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?

Honestly if you say he isn't particularly self motivated and he doesn't have the relevant a levels, he's probably better off getting the foundation year under his belt anyway. If not he may really struggle with some of the fundamentals. I have a biology degree, so took some modules in human anatomy and physiology (which I assume are relevant in physio), and it's really tough. Very content heavy & requires a lot of self-led study.

I remember when I first went to uni, I took a neuroscience degree - the vast majority of the people on the course had taken biology/chemistry/maths at A level, so the uni assumed knowledge in these areas. IME they didn't slow down for anyone who may have gaps in their knowledge.

I had taken only biology, and was expected to catch up with foundations of chemistry and maths on my own time - it was immensely tough. In the end I just couldn't cope so dropped out and only got the confidence to return, to study biology, when I was 23.

He's really better off having a good think, or trying for the foundation year, than jumping head first into something he'll find horrendously tough. You know him best in terms of his tenacity, but I honestly think the foundation year will be good for him - if I'd done one I might've graduated at 22 instead of 26!

My best friends son is graduating firm Kent this year after doing a four year degree in forensics with a foundation. He found it really helpful as he came from a tough school and it brought his maths up to speed.

Foundation years are designed for students exactly like your son so he should definitely consider one.
it’ll get him to the level of knowledge expected and also give him an extra year to adjust to uni before his degree proper starts.