Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice (MSK Physiotherapy) MSc

This course was collaboratively designed by MSK clinicians, MSK therapy consultants, NHSE, MACP, IFOMPT, patients, and the public to ensure you will receive a contemporary, evidence-based advanced practice education fit for modern musculoskeletal healthcare practice. We offer one of the only accredited and funded advanced practice programmes in the country with comprehensive specialist musculoskeletal training.

The programme begins with a strong focus on clinical knowledge and skill development. Chronic musculoskeletal pain (CMP) is the largest cause of disability worldwide, and poorly managed acute MSK pain has a higher risk of transitioning to CMP. A key barrier to improving the effectiveness of MSK healthcare is that societal perceptions and healthcare approaches are still predominantly situated within a biomedical paradigm. Your education journey will open with contemporary concepts of MSK pain, providing you with the key principles of true biopsychosocial approaches that are needed to better deliver successful MSK healthcare.

You will then build on these principles by integrating these key biopsychosocial concepts with deeper understandings of the structural-physiological foundations of advanced MSK practice, allowing you to assess and manage people with MSK complaints in a more nuanced, holistic, and effective way. A strong emphasis is placed on development of hands on and practical skill development, as well as supported work-based learning.

You will continue your journey through the MSc by developing your skills and expertise in leadership, education and supervision led by academic and industry experts, before consolidating your advanced practice development with a research or quality improvement dissertation. Throughout your journey, you will also be given a choice from a range of optional modules such as soft tissues and joint injections, non-medical prescribing, recognition of trauma and pathology on x-ray, applying pain principles in practice, and many others.

You will then graduate with an MSc Advanced Musculoskeletal Practice as an accredited advanced MSK clinician.