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Physiotherapy as a mature student - Access to HE Course study time per week?

Hi all. I've flopped my entire life from the ages 16-18, but at age 18 decided to start working in Finance. I worked in Finance since then. I'm 20 now. I'm progressing well, earning a decent salary, but I really don't like it, it's as boring as can be and have zero interest in the study material.

I've recently developed an interest in physiotherapy, after having both my leg and shoulder treated. I've done my research and have become interested not only in muscoskeletal physiotherapy, but also neurological and even cardiorespiratory. The content interests me a lot, but as a career I'd like to specialise in sports injuries and occupational health, surgery rehabilitation and back pain side of physiotherapy. So more muscoskeletal than anything else.

I'm planning on doing an access to higher education course in September 2018. I've started preparing today by reading an AS biology revision guide, and plan on revising physics and chemistry also, as that is what the course entails.

For those of you that have studied access courses in science, can you tell me how many hours a week you spent in college and how many hours a week you spent on self study? Did you get into university for studying physiotherapy?

I'm planning on doing 3 hours a day, 1 hour for biology, 1 hour for chemistry and 1 hour for physics while I'm still working in finance. Maybe 2 hours for each subject in the weekends.

But when I actually start my course, how many hours a week will I have to study? I just want to get an idea. I currently do boxing, cardio and weightlifting, so I spend like 10 hours a week exercising. I want to know if I'll have enough time to study AND do my exercise and boxing.

Physiotherapy is extremely competitive, so I'll have to get the best grades possible from the access course.
Reply 1
Original post by Ali0_o
Hi all. I've flopped my entire life from the ages 16-18, but at age 18 decided to start working in Finance. I worked in Finance since then. I'm 20 now. I'm progressing well, earning a decent salary, but I really don't like it, it's as boring as can be and have zero interest in the study material.

I've recently developed an interest in physiotherapy, after having both my leg and shoulder treated. I've done my research and have become interested not only in muscoskeletal physiotherapy, but also neurological and even cardiorespiratory. The content interests me a lot, but as a career I'd like to specialise in sports injuries and occupational health, surgery rehabilitation and back pain side of physiotherapy. So more muscoskeletal than anything else.

I'm planning on doing an access to higher education course in September 2018. I've started preparing today by reading an AS biology revision guide, and plan on revising physics and chemistry also, as that is what the course entails.

For those of you that have studied access courses in science, can you tell me how many hours a week you spent in college and how many hours a week you spent on self study? Did you get into university for studying physiotherapy?

I'm planning on doing 3 hours a day, 1 hour for biology, 1 hour for chemistry and 1 hour for physics while I'm still working in finance. Maybe 2 hours for each subject in the weekends.

But when I actually start my course, how many hours a week will I have to study? I just want to get an idea. I currently do boxing, cardio and weightlifting, so I spend like 10 hours a week exercising. I want to know if I'll have enough time to study AND do my exercise and boxing.

Physiotherapy is extremely competitive, so I'll have to get the best grades possible from the access course.


hi i am currently on an access course, although not an access to science but it an access to health. i have just secured a place at uni studying occupational therapy. You can get on to physio doin the access to health course too. its a two year course fitted into one year and is very demanding with lots of assignments to do. i do two days at college around 15 hours a week independant study.
Reply 2
Original post by Ak84
hi i am currently on an access course, although not an access to science but it an access to health. i have just secured a place at uni studying occupational therapy. You can get on to physio doin the access to health course too. its a two year course fitted into one year and is very demanding with lots of assignments to do. i do two days at college around 15 hours a week independant study.


15 hours a week independent study isn't too bad actually, I look forward to studying my access course. Good luck and enjoy uni!
Original post by Ali0_o
Hi all. I've flopped my entire life from the ages 16-18, but at age 18 decided to start working in Finance. I worked in Finance since then. I'm 20 now. I'm progressing well, earning a decent salary, but I really don't like it, it's as boring as can be and have zero interest in the study material.

