What can you do with a physiotherapy degree?

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a physiotherapy degree

Rehabilitation, physiotheraphy. Hand grasping/squeezing a medical tool.

Knowledge and skills

Physiotherapy is a science-based profession which takes a holistic approach to a patient's health and wellbeing. Physios use their knowledge and skills to improve a range of conditions associated with different systems of the body, such as:

neurological (stroke, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's)
neuromusculoskeletal (back pain, whiplash associated disorder, sports injuries, arthritis)
cardiovascular (chronic heart disease, rehabilitation after heart attack)
respiratory (asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cystic fibrosis).

As a result, you will develop a broad range of skills while undertaking a physiotherapy degree including:

flexibility and adaptability
empathy
organisation and time management
leadership
determination and tenacity
the ability to conduct research
problem-solving and decision-making skills
the ability to work as part of a team
written and oral communication skills, developed through work as part of a multi-disciplinary team and through work with patients and their families/carers.

These are skills which are advantageous in all careers and so will support you in moving into a seemingly unrelated career post-graduation if that is what you decide to do. Many graduate employers don’t specify a degree discipline in their graduate recruitment so there will be many opportunities open to you as a graduate.

Career options

Career options 15 months after graduating*

96% of our physiotherapy graduates are in work or further study

95% of our physiotherapy graduates agree that their current activity is meaningful

98% of our physiotherapy graduates said their degree was a formal requirement for their job or gave them an advantage

On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. As a successful graduate, you’ll be able to progress from student to full membership of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

Studying physiotherapy at the University of Plymouth will open a wide range of career choices both within and outside the NHS, for example in:

private hospitals and clinics
sports clubs and gyms
private practice.

You could also consider related careers such as:

healthcare or leisure management
HE Lecturer
health improvement practitioner
personal trainer.

Graduate Management Training schemes with organisations like the NHS or Civil Service as well as a range of post grad pathways such as teaching are also all options.

*Data is from the Graduate Outcomes Surveys covering the three years of 2019/20 – 2021/22. Graduates were surveyed 15 months after graduating. Data displayed is for UK-domiciled, first degree, full-time graduates who are working, studying or looking for work.

Researching your career options

Given the diversity of career options open to physiotherapy graduates, it is important to research and explore these fully so that you can make informed decisions about your future.

Take a look at the following useful websites for inspiration and further information:

Employment opportunities

Below is a snapshot of what some of University of Plymouth Physiotherapy graduates told us they were doing 15 months after graduation. For some graduates, these jobs serve as ‘stepping stones’ to other roles by providing relevant workplace experience.

NHS Band 5 Physiotherapist
Junior Physiotherapist
NHS Band 5 Community Physiotherapist

Physiotherapist
Rotational Band 5 Physiotherapist
Specialist Physiotherapist In Musculoskeletal (Msk) Outpatients

Employers

Ascenti
Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
Dorset County Hospital Nhs Foundation Trust
First Community Health And Care
Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust
Livewell Southwest
Ministry of Defence
NHS – Ashford & St Peter's NHS Foundation Trust
Torbay and South Devon NHS Trust

NHS England
NHS Somerset Foundation Trust
NHS Swansea Bay University Health Board
Truro City Football Club
Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust

Royal Devon University Healthcare Trust
Royal Free London Trust
Sirona Care And Health
States Of Jersey
University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust

Things to consider when choosing a career or considering further study after studying a physiotherapy degree

Discover employment and further study opportunities that you could consider once you graduate with a physiotherapy degree and learn how you can stand out to graduate employers.

Throughout their degrees, we encourage our graduates to:

undertake career planning and research
build your networks, meet employers and graduates
gain essential work experience during your course
attend career fairs and events
continually develop your skills and knowledge
get involved with relevant clubs and societies
visit the Careers Service for advice.

Further study

Some of the careers chosen by physiotherapy graduates will require or benefit from further study, so this should be considered carefully. The University of Plymouth offers an number of postgraduate study options that could be of interest to graduates of this course; these are advanced professional practice pathways which are available both full time and part time.

You should consider the financial implications of further study as well as selecting a programme that suits your interests, learning style and future career direction. The following websites are a good starting point for exploring postgraduate options, but you may also benefit from talking to a Careers Consultant about your situation.

Some useful websites to help you find a suitable postgraduate programme.

It is also worth investigating what further study options the University has to offer as you may find the perfect course for yourself in an institution you already know. There are also sometimes financial benefits of staying on such as a fee discount to Alumni – find out your funding options .

Careers Service support

Accessing support from the Careers Service couldn’t be easier, come along to the Careers Service Helpdesk in the Student Hub or access 24/7 online resources .

There is a wide range of support available from accelerate skills workshops to events, placements and internships advice, 1-2-1 appointments and help getting started with LinkedIn.

Our bite-sized Skills Workshops can give your career the boost it needs. Choose from a range of topics:

effective career planning
job hunting techniques
finding part-time work
CVs and interviews
mastering LinkedIn
and more.

Workshops are delivered by the Careers Service; however, they are also an opportunity to learn from your peers, share experiences and ask questions. Visit myCareer to see the full range of activities and to book your place.

Connect with graduates

Build your network and job sector knowledge using LinkedIn alumni’s tool. This will allow you to see the career journeys of graduates from your programme, the qualifications they completed, the skills they developed and employers they worked for. You can then ‘connect’ with people of interest.

search LinkedIn for ‘University of Plymouth’
select ‘Alumni’
filter the results by subject, sector, company or location.

For more information about the alumni tool select the LinkedIn alumni tool guide. If you are looking for help to set up or learn how to make the most of your LinkedIn profile, select the LinkedIn guide for students or come to one of our workshops .

Other advice and guidance

The University of Plymouth Students’ Union offers a wide range of volunteering opportunities.

Clubs and societies

Engaging in a sport or society shows employers you are engaged and seek out opportunities, it also helps you improve your teamwork, communication and negotiation skills. Committee members can develop leadership, diplomacy and organisational skills and will gain experience of meetings, handling funds, and society promotion.

You may choose to join a society that is specifically linked to physiotherapy (such as the University of Plymouth Physio Soc) or take the opportunity to explore the huge range of clubs, societies and sports, all of which can help you to broaden your horizons and explore new interests.

Tutor and academic support

Your tutor and other academic staff are an excellent source of support for your career development. They will have experience and contacts across industry and academia, so do approach them for advice and insights into careers you are considering. Your tutor will ultimately be writing references for your employment or further study applications, therefore establishing a positive relationship with this person is invaluable.