University of Limerick

Overview

The University of Limerick was established in 1972 as the National Institute for Higher Education, Limerick. The campus is located along the River Shannon, on an 800 acre site, located three miles from Limerick city center.

It received its university status by statute in 1989, making it Ireland’s first new university since 1922. Today, the university has a population of over 13,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students.

MSc Physiotherapy — Graduate Entry

The University of Limerick MSc Physiotherapy degree is a two year full-time course of study which qualifies graduates for membership of the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP),and CORU, Ireland’s multi-profession health regulator. The programme was shortlisted for a prestigious national gradIreland Higher Education Awards in the Best New Course category in 2018.

The program is aimed at candidates with any type of previous degree. Those who will hold a bachelor’s degree in fields such as Kinesiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Biomedical Science or Sports and Exercise Science, etc. will have a possible advantage over those with unrelated degrees; however, type of degree is not a limiting factor for application.

The two year accelerated course integrates anatomy and physiology teaching in a case-based approach to cardio-respiratory, musculoskeletal and neurological Physiotherapy together with clinical, professional and specialist practice and rehabilitation research. Taught modules are delivered at the UL Health Sciences Centre and students undergo practical Physiotherapy training in the specially designed clinical skills laboratories.

On-site clinical training commences after the end of the first year when students attend Physiotherapy clinics in the UL teaching hospitals and other affiliated specialist centres.

Building on the success of the existing professional qualification program (BSc in Physiotherapy, MSc in Occupational Therapy and MSc in Speech and Language Therapy), from August 2015 the Department of Clinical Therapies are offering a two-year Masters (Professional Qualification) in Physiotherapy, Level 9 (NQAI).

The program aims to develop graduates who are able to:

• Synthesize theoretical and conceptual knowledge of the cardiorespiratory, neurological and musculoskeletal systems to the practice of physiotherapy.
• Be competent in the delivery of physiotherapy interventions for the effective rehabilitation and management of people with a range of conditions.
• Competently prescribe, and monitor physiotherapy interventions responsibly, based on a clinically-reasoned approach following an appropriate assessment and diagnosis.
• Apply specialist knowledge and understanding of movement and movement dysfunction to clinical practice.
• Use an innovative and creative approach to meet evolving service developments and healthcare needs.
• Perform effectively and professionally within a health care team.
• Adopt and facilitate a collaborative, holistic, proactive and professional approach to healthcare practice.
• Articulate and integrate the advanced critical thinking and reflective skills required to be autonomous lifelong learners.
• Use an evidence-based approach in practice which integrates research findings into patient assessment and management.
• Integrate the ethical, social and cultural dimensions of healthcare within clinical judgement.
• Articulate ideas clearly, effectively, collaboratively and professionally to patients, caretakers, the multidisciplinary team and other relevant stakeholders.

For more information visit: UL MSc Physiotherapy

Entry Requirements

Applicants who hold (or expect to hold by August of the year of entry) an undergraduate degree in areas such as Kinesiology, Anatomy, Physiology, Biomedical Science, or Sports and Exercise Science may apply to the 2 year MSc Physiotherapy program at the University of Limerick.

Applicants who pass the University of Limerick’s initial evaluation will be invited to participate in an online interview.