Course details are accurate at the time of printing but may be altered as necessary. 

For full time MSc students the course lasts for one calendar year (end of September to early September the following year). For Graduate Diploma students the course lasts one academic year (end of September to early June).  Part time students can complete the course over two to five years and will take examinations on appropriate sections of the course at the end of the year in which they study them. Timetables are organised so that, for some of the time, part time students only need to attend 1 day a week. More information on part-time study is given below.

The course is organised as a series of modules, each of which earns credits. Modules earning a total of 180 credits must be passed to gain an MSc. For the UCL Graduate Diploma, 120 credits are needed. Some modules will be shared with other programmes in the MSc School whilst some are only for the Neuromusculoskeletal Rehabilitation course. The following modules will be offered: 
 

Title	Credits	Core or Option
Musculoskeletal tissues in health & disease	15	Core
Muscle and Exercise Physiology	7.5	Core
Biochemistry and Nutrition in Relation to Sport and Exercise	7.5	Option
Control of Movement	7.5	Core
Fundamentals of Pain	7.5	Core
Sports Psychology	7.5	Option
Biomechanics	7.5	Core
Development of Motor Control	7.5	Option
Research Methods	7.5	Core
Principles of Management of Sports Injuries	7.5	Option
Becoming an Effective Practitioner	7.5	Option
Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy	30	Core
Clinical Education in musculoskeletal physiotherapy	30	Core
Project	60	Core

 

Timetabling

The year will be divided into 6 parts as follows: 
 

	Term	Start date	End date	Duration (weeks)	Content	Total credits
Introductory week	1	Sept 26	Sept 30	1
Zone 1	1	Oct 3	Nov 25	8	Taught modules	52.5-60
Zone 2	1-2	Nov 23	Feb 10	8	Taught modules	30-37.5
Zone 3	2-3	Feb 13	May 5	10	Clinical education, Project preparation, revision	30
Exams	3	May 3	June 3	4.5	Exams and revision
Project		June 4	Sept 17	15		60

 

Module Outlines 

Musculoskeletal Tissues in Health & Disease, 15 credits, Core 
Organiser, Prof Alan Boyde (Anatomy Dept) 
This module will concentrate on both mineralised tissues and joints, their biology, physiology and pathology. Included in the course will be introductions to rheumatology and immunology. 

Muscle and Exercise Physiology, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organisers Prof R C Woledge, Prof Steve Harridge (Kings College London) 
Key topics: Energy supply to muscle; regulation of muscle phenotype; effects of training on muscle function; fatigue; cardiorespiratory responses to exercise. 

Biochemistry and Nutrition in Relation to Sport and Exercise, 7.5 credits, Option 
Organisers Prof R C Woledge, Prof Steve Harridge (Kings College London) 
Key aspects of nutrition in relation to health and performance; ergogenic aids; special nutritional requirements for sport; thermoregulation and electrolyte balance; physical performance and aging.

Control of Movement, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organiser Dr Margaret Mayston (Physiology Dept) 
Proprioception; integration at spinal cord level; Motor centres in the brain; posture and locomotion; motor learning. 

Fundamentals of Pain, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organiser Prof Bruce Lynn (Physiology Dept) 
Pain mechanisms; pain signalling from muscle and joint; pain and inflammation; neuropathic pain; back pain; problem upper limb pain; psychological approaches to pain management.

Sports Psychology, 7.5 credits, Option
Dr Rhonda Cohen (Middlesex University)
This module will introduce a range of psychological factors underpinning sports performance and bearing on exercise and the risk of injury. These include stress, personality, attention and the issue of burnout.

Biomechanics, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organiser Prof D Grieve (Institute of Human Performance) 
Key principles of mechanics; biomechanics of the limbs and the spine; walking; lifting. This course will also include a brief introduction to ergonomics and a small number of prosection sessions covering the anatomy of the limbs and of the trunk and spine. 

Principles of Management and Prevention of Sports Injuries, 7.5 credits, Option
Organiser Jane Simmons
Early management through to final rehabilitation, interrelating the roles of the team, e.g. coach, doctor, return to functional fitness, rehabilitation.

