally.
This programme is fully approved by CORU, the Health and Social Care Professions regulatory body of Ireland and accredited by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists; a member organisation of the World Confederation for Physical Therapy.
Graduate Profile
Amanda Olsen, USA,
'Originally from the United States, travelling the world was always something I hoped to do when I was younger. After completing my bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of Pittsburgh, I decided that moving to another country while continuing my education would be a great way to achieve this dream of mine. Wanting to keep an open mind as to where my future would lead, I desired a program that would be transferable to places like New Zealand and Australia, as well as the United States, giving me the option to return if I wanted to. I researched many Physiotherapy degree options across Ireland and found UCD’s post-graduate master’s program the most compelling. To put it very simply, the course was rigorous, and the professors had high expectations of us as students. However, it goes without saying that these attributes pushed me to excel in my abilities as a clinician. The clinical tutors and educators instilled confidence in us by ensuring the theory was fully comprehended and our practical skills were executed appropriately and safely. There was a heavy emphasis on clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice which we had to display across our 1000 hours of clinical placement. The placements also encouraged supervised autonomy, so that as a student, and future clinician, I felt both supported and independent, which prepared me for working in the “real world” after graduation. UCD’s campus is extraordinary – both spacious yet intimate – and offers top-of-the-line facilities and a variety of clubs and social opportunities. I know that this program gave me a strong foundation in the physiotherapy profession. It provided me with an experience I will never forget, sincere friends I will always have, and an increased cultural awareness I can take with me anywhere I go.'
Graduate Profile
Eva Jackman, Canada
'I applied to the Professional Masters in Physiotherapy program at UCD with a bachelor’s degree in Athletic Therapy. During the two-year program at UCD I expanded upon my knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy and furthered my understanding of neurology, women’s and men’s health, paediatrics and cardiorespiratory physiotherapy. The first year was challenging with most of the coursework being covered, but I found the professors and guest lecturers knowledgeable in their subject and supportive in their areas of expertise. I feel this approach provided excellent preparation for my future career in a leading, research-based practice. I found the small class sizes hugely beneficial, especially for practical classes. The clinical placements were intensive, but I feel they prepared me to work confidently in any physiotherapy setting. I was fortunate to play on the UCD women’s rugby team, I thoroughly enjoyed travelling to play against other universities and making friends with teammates from other faculties. Since graduating, I have had the opportunity to travel with the Canadian women’s field hockey team and work in private physiotherapy practice in Dublin.'
Tuition fee information is available on the UCD Fees website.
www.ucd.ie/fees
This programme is intended for applicants who hold an appropriate primary degree* (NFQ Level 8), with an upper second class honours or international equivalent required. Only applicants with a GPA of 3.3 or above will be considered
Pre-requisites for the programme are:
Clinical Human Anatomy,
Applied Human Anatomy,
Human Physiology,
Exercise Science,
Applied Physics,
Foundation Science**
Applied Human Biomechanics,
Behavioural Sciences,
Research Methods and Statistics.
*This programme is not appropriate for those who have already completed a physiotherapy degree.
**For example, Chemistry, Biochemistry, Mathematics
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
This two year full time Professional Master of Physiotherapy degree programme is offered by the UCD School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science and equips graduates with the expertise and clinical skills required to practice physiotherapy (physical therapy) via a dedicated Graduate Entry programme.
Please note that this programme is not appropriate for those who have already completed a physiotherapy degree.
General application route(s) for Irish/UK/EU applicants* for International (non-EU) applicants* to Physiotherapy:
| ROWCLASS | Apply to |
|---|---|
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | X784 Physiotherapy Professional Masters Full-Time Commencing September 2026 Graduate Taught Closed |
| showAudience-audienceEU showAudience-audienceInt | X784 Physiotherapy Professional Masters Full-Time Commencing September 2027 Graduate Taught Opens 01 Oct 2026 |
