Physiotherapy without a science A level

[boyoboys]

My ds has never had a clue what he wants to do in life other than 'definitely not a desk job' and if/whether university would fit into that. Not massively self motivated and with no direction or purpose scraped his GCSE's and now doing History ALevel & Sport L3 Diploma.

He's decided he wants to study physiotherapy at uni - learnt about it as part of his Diploma and just completed 3 days work experience LOVED it & convinced this is what he's destined to do.

We've been trawling the internet and entry requires seem to be tough but more importantly majority seem to want Biology A level and very few will consider his BTec. Foundation courses are a possibility but I'm concerned he might not be equipped for it plus we not sure we can afford 4 years uni. But, i'm delighted. he's finally found something that interests him and it would of course be a fantastic career, Any suggestions or does it sound like Foundation course might be the only way in for him?

Another option would be to take a year out, see if he could get a job as a therapy support worker in your local hospital whilst doing a biology A Level. He would then have more experience when he applies to uni and have earns a bit of money to help support himself. Likely would also be able to continue doing bank work during uni holidays

Is he in year 12. Could you afford a tutor and he take biology A level in a year? Or take a gap year and take biology a level?

My DD is at the end of her foundation year. It was useful to her as she needed to be treated like an adult.

Tutor (& an extra A level) not going to work but will suggest the year out to work/do the biology A level although can't see him being thrilled at the idea as him and his best mate are already planning their gap year. But then it's up to him how much he wants it I guess...

Hi Fran is that physio or another subject? Do many drop out after the foundation year or all continue on? I just wonder whether you'll ever feel part of the degree cohort if you've already done a year

What about this?

www.glos.ac.uk/courses/course/spt-bsc-sports-therapy/?utm_medium=cpc&utm_source=google&utm_campaign=clearing23&gad=1&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkqSlBhDaARIsAFJANkhEfHbIgu-HYxBaSoe53GXR6QehuxEzg5NBNRxKt12M7yb8ULB_5jQaAkIyEALw_wcB

Please don't do sports therapy, we get many students at work who have already done this and then have to do another vocational degree to get a job.
They are just starting to do apprenticeships at my hospital, tell him to look online for therapy assistant jobs (usually band 2) to see if he likes it then he could apply for an apprenticeship route to do physio and get paid whilst doing the degree course (I think its band 4) or he could do an access course which both myself and one of my adult children did to get onto NHS degree courses.

My DD needed an extra A level for clinical psychology. Some elements have been really easy, others not so. For medical based degrees they like maths at a higher level. That was fear inducing for my DD as she feels she is weak in that area.
I am not sure she noticed on the syllabus. I believe most people do continue on to the full degree. However foundation degrees can be mixed ages so my daughter found lots of her cohort were commuters not people in halls. The university have said that changes in September.

A good shout @Piggywaspushed and IMO probably more suitable (he's a keen sportsman so this area would be of interest) and already discussed as realistically, this is more accessible with the sort of predicted grades/subjects he's got.. However, is this a worthwhile degree or would he be better off doing an apprenticeship or other non degree course than spending 3 years and getting into £££ of debt.

Would this suit? Entry criteria suggets they may take his BTEC??

https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/study/public-allied-health/undergraduate-physiotherapy/?utmsource=google&utmmmedium=cpc&utmcampaign=rh-always-on-2023-non-clearing-courses&gclid=Cj0KCQjwkqSlBhDaARIsAFJANkjRP8LyUm9K0lnNKpHRR0DLSgR60evmOOERmzhfXAXiFpnQCbWGG0waAiUrEALwwwcB#fees-and-reqs

Ah ok cross post and my fear exactly.

Although playing devil's advocate, if you're not bright enough for physio, I'd sports there a viable career? I get it's not on a par with physiotherapy, but if you can't get onto physiotherapy, he's going to need to do something else.

