What can I do to help get a place on a Physio degree?

Help! I'm about to quit my job as an Army officer so I can follow my real passion of physiotherapy. It's really hard to get a place on a degree course now so what can I do to help me get on.

I'm going to do 3 weeks work experience - is this enough? I've got the right A levels (Biology, Maths Physics, AAB) but would it help doing a distance learning diploma in Anatomy and Physiology?

What can I do to help me - I'm giving up a pretty good job to do this so I want to do everything possible to help me in my new vocation!

you've certainly got the grades, but you are right you must get some work experience. 3 weeks is probably fine as long as you spend time in a range of wards/departments like neuro (stroke, parkinsons), outpatients, elderly wards, respiratory (ITU, surgical wards etc), amputee's, pediatrics etc....the more you see the more you can talk about in your personal statement and the uni's like to see that you have experienced all sorts of areas of physio (not just sports- whatever you do don't say you want to go into that area as so many people get rejected for emphasising one area over another).

It's really all about the personal statement (and grades obviously) so really emphasise what makes you the perfect person to be a physio and being in the armed forces I would imagine you have all the skills to be a great physio (team work, communication, decision making etc). To give yourself a better chance though I guess you could do some sort of health related course or you could actually work as a health care assistant or something like that in a hospital- that would also look good on your application.

It took me 2 attempts to get into physio (I did another degree and got a bit of work experience) but I made it even with pretty poor A-levels (compared to yours anyway!), uni's like to see determination and a drive to do the job so if you are committed to it I'm sure you'll get in no problem! :)

I hope it works out!

Thanks for the advise Oscar the physio guru in the making!

I think I'm going to have to spend my summer hols this year getting a bit more work experience. Thanks!

I agree with everything Oscar said. Definately don't mention sports in interview. What country are you planning to study in?
In UK there is great shortage of jobs so giving up a good job for a course with no job at the end may be a risk. Sorry to put a downer on things

Physio7,

Now you're making me worried!:eek:

Thanks for the advise though - anything is appreciated!

Sorry to get you worried just thought you'd better be aware of how bad it is. I know of qualified physio's who have been working on a voluntary basis as well as plenty who are working as assistants. It is really difficult to get your first job in the NHS.

This link is from the CSP(chartered society of physiotherapy) website
http://www.csp.org.uk/director/newsa...dgraduates.cfm

This is a petition complaining of the lack of jobs.
http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/Physiotherapists/?showall=1

If you look at the number of names you will see how big a problem it is.

I don't intend to scare you just trying to show you the facts.

yep it's pretty awful getting jobs at the moment, something silly like 150-300 applications per graduate job that comes up (even more in some parts of the UK)....:( I'm not looking forward to the agony of applications later this year when I graduate:rolleyes:

I suppose there is a chance that the situation may be better in a few years but there is a big backlog of people unable to get jobs, I know people who've been looking for 3 years!

Hi,
I read all your comments about this PT's situation in UK. And I'm really shocked...
I'm seeking registration as PT in UK (cauce I graduated in another EU country) and now u really opened my eyes...and i know that wouln't be registered i n this country like PT...shame!!!! :(((((

hi, i am a new member. a 3rd year student in nigeria.just started clinicals. how possible is it to apply for a 3month elective posting on canada or ireland or any other country. if it is possible, how do i apply