Physiotherapy

Graduates and Mature Entry applicants apply directly to RCSI using the RCSI online application, which is available on the Undergraduate Physiotherapy section of the RCSI website from early November each year.

MATURE ENTRY PHYSIOTHERAPY
Mature applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1 January in the year of admission to be eligible to apply for Mature Entry Physiotherapy. Mature Entry applicants are selected for admission on the basis of open competition and interview. Mature Entry applicants must meet the minimum entry requirements in RCSI pre-approved Access to Science programmes (QQI Level 6) or in the Irish Leaving Certificate Examination.

Mature Entry applicants presenting the Irish Leaving Certificate must present a minimum of six recognised Irish Leaving Certificate subjects to include Irish*, English, Mathematics, another language, one laboratory science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics / Chemistry or Agricultural Science) and one other recognised subject.

* Unless applicant is in possession of a valid NUI exemption

Applicants must present a minimum H5 grade in two subjects and a minimum O6 / H7 grade in the remaining four subjects.

The aim of the Mature Entry Pathway is to widen access and provide an opportunity for individuals who may not otherwise find it possible to join a physiotherapy through the traditional CAO points-based system. The Mature Entry Pathway focuses on life experience, such as volunteer work or relevant work experience, in addition to the candidate’s academic background.

Mature applicants are advised to gain knowledge of the breadth of physiotherapy and should offer educational experience in a subject relevant to physiotherapy (normally in the sciences) as minimum requirements before applying.

As the demand for Mature Entry Physiotherapy is competitive, the candidates applying determine the entry criteria for a given year and these can vary.

Mature Entry applicants often present a third-level qualification, but this is not an essential requirement for consideration.

Graduates and Mature Entry applicants apply directly to RCSI using the RCSI online application, which is available on the Undergraduate Physiotherapy section of the RCSI website from early November each year.

GRADUATE ENTRY PHYSIOTHERAPY
RCSI welcomes applications from Graduates. The Physiotherapy programme for Graduates is three years in duration. Applications are made online to RCSI. Candidates must hold or expect to hold in the year of admission a minimum second-class honours, grade two result (2H2) in their first honours bachelors degree (QQI Level 8).

Applicants will be selected for admission on the basis of open competition using:
• Basic eligibility (competitive degree)
• Confidential references
• Life experience, extracurricular activities, relevant work/ voluntary experience, work-life balance
• Structured interview

A science background is not a prerequisite and academic excellence in the humanities and social sciences is recognised. If a candidate presents a non-scientific degree they must present the NUI matriculation requirements in their Leaving Certificate Examination.

These requirements are a minimum of six recognised Irish Leaving Certificate subjects to include Irish*, English, Mathematics, another language, one laboratory science (Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Physics / Chemistry or Agricultural Science) and one other recognised subject.

* Unless applicant is in possession of a valid NUI exemption

Applicants must present a minimum H5 grade in two subjects and a minimum O6 / H7 grade in the remaining four subjects.

https://www.qualifax.ie/resources/student-supports

https://www.qualifax.ie/resources/student-supports

https://www.qualifax.ie/resources/recognition-of-prior-learning

Fees & Funding

Entry 2024

Early online application (discounted): Fee €30 Closing Date: 20 January 2024 at 5pm

Normal online application: Fee €45 Closing Date: 1 February 2024 at 5pm

Late online application - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: €60 Closing Date: 1 May 2024 at 5pm

Change of Mind - restrictions apply (see page 3 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1 July 2024 at 5pm

Exceptional online late application (see page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook): Fee €60 Closing Date: 22 July 2024 at 5pm

Be sure to complete any action well in advance of closing dates. You should avoid making an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all application fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5pm on 1 February 2024. The closing date for late applications is 5pm on 1 May 2024, subject to the restrictions listed on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook. The online facility for late applications opens on the 5 March 2024 at 12:00 noon - a fee of €60 applies.

Exceptional Late Applications (Exception to the timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22 July at 5pm applies only to applicants who are registered as an undergraduate student on 1 May 2024 in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system. This is an exceptional late closing date and all steps must be completed by 5pm on 22 July. No changes may be made after this date.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Marino Institute of Education, Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick and Maynooth University have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these five HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 34 of the 2024 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restrictions
As a CAO applicant you may experience one or more of the following restrictions based on your course choices, your category of application, or restrictions imposed by the HEIs that you wish to apply to. Please read the section on 'Restrictions' on page 3 of the 2024 CAO Handbook carefully. This section includes information on:

General Restrictions
1. Making a late application
2. Making changes to your course choices

Restricted Courses
3. Applying for a restricted course

Mature Applicants
4. Mature applicants

Supplementary Admissions Routes
5. Applying for DARE and/or HEAR

Award: BSc Physiotherapy (Hons) (NUI & RCSI)
Awarding Body:National University of Ireland

RCSI’s internationally recognised physiotherapy programme is designed to provide training, education and rehabilitation in a variety of clinical settings. Upon completion of the physiotherapy programme, you will be a fully-qualified physiotherapist.

