Retraining to be a physio in your thirties

[BarryJK]

I realise I have left it late, however, my friend has been a quantity surveyor for years and was made redundant about 12 months ago. The building trade is pretty dire at the moment and he is considering retraining to be a physio at the age of 49.

He is very academic, but not sure if its a job you can swap to later on in life. I know people who have become massuers in their forties and fifties but never a physiotherapist.

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[ophqui]

He will really struggle to get into a university if hes been in the building trade for the majority of his life. How is he going to show his interest in physio? how will he meet the entry requirements?

[Fyzzio]

Hm .. 3 years training, one year rotations - he's 53 by then.
Expect to need at least another 2-3 years clinical practice until you sort of know much better what you are doing and why - by then he's 56.... and will not have earned any decent money yet.
Is he really prepared for that????

Goooooooood luck,
Fyzzio

[BarryJK]

I said to him that because he has already got his massage qualifications he should concentrate on building up a client base with them and at least he can carry on earning rather go through more study.

[Ironmike]

I'm in my early thirties and in the final year of my degree. There are people in their mid forties on my course, but late 40's and 50's not sure. I think theoretically he could get in as I don't think universities are allowed to discriminate on the basis of age, so I don't think that entrance is a barrier. In terms of showing his willing to do physio, well he would have to get some experience in a department or private practice. Being a builder for most of your life is no barrier to course entry either - there is an ex bricky in the year below me. If it is something he really wants to do then why not, but it could be that by the time he gets the experience to be a senior physio 4-5 years post graduation it is pretty much time to retire. However, given the ever rising retirement age currently, don't count on it!

[BarryJK]

The ways things are we will all be working until we are 70 so he could have 10 years in practice. Alternatively he could advertise himself as a sports therapist as some massuers do and pick up private work.

[edwin33]

Hi All,

Interesting topic here!! I am in my early thirties now and this Dec, I will be completing my Diploma in Physiotherapy. I am thinking of taking a 4 years degree in physiotherapy full time and a degree in psychology part time next year. By the time I gain my degrees, I would be 38 yrs old. But as for your friend's case, if I was in his age, I would just re-invent into other fields, but not physiotherapy.