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Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (Dubai) MSc / PGDip
- CampusDubaiDelivery formatIn person
- Start dateSeptemberDuration1 year full time, 2-3 years part time
- AwardMaster of Science / Postgraduate Diploma
- Entry requirements2:1 Honours degree in Physiotherapy (pre-registration)
- Fees (UK/Ireland)September 2026: MSc AED 155,483 per year (full-time) / AED 77,742 per year (part-time); PGDip AED 103,483 per year (full-time)
Course overview
Join the next generation of musculoskeletal physiotherapy experts and enhance your clinical reasoning for advanced practice. Boost your clinical reasoning, hands-on skills, and research abilities to propel you into a successful career in advanced musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
Study at a world-leading research university with a team of multidisciplinary experts. You’ll engage in assessing and managing musculoskeletal conditions, while critically evaluating evidence and your own experiences to enhance your expertise in this specialised field. Apply clinical reasoning skills to effectively handle complex clinical cases as you learn from experts in the field.
Course structure
This course will run over 12 months in a full-time mode. There is also the opportunity to undertake the programme on a part-time basis for over two or three years. While the exact content may change, here’s what you can expect to study each semester. This is based on a full-time Masters course.
Term 1
Term 1
September – January (11 weeks)
In term one, you will learn how to identify, critically appraise and integrate evidence with your clinical practice. You will focus on assessing and managing lower quadrant conditions, developing clinical reasoning, decision-making, and evidence-based practice with a hands-on approach. Benefit from reflective practice, CPD, and interdisciplinary collaboration. During your Continuing Professional Development in Mentored Practice module, you will integrate theory with practical experience through a structured mentorship programme, requiring one hundred hours of hands-on experience, which you will complete by end of the year.
Term 2
Term 2
January – May (11 weeks)
In the second term, you will develop critical reflective skills as you learn how to optimally understand your past clinical experience. You will shift your focus to the upper-limb (including the cervical and thoracic spine) as you further develop your clinical reasoning skills and utilise a variety of evidence based assessment and management techniques. Optional modules are available to help you tailor your learning to your future career ambitions.
Term 3
Term 3
May - August (11 weeks)
In the final term, you'll complete a research dissertation, which builds on your research proposal from first term. You'll complete one hundred clinical placement hours of mentored practice for the Continuing Professional Development in Mentored Practice module. This term focuses on integrating your research, analytical, and problem-solving skills, along with developing your leadership attributes and dissemination of your research findings.
This programme is accredited by the United Arab Emirates Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research.
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Course highlights
With our world-leading research expertise, your learning will be facilitated by our distinguished research and teaching staff. Learn from experienced clinical academics, educators and researchers who will enrich your learning and development.
Join a community of postgraduate students with shared learning opportunities between the UK and Dubai and access world-class learning facilities on our award-winning smart campus. With flexible study options, you can tailor your learning experience to meet your personal and professional needs.
- A degree to suit you
- Flexible study to fit around your personal commitments
- World-class facilities
- Distinguished research and teaching staff
- Award-winning state-of-the-art campus. The perfect learning environment
- 6th
in the World
QS World University Rankings 2024
Course delivery
Learn from world-leading experts and your peers as you participate in mixed method teaching, with flexibility to tailor your learning experience to meet your personal and professional needs.
Lecture
1:1 Supervision
Seminar
Tutorial
- Lectures - delivered by a mixture of academic experts and professional individuals who are active within physiotherapy-related organisations.
- Seminars and tutorials - led by both tutors and students to facilitate peer-to-peer learning.
- 1:1 supervision - Benefit from shared learning between the UK and Dubai, as well as a personal tutor and dissertation supervisor for 1:1 support.
Assessments methods
These will vary with each module and could include coursework, such as essays; group presentations, individual presentations, critical discussions (VIVA Voce), and practical assessments. You will receive feedback on each assessment within four weeks, so you can learn from each assignment.
Our timetable is designed to deliver teaching on one or two weekday evenings and on weekends (day varies per module). Part-time students will study during these hours as per the number of modules they choose to study. If you decide to only take one module per semester, you will only need to be at the University Dubai campus for the duration of that module and any scheduled tutorials (organised by each module leader depending on the module).
Module information
The modules listed for this programme are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Any optional module information listed for this programme is intended to be indicative, and the availability of optional modules may vary from year to year. Where a module is no longer available we will let you know as soon as we can and help you to make other choices.
The Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy is awarded with successful completion of six 20 credit masters level modules. Cumulative total of 120 M level credits. The award of Master of Science (MSc) in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy will be awarded following successful completion of the Research Dissertation (60 credits) to provide a cumulative total of 180 M level credits.
MSc Full-time
Year: 1
2026/27 Session
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 1: Lower Quadrant | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 2: Upper Quadrant | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Continuing Professional Development and Mentored Practice | 20 | Full Term |
| Creating and Applying Evidence | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Dissertation | 60 | Full Term |
| Innovation in Professional Development | 20 | Semester 1 |
You must choose 20 credits from the following list:
| Module Title | Credits | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership and Management in Global Health | 20 | Semester 1 |
| Mixed Methods Research Design | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis | 20 | Semester 2 |
| Work Based Continuing Professional Development | 20 | Full Term |
Teaching staff
Karthikeyan Muthumayandi
Programme director for MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Karthikeyan Muthumayandi, Programme director for MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
Entry requirements
To secure your place at the University of Birmingham Dubai, you must meet both our general entry requirements and the specific criteria for your chosen course. Your application will be carefully reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will determine if you will receive an offer.
- 2:1 Honours degree
in Physiotherapy (pre-registration)
You must have achieved a minimum of 2:1 in an undergraduate (pre-registration) physiotherapy qualification. You must also have registration as a practising physiotherapist in the country where you are currently/have been practising.
You will also need to submit the following documentation in support of your application:
- Supporting evidence of appropriate continuing professional development (CPD)
- Two academic/employer references
- Transcripts of degree (certified and translated into English if appropriate).
- Personal statement
- English language requirement
If you meet the entry criteria, you will be invited to an in-person or online interview to discuss your motivations and eligibility for the programme.
English language requirements
To study at the University, you must be able to demonstrate a good level of written and spoken English. Many applicants do this by submitting a recent IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE result, or by completing a Presessional English course.
The level of English language proficiency required varies depending on your level of study and subject area.
You can view the full English language requirements, including accepted tests and required scores, on our entry requirements page for the Dubai campus.
Fees and scholarships
The University tuition fee covers the cost of your tuition, examination and graduation.
- AED 155,483 / 77,742
MSc full-time / part-time per year
- AED 103,655
PGDip full-time, per year
Scholarships
Birmingham attracts the best and brightest students from across the globe. For students with the potential to thrive here, we have a number of scholarships available at our Dubai campus.
Application process
To apply for a postgraduate programme, you will need to submit your application and supporting documents online.
Career opportunities
Open up a world of career opportunities with MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy. Enter into advanced clinical and leadership positions or work in hospitals, in the community as well as sports clubs and the military. An increasing number of our graduates are working on a freelance basis. Some choose to pursue further studies in education, research or undertake further training.
Careers Network
In a competitive global market, you need to be ready for work before you graduate. At the University of Birmingham Dubai, our careers services will help you plan and achieve your ambitions. Whatever you plan to do after your degree, the Careers Network Dubai information, advice, and guidance service offers support to help you identify your options, develop your skills and gain access to opportunities that propel you towards your career goal.
Student experience
At Birmingham, your university experience isn’t just about studying. You will have the opportunity to discover new experiences, develop different skills and make friends for life at our Dubai campus.
Our state-of-the-art Dubai campus, with its iconic buildings overlooking stunning parkland and friendly community, will quickly make you feel at home in the UAE's second city. Expect plenty of exciting activities to get involved in outside of your studies, as well as all the support and advice you need.
Accommodation
Coming to the University of Birmingham Dubai to study might be your first time living away from home. Our student accommodation partners allow you to enjoy your independence in safe, welcoming, and sociable surroundings.
Living in Dubai
Enrich your life with endless attractions, entertainment and lifestyle opportunities. In just over 50 years, Dubai has transformed itself from a tiny settlement to a glistening city and world-class destination. It’s no wonder our students fall in love with the city.
Campus life
Our state-of-the-art Dubai campus is where our diverse community comes together, providing a home for up to 3,000 students to learn, relax, and socialise.
Student support
Whoever you are and wherever you come from, we are committed to providing the best possible support to all of our students, both before you start and throughout your time on campus, so that you can get the most out of your university experience.
Take a virtual tour
Explore our Dubai campus from wherever you are. Get a feel for the wide range of modern spaces and state-of-the-art facilities.