Physiotherapy

Length and structure

Foundation Year (FY) consists of two semesters delivered from September to May of the first year.

• Semester 1 (FY1) – from September to December
• Semester 2 (FY2) – from January to May

Each semester comprises 12 direct-contact teaching weeks, one week of revision and two weeks of examinations.

FY will provide you with a solid grounding in the biomedical sciences and professionalism as well as providing you with the necessary IT skills to operate effectively within the University's virtual learning environment (VLE).

The course is delivered as a series of stand-alone five credit modules taught in a single semester and integrated, systems-based modules, delivered across two semesters. The 'Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice' module provides you with an appreciation for the array of clinical specialties and settings in which physiotherapists work. It also presents the first opportunity for a clinical visit.

The FY structure is as follows:

Semester 1

• Fundamentals of Medical Physics (5 credits)
• Fundamentals of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry (5 credits)
• Fundamentals of Human Biology (5 credits)

Semester 2

• Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics (5 credits)
• Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice (5 credits)

Semesters 1 and 2

• Musculoskeletal System, Nervous System, Skin, Special Senses, Reproduction and Endocrine Systems (10 credits)
• Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Immune, Gastrointestinal and Excretory Systems (10 credits)
• Professionalism in the Health Sciences (10 credits)
• Biomedical Laboratory Sciences (5 credits)

Teaching styles

FY is delivered as:

• Lectures
• Tutorials
• Small group teaching
• Laboratory practicals
• Electives

Tutorials serve to reinforce and enhance your understanding of the fundamental concepts covered in lectures and test basic understanding through applied problems in a practical context.

Elective opportunities facilitate your growing awareness of the crucial roles that communication, culture, collaboration, critical thinking, medical ethics, information literacy, project management and self-reflection play in the professional practice of physiotherapy, and provide students with an opportunity to work collectively with the Medicine and Pharmacy programmes.

Assessment

Each module is assessed independently by a combination of continuous assessment (laboratory write ups, mid-semester multiple choice question (MCQ) assessments, reflective assignments, group projects) and summative end of semester MCQ and short note question (SNQ) papers.

Timetable

Below is an example of a typical week for a FY student.

Length and structure

School Leavers and Mature Entry students are joined by Graduate Entry students at this stage of the programme.

• Semester 1 – from September to December
• Semester 2 – from January to May

Each semester comprises 12 direct-contact teaching weeks, one week of revision and two weeks of examinations. Upon completion of examinations in the second semester, you will undertake your first (two-week) clinical placement in May.

First Physiotherapy will provide you with a sound scientific knowledge base to underpin the practice of physiotherapy. You will gain an understanding of the structure, function and inter-relationship of systems in the human body through studies in anatomy and physiology.

Modules such as Neuromusculoskeletal I and II are completed in parallel to core sciences in First Physiotherapy to facilitate the integration of learning. These modules aim to develop an understanding of human movement, strength and the whole-body functions of posture, balance and gait. They also aim to develop an understanding of the pathology of upper and lower limb orthopaedic and musculoskeletal conditions, and the physiotherapy assessment and management of musculoskeletal disorders, specifically in the development of manual therapy and exercise prescription skills, underpinned by evidence-based practice.  

The First Physiotherapy structure is as follows:

Semester 1

• Anatomy (10 credits)
• Neuromusculoskeletal I (10 credits)
• Physiology (5 credits)
• Methods of Enquiry (2.5 credits)
• Physics (2.5 credits)

Semester 2

• Neuromusculoskeletal II (10 credits)
• Neuroscience Anatomy (5 credits)
• Health Psychology (10 credits)
• Professional Development I (2.5 credits)
• Clinical Placement 1 (2.5 credits)

Teaching styles

First Physiotherapy is delivered as:

• Lectures
• Small group practicals
• Tutorials
• Anatomy dissection
• Projects, in collaboration with Medicine and Pharmacy students
• Inter-professional activities using patient simulation 

RCSI is one of the few schools in Ireland and the UK to teach anatomy through cadaveric dissection, in the original, and historical, RCSI Anatomy Room.

Tutorials and practical classes serve to reinforce and enhance your understanding of the fundamental concepts and skills outlined in lectures and test basic understanding through applied problems in a practical context. Practical classes are delivered to smaller groups in order to enhance your learning experience, afforded by lower student-teacher ratios.

