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Physiotherapist

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Physiotherapists are healthcare professionals who help people affected by injury, illness, or disability through movement, exercise, manual therapy, education, and advice. In the UK, physiotherapists work in a variety of settings including hospitals, clinics, sports clubs, and in patients' homes. Their role is to improve a patient's physical function, relieve pain, and promote overall health. Physiotherapists often work as part of a multidisciplinary team, collaborating with doctors, nurses, and other therapists to develop treatment plans. The career requires excellent communication skills, empathy, and a strong understanding of human anatomy and physiology. To practise as a physiotherapist in the UK, you must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and typically hold a degree in physiotherapy.

Physiotherapist

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📊 Statistics

Average Salary

Newly qualified physiotherapists in the NHS usually start at Band 5, earning between £28,407 and £34,581 per year.

Workforce Numbers

There are over 61,000 registered physiotherapists in the UK as of 2023.

Employment Sectors

Approximately 85 percent of physiotherapists work in the NHS, with others working in private practice, sports, and community settings.

🚀 Careers in this path

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Paediatric Physiotherapist

Specialises in helping children with physical difficulties to improve their movement and function through tailored exercises and treatments.

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Sports Physiotherapist

Works with athletes and sports teams to prevent, diagnose, and treat sports-related injuries, helping them recover and return to peak performance.

Neurological Physiotherapist

Focuses on supporting people who have neurological conditions, such as stroke or multiple sclerosis, to regain movement and independence.

Achieve Relevant Qualifications

Complete GCSEs and A levels

Achieve good GCSEs, including English, maths, and science, then study A levels or equivalent qualifications, focusing on biology or physical education.

Most UK universities require at least five GCSEs at grades 9 to 4, including English, maths, and science. For A levels, biology is particularly important for physiotherapy courses. Alternatively, you could study a Level 3 BTEC Diploma in Health and Social Care with biology modules.

Obtain a Degree in Physiotherapy

Apply for and complete a BSc (Hons) degree in Physiotherapy approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Physiotherapy degrees usually take three years full time and include both academic and practical clinical placements. Entry is competitive, so strong academic results and relevant work experience will help your application.

Register with the HCPC

After graduating, register with the Health and Care Professions Council to practise as a qualified physiotherapist.

Registration with the HCPC is a legal requirement to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK. You will need to provide evidence of your degree and may be subject to background and health checks.

Gain Practical Experience

Complete Clinical Placements

During your degree, take part in clinical placements in hospitals, clinics, and community settings.

Placements are essential for developing hands-on skills and understanding patient care. You will work with qualified physiotherapists, interact with patients, and gain insight into different specialisms, such as musculoskeletal, neurological, or respiratory physiotherapy.

Seek Voluntary or Part-Time Work

Gain additional experience by volunteering or working as a physiotherapy assistant or in related healthcare roles.

Volunteering in hospitals, care homes, or sports clubs can build your confidence and give you valuable insights into the profession. These experiences can also strengthen your university or job applications.

Begin Your Physiotherapy Career

Apply for Physiotherapist Roles

Apply for jobs in the NHS, private clinics, sports teams, or community health services.

Most new physiotherapists start in the NHS, progressing through structured banding systems. There are opportunities to specialise in areas such as paediatrics, elderly care, or sports therapy. Private practice and research roles are also options as you gain experience.

Continue Professional Development

Stay up to date with new techniques and maintain your HCPC registration by completing regular training and courses.

Physiotherapists must undertake continuing professional development (CPD) to keep their skills current. This can include attending workshops, completing online courses, or gaining further qualifications in specialist areas.

🎯 View Apprenticeships

Explore relevant apprenticeships that can help you kickstart your career in Physiotherapist. Apprenticeships offer hands-on experience and training while earning a wage.

🎓 View Apprenticeships

Career Progressions

This page showcases various career options and the pathways to reach them. Each career listed here shares transferable skills and knowledge, making it easier for individuals to transition between them.

Your current career is highlighted to help you see how it fits into the broader landscape of potential career choices. By clicking on any career, you can learn more about it, including the training and education required to pursue it.

Remember, progressing in your career often involves further learning and training. This page provides insights into future career options as well as those that can lead up to your current one.

These career progression decisions are informed by comparing the skills and knowledge needed for different occupations, along with data on how people move between them. Explore the possibilities and discover the exciting journey ahead in your career!

Sample Qualifications

How to become

You can get into this job through:

  • a university course
  • an apprenticeship
  • working towards this role

University

You can do a physiotherapy degree course approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

You can also do a postgraduate master's course if you already have a first degree in a related subject, like:

  • biological science
  • health science
  • sports and exercise science

Once you are qualified and have clinical experience you could specialise in an area like sports injuries and rehabilitation.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including biology for a degree
  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

Apprenticeship

You can apply to do a Physiotherapist Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship.

It usually takes 4 years to complete and includes a mix of learning on the job while studying at university.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, preferably including biology, for a degree apprenticeship

More Information

Work

You may be able to start as a physiotherapy assistant and study part time for a degree or degree apprenticeship to qualify as a physiotherapist.

Volunteering

You'll find it helpful to get some get some volunteering experience in a healthcare setting before you apply for a course.

You can also get advice on work experience from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

More Information

Registration

Career tips

You'll be expected to show an understanding of the NHS values when applying for jobs and apprenticeships.

If you're interested in sports physiotherapy, it will help if you can get some experience with an amateur sports team or club. This will show your commitment when it comes to applying for training and jobs.

Professional and industry bodies

You can join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy for professional development and to build up your contacts in the industry.

Further information

You can find out more about a career in physiotherapy from:

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