Development of Motor Control, 7.5 credits, Option
Organiser Dr Margaret Mayston (Physiology Dept) 
Anatomical and physiological changes underlying development of motor control from birth to adulthood. Motor disorders in children. Introduction to the ideas of neurodevelopmental therapy (Bobath). 

Research Methods, 7.5 credits, Core 
Organisers Prof Bruce Lynn, Dr Peter Tatham (Physiology Dept) 
The scientific method; what we mean by "evidence based"; principles of experimental design; introduction to statistics; how to use spread sheets; use of web-based bibliographic tools. This module uses a web-based, problem centred, approach and can be taken largely by distance learning.

Becoming an Effective Practitioner , 7.5 credits, Option 
Dr  Ralph Hammond and Steve Ashford
This module examines the purpose and the processes involved in the evaluation of the outcome of health care interventions. Key steps in the evaluation process will be covered including: the choice of outcomes, the selection and appraisal of appropriate measurement instruments, different methods of outcome evaluation, and the interpretation of results.

Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy, 30 credits, Core 
Organiser Ann Thomson (Director of Postgraduate. Physiotherapy) 

This module is designed to cover a wide range of skills for the treatment/rehabilitation and prevention of sports injuries and neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction based on a thorough procedure for examination, assessment and diagnosis.

Aim
To develop advanced physiotherapy skills in the field of neuromusculoskeletal dysfunction and sports rehabilitation.

Objectives

• Development of a broad repertoire of physiotherapy skills.
• Development of expertise in physiotherapy skills with emphasis on diagnosis, manual / manipulative, exercise therapy analysis and re education of skilled movement.
• Development of the flexible approach required to customise rehabilitation programmes for the individual patient / client.
• The integration of scientific and clinical evidence within the management of patients and upon the interaction of all the body systems.
• Critical evaluation of modern concepts within physiotherapy.
• Development of clinical reasoning , outcome measures.
• Development of self-analysis in relation to management of patients.

The module includes: 

Pathophysiology, pathomechanics, mechanism of dysfunction and injury. Examination, differential diagnosis of acute, repeating and chronic dysfunction/injury. Clinical fitness testing. Therapeutic exercise prescription and functional rehabilitation.
Skill acquisition for physiotherapists and patients. Movement planning in relation to normal movement in sport and leisure. Physiotherapy intervention and planning with emphasis on innovation. Clinical reasoning, Prognosis, Outcome, Justifying intervention
Practical workshop - Revisit biomechanics and anatomy including e.g. stretching, palpating – ‘end feel’, movement analysis, differentiating structures including tests, problem solving - application of treatment techniques, development of strategies for independent rehabilitation.

Workshop topics :-

	Examination profiles of the students
	Foot and knee complex
	Hip pelvis lumbar spine complex
	Thoracic and cervical spine complex
	Temporo - mandibular joint
	Shoulder complex
	Elbow and hand complex
	Myofascial system
	Nervous system and vascular systems

Plus sessions on:-
Strapping , taping, bracing, orthotics, protective devices.
Stress management and relaxation
Soft tissue work - trigger points, massage, myofascial release, flexibility and stretching
Muscle Imbalance identification and treatment (including PNF)
Muscle energy techniques
Dynamic and passive palpation of joints, Combined movements,
Nags and Snags
Manipulation approaches/philosophies, Traction, Automobilisations
Neural tension identification and treatment
Postural control , education of normal movement, pacing, coping strategies, and exercise prescription.
Returning to sport and full functional fitness.

