The course is student centred and problem solving. This means that much of the teaching is in small tutorial groups or skills groups,and students have the opportunity to explore and develop their ideas.

Here is an example of how the students learn:

Unit one covers 'the shoulder'. The first task that you will receive is to think about how the shoulder moves in relation to its structure.

During the first tutorial you will discover which movements occur at the shoulder, and what part the clavicle and scapula play in enhancing the movements.

Next you will need to consider the shape of the bones, and how they fit together, so that you begin to understand how the movement occurs.

The actual movements are of course produced by muscles, so then you will need to look in some detail at where these muscles attach, and therefore how they produce movement.

You will also have noticed that there are movements that cannot be performed, and then you will be in a position to consider what structures prevent unwanted movements, and how the shoulder maintains its stability.

Once you have an understanding of the normal functions of the shoulder, you will be in a position to understand what may go wrong, and how the body is likely to react.

Then you will be able to consider how a physiotherapist may be able to put things right. This involves a range of skills which are practised in relation to the shoulder.

Study time is built in to the timetable, so that you will be able to research the material and prepare for the next tutorial.

It is very important that a physiotherapist is able to justify his/her choices of treatment, and these clinical reasoning skills are practised right from the very beginning of the course.