I've recently developed an interest in physiotherapy, after having both my leg and shoulder treated. I've done my research and have become interested not only in muscoskeletal physiotherapy, but also neurological and even cardiorespiratory. The content interests me a lot, but as a career I'd like to specialise in sports injuries and occupational health, surgery rehabilitation and back pain side of physiotherapy. So more muscoskeletal than anything else.

I'm planning on doing an access to higher education course in September 2018. I've started preparing today by reading an AS biology revision guide, and plan on revising physics and chemistry also, as that is what the course entails.

For those of you that have studied access courses in science, can you tell me how many hours a week you spent in college and how many hours a week you spent on self study? Did you get into university for studying physiotherapy?

I'm planning on doing 3 hours a day, 1 hour for biology, 1 hour for chemistry and 1 hour for physics while I'm still working in finance. Maybe 2 hours for each subject in the weekends.

But when I actually start my course, how many hours a week will I have to study? I just want to get an idea. I currently do boxing, cardio and weightlifting, so I spend like 10 hours a week exercising. I want to know if I'll have enough time to study AND do my exercise and boxing.

Physiotherapy is extremely competitive, so I'll have to get the best grades possible from the access course.


Hey there,

Sounds like you have your heart set to studying physiotherapy.

My name is Matticus and I'll be starting my MSc (Pre-Registration) Physiotherapy course at Southampton University in January 2018.

I've actually made a video on my youtube channel covering my background, work experience, the application process, and tips for interviews:

[video="youtube;-J57VOqJLPE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J57VOqJLPE[/video]

I hope it helps you out :smile:

I also do loads of sports. I am a freerunner and train that twice a week, and I also do powerlifting 4 times a week, with occasional kickboxing too (but not as much as when I used to compete as an amateur).

I know I will make the time for my sports, but it will mean prioritising my Study, Sport and Sleep (The 3 most important S's), instead of going out clubbing with mates etc... so socialising ahaha.
And I've also starting doing youtube so weekly VLOGS and informative videos, which I intend to keep doing when I move to Southampton in January.

I think there's always enough time for your hobbies, you just have to find it.

Oh and yeah, physiotherapy is competitive. Both BSc and MSc are competitive. For southampton, 70 interviews were given for 16 places, which is roughly 1 in 5. But if you are serious about it, then the interviewers will see it and hopefully you'll get the place :biggrin:

Hope this helped!
Reply 4
Original post by Matticus C
Hey there,

Sounds like you have your heart set to studying physiotherapy.

My name is Matticus and I'll be starting my MSc (Pre-Registration) Physiotherapy course at Southampton University in January 2018.

I've actually made a video on my youtube channel covering my background, work experience, the application process, and tips for interviews:

[video="youtube;-J57VOqJLPE"]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-J57VOqJLPE[/video]

I hope it helps you out :smile:

I also do loads of sports. I am a freerunner and train that twice a week, and I also do powerlifting 4 times a week, with occasional kickboxing too (but not as much as when I used to compete as an amateur).

I know I will make the time for my sports, but it will mean prioritising my Study, Sport and Sleep (The 3 most important S's), instead of going out clubbing with mates etc... so socialising ahaha.
And I've also starting doing youtube so weekly VLOGS and informative videos, which I intend to keep doing when I move to Southampton in January.

I think there's always enough time for your hobbies, you just have to find it.

Oh and yeah, physiotherapy is competitive. Both BSc and MSc are competitive. For southampton, 70 interviews were given for 16 places, which is roughly 1 in 5. But if you are serious about it, then the interviewers will see it and hopefully you'll get the place :biggrin:

Hope this helped!


Hi Matticus, congratulations on getting into physiotherapy! It's stupidly competitive, to the point where it's just ridiculous.

I've just seen your video, I appreciate the tips and thanks for answering my questions. Good luck, buddy!
Reply 5
Hi ,i am on the same pathway,please can u tell me how did it go ,did you find enough time to study?

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