Methods of teaching The programme is delivered by a team of leading experts in their field and includes lectures, practical workshops, student centred patient studies, differentiating problems with role-play, student centred problem solving with practical skill acquisition analysed and critiqued by the expert. Click here to see this year's timetable.
	Students practising in the Skills Laboratory
Clinical Education in musculoskeletal physiotherapy, 30 credits, Core  Organiser Ann Thomson (Director of Postgraduate. Physiotherapy)  This consists of 7 weeks or equivalent total clinical practice in selected centres. There are four weeks in one centre and three weeks in another. Students are expected to treat/manage at least 15 patients in the first placement and 10 in the second placement. Flexible, extended placements are possible for full or part time students. Patients are selected so that students deal with a variety of problems and disorders. A holistic approach is taken to each patient whilst at the same time students must treat patients covering a broad range of age, pathology, limbs and trunk, tissue involvement, severity, irritability, acute/chronic states. Every attempt is made to ensure that the students apply a wide range of treatment modalities but priority is always given to the design of treatment programs according to patient needs. Clinical tutors encourage the students to develop innovative and creative treatment methods. Clinical tutor meetings are held regularly. There is both verbal and written feedback between students and tutors. After the first placement, the students present case studies to which the clinical tutors are invited. Every attempt is made to ensure support for the clinical tutors and students. A college tutor visits each location in the first half of the placement and discusses the students' progress individually and collectively with students and tutors.  There is both verbal and written feedback between students and tutors. The same tutor returns in the second half to examine the students and provide further tutorship.
Research Project, 60 credits, Core  An initial literature survey will lead to the formulation of a research plan. The project will then be carried out and written up as a detailed research report. The results will also be presented orally at the end of the course. Each project will have a 1st Supervisor who provides the main support, and a 2nd supervisor who acts as a further source of advice and helps with the assessment.			Student working on project at the Institute of Human Performance

Typical project titles from the last 2 years: 

• A novel physiotherapy treatment that alters control strategy in vertical jumping. 
• Minor peripheral nerve lesions, mechanisms of pain production and clinical evaluation.
• Injuries to the spine in tennis: single handed backhand and double handed backhand.
• Sitting posture: is there an ideal? 
• Investigation into the effects of a thoracic mobilisation on the micro-vascular circulation of the skin over the gleno-humeral joint in patients with a frozen shoulder. 
• A comparison of muscular efficiency between the upper limb and lower limb at different work loads. 
• An in vivo investigation of median nerve strain & excursion in response to contralateral neck side flexion
  
  
  

Relation of Graduate Diploma to the MSc. 

The taught elements of the course, totalling 120 credits, are sufficient in themselves to gain a UCL Graduate Diploma. If a student wishes, they may subsequently re-enrol to do a research project, and if successful will be awarded an MSc. Fees for the Graduate Diploma are 2/3 those of the MSc, i.e. pro rata in terms of credit value. 
 
 

Part-time study 

The modular structure allows the course to be taken part-time, with up to 5 years allowed under UCL regulations. We do not recommend spending more than 3 years, as otherwise the experience of being within the college environment becomes excessively diluted. As our current part-time students would confirm, the key for part time students is flexibility. Several different routes through the modules are possible to suit individual circumstances. To see more detail on part time study click here.
 
 

Assessment

Assessment of taught modules

These will be assessed by course work and written exams. The exams will be at the end of the academic year, not at the end of the module. 

Assessment of clinical education 

Formative

Written work - Patient reports, Patient Studies, Patient Summaries. Students write a summary of patients treated. These are designed to identify the development of clinical decision making, progress/outcome measures, justification of intervention and integration of academic studies with clinical practice. Students are expected to relate pathological processes, biomechanics and clinical features with treatment strategies.

Patient Presentations and F/U Case Study. Each student presents a patient treated on placement to their peer group and tutors in college, which is peer assessed. After placement two, the student writes a report in the form of a single case study with follow-up at 3 months on a patient from placement one.

Summative

Patient Examinations. Patient focussed essay. Students submit an essay on the integration of scientific knowledge with evidence based practice in the management of patients on placement. During the clinical practice students will be examined assessing and treating two current patients and examining one new patient. Two examiners are present on each occasion normally the clinical tutor and a college tutor.

Assessment of the project 

The following elements will be assessed: 

1. The research report (limit 10,000 words), which must include a full literature review.
2. The oral presentation. 

Selected students have a viva with external examiner(s) and the course tutors. This further explores the research results and method, essay topic and any other aspect of the course that the examiners have identified as a strength or weakness in the student. 

MACP Membership

Successful graduates are eligible for MACP membership. Associate membership is available for students when they enter the course.

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