Getting into Physiotherapy

NorthCountryBoy

Hello,

Was wondering how many of you, who have successfully got onto a physio degree course, did much work experience with physios?

How much experience? Wat kind of experience? Did you do volunteer work? How did you get this work?

I have done some volunteer work at local hospital in the young disabled unit and a full day shadowing Physios in different areas in the hospital. I was on a waiting list for 6 months to have this full day. I know this is not enough, was hoping to get some advice from those who have got a place at uni.

I am starting a Access course in 3 weeks and i need to continue some form of work to support myself. So time to fit work experience or volunteer work is restrcited.

I would be starting as a mature student. Is there any mature student here? how you finding studying and supporting yourself??

Hope this makes sense as am knackered and wanted to pst it before heading for my bed.

cheers

I initially applied for Physio when I was 18 - I did 2 days work experience and managed to get places on 4 out of 6 courses..............however I idnd't get the grades so I didn't go. SO i did another degree (sports therapy) and have spent the last year and a abit working as a physiio assistant. I applied again for 2005 entry and I got in again with an unconditional offer.

Universities know that places for work experience with physios is extremely limited due to the high number of people who are interested. It sounds to me as if your work experience is highly likely enough to be able to put into contention for a place. If you can show what you learnt from that one day and your vounteer work then there is no reason why you couldn't be considered. Also, as a mature student you're likely to be considered as having "life experience" which uni's like alot!

Where are you considering applying?

So basically the point of my message is to not let yourself think that what you have isn't enough - I know others who have got in with only 1 day. If you could explain how much you learnt from that day, and your volunteer work, you stand as good a chance as any.

Reply 2

SamJL

Hi,

Mine is a similar story to Jackie's, I'm now 25, I applied for Physio when I was 18, didn't get any offers as I only had a few weeks of work experience and my predicted grades were pretty poor (BCC)...so ended up doing a sport science degree instead. I got a 2:1 in that and I also did a part time diploma in sports massage to boost my academic qualifications as I knew just a degree wouldn't guarentee you a place.....(plus my a-levels were pretty awful!)

I then worked for 3yrs in an unrelated field and applied again for physio last october, but to do a MSc (pre-reg), the accellerated physio degree for people who already have a degree. I also applied very late through UCAS for the BSc too just in case I didn't get into the MSc course. By some miracle I managed to get into my first choice and am starting the MSc in 3 weeks time!! :eek:

With regards to work experience, I have much, much less experience than Jackie, I did a couple of weeks when I was 18 in private and NHS hospitals...then nothing much for a couple of years. I did get a lot of practical experience from my sports massage qualification, but that was all private and uni's prefer you to do NHS if possible so you can see all the different areas of physio. More recently I spent about a week in local NHS hospitals, primary care clinics (like outpatients) and also at a NHS rehab hospital. Plus I did quite a bit of volunteer work at a school for children with special needs....so not a great deal, but it was enough to convince the admissions people that I knew what the job was about.

I think the important thing is that when you meet the admissions people for your interviews (and also on your application forms), you'll need to show them that you fully understand the challenges of the job, and can say you've experienced all the different departments and observed what a physio actually does. The more work experience you have the better, had I not got in this time around I would definitley have applied to do what jackie did, working as a physio assistant. It's getting harder to get into nowadays without a doubt, a lot of people end up working as physio assistants or health care assistants just to get in...shows you how popular the course is!
Saying that a lot of people at my interview for the Msc only had a few days of work experience....I'm not sure how they got as far as they did to be honest!! :confused:

They must have had excellent grades or wrote very good personal statements! I can't imagine they would have a good grasp of the job with only a few days experience.....

It's difficult when you are a mature student as you have other commitments, work, family etc so it's hard to squeeze work experience in too- I had to do mine in my holidays (and keep it quiet as I didn't want work knowing!), which makes it even tougher. Be pursistent with the NHS hospitals, these will give you the best work experience possible, more so than private clinics :smile:

Reply 3

OP

Thanks JackieS and SamJL for replying.

I was planning on going to Glasgow Caledonian Uni, as that is where I am from and that they have a progression route for 6 people from the Access Course i am starting at college.

I know that it is difficult to get into physio. I had to sit a couple of tests and an interview from the college, just to be put forward for the Uni Interviews. SO out of the 30 odd people that applied for the Access course, about 10 (including me) had to then have interviews with the Uni. The Uni then picked the 6 (and a reserve) they would gave automactic places to on completing the Access COurse. As you can tell i was not one of the six.

