Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy MSc / PGDip
About This Programme
The MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham Dubai is an advanced clinical master's for registered physiotherapists who want to move into advanced musculoskeletal practice. It sharpens clinical reasoning, hands-on skills and research ability for assessing and managing musculoskeletal conditions, and asks students to weigh the evidence critically against their own clinical experience. It runs for 12 months full-time or over two or three years part-time, and is also offered as a Postgraduate Diploma of six taught modules. Term 1 covers lower quadrant conditions and how to appraise and apply evidence, Term 2 moves to the upper limb, including the cervical and thoracic spine, and Term 3 is given to a research dissertation built on a proposal written in the first term. Across the year students complete 100 hours of mentored clinical practice and choose one optional module, from leadership in global health to systematic reviews. Teaching runs on one or two weekday evenings and at weekends, with shared postgraduate learning between Birmingham's UK and Dubai campuses.
Course Highlights
- Learning from experienced clinical academics, educators and researchers, with lectures from professionals active in physiotherapy organisations.
- Shared postgraduate learning between the UK and Dubai, with a personal tutor and a dissertation supervisor, on the award-winning smart campus.
- Flexible study: 12 months full-time or two to three years part-time, with teaching on weekday evenings and at weekends.
- A structured mentorship programme with 100 hours of hands-on mentored clinical practice.
- Birmingham is 9th in the world for Sports-related subjects (QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026) and 68th in the QS World University Rankings 2027, as stated on the course page.
What You'll Study
Teaching mixes lectures, given by academic experts and by professionals active in physiotherapy-related organisations; seminars and tutorials led by tutors and students for peer-to-peer learning; and 1:1 supervision, with shared learning between the UK and Dubai and a personal tutor and dissertation supervisor. Assessment varies by module and can include essays, group and individual presentations, critical discussions (viva voce) and practical assessments, with feedback on each assessment within four weeks. The timetable delivers teaching on one or two weekday evenings and at weekends (the day varies by module). Part-time students attend these sessions for the modules they choose; a student taking one module a semester needs to be on the Dubai campus only for that module and any tutorials its module leader schedules. An example timetable is published on the course page. Teaching staff listed on the course page include Karthikeyan Muthumayandi, Programme Director for the MSc Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Term 1 (September to January, 11 weeks)
Identifying, critically appraising and integrating evidence with clinical practice; assessing and managing lower quadrant conditions with a hands-on approach to clinical reasoning, decision-making and evidence-based practice; reflective practice, CPD and interdisciplinary work. The mentored-practice module starts, and the dissertation proposal is written.
- Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 1: Lower Quadrant20 credits
- Creating and Applying Evidence20 credits
- Innovation in Professional Development20 credits
Term 2 (January to May, 11 weeks)
Critical reflection on past clinical experience, and the upper limb, including the cervical and thoracic spine, with a range of evidence-based assessment and management techniques. Optional modules let students tailor the course to their career plans.
- Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy 2: Upper Quadrant20 credits
Term 3 (May to August, 11 weeks)
The research dissertation, building on the first-term proposal, and the remaining clinical placement hours for the mentored-practice module, with a focus on research, analysis, problem-solving, leadership and sharing research findings.
- Dissertation60 credits
Across the year
Continuing Professional Development and Mentored Practice runs through all three terms: a structured mentorship programme of 100 hours of hands-on clinical experience, completed by the end of the year. Module table for the 2026/27 session, full-time MSc. The PGDip is awarded for six 20-credit master's-level modules (120 credits); the MSc adds the 60-credit dissertation, for 180 credits.
- Continuing Professional Development and Mentored Practice20 credits
Choose 20 credits from the following. Leadership and Management in Global Health runs in Semester 1, Mixed Methods Research Design and Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis in Semester 2, and Work Based Continuing Professional Development across the year.
- Leadership and Management in Global Health20 credits
- Mixed Methods Research Design20 credits
- Systematic Reviews and Evidence Synthesis20 credits
- Work Based Continuing Professional Development20 credits
Entry Requirements
Applications need evidence of appropriate continuing professional development (CPD), two academic or employer references, degree transcripts (certified, and translated into English where needed), a personal statement and evidence of English. Applicants who meet the criteria are invited to an interview, in person or online, about their motivation and eligibility.
Careers
Graduates move into advanced clinical and leadership roles, or work in hospitals, in the community, in sports clubs and in the military; a growing number work freelance, and some go on to further study in education or research, or to further training. The Careers Network Dubai offers information, advice and guidance.
Accreditation & Professional Recognition
Accredited by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and listed as Active on the Commission for Academic Accreditation register as the Master of Science in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy; the register does not list a separate postgraduate diploma in this subject.
Programme Details
Award
Master of Science (MSc) or Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip)
Start Date
September 2026 (applications closed; September 2027 details to follow)
Typical Offer
2:1 Honours degree in Physiotherapy (pre-registration), plus registration as a practising physiotherapist
Duration
12 months full-time; 2 or 3 years part-time
Qualification
Masters
Subject Area
Health Sciences
Campus
Dubai
Study Pattern
Full time, Part time
Delivery Format
In person
Tuition Fee
AED 155,483/yr
MSc: AED 155,483 a year full-time or AED 77,742 a year part-time, for September 2026 entry. PGDip: AED 103,655 a year full-time according to the fees section (the page header gives AED 103,483). The fee covers tuition, examinations and graduation and is charged for each year of study; it can be paid in full or in instalments, and it does not include visa or living costs. Applications for September 2026 entry to this programme are closed, and details for September 2027 entry will be published later. Applications are made online through the University of Birmingham Dubai Admissions portal, with no application fee; postgraduate applicants upload transcripts for study completed so far, their degree certificate if available, and a CV. Decisions are usually made within 10 working days of all documents arriving. A non-returnable AED 5,000 deposit, deducted from tuition, is paid on accepting an offer. Scholarships of up to 30% are assessed from the application itself, with no separate form, and full-time students can apply for a student visa sponsored by the University.