You will learn these skills through a variety of teaching methods including lectures, practicals, simulation (using both manikins and simulated patients), tutorials, seminars and case study presentations.

FOUNDATION YEAR
Foundation Year provides you with a solid grounding in the biomedical sciences and professionalism plus the necessary IT skills to operate effectively within the University’s virtual learning environment (VLE).

THE PHYSIOTHERAPY PROGRAMME EMPHASISES THE DEVELOPMENT OF INDEPENDENT LEARNING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, CLINICAL REASONING, CRITICAL APPRAISAL SKILLS AND PROFESSIONALISM.

The course is delivered as a series of stand-alone 5-credit modules taught in a single semester, and integrated, systems-based modules, delivered across 2 semesters. The Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice module provides you with an appreciation of the array of clinical specialties and settings in which physiotherapists work. It also presents the first opportunity for a clinical visit.

Elective opportunities facilitate your growing awareness of the crucial roles that communication, culture, collaboration, critical thinking, medical ethics, information literacy, project management and self-reflection play in the professional practice of physiotherapy. They also provide students with an opportunity to work collectively with the Medicine and Pharmacy students.


FIRST SEMESTER
Fundamentals of Medical Physics
Fundamentals of Medicinal and Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Fundamentals of Human Biology
Musculoskeletal System, Nervous System, Skin, Special Senses, Reproduction and Endocrine Systems
Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Immune, Gastrointestinal and Excretory Systems
Professionalism in the Health Sciences
Biomedical Laboratory Sciences

SECOND SEMESTER
Disease Diagnostics and Therapeutics
Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice
Musculoskeletal System, Nervous System, Skin, Special Senses, Reproduction and Endocrine Systems
Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Immune, Gastrointestinal and Excretory Systems
Professionalism in the Health Sciences
Biomedical Laboratory Sciences

YEAR 1
Year 1 provides you with a sound base of scientific knowledge that underpins the practice of physiotherapy.

You gain an understanding of the structure, function and inter-relationship of systems in the human body by studying Anatomy and Physiology. Year 1 also focuses on acquisition of the knowledge and basic skills required to assess and treat people with common musculoskeletal conditions.

FIRST SEMESTER
Anatomy
Neuromusculoskeletal I
Physiology
Methods of Enquiry
Physics

SECOND SEMESTER
Neuromusculoskeletal II
Neuroscience Anatomy
Health Psychology
Professional Development I
Clinical Placement 1

YEAR 2
Year 2 builds on what you have already studied by further consolidating the knowledge and skills of physiotherapy practice.

THE FOCUS THIS YEAR IS ON THE APPLICATION AND ANALYSIS OF PROBLEMS AND THEIR EFFECTS IN CORE CLINICAL AREAS, e.g. CARDIOVASCULAR/RESPIRATORY, NEUROLOGY AND MUSCULOSKELETAL.

You gain an understanding of the research process and develop an ability to appraise and evaluate research and scientific literature. Blocks of clinical education alternate with academic modules in a variety of clinical settings.

Throughout the programme, clinical education is a central element, and you will undertake 1,000+ hours on a full-time block basis. This helps you gain essential clinical experience under the supervision of physiotherapy clinical tutors and senior physiotherapy clinicians.

On clinical placement, you apply your knowledge and skills in a real-world physiotherapy environment.

FIRST SEMESTER
Advanced Musculoskeletal I
Neuroscience Anatomy
Respiratory/Cardiovascular I
Neurology I
Professional Development II
Clinical Placement 2
Research Methods I

SECOND SEMESTER
Advanced Musculoskeletal II
Respiratory/Cardiovascular II
Neurology II
Clinical Placement 3
Clinical Placement 4

YEAR 3
Year 3 focuses on the integration of the knowledge you’ve already gained in the programme and understanding an advanced level of practice. Modules in final Physiotherapy cover more specialised areas of practice, e.g. sports physiotherapy, women’s health, care of the elderly and paediatrics.

YOUR ABILITY TO EVALUATE AND UNDERTAKE RESEARCH IS DEVELOPED FURTHER BY COMPLETING A RESEARCH PROTOCOL.

In the clinical setting, you encounter a more diverse and complex range of client groups in your final year.

FIRST SEMESTER
Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan I (Sports Physiotherapy, Women’s Health and Paediatrics)
Research Methods II
Clinical Placement 5
Clinical Placement 6

SECOND SEMESTER
Complex Clinical Care Management
Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan II (Care of the Elderly)
Research Methods II
Clinical Placement 7

RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences
Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland
123 St Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 YN77, Ireland
Tel +353 1 402 2228
Email admissions@rcsi.com
rcsi.com/dublin

International Students