I knew myself during the interview that i had not prepared properly. i am not the greatest person at talking myself up. I had concentrating on remember everything i did during my day at hospital etc. but not remembering about the course itself. Was confusing their course with the other courses down in england. And could i think of subjects/stuff i would be learning, other than the mechanics of body and muscles? No my head went blank.

So like you said when i get in front of the interviewers ( if i can get that far) i need to show them i know what is required and expected. I just need to prepare better. I can still remember every step of the day spent shadowing. Shall i tell you... only joking this post is looking to big already.

I have tried applying for a few physio assistant jobs at the end of last year, but when i explain to them that i am planning on going to college this year. They said they where really needing someone they can train up etc for the long term. I am alot older than you two, i turned 30 this year. so to spend a year or so, working long term as an assistant would not be ideal as i have spoken to people and read about how getting a place once u get near 35 is even harder.

I dont know if i could pester my local hospitals again they explain to me that they only take 2 people a month for a days shadowing due to how busy they are. Just wondered how to find oout about other means of experience, such as helping out at special schools etc.

The other person who was with me at the hospital did exactly the same as you two. She had dont a degree in sport and was now thinking of applying for msc.

If your wondering how i still able to go on the Access Course, its coz i asked to take the one Independant place. I just have to apply to uni's like everyone else. I need this Access Health course as i am from from an IT Background.

See I am even willing to take a massive drop in wages, then again thats if there is jobs to go into. I have no doubt they will have this junior posts issue sorted by the time you two have finished your courses.

Thanks again and good luck

Reply 4

SamJL

Hi

I'm sorry to hear you didn't make it as one of the 6, did they tell you why you weren't successful? Was it an academic reason or work experience issue?

I think you're doing the right thing approaching your hospitals, they do get really busy- where I went for mine they actually have so many people in, that they have a structured week long programme for each work experience student! It's a good idea though as you get to see everything....

Re the other experience, I just approached a special school locally and asked if they needed volunteers. We didn't do much physio really, just helping out in the hydrotherapy pool, playing games with the kids etc...but it shows you take an active role in your community etc which always looks good!

With the assistant physio jobs, I wouldn't bother telling them you only want to do it for a short period, I know thats a bit dishonest but so many people want to do it they fill the vacancies pretty fast....I expect they're used to people coming for 6 months and then going! Jackie's the expert on that though! :wink:

Interviews are really nerve wracking no matter what age you are, I think all uni's like to see that you are prepared in terms of what the course involves (mine were pretty hot on that), so it's a good idea to read absolutley everything you can about the course...and have some questions prepared to ask them too :smile:

Best of luck!!

Reply 5

OP

Hello Sam,

I knew i had messed up parts of the interview. They did not tell me. I called the College up coz i had not heard anything and it was them that told i was not one of the 6. DId ask college if they could get some fed back from them, no matter how negative it is, though never heard anything back. Cant see it being academic, as the Access course is for those you dont have any recent education or the right qualifications.

I'll maybe try some more volunteer work and maybe chance it at my other local hospital.

I hate lying Sam. besides i'll be starting this course so couldnt work full time as Physio assistant.

I just need to prepare probably next time. thanks for your advice. So your heading for ediburgh? Thats really good uni to study physio at. heard their quite choosey at who they let in.

Wat other universities are well known for the physio? i hear manchester is one of them.

thanks again Sam

Reply 6

SamJL

NorthCountryBoy

Hello Sam,

I knew i had messed up parts of the interview. They did not tell me. I called the College up coz i had not heard anything and it was them that told i was not one of the 6. DId ask college if they could get some fed back from them, no matter how negative it is, though never heard anything back. Cant see it being academic, as the Access course is for those you dont have any recent education or the right qualifications.

I'll maybe try some more volunteer work and maybe chance it at my other local hospital.

I hate lying Sam. besides i'll be starting this course so couldnt work full time as Physio assistant.

I just need to prepare probably next time. thanks for your advice. So your heading for ediburgh? Thats really good uni to study physio at. heard their quite choosey at who they let in.

