1. The part-time programme leading to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy shall be of four years' duration. The maximum period of registration shall normally be six years. This period of registration will incorporate periods of suspension of studies.
   
   
2. Candidates for admission must satisfy the Regulations for Admission to Degree Courses as specified in Section IV of the General Regulations and meet the entry requirements for either school leaver or mature applicants stipulated for this professional route.
   
   
3. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to specific health requirements (consistent with the provisions of the Disability Discrimination Act, 1995). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of any health problems relevant to their future employment as a health professional. All students will be subject to an occupational health check.
   
   
4. Admission to, and continuation on, the programme is subject to consideration of any criminal convictions. The programme is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (1986). This is to comply with statutory requirements laid down by the Health Act (1999) and the Health Professions Council. Prospective students are required to inform the Head of Programme of all criminal convictions. All students will be subject to an enhanced Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check.
   
   
5. Students holding a professional qualification in Physiotherapy may register for individual units and, on satisfactory completion of that unit, may be awarded the appropriate credit.
   
   
6. All candidates registered for the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy shall be candidates for an Honours degree since this is the minimum level of attainment laid down by the professional body and the Health Professions Council as a pre-requisite for registration as an physiotherapist.
   
   
7. In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy, candidates must:
   
   
   1. have satisfied the entry requirement;
      
   2. have followed the four-year curriculum and passed all the required assessments and examinations;
      
   3. have completed to pass-level all practical work, clinical placements and other coursework as required;
      
   4. be judged as of good character and worthy of admission to the Health Professions Council's register.
      
      
8. Progress from one level of the programme to the next will depend upon the successful completion of the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, and the satisfactory completion of practice work and placements.
   
   
9. The first level of the curriculum shall extend over three semesters and comprise of the following units of study:
   
   
   • IPLU1 - Collaborative Learning
     
   • Foundations of Professional Practice
     
   • Professional Practice - Moving and Handling
     
   • Professional Practice - Communication Skills
     
   • Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 1
     
   • Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice 2
     
   • Clinical Management 1
     
   • Practice Placement B
     
     
10. Students who are successful at all level one assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Certificate of Allied Health Studies.
    
    
11. The second level of the curriculum shall extend over three semesters and comprise the following units of study:
    
    
    • IPLU2 - Inter-professional Team Working
      
    • Professional Practice - Methods of Inquiry
      
    • Professional Practice - Practising Ethics
      
    • Professional Practice - Health Promotion and Education
      
    • Applied Science - Psychosocial Sciences
      
    • Clinical Management 2
      
    • Integrated Clinical Management
      
    • Practice Placement C1
      
    • Practice Placement C2
      
      
12. Students who are successful at all level two assessments but are unable to complete their full degree studies shall be eligible for the exit award of a Diploma of Allied Health Studies.
    
    
13. The third level of the curriculum will extend over two semesters and a long practice placement in the summer and will comprise:
    
    
    • IPLU3 - Interprofessional Development in Practice
      
    • Professional Practice - Professional Development
      
    • Professional Practice - Research Project
      
    • Complex Clinical Management
      
    • Option
      
    • Practice Placement D
      
      
14. Any student who experiences grave or terminal illness/injury which prevents them from continuing on their programme of study and achieving qualification may be eligible for a posthumous or aegrotat degree named BSc with Honours in Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be named as BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy since the term 'physiotherapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as Physiotherapists.
    
    
15. Any student who accrues more than 300 credits (120 at level I, 120 at level II and 60 at level III), but is unable to complete their full degree studies, shall be eligible for the award of a BSc in Allied Health Studies. The award cannot be named as a BSc Physiotherapy since the term 'Physiotherapy' is a title protected under the Health Act (1999) for those who are fully qualified and registered as Physiotherapists.
    
    
16. The outline of the content of each unit shall be specified in the Unit Profiles and made available to students in the programme handbooks.
    
    
17. In each year, students shall be examined by means of in-programme assessments, practice assessments and formal examinations. A candidate who fails to satisfy the examiners will normally be re-examined during the following summer vacation. The opportunity for in-year retrieval for Level 3 students allows an option to take Semester One referred examinations during the Semester Two examination weeks at the decision of the student. This would allow them to graduate with their cohort. Failure at re-examination will normally result in a recommendation for termination of the programme. Under normal circumstances, only one opportunity to re-take assessment will be permitted.
    
    
18. In order to progress from one level of the programme to the next, students must successfully complete the appropriate examination and coursework requirements, practice placement and other practical work in the particular level of study.
    
    
19. In exceptional circumstances, the Board of Examiners may allow the retake of an entire academic level, although this opportunity will be permitted on only one occasion and is subject to the payment of fees through the normal contract arrangements.
    
    
20. Where a fail mark has been recorded by the Board of Examiners, and where medical or other exceptional and substantial circumstances have affected a candidate's performance, the candidate may be granted a concessionary attempt at the examination or part thereof without recording the previous attempt.
    
    
21. To graduate from the programme, students must have satisfactorily completed all components including the required practice placement hours.
    
    
22. Following the Board of Examiners, a list of successful candidates will be issued with their full names in alphabetical order arranged in the following classes and divisions: First Class, Second Class (Upper Division), Second Class (Lower Division), Third Class.
    

Submitted by the Secretariat
Last reviewed: 04-Feb-2008
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