Overview
The MSc in Physiotherapy (pre-registration) builds on the strong tradition of excellence in health, sport and exercise science in the DCU School of Health and Human Performance.
The MSc in Physiotherapy at DCU is a 2-year full time intensive programme, and includes 1000 hours of clinical practice with healthcare partners in hospital, primary care and community settings.
Student-centred and practise focused teaching and learning approaches are a feature of this programme, affording students the opportunity to develop knowledge, skills and professional attitudes for contemporary physiotherapy practice, to work with diverse populations and interprofessional teams in dynamic healthcare environments.
The programme is rooted to the principles of sustainable development, with an emphasis on health equity, inclusive health and sustainable physiotherapy practice.
The MSc in Physiotherapy is situated in the School of Health and Human Performance, part of the DCU Faculty of Science and Health. The School is situated in the state-of-the-art Polaris Building on DCU’s Glasnevin Campus, in close proximity to the School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health and to DCU Sport.
Why DCU
DCU People
Entry Requirements
Primary BSc. Level 8 (NFQ or equivalent) degree in an area of health sciences or cognate area (e.g. athletic therapy, sports science and health, exercise science, kinesiology) with a minimum of a 2.1 degree.
In line with DCU policy, students who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment for direct entry may apply for access via the Recognition of Prior Learning process (RPL). RPL applicants will be required to demonstrate that their learning is comparable in terms of academic level training, learning outcomes and assessment. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
Programme Structure
The MSc in Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) is a Level 9, 180 ECTS credit programme, delivered full time over two years and in person. Students undertake 90 ECTS per year distributed over 3 semesters, (Semester 1, Semester 2, Summer period). All modules are core modules, designed specifically for the programme.
Introduction to Physiotherapy Professional Practice
Applied anatomy and neuroanatomy
Behaviour Change and Exercise for Non Communicable Diseases
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
Neurological Physiotherapy
Research informed practice
Clinical Practice 1
Clinical Practice 2
Specialist Physiotherapy Practice
Pain assessment and rehabilitation
Aging and health
Clinical Practice 3
Complex Care
Sports Physiotherapy
Advanced Physiotherapy Professional Practice and Service Innovation
Health systems and policy for Sustainable Development
Clinical Practice 4
Research project
Fees and Funding
Fees
How To Apply
To apply for this programme:
All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal which is available here. Here's a quick step by step guide if you need help with your application.
- Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study, with English translation if applicable.
- Please complete the Personal Statement template with a maximum word count of 1500 words and upload it to the 'Personal Statement' supplemental item within the application portal. Template found here.
- Applicants are required to submit 1 academic and 1 professional reference. Please note that the professional reference can relate to health professional work experience or volunteering) Please submit their email address to the application portal, one professional contact under 'Letter of Recommendation-Professional, and one academic contact under Letter of Recommendation-Academic.
- Please ensure all work experience, both formal and informal (volunteering), is entered on the work experience section of the application form.
- If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements. Please see link http://www.dcu.ie/registry/english.shtml
Please note if you are a non EU student and require a study visa, you are not eligible to apply for part-time programmes as study visas are only granted for full-time programmes.
Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:
- Closing date for non EU applicants is 6th June 2025.
- Closing date for EU applicants is 6th June 2025.
Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU are advised to apply as early as possible. All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.
Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie
For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie
Commencement of Programme
The programme commences in September 2025.
Life On Campus
At DCU, our students can expect a unique campus experience. We are known for our excellent teaching and learning facilities, our active clubs and societies, and our great social and sporting facilities. All this makes DCU an exciting place to be.
DCU has three academic campuses; Glasnevin, St. Patrick’s and All Hallows (both in Drumcondra), all close to Dublin City centre.
They can be reached by public transport, Dublin Bus and Bus Éireann, with our Drumcondra campuses a ten minute walk from Drumcondra Train Station. Glasnevin is a 20 minute walk from St Patrick’s and All Hallows. They are also linked by Dublin Bus.
Each campus has a library (O’Reilly, Cregan and Woodlock Hall), study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. There are sports facilities on Glasnevin and St. Patrick’s, and there is a dedicated sports campus, St Claire’s, located near Glasnevin on the Ballymun Road.
DCU’s 19,000 students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, a new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of Languages, Engineering, Physics, Chemistry and Biotechnology, as well as a Sports Performance centre and a training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
We continue to improve and update our facilities. For example, construction of a new world-class STEM facility is underway on the Glasnevin campus. With capacity for an extra 3,000 STEM students, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines.
Studying in DCU isn’t just about course work. The university is rich in student life and activities.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year. They span everything from rugby to rock climbing, anime to jazz.
For many students, sport is an important part of the DCU experience. DCU’s Sports Complex boasts a 25 metre swimming pool, fitness centre gym, all-weather pitches and squash courts, as well as soccer, GAA and rugby pitches. DCU Dóchas Éireann, the university’s GAA club, is the largest third level Gaelic Games club in the country. Meanwhile, DCU Athletics has been Ireland’s highest achieving university club for many years. And DCU has dozens of other clubs to get involved in, from Archery to Weightlifting.
The Glasnevin campus is home to our purpose built, state-of-the-art student centre, The U, which serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body. Here, you will find the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub. Also located on our Glasnevin campus is The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
On our St Patrick’s campus, we have the Java Student Hub, a vibrant, warm and welcoming space where students can meet for coffee, play music, use the projector to watch events, or just relax. The walls of the Java Hub were designed based on the cultural history of St Patrick’s Campus, including the special references to the notable sporting history and history of the arts.
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice & Learning Skills Centre - Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning - facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
DCU Glasnevin Campus
FAQs
Is DCU all one campus?
DCU is a multi campus university - the Glasnevin, St Patrick's and All Hallows campuses. The St Patrick's campus is where the Education courses are taught and some of the subjects from the BA Joint Honours degree. There is a 20-25 minute walk between the campuses but there are buses and bikes available to go between them also.
Click here to see maps of all of our campuses
If I'm studying on the St Patrick's campus, can I use the library and sports centre on the Glasnevin campus?
Yes, all facilities such as sports and accommodation are open for all DCU students to avail of.
Are there libraries in DCU and if they have wifi and work stations?
We have a brand new state of the art four floor library on our St. Patrick's Campus which complements the existing library on the Glasnevin campus. There is free wifi, work stations as well as desktop computers.
Does DCU provide accommodation?
DCU does have on-campus accommodation for undergraduate and postgraduate students, and you can find out more and apply via the Accommodation Office webpage.