Wat other universities are well known for the physio? i hear manchester is one of them.

thanks again Sam

Yep, Manchester is meant to be one of the best in the country, as is Liverpool, Cardiff, Southampton and St Georges in London....have a look at this link:

http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gooduniversityguide2005/20othermed.pdf

It's the Times Online's league table for 'Other Subjects Allied to Medicine', some of them don't actually do physio but for the ones that do it gives you an idea...Cardiff comes out on top. Take it with a pinch of salt though as most tables are subjective :smile:

Reply 7

SamJL

Yep, Manchester is meant to be one of the best in the country, as is Liverpool, Cardiff, Southampton and St Georges in London....have a look at this link:

http://extras.timesonline.co.uk/gooduniversityguide2005/20othermed.pdf

It's the Times Online's league table for 'Other Subjects Allied to Medicine', some of them don't actually do physio but for the ones that do it gives you an idea...Cardiff comes out on top. Take it with a pinch of salt though as most tables are subjective :smile:

as for lying for assiatnt jobs don't lie - just dont tell them! That isn't technically lying!

When I applied for my physio assistant job they asked me if I wanted to be a physio. I just "yes at some point, but I haven't made any firm deicsion as to when or if" - I had but it was only a slight bend in the truth!

Reply 8

saturn

JackieS

as for lying for assiatnt jobs don't lie - just dont tell them! That isn't technically lying!

When I applied for my physio assistant job they asked me if I wanted to be a physio. I just "yes at some point, but I haven't made any firm deicsion as to when or if" - I had but it was only a slight bend in the truth!

Im wondering could I get onto physiotherapy with a psychology degree? And of course a few weeks experience

Reply 9

OP

SO Jackie, what uni's did you apply for and why?? Does everyone in england have to pay there own fees or is it base on your income and parents income??

not to sure about how it works. from what i know here in scotland your fees get paid for you or does that also depend on your income?

JackieS

as for lying for assiatnt jobs don't lie - just dont tell them! That isn't technically lying!

When I applied for my physio assistant job they asked me if I wanted to be a physio. I just "yes at some point, but I haven't made any firm deicsion as to when or if" - I had but it was only a slight bend in the truth!

Reply 10

saturn

Im wondering could I get onto physiotherapy with a psychology degree? And of course a few weeks experience

no reason why not - someone at kcl had a degree in mechanical engineering!

Reply 11

NorthCountryBoy

SO Jackie, what uni's did you apply for and why?? Does everyone in england have to pay there own fees or is it base on your income and parents income??

not to sure about how it works. from what i know here in scotland your fees get paid for you or does that also depend on your income?

i'm not sure how it works in scotland.....

for bth undergraduate and pre-reg MSc's in England your tuition fees are paid for and you're entitled to a student bursary of around 1500-2000 pounds per year which you don't have to pay back..........this is means tested (based on yours/parents/partners income). Plus you're entitled to a student loan which is also means tested but you need to pay it back eventually

Reply 12

!LJ!

NorthCountryBoy

SO Jackie, what uni's did you apply for and why?? Does everyone in england have to pay there own fees or is it base on your income and parents income??

not to sure about how it works. from what i know here in scotland your fees get paid for you or does that also depend on your income?

Hey North country boy! The other two girls know me by now, my story in SHORT!

-Age 24
-background sports science degree
-applied to 10 physio uni courses for 05/06 (through UCAS and for MScs)
-had work exp at local hospital-1day, Exeter city hospital 2 days, marine base 1day, community hospitals around devon 3 days, stroke rehab centre 1day, Then a volunteer at a stroke rehab weekly gym group at exeter uni twice a week for 3 months,worked as a care assistant for 2weeks,then a volunteer at a school for partially sighted/disabled school---where I was offered a job as Physio assistant! Took job, worked there for 6 months, applied to Exeter hospital (RD&E) for Physio Technical instructor, interviewed and got job, been working there for 1 month now.
- Got into Plymouth, Cardiff 2yr and Southampton MSc.
-Going to Southampton in Jan 06!

My advice is do anything healthcare related for experience, it doesnt have to be physio related especially, just be pro active and write lots of letters to anywhere which you could go visit or be a volunteer at..

The more you do, the more you can chataway in interviews and big yourself up!

Good luck....You can never have too much work experience!

ps, I got rubbish Alevels! :confused:

Reply 13

!LJ!

Hey North country boy! The other two girls know me by now, my story in SHORT!

