Msc Physiotherapy - Pre-reg

Hi guys

I'm a final year sports science student and i'm in the process of applying to various universities for the accelerated Physiotherapy course at masters level, to start in January/February 2010.

Does anyone have any feedback/opinions/advice on which univerisities would be best to look at in particular? I've been unable to attend any open days due to be snowed under in work at present! The entry requirements all seem very similar, asking for at least a 2:1 in a relevant study (with sports science listed as an example), however i'm on course for a 1st at present so the entry requirements shouldn't be a problem.

The universities i've looked at applying for so far are UEA, Birmingham, Southampton, Leeds,, Manchester Kings College (although this would be a September 2010 admission).

Also - most of the applications are asking for evidence of work experience in a healthcare/physiotherapy environment. Unfortunately i don't have any direct experience in this field, however with at least 6 months between finishing my undergraduate degree and hopefully beginning this course, i intend to gain some experience. Could anyone recommend how i go about finding somewhere to volunteer at? Or is it as simple as phoning around the local practices to see whats available.

Thanks a lot.

Alright,

I'm pretty much at the same stage as you, final year sports science etc etc...

I applied to unis mainly in Scotland and have 1 solid conditional offer as well as a few interviews (some of which I won't be going to as they wern't first choices).

I'm not sure about the reps but after asking around, the two (that i applied for) which apparently had the best reps were Queen Margaret in Edinburgh and Manchester Met. At the QM open day they told us that of the 18 students that finished the MSC Pre-Reg there last November, all 18 got jobs.

As for work experience, you just have to ask around. Email people, phone people etc etc. You'd probably be amazed at how small the world is as well in terms of who knows who... for example, friends of my mum and dads who id usually never even heard of were physios in such and such a place, or knew of such and such and thats how I got mine. So speak to friends, people you work with etc because someones bound to know of someone who can help.

I only shadowed physios for a day, but it was enough to see the sort of work you could be doing as well as to sit down and get the whole nhs rotation system explained - as well as whats expected from students when they come in on placement. Fair enough I worked in a hospital for 4 years so i'm familiar with hospitals which no doubt works in my favour but I wouldnt say its make or break. I think as long as you can show that you're actually aware of what you're going for then you should be ok.