What our students say
First year student, Alex Wengraf-Hewitt, and third year student, Claire Stevens - on their experiences of the BSc Physiotherapy degree.
What attracted you to a career in physiotherapy?
Alex (year 1): “I graduated in zoology from Dundee University, then took a job as an administrator in the physiotherapy department of a south London therapy centre, while considering my future. I was keen to do something that would use my science background while also working with people, and so while doing that job I became interested in physiotherapy.”
Claire (year 3): “After school I went to college and studied a BTEC in sports science, then worked for two years as a physiotherapy assistant in a school for disabled children. I loved it and decided to qualify as a physiotherapist.”
What drew you study here with us?
Alex (year 1): “At the therapy centre we had lots of students coming in from various universities around London, and the students from the Faculty seemed the most capable and competent. They came with a good working knowledge of physiotherapy, and said the Faculty was a great place to study – so I applied.”
Claire (year 3): “Firstly, I wanted to study in London. I came to the Faculty for a visit and thought it was a nice environment, I felt really at home here. Also, a lot of the other courses I looked into were largely lecture-based whereas here there’s a balance of theory with lots of practical sessions, which is how I like to learn.”
How have you found the course so far?
Alex (year 1): “I’m finding the course more challenging and harder work than my first degree! There’s a lot of information to take in. But I think that’s normal because we’re going to be treating people, so we need to know what we’re doing.”
Claire (year 3): “It’s been a really challenging three years. A professional healthcare degree is very different to being a ‘normal’ student. But although it can be tough, stick with it because it’s definitely well worth it in the end.”
Have you felt supported during your studies?
Alex (year 1): “Yes, fortunately there’s plenty of support available from staff and fellow students. In my year we’re quite a mixed group – around half are school leavers and there are quite a few mature students. For me that really helps, having a range of people with different life experiences you can relate to in different ways.”
Claire (year 3): “Definitely. The staff have been really supportive throughout. They’re all very approachable and happy for you to email them with questions after lectures, and everybody has a personal tutor. We all have ‘mums and dads’ too – students in the year above us who provide a range of support. By the time you reach your third year you have a whole extended family, with children and grandparents! It’s really nice because there’s always someone who’s ‘been there’ who can tell you about their experiences and steer you in the right direction. Then you get to step into that role and are able to help others, which can involve anything from advice about exams and helping with lecture notes, to supporting school-leavers who’ve just left home for the first time.”
How about the balance of theory and practice on the course?
Alex (year 1): “The course is very practical and hands-on, which I like. There are lots of group sessions where you work with other students to review cases, work through problems – and practice on each other! Before exams, we all get together round a table and go through everything, explore the different scenarios and possibilities. I haven’t been out on placement yet, but I’m looking forward to it.”
Claire (year 3): “I can tell you about placements... You do six full-time placements over the three years of the course – of five weeks’ duration each. It’s really good to have that variety of experiences in different environments.
“I was quite scared before I went out on my first placement. I’d never been on a hospital ward before and I was worried they’d expect me to be a fully-fledged physiotherapist from day one! But actually they were so great, really supportive and helpful. The staff in the Faculty are just as supportive. Each time we go out on placement we have clinical preparation sessions beforehand, and sessions afterwards to reflect and share feedback with other students.
“While on placement, you have a clinical educator who teaches you, marks you and supports you throughout the placement. During some placements you produce a portfolio of reflective work covering what you’ve learned and your thought processes and clinical reasoning.
“My favourite placement was at a children's hospital, where I did orthopaedics, working with children of all ages. I enjoyed the fact that you could incorporate play into everything you were doing, and use play as part of treatment. That was a lot of fun. But it was also a challenge to adapt my communication skills to children. That was quite difficult, as you’re not just treating the children, you’re also working with their families.
“On a typical day, I’d arrive in the department each morning, meet the team and have a catch-up. Then we’d go up to the ward and do ward handover. I’d prioritise my patients for the day, then start working through my patient list. At lunchtime I’d usually go for a bite to eat with the team, then work through the rest of my patient list in the afternoon, sometimes including hydrotherapy sessions – which the children loved.”
Where do you plan to go from here?
Alex (year 1): “In terms of my career plans, it’s early days, so I’m keeping an open mind. A lot of people are interested in sports physiotherapy, but that’s not really for me. At the moment I’m finding neurology really interesting, for example working with people who’ve had a stroke or who have Parkinson’s disease. There’s also a possibility I could go into animal physiotherapy, using my zoology degree. But I still have a lot to learn and I’m sure my experiences on placement, which I’m looking forward to, will influence my interests and plans.”
Claire (year 3): “I’m going to enjoy my summer, then I’ll be looking for my first job. Longer term, I’d like to specialise in either outpatients or paediatric physiotherapy.”
And finally, do you have any advice for other students considering this course?
Alex (year 1): “If you think you might be interested in physiotherapy, I’d advise you to call a local hospital and ask about their open days. Lots of hospitals have open days but they don’t necessarily advertise them. I went along to a large teaching hospital and spent a day being shown around and observing physiotherapy sessions, which was really useful.”
Claire (year 3): “I’d say be ready for a challenge! The course is harder work than a ‘normal’ degree, but I said before, do stick with it because it’s definitely worth it in the end. I’ve learned so much and really developed as a person.”
- BSc Physiotherapy students Alex Wengraf-Hewitt and Claire Stevens
- Louise Hawkes, BSc Physiotherapy graduate
- Lucy Ives, MSc Exercise for Health
- Amy Wigley, PgCert Rehabilitation student
- Pip Nott, MSc Rehabilitation student
- Majida Al Balushi, international MSc Rehabilitation student
- Richard Kain, MSc Rehabilitation student
- Pranali Tripathi, MSc Rehabilitation student
- Faraz Sethi, BSc Physiotherapy graduate
