Students From Canada: Here Are the Top Universities for Physiotherapy in the UK

Yes, since 2024 the number of UK citizens awaiting physiotherapy treatment has risen by 27% with those numbers expected to grow as the general population grows older and the number of health complications increases.

With your degree, your primary career prospects include:

• Animal physiotherapy

• Lecturer/Teacher

• Sports therapy

You may also decide to pursue one of the following careers:

• Acupuncturist

• Chiropractor

• Health service and health improvement

• Osteopathy

• Personal training

• Prosthetist/orthotist

• Sports coach or development

According to the NHS, after graduation, UK physiotherapists require Continuing Professional Development (CPD) check-ins. It’s also recommended that practitioners join the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy to facilitate further skills and training.

UK physiotherapists typically earn between CAD $55,600 - $67,700 for early career practitioners with senior positions earning between CAD $69,300 - $83,400.

Additional salary ranges for physiotherapists in the UK are as follows:

• Clinical specialist/team leader: CAD $85,600 - $98,000

• Extended scope or clinical lead: CAD $99,700 - $112.300

• Consultant: CAD $115,400 - $134,100

• Management: CAD $137,800

To become qualified as a physiotherapist in the UK, you will need to complete one of the following:

Option 1: HCPC-approved undergraduate degree or accelerated post-graduate degree in physiotherapy. Your courses must also be accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Option 2: Part-time courses, although these are typically designed for applicants with existing experience in healthcare who want to become physiotherapy support workers.

Option 3: 4-year integrated master’s with a focus on skills like management, leadership, and research.

Option 4: HCPC-accredited degree apprenticeship (England-specific). Open positions can be found via Find an Apprenticeship and NHS Jobs.

Yes, internationally-trained physiotherapists can work in Canada as long as they complete the two stages of assessment through the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators (CAPR):

Stage 1: Credentials review. The credentialing process reviews documentation that verifies your education equivalent to what is offered at Canadian physiotherapy schools.

Stage 2: Physiotherapy Competency Exam (PCE). Completing this exam proves you meet minimum standards as needed to practice physiotherapy in Canada (except for Quebec).

There are several options for studying physiotherapy in the UK. For domestic or international students from Canada pursuing a degree at a university level, be it undergraduate or postgraduate, here are some of the top UK physiotherapy schools, ranked based on factors including:

• Teaching satisfaction

• Feedback satisfaction

• Student to staff ratio

• Spend per student (/10)

• Career after 15 months

For domestic or international students from Canada applying for an undergraduate physiology degree in the UK, you will need to fulfill the following requirements:

• 85% average (including English, math, and at minimum one science course)

• Completed at least five courses (6 for Ontario) at a Grade 12 level including biology and/or physical education

• IELTS of 6.5

  , minimum of 6.0 in all components

• International Baccalaureate score of 32 points

• Valid tier 4 student visa

Refer to your chosen university’s admissions page for detailed information, as there may be additional requirements unique to that school. For example, some will require an interview as part of their entry process. You may be able to complete a foundation year through your school of interest if you do not meet the requirements listed above.

For a postgraduate degree, you will need to have completed a relevant undergraduate degree, plus the requirements as outlined by your university of choice.

If you have questions about the entry requirements, or whether you are eligible, book a free consultation with one of IDP Canada’s British Council-certified counsellors.

Annual fees for physiotherapy courses in the UK for international students can range between CAD $31,400 - $46,800 for an undergraduate degree and CAD $31,400 - $56,400 for a postgraduate degree. Note: These fees are subject to change, which is why it is important to always refer to your school’s fee schedule for that year for the most accurate tuition information for Canadian students.

The British Council also provides information on the cost of living for students in the UK, but these costs will vary depending on your lifestyle, location, and accommodation. Generally, students living in London should expect to pay CAD $2,400 - $2,600 every month. For everywhere else in the UK, students should expect to pay between CAD $1,600 - $2,400 every month.

These are some of the resources for domestic and international students from Canada interested in studying in the UK:

• UK and Wales Scholarships

• Displaced Student Opportunities UK

• British Council UK Scholarships

• Scottish Government Scholarships

• Student Action for Refugees Scholarships

• Commonwealth Scholarship Commission

Additionally, Canadian students can apply to these physiotherapy scholarships currently offered by UK schools:

University of Birmingham:

• Canada High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• Hong Kong High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• Gateway To Work Experience Bursary

• Turkey High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• Middle East and North Africa High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• Europe High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• Thailand High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• Malaysia High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarship

• Africa High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• Singapore High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• India High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarships

• CATS Global Schools UK, High Fliers Undergraduate Scholarship

Oxford Brookes University

• Sanctuary Scholarship

• £2,000 International Student Scholarship September Entry

• Alumni Discount Scheme

• Estranged Students Bursary

University of Plymouth

• Tuition Fee Discount for University of Plymouth Graduates

University of Lincoln

• Lincoln Alumni MSc School of Health and Social Care Scholarship

Liverpool John Moores University

• GREAT Scholarships

Bristol, University of the West England Bristol

• Needham Cooper Scholarships

Manchester Metropolitan University

• Vice-Chancellor's International Regional Scholarship

Brunel University of London

• Dean's International PhD Scholarship for Doctoral Researchers in Health and Life Sciences

Refer to IDP Education’s Find a Scholarship tool for the most up-to-date list of UK scholarships available for prospective international physiotherapy students.

1. Choose a shortlist of schools. Narrow down your list to five universities based on your career goals, study interests, and entry requirements. This number is based on the maximum dictated by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) for all students applying to UK schools.

2. Understand your school’s application requirements. Familiarize yourself with your prospective university’s application requirements, such as a statement of purpose and letters of reference.

3. Perfect your application with expert help. For Canadian students who want to boost the success of their application, professional guidance can make all the difference. IDP Education’s student counsellors can offer insights and information on how to sculpt a competitive application, as well as support in other aspects of studying abroad in the UK like visa applications.

4. Complete and submit your application via UCAS. All applicants must apply to their schools through the online UCAS portal.

5. As necessary, complete your interview. Some schools will require an interview as part of the application process. You may also consider reaching out to IDP Education’s student counsellors for support in your preparation.

6. Accept your offer. If you are successful and have received an acceptance, it’s time to celebrate! Write down any important dates. It’s time to get ready for the start of your academic year.

7. Complete your visa application. Once you’ve received and accepted your offer, you will now need to apply for the tier 4 visa.

8. Make other necessary arrangements. This includes opening a UK bank account, securing your rental and flights, building a budget, and paying for UK healthcare coverage, which is the Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) for international students.

Physiotherapy is a rewarding career with a wide range of positive impacts on the health, well-being, and mobility of others, enabling them to live an enriching and higher quality of life. As a domestic or international student from Canada, studying in the UK brings several opportunities for an accelerated career as a physiotherapist, including professional growth and support, and an unmatched education at some of the top-ranked schools for physiotherapy.

Ready to jumpstart your journey? For more information on pursuing a physiotherapy degree in the UK, explore IDP Education’s blog or book a free call with our student counsellors.

An IDP counsellor can help you create a personalized study abroad plan that covers everything including:

• Applying and getting accepted

• Securing your Visa

• Arranging accommodations, banking, and health insurance

• Lining up any other service you may need to succeed.

Best of all, because of our partnerships in the UK, these services are offered by IDP at no cost to you!