-Age 24
-background sports science degree
-applied to 10 physio uni courses for 05/06 (through UCAS and for MScs)
-had work exp at local hospital-1day, Exeter city hospital 2 days, marine base 1day, community hospitals around devon 3 days, stroke rehab centre 1day, Then a volunteer at a stroke rehab weekly gym group at exeter uni twice a week for 3 months,worked as a care assistant for 2weeks,then a volunteer at a school for partially sighted/disabled school---where I was offered a job as Physio assistant! Took job, worked there for 6 months, applied to Exeter hospital (RD&E) for Physio Technical instructor, interviewed and got job, been working there for 1 month now.
- Got into Plymouth, Cardiff 2yr and Southampton MSc.
-Going to Southampton in Jan 06!

My advice is do anything healthcare related for experience, it doesnt have to be physio related especially, just be pro active and write lots of letters to anywhere which you could go visit or be a volunteer at..

The more you do, the more you can chataway in interviews and big yourself up!

Good luck....You can never have too much work experience!

ps, I got rubbish Alevels! :confused:

I'm pretty mjuch the same as LJ.

Applied for Physio when I was 18, and had a conditional offer at Manchester. Didn't get the grades (got CCD and needed BBB) so I went to the uni of hertfordshire and did a BSc Hons ins Sports Therapy. Finished uni with a first and started a job as a physiotherapy technical instructor at a hospital for older people with dementia and depression. Reapplied for both MSc and BSc entry in 2005. Applied to Kings (MSc and BSc), East London, St Georges and Brunel (BSc). hAD INTERVIEWS FOR kcl (MSc) and St Georges (also had one for Brunel but declined it) and I got into St Georges with an unconditional offer.

Working for a year was definitely the best thing I could have done. If you can't fit a paid job around your course then try doing something voluntary...............anything healthcare related will help you out.

Reply 14

OP

HI LJ,

Sounds like you sent alot of letters. Do you fancy writing letters for me? lol.

I dont know where your from, but did you travel alot? You mentioned your local hospital, then Exeter hospital, Around Devon etc.. You write alot of letters to hospitals? I had to wait 6months before the hospital could give me a days shadowing. over wat period of time did you do all this LJ?

I know i need to be pro-active, just am not great at putting things into words(not looking forward to filling in a ucas form, personal statement etc) and dont like to pester people. Suppose it needs to be to give myself at least a wee chance of getting in.

Dont know how i am going to fit some experience in with my access course, because i really do need to take parttime work to support myself.

By the way, is there any blokes that do physiotherapy? Think i saw 1 guy during the shadowing. Volunteer work all physios where females. I am guessing Jackies, SamJL and yourself are also female.

Good luck in southhampton.

Thanks again LJ and JackieS

!LJ!

Hey North country boy! The other two girls know me by now, my story in SHORT!

-Age 24
-background sports science degree
-applied to 10 physio uni courses for 05/06 (through UCAS and for MScs)
-had work exp at local hospital-1day, Exeter city hospital 2 days, marine base 1day, community hospitals around devon 3 days, stroke rehab centre 1day, Then a volunteer at a stroke rehab weekly gym group at exeter uni twice a week for 3 months,worked as a care assistant for 2weeks,then a volunteer at a school for partially sighted/disabled school---where I was offered a job as Physio assistant! Took job, worked there for 6 months, applied to Exeter hospital (RD&E) for Physio Technical instructor, interviewed and got job, been working there for 1 month now.
- Got into Plymouth, Cardiff 2yr and Southampton MSc.
-Going to Southampton in Jan 06!

My advice is do anything healthcare related for experience, it doesnt have to be physio related especially, just be pro active and write lots of letters to anywhere which you could go visit or be a volunteer at..

The more you do, the more you can chataway in interviews and big yourself up!

Good luck....You can never have too much work experience!

ps, I got rubbish Alevels! :confused:

Reply 15

Perhaps you could do some voluntary work one day one the weekend at the loal hospital?

whats our definition of part itime? 5 hours? 10 hours? etc - You might be able to get a parttime physio assistant job - check out www.nhsjobs.com my job is only 16 hours a week and I've seen physio assistant jobs for as little as 8 and 10 hours a week..................

The more experience you can have the better but if you can't physi experience then talk to as many physio's as you can, learn about the course and he career, and see if you can get somework related to helath care somehow

The other thing you could do is - some hospitals have a bank system, msotly for nursea and HCAs. Its abit like a temping agency for healthcare workers. You sign up and tell them when you ca work, and they give you hours based on what ever you tell them.

Loads of blokes on Physio!

Reply 16

!LJ!