Year 12s: what will be the first way you research your future options? >>

Physiotherapy

Hi guys,
I’m relatively new to this sort of thing so go easy. Basically I’ve been in the Royal Navy for over 6 years now but I intend to leave next September. I’ve started applying to colleges to do an Access course in Science as I don’t have any A-levels and only one GCSE above a C grade in English which I did with no tuition whatsoever, and if I’m honest I just took the exam and passed so I know I’m not stupid. I didn’t do well in school and I’m quite open and honest about this and was mainly due to the naivety of my 16 year old self and a personal problem. I’m very keen on becoming a Physiotherapist as It’s something I’ve always been interested in but have never been to confident with the application process for obvious reasons. On looking at different Universities I’ve noticed that some offer a foundation year leading onto a physiotherapy degree and wondering if anyone has done one of these foundation years or know somebody that has done one. On contacting Sheffield Hallam they came back and said that basically if you don’t meet the required minimum grades you stand a very slim chance of getting a place. On looking at my sent email I failed to tell them my age and my background. I was wondering if anybody knows if they’ll overlook my academic background and give me chance based on my experience.

Thanks for any help that’s offered. Much appreciated.

Reply 1

Ironmike

If you're over 21, you are classed as a mature student, and yes different criteria apply to your application. As you don't have a prior degree, then I believe that you will be expected to do an access course. Best bet would be to contact the universities that you are wanting to go to, and ask them direct what they will accept, and how you can go about securing a place. Not sure if courses exist for physio whereby you are guaranteed entry upon passing the access course, but a number of people in my year came from that route, so it's very possible.

Reply 2

honoris

Can't you try and switch over your training in the forces as I know there is an RAF sponsorship scheme to become a Medical Support Officer (Physio Specialist) ?

Reply 3

davieez

Hi,

Ive just finished an access course myself in June and i don't think you would get on an access course with only 1 GCSE. you would need to do your GCSE's first and then do the Access course. On my college access course there were people that were doing their GCSES alongside their Access course. I don't know if that was part of their acceptance on the course, you'd have to look into it.

Also i got C's in all my GCSE science subjects at school. When i went to university open days looking to do physiotherapy and radiography, the radiography course said that they wouldn't accept me on the course without a B in GSCE physics. This seemed ludicrous to me cos id achieved nearly all distinctions on my Access course, but to uni's GCSEs matter just as much as your A levels. Physiotherapy was only marginally more lenient accepting a C at GCSE. In the end i decided that i wanted to do Physiotherapy anyway so it didn't really matter in the end as i had the required GCSE's.

Good Luck with whatever you decide to do though mate. I decided at 24 that i wanted to start on this road to a new career so time is on your side. I like to think now that im older im more focused on what i want to do in my life than when i was in school. I never really tried that hard when i was at school, but in doing the Access course ive really suprised myself how well ive done just by working hard and getting my head down, just makes me think if id tried this hard at school lol. anyway some of us are late bloomers i guess :smile: