MSc in Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
€11,820
Develop the professional knowledge base, skills and competencies required to fulfil a role in advanced physiotherapy management of people with musculoskeletal conditions in the context of changing healthcare services.
Masters
2 years
Hybrid - Part-time
90 ECTS
September 2025
About
On the MSc in Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from RCSI School of Physiotherapy you'll learn from experts from a range of disciplines who promote interdisciplinary learning and practice. Year 1 covers topics such as understanding pain, advanced musculoskeletal management of the upper and lower quadrant, therapeutic exercise, leadership and management, translating evidence to practice and research methods, alongside optional modules in musculoskeletal injection therapy or physical activity and behaviour change, to tailor your learning to your personal goals.
Upon successful completion of Year 1 of the programme, you will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy (60 ECTS).
If you wish to gain an MSc (90 ECTS), you may continue your studies in Year 2 of the programme, in which you will undertake a module in Advanced Clinical Practice, where you will be mentored in applying theoretical knowledge, clinical skills and behaviours obtained from other modules, in clinical and simulated settings. You will also complete a research dissertation in the area of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. The MSc programme is two years, part-time.
This programme runs on a hybrid model – two days in-person attendance is required per month over the academic year (September to June) in Year 1; and one day in-person attendance is required per month in Year 2, with the remainder of content delivered online.
This course is a Level 9 award on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications.
Enhance understanding of complex musculoskeletal conditions
Develop advanced clinical skills and innovative management strategies for patient care
Apply research methods to drive improvements in patient outcomes
Gain expertise in interdisciplinary teamwork and leadership
Focus on evidence-based practice
Develop skills to contribute to research and practice
Suitable for
This MSc is designed for physiotherapists working in public or private musculoskeletal settings and is particularly suitable for those who want to work at an advanced level of clinical practice.
What you will learn
Develop skills to search, retrieve, and appraise evidence for professional practice, combining online and in-person workshops.
Advance understanding of contemporary knowledge underpinning multidimensional pain and advanced clinical skills in assessment and management of the complex pain patient.
Develop skills and advanced reasoning in the assessment, prescription, delivery and progression of therapeutic exercise for use in physiotherapy practice.
Delivered online, explore essential leadership and management skills in healthcare, aiding transition from clinical roles to leadership.
Develop knowledge, clinical reasoning and skills in the management and prevention of musculoskeletal problems of the cervical spine, thoracic spine and upper limb.
Expand knowledge, clinical reasoning and skills in the management and prevention of musculoskeletal problems of the lumbar spine, pelvis and lower limb.
Enhance understanding of the research process through protocol design, beneficial for those undertaking a project in Year 2.
Enhance knowledge of health behaviour change psychology, focusing on promoting physical activity in long-term conditions.
Build practical skills and knowledge pertaining to the use of joint and soft tissue injections in the management of upper and lower limb musculoskeletal conditions and ensure safe and professional practice.
Apply theoretical knowledge, clinical skills and behaviours obtained from other modules to deliver the highest quality clinical practice, underpinned by best-practice evidence and reflective practice.
Develop practical research skills by undertaking a research project/dissertation in a topic related to musculoskeletal practice.
Faculty highlight
Biography
Prof. Helen French
Prof. French is an Associate Professor in the RCSI School of Physiotherapy. She has extensive clinical experience, from her previous role as a clinical specialist physiotherapist. This has influenced research in advanced practice and delivery of best-practice evidence-based care for people with musculoskeletal conditions.
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Louise Keating
Louise is a Lecturer at the School of Physiotherapy and a practising clinical specialist in musculoskeletal therapy in private practice for over 20 years. She has received research funding from EuroSpine, IRFU Charitable Trust, HRB and SFI for a range of projects across musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy.
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Jennifer Ashton
Jennifer Ashton is a Teaching Practitioner in the RCSI School of Physiotherapy and also works as a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Beaumont Hospital. She has over 10 years' experience working in an advanced practice role in musculoskeletal triage clinics and has a keen interest in research in this field.
Dr Jennifer Ryan
Dr Ryan is the Director of Cerebral Palsy Lifespan Health and Well-being (CP-Life) Research Centre. She conducts quantitative and qualitative research about cerebral palsy and disability more broadly under the themes of health services research, population health and physical activity and exercise.
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Prof. Suzanne McDonough
Prof. McDonough is the Head of RCSI School of Physiotherapy. With extensive experience as Professor of Health and Rehabilitation at Ulster University, she has played a pivotal role in developing research capacity among physiotherapists and allied health professionals.
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Course information
On completion of this course you will:
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of the theories, concepts, methods and evidence underpinning musculoskeletal physiotherapy practice.
- Demonstrate advanced knowledge, skills and competencies to enable safe and effective assessment and management of musculoskeletal conditions, underpinned by reflective practice.
- Integrate advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making, within a biopsychosocial framework of musculoskeletal assessment and management.
- Apply and synthesise research findings to guide evidence-based practice.
- Demonstrate knowledge and skills to effectively lead and deliver a clinical service of excellence.
- Demonstrate a critical understanding and application of the research process.
You will study across core modules in year 1, with the choice between two optional modules (Musculoskeletal Injection Therapy or Physical Activity and Health Behaviour Change in Clinical Populations). Year 2 comprises two core modules.
Year 1 (Postgraduate Diploma)
| Module name | Description |
| Therapeutic Exercise (5 ECTS) |
Therapeutic exercise is a core treatment used in physiotherapy practice. This module aims to increase knowledge on the benefits of physical activity and exercise, and to develop skills and advanced reasoning in the assessment, prescription, delivery and progression of therapeutic exercise for use in physiotherapy practice. This will be assessed through a case-based assignment. |
| Understanding Pain (5 ECTS) |
This module aims to advance understanding of contemporary knowledge underpinning multidimensional pain and develop advanced clinical skills of assessment and management, to support critical and evaluative evidence informed practice with the complex pain patient, within a collaborative model of patient-centred physiotherapy practice. This will be assessed through a coursework assignment and reflective portfolio. |
| Advanced Musculoskeletal Management of the Upper Quadrant (10 ECTS) |
This module aims to advance your clinical reasoning evaluative skill and evidence-informed patient-centred assessment, management and prevention of musculoskeletal (MSK) problems of the upper limb, cervical and thoracic spine (upper quadrant), underpinned by deeper comprehension of clinical and behavioural sciences. It will be assessed through a practical/oral exam. |
| Advanced Musculoskeletal Management of the Lower Quadrant (10 ECTS) |
This module aims to develop advanced knowledge, clinical reasoning and skills in the assessment, management and prevention of musculoskeletal problems of the lumbar spine, pelvis and lower limb (lower quadrant), within a biopsychosocial model and underpinned by evidence-based practice. It will be assessed through a practical/oral exam. |
| Leadership and Management Essentials (5 ECTS) |
This module is delivered by the RCSI Graduate School of Healthcare Management. It is delivered fully online to various healthcare professionals and managers through synchronous and asynchronous content. The module considers the essential components, competencies and skills of leaders and managers as applied to health and related contexts. It considers why leadership and management is necessary, their challenges and contribution to health and health improvement. It is of particular benefit to those transitioning from a primarily clinical / practitioner roles to positions where one is required to lead and manage others. The module is designed to help you understand what is likely to be expected in terms of how you related to, work with and support a wide range of people and processes. |
| Translating Evidence to Practice (5 ECTS) |
Evidence-based practice (EBP) in healthcare ensures that clinical decision-making through to policy decision-making, is informed by best available research evidence. This module aims to develop the knowledge and skills of the healthcare practitioner to become an effective user of research findings and to synthesise this knowledge for application to your practice. Emphasis is placed on developing skills to search, retrieve and appraise appropriate evidence for application to professional practice. This module will be delivered through online asynchronous content and in-person workshops. |
| Research Methods (10 ECTS) |
This module aims to facilitate the development of advanced knowledge and skills in contemporary research methods, including study design, outcome measurement, quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, and research ethics. This module will prove particularly useful for students who go on to undertake the project in Year 2. |
| OPTIONAL: Physical Activity and Health Behaviour Change in Clinical Populations (10 ECTS) |
The module is designed to enhance your knowledge of the psychology of health behaviour change with a particular emphasis on the promotion of physical activity in those with long-term conditions. |
| OPTIONAL: Musculoskeletal Injection Therapy (10 ECTS) |
This module, delivered over four in-person days, along with some asynchronous recorded content will develop knowledge, advanced reasoning and practical skills pertaining to the use of joint and soft tissue injections in the management of musculoskeletal conditions and to ensure safe and professional practice. This is best suited to those working in a musculoskeletal environment with the appropriate governance, legislative and health and safety systems in place to ensure administration of musculoskeletal injections by non-medical professionals. There is a requirement to complete 10 supervised injections at your workplace with a self-identified mentor, as well as a scientific assessment and practice placement portfolio. |
Year 2 (MSc)
| Module name | Description |
| Advanced Musculoskeletal Clinical Practice (10 ECTS) |
This module aims to integrate advanced clinical reasoning and decision-making, within a biopsychosocial framework of neuromusculoskeletal assessment and management. This module also provides the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge, clinical skills and behaviours obtained from other modules, in the clinical setting to deliver the highest quality clinical practice, underpinned by best-practice evidence and reflective practice. You should be working in a musculoskeletal setting to complete this module, which is assessed through a practical/oral exam, reflective portfolio and individual coursework assignment. |
| Research Project (20 ECTS) |
You will conduct an independent research project, which will be supervised by an academic staff member who will advise you and monitor progress. This will comprise an extended literature review, small-scale investigation, which can include an evidence synthesis, and the completion of the research dissertation. Your learning is assessed through a research dissertation and oral presentation. |
Your learning on each module is assessed by a number of methods, including coursework assignments, reflective portfolios, practical/oral exams research proposal and research dissertation.
We are proud to be a recognised University of the National University of Ireland (NUI). All RCSI programmes are accredited by the NUI.
Recognition by Ministries and bodies in other jurisdictions must be determined by the individual applicants.
Admissions
To be considered for entry into the programme, you must:
- Hold a Bachelor's/Master’s degree or an overseas qualification of an equivalent standard in Physiotherapy (2.2 degree or higher)
- Be a physiotherapist (CORU-registered or equivalent from overseas regulator)
- At least one year of musculoskeletal clinical experience
- Have access to musculoskeletal patients for Year 2
Each application will be assessed on an individual basis.
If you do not have an undergraduate degree at level 7 or above, you may still be eligible to apply through recognition of prior learning (RPL). RPL is the assessment of knowledge, skills and competence previously acquired.
Learning occurs in many contexts which include work, involvement in social and community activities, or learning through life experience generally. RPL does not give credit for experience as such; rather it considers the learning that was acquired as a result of the experience.
RPL may be used to gain:
- Admission to courses/programmes where a person may not have obtained the standard entry requirements.
- Exemptions from course modules which duplicate the learning outcomes an individual has already demonstrably acquired through prior learning.
English language requirements for RCSI Postgraduate programmes are published on the RCSI website here.
If English is not your first language, you will also need to supply a copy of an academic IELTS examination or equivalent, with an overall score of at least 6.5 and no individual band below 6.5
- Year 1: €5,910
- Year 2: €5,910
Payment structure
Year 1
- First payment (on acceptance of offer): €2,200
- Second payment (30 November 2024): €2,200
- Third payment (31 January 2025): €1,510
Year 2
- First payment (August 2025): €2,955
- Second payment (August 2026): €2,955
Please note:
- Fee includes all resources, access to our award-winning online learning portal and access to extensive RCSI-only databases.
- Fee includes an NUI fee.
- Fee is payable via the above schedule, where relevant.
- If you have outstanding fees you will not be entitled to receive your grades or be eligible to progress and or graduate (VLE and Library privileges will be withdrawn in these cases).
- RCSI accepts no obligation to refund any fee, or part thereof, in respect of a student who chooses to withdraw from a programme.
- If you choose to withdraw from a programme you are liable for full fees owed for the seat on that programme.
- All NUI parchments are issued in Latin; you will be required to pay an additional fee of €50 to NUI if you wish to have a parchment published in English.
- Fees are subject to review annually.
- If you are being sponsored or funded by your employer you should upload a funding confirmation letter in the document upload section on the application portal.
How to apply
Applications for the Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy programme will open in due course.