Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
Online or in-person delivery
Option for Placement Year
Option for Study Abroad
Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
Overview
Please note this module will only run if minimum cohort numbers are achieved. If you are interested in this course, please complete the 'Register Your Interest' form using the button above, before May 2027.
This module aligns to the knowledge and skills needed to work with complex clinical caseloads within musculoskeletal settings. The module is taught by clinical experts who will support you in developing advanced criticality towards clinical reasoning and decision-making in managing complex musculoskeletal conditions and masquerades.
Throughout the module you will develop advanced skills in clinical communication, assessment, diagnosis, and complex condition management using a personalised care approach. You will be supported to further develop your skills in contemporary evidence-based practice by critically analysing research, governance, and clinical safety issues for its application into practice.
On campus teaching will be delivered at our Coach Lane Campus and supplemented with online resources to enhance flexibility and access.
Key primary care drivers include:
- HEE Multi-professional Framework for Advanced Clinical Practice.
- NHS long-term plan
- NHS-England Network Contracts Directed Enhanced Service
- Care Quality Commission Standards
Northumbria offers a long-established record of delivering high quality learning and teaching, research, and enterprise by experts in the field. We have a proven track record in pre-registration and post registration allied health education. NU has an excellent reputation for collaboration with key partners which include the NHS, voluntary, and private sectors.
How many credits is this module?
- This module is 20 credits.
Fees and Funding 2027/28 Entry
Full UK Fee: TBC
Tuition fees in the academic year 2027/28* will be £10,050. Fees are set in line with the UK Government's tuition fee cap. The University may increase fees in subsequent years in line with any changes to the tuition fee cap. Increases will be linked to inflation. For example, increases may be linked to RPIX (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments) Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect. Student fee loans rise in line with the tuition fees cap.
*if your course is longer than one year
Full International Fee: TBC
This is the tuition fee for your first year of study. You should expect to pay tuition fees for every year of study. The University may increase fees in the second and subsequent years of your course at our discretion in line with any inflationary or other uplift. Students will be notified of any increase ahead of it taking effect.
Scholarships and Discounts
ADDITIONAL COSTS
TBC
Modules Overview 2026/27
Modules
Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.
Year one
SP7031 -
Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice (Core,20 Credits)
This module focuses upon developing the knowledge, skills, attributes that underpin safe and effective practice to effectively manage complex musculoskeletal conditions. You will learn about recent clinical innovations within MSK as well as advance your knowledge and skills in advanced diagnostics of musculoskeletal and undifferentiated pathologies and consider how to manage and stratifying clinical risk and uncertainty in the clinical management process. The module will guide you to consider how to best employ an inclusive personalised care approach towards managing the complex medical, physical and psychological, socioeconomic and cultural needs of service users. During the module you will explore advanced communication methods to support the delivery of multi- component management plans that include health promotion and disease prevention. You will develop your research skills by critically analysing clinical research, governance and patient safety issues to help support safe and effective in contemporary MSK practice settings.
More informationKey Learning Outcomes
This module focuses upon developing the knowledge, skills, attributes that underpin safe and effective practice to effectively manage complex musculoskeletal conditions. You will learn about recent clinical innovations within MSK as well as advance your knowledge and skills in advanced diagnostics of musculoskeletal and undifferentiated pathologies and consider how to manage and stratifying clinical risk and uncertainty in the clinical management process. The module will guide you to consider how to best employ an inclusive personalised care approach towards managing the complex medical, physical and psychological, socioeconomic and cultural needs of service users.
During the module you will explore advanced communication methods to support the delivery of multi- component management plans that include health promotion and disease prevention. You will develop your research skills by critically analysing clinical research, governance and patient safety issues to help support safe and effective in contemporary MSK practice settings.
Knowledge & Understanding:
• Demonstrate an advanced level of critical understanding, clinical reasoning and clinical skills in the assessment and diagnosis of MSK and undifferentiated condition which includes appropriate selection of diagnostic investigations and onward diagnostic referrals. .
