Attained a third class Sports and exercise therapy, am I doomed

Due to certain circumstances in my last year I wasn’t able to attain the grades I want. I want to still pursue a career physiotherapy or health related career. What is my best option?

Reply 1

normaw

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

To become a physio you would need to take a pre-reg masters or an undergrad degree in physio. Have you looked at any courses? It's worth looking through the entry requirements for a few unis and then calling the admissions departments to see if they would consider you. The following tool is the best place to search for courses:

https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder

Reply 2

$hadow

Original post by ProperStoic

Due to certain circumstances in my last year I wasn’t able to attain the grades I want. I want to still pursue a career physiotherapy or health related career. What is my best option?

TYPICALLY, you require a 2.1 or 2.2 minimum.

However, there are rarer cases where healthcare experience (physio assistant, etc) and further education (postgraduate diploma or certificate) has been accepted from what I have heard.

But @normaw is correct, you should contact each university and explain your situation in detail, and maybe ask them what you could do to counteract the 3rd class honours. You can try University of Brighton, University of the West of England (UWE) & Glasgow Caledonian University - as a quick search suggests these may review your application.

Reply 3

ProperStoic

Original post by normaw

To become a physio you would need to take a pre-reg masters or an undergrad degree in physio. Have you looked at any courses? It's worth looking through the entry requirements for a few unis and then calling the admissions departments to see if they would consider you. The following tool is the best place to search for courses:
https://www.healthcareers.nhs.uk/career-planning/course-finder

Would it be advisiable to go and complete a undergrad. I do understand that it will cost more but there are bursary in place to help ease the cost.

Reply 4

normaw

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by ProperStoic

Would it be advisiable to go and complete a undergrad. I do understand that it will cost more but there are bursary in place to help ease the cost.

Physio is classed as an exception course by SFE. That means you would eligible for both tuition fee and maintenance loans whichever course you choose - undergrad or pre-reg masters. The undergrad would involve an extra year of loans, but you will still pay back the same amount from salary once you are earning (9% of earnings over £25k). In terms of learning, the undergrad would be less intense than the pre-reg masters. If you study at a uni in England (not Wales, Scotland, NI), you should be eligible to apply to the NHS Learning Support Fund. This pays an annual training grant of £5k per year and covers placement expenses.

https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund-lsf