THIS PAGE IS CURRENTLY BEING UPDATED FOR 2026/27. APPLICATIONS ARE NOT YET OPEN.

Course description/details

The course has been developed to provide qualified physiotherapists the opportunity to develop advanced knowledge and skills in the field of physical activity, rehabilitation and exercise prescription. The course has a total of 3 days of in person teaching at the University of Hertfordshire and 2 days of online synchronous teaching for which you will need to have access to a suitable personal computer and a good reliable Internet connection.

Module Aims

The aims of this module are to enable students to… 

Build on existing knowledge and skills to facilitate an enhanced critical awareness of current and emerging physical activity, rehabilitation and exercise prescription theory and practice from an evidence-based perspective. Students will also be facilitated to apply advanced clinical reasoning skills to the development of safe and effective client specific rehabilitation programmes suitable for contemporary physiotherapy practice.

Module Content

This module will focus on enhancement of knowledge and skills related to physical activity, rehabilitation and exercise prescription and application of this learning to contemporary physiotherapy practice. Teaching will normally include elements from: strength and conditioning principles, motor control and learning, exercise prescription, shared decision making, patient empowerment, behavioural/biopsychosocial influences and the impact of co-morbidities on devising rehabilitation programmes. Resources are provided, with students expected to undertake independent study both to supplement their learning and to broaden their individual knowledge and understanding of the subject.

This module may be studied as a stand-alone module for the purposes of Continuing Professional Development or as part of a programme of study.

This module is equivalent to 150 hours of student effort including 5 taught days.

All applications are considered on a first come, first served basis. Once the module is full the application portal will close, so early application is advised.

Module dates - All dates are provisional and may be subject to change

Tuesday 25th May 2027 - 9am-5pm (Online)

Wednesday 26th May 2027 9am-5pm (On Campus)

Tuesday 15th June 2027 9am-5pm (On Campus)

Monday 28th June 2027 9am-5pm (Online)

Tuesday 29th June 2027 9am-5pm (On Campus)

Assessment

Will take place during the week commencing 26th July 2027

Assessment details

One presentation on a student selected patient case with a professional discussion related to the presentation. The assessment will normally be synchronous and on-line. 

It will take place during the week commencing 26th July 2027.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge and understanding

On successful completion of this programme a student will:

KU1 - Demonstrate enhanced evidence-based knowledge and understanding of physical activity, rehabilitation and exercise prescription relevant to a range of conditions and co-morbidities in contemporary physiotherapy practice. 

KU2 - Synthesise current knowledge and understanding to demonstrate critical and analytical thinking relating to the theoretical principles underpinning musculoskeletal rehabilitation, physical activity and exercise prescription.

Intellectual, practical and transferable skills

On successful completion of this programme a student will be able to:

IPTS1 - Demonstrate advanced critical thinking and clinical reasoning in developing, progressing and evaluating programmes of physical activity, rehabilitation and exercise prescription relevant to contemporary physiotherapy practice.

IPTS2 - Utilise self-evaluation and reflection of their practice.

IPTS3 - Engage confidently in academic and professional communication.

Who teaches the course

The course is normally facilitated by Sharon Newman. Previous regular contributors include Sharon Newman, Matthew Guilliatt, Kabir Mayana, Gulten Dogan, Max Honigsbaum and other experts from clinical practice and research.

What our students say

“interesting and engaging”

“This module has provided me with a higher scientific curiosity”

“This module has changed my clinical practice”

This module can contribute to the following programme(s)

HMAPHYMSC: MSc Advanced Physiotherapy