DD did a Level 3 Btec in sport got distinction* and tried to get on a physio degree course. Unis just didn't want to know, they were very dismissive of the Btec courses in general. She's now doing a BSc in sports rehabilitation and hopes to get on a master's physio course at the end. A girl from her course went to do a related foundation degree before being accepted onto a physio degree

I personally think a degree offers more than a qualification. A friend's son got a first in sports science and has just been accepted into the marines. He was on team GB at one point. They are an army family before DC.
My daughter lost her way in education due to bullying but she has absolutely blossomed at university. She has mild SEN but a super high IQ and found school hard after 13. We had success at sixth form and then covid hit. She hated Home Ed hence why she was missing an A level.
I would suggest your son applys and has a good look around. And for God's sake let him choose. I thought my daughter would do Law or English. Her degree, her choice.

Would he consider podiatry? A friend of mine did this with lout science A levels, and now specialises in diabetic foot care in the NHS and paediatric podiatry and orthotics in private practice - two part time jobs seems common in this field.

St Mary's in twickenham any good?

@Stomacharmeleon possibly although I'd be worried about cost living there

@FancyFran I absolutely agree and school hasn't been a great experience for my son either, so if he is keen to go to university, I'd like to support him but don't feel strongly either way.

@IbizaToTheNorfolkBroads looked at that but not for him.

@GandTtwice I'd be interested to hear how your daughter is getting on, if she enjoy the course & are most doing it as a route to physio (seems a long way round imo!) or some work in sports rehabilitation ?

It's sometime difficult to find the details but there will be some that accept the BTEC in combination with an A-Level. Here's an example:
https://www.keele.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/undergraduatecourses/physiotherapy/#ug-ent-req-optionC
Distinction and Merit in any BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and B in Biology, Chemistry or Physical Education A Level, or Distinction and Merit in Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Health and Social Care, Sport, or Sport and Exercise Science BTEC National Diploma / Diploma and A in any A Level.
You will also need: 4 / C in GCSE Maths or Level 2 Functional Skills Maths, plus an English language qualification (see below)

My lovely op be careful in talk because the 'education experts' will pile in later (after the wine! ). My DD is at a very small university and I had to take a post down due to privacy issues and abuse. I just wanted some advice re universities whilst DD was on her looksee. Your son sounds lovely and vocational. We need people to help with injuries and post operative. It is not without value if you don't read quantum physics! I read Law at Oxford but work in the silly profession of beauty. I could sell you anything and that's what makes me happy. I can't state strongly enough let him choose. If nothing else he will meet interesting people and fees will be capped or scrapped under a labour government anyway.

She's really enjoyed it, just finished her first year. It was offered to her after being told the physio course was full. And because she'd intended to specialise in sports physiotherapy anyway it seemed a better alternative than taking a year out trying to do an extra A-level.
There was a lot to learn in terms of body parts/muscles/movement etc and having not done biology I think it was a shock to her and some of her friends. But it's also a very practical course. They're in uni about three days a week and most of this seems to be in small group work. Next year they will start clinic placements with sports teams.
I think there's a mix of what people are hoping to do after the course. When we visited unis there was quite a bit of talk about MSc anyway as I think it's needed to progress beyond a certain level.

fees will be capped or scrapped under a labour government anyway

(a) Fees are already capped.

(b) Labour have not made any commitment to scrapping tuition fees. This would be massively expensive and would provoke outrage from the people who have already got student loan debt.

@NoNotHimTheOtherOne I am not going to comment further purely for family reasons.

Sorry OP I can't help any further due to my last post. I have a family member working close to policy. Good luck.

@GandTtwice thanks so much that's really helpful insight. As pp said it's up to ds what he does but this sounds right up his street (and what he also intends to specialise in longer term) Will have a chat to him later and look at this and the other physio courses suggested.

Much appreciated everyone will let you know the outcome once he's applied!

Just be careful about a gap year and an a level……check with the universities he’s interested in as to whether they’ll accept it. Some might want all the ucas points from one sitting/year. He might be better off doing an Access to healthcare course for a year? But will depend on the university