This is a very important part of the course. Students are required by the Professional body to have completed a minimum of 1,000 clinical hours. The students at the Manchester School of Physiotherapy are able to complete considerably more than this minimum standard. Placements are approved by the validating bodies (The Council for Professions Supplementary to Medicine, The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the University of Manchester). Students are under the day-to-day care of a qualified senior physiotherapist who is also a clinical educator. In addition, a member of the academic staff of the School visits students regularly. The placements are assessed using criteria with which both staff and students are familiar. The mark contributes toward the final degree award.

We are very fortunate at the Manchester School of Physiotherapy to have many centres of excellence literally on the doorstep. Clinical placements are in Manchester and throughout the North West of England.

By the end of the third year you will have completed at least one placement lasting five to six weeks in each of the four core clinical areas. These are:

Musculo-skeletal

• In patient, out patient and community settings, NHS and private sector
• The treatment of patients with back problems, neck problems and problems at other joints
• The management of fractures, dislocations and soft tissue injuries
• Includes the management of patients following trauma or elective surgery
• Management of problems in children and the elderly
  

Medical/Surgical

• Includes work on hospital wards and other specialist units
• Management of patients following cardiac, thoracic or general surgery
• Management of patients with respiratory disease such as bronchitis or asthma
• Cardiac rehabilitation - support, exercise and advice following heart attack
• Following amputation of a limb - re-education of walking using artificial limbs
  

Neurology

• Rehabilitation of people who have suffered a stroke or brain injury
• Rehabilitation following severe back injuries resulting in paraplegia
• Working with people with multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease
• Working with children with complex problems for example, cerebral palsy
  

Combined

• Working with babies and children
• Working with old and young people with learning difficulties
• Community placements - supporting people in their own homes
• Hydrotherapy for adults and children
• Treating people with mental health problems
• Treating and advising women before and after childbirth
• Burns and plastic surgery
  

First year placements

At the end of the first and third terms and for a total of four days, students observe qualified physiotherapists at work. This may be arranged either in Manchester or at a hospital or clinic nearer home.

Second year placements

As a second year student you will begin the first 10 weeks of clinical experience at the beginning of the first term. This will continue until Christmas. The next placement is at the end of the summer term and lasts for six weeks.

Third year placements

Placements in the third year are during the Easter term and last for 12 weeks. By this time you will be much more accustomed to working in a clinical environment and will be becoming a confident practitioner.

Opportunities for travel

The final 4-week placement is normally 'elective'. You can choose where you want to go. Provided that a qualified physiotherapist supervises you, the world is your oyster! In the past, our students have travelled to Pakistan, Romania, Barbados, the Philippines, Canada, the USA and Africa. Other students have elected to stay in the UK. Where will you go?