• Demonstrate critical knowledge and comprehensive management of musculoskeletal condition, undifferentiated diagnoses, and associated comorbidities through multiple and inter-related interventions, sign-posting and onward referral via collaborative MDT working.
Intellectual / Professional skills & abilities:
• Demonstrate the ability to critically evaluate the role of evidence-based practice to support musculoskeletal assessment and management.
Personal Values Attributes (Global / Cultural awareness, Ethics, Curiosity) (PVA):
• Demonstrate advanced use of interpersonal and communication skills to apply a personalised care approach during clinical encounters).
Modules and Learning
This module focuses upon developing the knowledge, skills, attributes that underpin safe and effective practice to effectively manage complex musculoskeletal conditions. You will learn about recent clinical innovations within MSK as well as advance your knowledge and skills in advanced diagnostics of musculoskeletal and undifferentiated pathologies and consider how to manage and stratifying clinical risk and uncertainty in the clinical management process. The module will guide you to consider how to best employ an inclusive personalised care approach towards managing the complex medical, physical and psychological, socioeconomic and cultural needs of service users.
During the module you will explore advanced communication methods to support the delivery of multi- component management plans that include health promotion and disease prevention. You will develop your research skills by critically analysing clinical research, governance and patient safety issues to help support safe and effective in contemporary MSK practice settings.
Academic Expertise and Assessment
Students will benefit from having course content delivered by clinical specialists with advanced musculoskeletal experience. The module is led by an experienced musculoskeletal physiotherapist and academic who can offer guidance on the advanced clinical reasoning, evidence based approach needed for the assessment. Other Northumbria physiotherapy academics offer specialist input around pain management and personalised care.
The module offers a flexible hybrid approach where you can choose to attend on campus or via an online learning platform. You will be supported to develop your knowledge, skills and attributes by experienced musculoskeletal clinicians, through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops.
Students will benefit from having course content delivered by clinical specialists with experience of working with complex clinical case-loads.
A presentation and viva on a complex clinical case study will be used to assess the learning outcomes. Using a selected case study, you will be asked to demonstrate critical application of advanced assessment and management approaches.
If you have queries around this module please contact Michael Kelly:
michael4.kelly@northumbria.ac.uk
Career Edge
Critical use of evidence, clinical governance and policy will be developed in this module by applying theoretical principles and research to real world clinical scenarios. Learners will further develop research and leadership skills by critically analysing research, governance, and clinical safety issues to help identify service improvements that support a safe, effective, and sustainable delivery of primary care services.
Accuracy of information
All information is accurate at the time of sharing.
How your course is delivered
Full time Courses are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but could include elements of online learning.
Changes to your course
Most courses run as described on our website and in our marketing materials. Occasionally we may need to make changes, for example due to a change in the law or regulatory requirements, requirements of a Professional, Statutory or Regulatory Body, or our quality assurance processes. Where a change is significant (in line with the Competition and Markets Authority's guidance on "substantial changes"), we will consult with affected students in advance where the change is being decided, and will explain the reason for the change and inform you at the earliest opportunity.
If we make a significant variation to your programme, you are entitled to: request a transfer to an alternative, appropriate programme; withdraw and have your tuition fees adjusted; or raise a complaint through the Student Complaints Procedure.
Optional modules listed on course pages may be subject to change depending on uptake numbers each year. Where a module you selected is withdrawn, the options above apply.
Contact time
Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with possible restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors if this is deemed necessary in future.
Images and video
The photography and video on this page are used for illustration. They may have been taken at different times and in different parts of the University, and may show facilities, equipment, staff, students or activities that are not part of this course. They are not a guarantee of the specific facilities or equipment you will use.
The course content, entry requirements and fees sections of this page, together with the Programme Specification, set out what this course includes. Our facilities are updated over time and may change during your studies.
Useful Links
Find out about our distinctive approach at
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp
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northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy
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northumbria.ac.uk/complaints
Page last reviewed: 29 September 2026