Assessment

Each module is assessed independently by a combination of continuous assessment (e.g. seminars, anatomy card signings, assignments and group projects) and summative end of semester examinations – multiple choice questions (MCQs), short note question (SNQ) papers, practical exams and Objective Structured Clinical Exams (OSCEs).

Timetable

Below is an example of a typical week for a First Physiotherapy student.

Length and structure

Second Physiotherapy consists of two semesters:

• Semester 1 – from September to December
• Semester 2 – from January to May

Second Physiotherapy will build on what you have already studied in First Physiotherapy. In this year, the knowledge and skills of physiotherapeutic practice are further consolidated.

The focus is on the application and analysis of problems and their effects in core clinical areas, e.g. cardiovascular/respiratory, neurology and musculoskeletal. In this year, you will gain an understanding of the research process and develop an ability to appraise and evaluate research and literature. In Second Physiotherapy, clinical education blocks alternate with academic modules and are undertaken in a variety of clinical settings. In the clinical environment, you will develop an understanding of the context of physiotherapy practice.

The Second Physiotherapy structure is as follows:

Semester 1

• Advanced Musculoskeletal I (5 credits)
• Neuroscience Psychology (5 credits)
• Respiratory/Cardiovascular I (5 credits)
• Neurology I (5 credits)
• Professional Development II (5 credits)
• Clinical Placement 2 (5 credits)
• Research Methods I (5 credits)

Semester 2

• Advanced Musculoskeletal II (5 credits)
• Clinical Placement 3 (5 credits)
• Respiratory/Cardiovascular II (5 credits)
• Neurology II (5 credits)
• Clinical Placement 4 (5 credits)

Teaching styles

Second Physiotherapy is delivered as:

• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Case study presentations
• Simulation teaching
• Tutorials

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are employed including written and practical examinations, oral presentations, and coursework assignments. Clinical placement performance is assessed by clinical tutors and clinical educators.

Timetable

Below is an example of a typical academic week for a Second Physiotherapy student.

Academic blocks are integrated with full-time clinical placement blocks in both semesters as follows:

Semester 1

• Academic block (five weeks)
• Clinical block (five weeks)
• Academic block (five weeks)

Semester 2

• Clinical block (five weeks)
• Academic block (five weeks)
• Clinical block (five weeks)

Length and structure

Final Physiotherapy consists of two semesters:

• Semester 1 – from September to December
• Semester 2 – from January to May

Your final year will focus on the integration of the knowledge you've already obtained in the programme and understanding an advanced level of practice. Modules in Final Physiotherapy cover more specialised areas of practice, e.g. Sports Physiotherapy, Women’s Health, Care of the Elderly and Paediatrics.

Your ability to evaluate and undertake research is also developed further by completing a research protocol.

In the clinical setting, you will encounter a more diverse and complex range of client groups in your final year. Clinical placement modules include advanced respiratory paediatrics, advanced musculoskeletal and advanced neurology. Throughout the programme, clinical education is a central element, and you will undertake 1,000+ hours on a full-time block basis. This will assist you in gaining essential clinical experience under the supervision of physiotherapy clinical tutors and senior physiotherapy clinicians.

The Final Physiotherapy structure is as follows:

Semester 1

• Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan I (Sports Physiotherapy, Women’s Health, Paediatrics) (15 credits)
• Research Methods II (5 credits)
• Clinical Placement 5 (5 credits)
• Clinical Placement 6 (5 credits)

Semester 2

• Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan II (Care of the Elderly) (5 credits)
• Complex Clinical Care Management (10 credits)
• Research Methods II (10 credits)
• Clinical Placement 7 (5 credits)

Teaching styles

Final Physiotherapy is delivered as:

• Lectures
• Practical classes
• Case study presentations
• Problem-solving workshops
• Tutorials

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are employed including written and practical examinations, oral presentations, and coursework assignments. Clinical placement performance is assessed by clinical tutors and clinical educators.

Timetable

Below is an example of a typical academic week for a Final Physiotherapy student.

Academic blocks are integrated with full-time clinical placement blocks in both semesters as follows:

Semester 1

• Clinical block (five weeks)
• Academic block (five weeks)
• Clinical block (five weeks)

Semester 2

• Academic block (five weeks)
• Clinical block (five weeks)
• Academic block (five weeks)