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.
Graduates of the MSc Physiotherapy programme will be autonomous, evidence-based practitioners who will deliver safe, effective, and compassionate care across diverse settings, demonstrate leadership and collaboration, and engage in lifelong learning to advance physiotherapy practice and adapt to evolving healthcare needs. This programme has made an application for approval by CORU. There is no guarantee that the programme will be approved.
Why DCU
DCU People
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold a minimum of a Second Class Honours Grade I (2.1) in a primary honours degree (NFQ, Level 8 or equivalent) or a Master’s degree (NFQ, Level 9) in a health science discipline or a cognate area (e.g. athletic therapy, sports science and health, exercise science, kinesiology)
Pre-requisites modules for entry to the programme are:
- Human Anatomy
- Human Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Exercise Science
Applicants are required to provide evidence via submitted transcripts of completion of prior learning in these areas.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
In line with DCU policy, students who do not have the appropriate level of academic attainment outlined for direct entry to the programme may apply for access via RPL. DCU recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL applicants will be required to demonstrate that their learning is comparable in terms of academic level training, learning outcomes and assessment to the programme entry requirements. Further information regarding applications via RPL can be found under ‘How to apply’.
More information on RPL can be found here.
Language requirements
Applicants who are non-native speakers of the English language must meet the university approved English language requirements and provide evidence of competence in English as per DCU requirements. Please see link https://www.dcu.ie/recognition-prior-learning
POST ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - PLEASE CONTACT THE FACULTY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE BELOW.
Health Screening
All applicants accepted onto the programme will be required to comply with health screening protocols in place to ensure appropriate vaccinations are acquired prior to beginning clinical placement.
Garda Vetting
All applicants in receipt of an offer to join the programme will be subject to Garda Vetting. Students will be prohibited from engaging in work placement unless the vetting process has been cleared. Click here to view DCU's Student Garda Vetting Policy.
Fitness to Practise
This programme is subject to the University's Fitness to Practise Policy. Full details of the policy can be found 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 compulsory and designed specifically for the programme. Students will attend daily lectures, clinical skills and problem based learning session, supplemented by independent study hours during semesters 1 & 2 across both years of the programme. The curriculum will be structured into modules that integrate both clinical and academic components, delivered concurrently. Assessment across the modules will be by continuous assessment which will consist of presentations, class tests, essays, case studies, practical, oral and work placement assessments. Students will complete clinical practice placements, which will serve as a formally assessed element of the MSc. programme’s clinical education component. Clinical practice 1 and 2 will take place at the end of year 1 and clinical practice 3 and 4 will take place in year 2. Each clinical placement is of 7 or 8 weeks duration. Students are required to engage in at least 1000 hours of supervised clinical practice to meet the professional requirements of the programme. In year 2, students are required to complete a short research proposal and complete a research project, relevant to the clinical profession of Physiotherapy.
Introduction to Physiotherapy Professional Practice (10 ECTS)
Applied anatomy and neuroanatomy (5 ECTS)
Behaviour Change and Exercise for Non Communicable Diseases (5 ECTS)
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (15 ECTS)
Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy (10 ECTS)
Neurological Physiotherapy (10 ECTS)
Research informed practice (5 ECTS)
Clinical Practice 1 (15 ECTS)*
Clinical Practice 2 (15 ECTS) *
Specialist Physiotherapy Practice (5 ECTS)
Pain assessment and rehabilitation (5 ECTS)
Aging and health (10 ECTS)
Clinical Practice 3 (15 ECTS)*
Complex Care (5 ECTS)
Sports Physiotherapy (5 ECTS)
Advanced Physiotherapy Professional Practice and Service Innovation (5 ECTS)
Health systems and policy for Sustainable Development (5 ECTS)
Clinical Practice 4 (15 ECTS)*
Research project (20 ECTS)
*Clinical Education Modules
Fees and Funding
Fees
All programme fees are per annum and subject to an annual increase.
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.
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Scanned copies of supporting documents must be uploaded to the DCU online application portal and include:
- Academic Transcripts for every year of study, with English translation if applicable.
- A Personal Statement – must be completed on the personal statement template found Here, with a maximum word count of 1500 words and uploaded to the ‘Personal Statement’ item within the application portal
- 1 academic and 1 professional reference. Please note that the professional reference can relate to a health professional work experience or volunteering) Submit the referee’s 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 until the following dates:
- Closing date for non EU applicants is 10th April 2026.
- Closing date for EU applicants is 10th April 2026.
All required documentation, including references must be submitted by the deadline date. In complete applications or documents submitted after the deadline date will not be considered.
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 Assessment Process
Applications will be initially screened for eligibility by DCU post-graduate admissions unit and if the stated entry criteria are met, will be fully reviewed by the MSc Physiotherapy programme admissions committee.
Each application will be scored based on (i) academic achievement (ii) motivation to study physiotherapy (CV and personal statement) and (iii) references.
Please note:
- Places on this programme are limited, therefore not all applicants who meet the programme criteria will be offered a place.
- The admissions team reserves the right to shortlist the applicants who hold undergraduate or postgraduate degrees and/or experience most relevant to physiotherapy.
- This programme is not appropriate for those who have already completed a physiotherapy degree.
- Deferrals are not permitted on this programme.
Applications under Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
RPL applicants are required to submit a cover letter affirming their intent to apply for RPL, which outlines the qualifications or experience under which they wish to be assessed for recognition of prior learning. This cover letter must be submitted along with their application under the transcripts section of the portal. All applications for RPL will be screened for eligibility by post-graduate academic admissions and if appropriate will be additionally reviewed by the MSc Physiotherapy Programme admissions committee. Those considered eligible for RPL will be invited for an interview. Each applicant will be scored by an interview panel on the basis of:
• Motivation for a career in physiotherapy
• Relevant academic qualifications
• Knowledge and understanding of the physiotherapy profession
• Problem solving skills
• Communication skills and ability to express concepts and ideas
Please note: Due to the high volume of applications specific individualised feedback cannot be given after shortlisting or interview.
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 2026.
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
1.) I am unable to upload references/supplementary materials.
Please see the step by step guide for applications in CRM https://www.dcu.ie/sites/default/files/inline-files/How%20to%20Apply_64…. Once an applicant submits the application form and pays the application fee, the applicant is then prompted to take action on the supplemental items.
2.) When are applications open?
Applications for entry in September 2026, will open on October 20th 2025.
3.) What are the programme entry requirements?
- The entry requirements are a health science degree, with a minimum of 2H1 degree award.
- Two references are required, and one must be an academic reference.
- The programme assessment committee reserves the right to shortlist those applicants with the most relevant degrees to Physiotherapy, with prior learning in
key subjects; such as anatomy, physiology, exercise science.
4.) What does clinical placement involve?
- Clinical placement is integral to quality physiotherapy education programmes and over the past few months, we have successfully established a number of links with clinical partners sites, (hospital, clinic, primary care) in North Dublin and the wider Dublin region.
- Clinical placement capacity of our clinical partners will inform the number of places on the programme, ie. when offering places on the programme, we ensure that we have sufficient numbers and a variety of clinical placements for each student.
- To ensure quality of clinical learning, and to meet CORU requirements, we organise all placements and provide training and support for clinicians who facilitate placements.
- For the final placement, (Spring, Year 2) students may suggest a new clinical setting, we then review this setting, to ensure that it meets the standard of quality clinical placement.
5.) Is the programme full-time?
The programme is in person, and will be a full-time programme (including contact and non-contact hours).
6.) Is this programme accredited by CORU
The DCU MSc in Physiotherapy Programme has applied for full CORU approval and our application is in progress.
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.