MSc vs BSc Physiotherapy

Hi there

I graduated from Sports Science two years ago now and since I have just been doing winter seasons (bumming around).

I have always been interested in becoming a physio but keep putting it off. I'm now starting to think long term and am looking into applying to universities.

One thing that was brought to my attention was which course I should do, the MSc-2 year accelerated or BSc. I'd always thought because I had done Sports Science I should do the MSc, however was chatting to a physio one day and she said she would employ someone who had done the full 3 years over the 2 year accelerated course.

I found this very surprising to hear and would quite like to get some more feedback over this.

Amy

Hi,

In my opinion it can only be personal preference. I was the same as you in that I did sports science first. I realised quite early in sports science (end of 1st year!) that physiotherapy was the way I wanted to go so i was faced with 2 options:

A - Drop out and try the BSc = 4 years (Scotland)
B - Stick it and do the accelerated route at the end = 5 years (3 remaining for sports science and 2 for MSc)

I went for B because for an extra year of my life id get a second degree as well as a masters in physio as opposed to a bachelors. You say you spoke to a physio who said theyd take a 3 year over the 2 year, each to their own I guess but in my opinion I dont see why it'd always make them a better physio. To flip the coin, I spoke to a physio before applying (fair enough it was a physio at a football club) who said the fact that I had sports science as well would make me very attractive to sports teams (as not all can afford both a physio and sports scientist - but all want both of the knowledge)... thats not to say my hearts set on working in sport though.

Also, both of the uni's I went to interviews/open days for told me that all of their masters students who had graduated this year had gone straight into jobs so I wouldnt worry too much about people thinking the accelerated course is a back door into the world of physiotherapy

I too would not employ anyone from a 2 year accelerated course. It is simple not enought time. In Australia we barely fit the course into a solid, jam packed 4 years and I think the UK is also heading to 4 yrs in some schools. To me 2 years is a money making venture. Of course others will disagree as we've had this discussion many times before..

I do appreciate the comments in relation to working with a sporting team but then that is a very limited exposure to the many roles and opportunities of the physiotherapy profession. If you want to only work with a team then 2 years might be good. But then why not do a masters in applied physiology and biomechanics which would be even better and you'd get to higher level teams perhaps above others.

Hi,
I think that employability depends on postgraduate work experience and postgrad professional development. As in = the more the better.

Yes, I agree, there is a lot of information squeezed in a short amount of time, but then again, I have seen newgrads after a 4 year degree programme who were absolutely hopeless....

Have just checked: the 2 year accelerated programme on top of BSc Sports/ Exercise Science is accepted in NZ (elegiable for NZ registration) when an additional 12 months of postgraduate clinical experience has been absolved - presumably you need to have done student placements in the core areas, too.

Regards,
Andrea

Thanks for all your opinions. It is a tough decision as I do not want to do the 2 year course and find that I should have taken the 3 year course. Yet surely me taking the 2 year masters is a better option as I will end with a degree and a masters, instead of two degrees?And my degree will have given me some basic foundation knowledge-enough to skip a year of the course?