Expand+Graduates and Mature entrants apply directly to RCSI using the RCSI online application which is available on the Admissions section of the RCSI website from 1st November until 1st February each year.

Graduate Entry

RCSI welcomes applications ...

Hide-Graduates and Mature entrants apply directly to RCSI using the RCSI online application which is available on the Admissions section of the RCSI website from 1st November until 1st February each year.

Graduate Entry

RCSI welcomes applications from Graduates. The physiotherapy programme for Graduates is three years in duration. Applications are made online to RCSI, candidates must hold or expect to hold on year of admission, a minimum second class honours result in their first honours bachelor degree (NFQ level 8).

Applicants will be selected for admission on the basis of open competition using:

• Basic eligibility (competitive degree)

• Confidential references

• Life experience (extra curricular activities relevant work / voluntary experience work life balance, etc)

• Structured interview.

A science background is not a prerequisite and academic excellence in the humanities and social sciences is recognised. If a candidate presents a non-scientific degree they must present the NUI matriculation requirements in their Leaving Certificate.

Mature Entry
The aim of the Mature Entry Pathway is to widen access and provide an opportunity for individuals who may not otherwise find it possible to join a physiotherapy course through the traditional CAO/College entry routes.

The Mature Entry Pathway focuses on life experience such as volunteer work or relevant work experience in addition to the candidate's academic background. Mature applicants are advised to gain knowledge of the breadth of physiotherapy and should offer educational experiences in a subject relevant to physiotherapy (normally in the sciences) as minimum requirements before applying. As the demand for mature entry to physiotherapy is competitive, the candidates applying determine the entry criteria for a given year and these can vary.

Mature Entrants must meet matriculation requirements (Irish Leaving Certificate or equivalent Access to Science Programme).

Mature applicants often present a third level qualification but this is not an essential requirement for consideration.

In order to satisfy the minimum basic eligibility applicants must meet the NUI matriculation requirements to include Irish, English, Maths, a foreign language and at least one science subject* or equivalent Access to Science Programme.

Mature applicants must be 23 years of age on or before 1st January prior to admission to be eligible to apply for Mature Entry Physiotherapy.

Mature applicants are selected for admission on the basis of open competition and interview.

Expand+Free Fees Scheme
◾EU Fees are set by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

◾RCSI is part of the Free Fees Initiative funded by the HEA. The tuition Fees for EU school leavers who have not previously attended University are therefor...

Hide-Free Fees Scheme
◾EU Fees are set by the Higher Education Authority (HEA).

◾RCSI is part of the Free Fees Initiative funded by the HEA. The tuition Fees for EU school leavers who have not previously attended University are therefore normally covered under the Free Fees Scheme.

◾Students are required to pay a student contribution fee for non-tuition costs. For the academic year 2016/17, the EU Student Contribution fee for Undergraduate Physiotherapy is €3,860 per annum (comprising a student contribution charge of €3000, an IT fee of €475 and two one-off fees, a health screening charge of €250 and a National University of Ireland fee of €135).

EU Fees
◾Free Fees can only be drawn down once and candidates who have previously attended third level education under the Free Fees Scheme are liable for EU fees.

◾Students who are not covered under the Free Fees Scheme are required to pay a Student Contribution fee in addition to the EU Tuition Fees.

◾In 2016/17, the overall EU fee for Undergraduate Physiotherapy (including the EU Tuition Fee, student contribution charge etc.) is € 9,762 per annum.

◾EU Fees for the academic year 2017/18 are set by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and have not been set at this time.

Expand+Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2...

Hide-Early online application (discounted): Fee €25 Closing Date: 20th January 2017 at 5:15pm

Normal online application: Fee €40 Closing Date: 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm

Late online application - restrictions apply: Fee: €50 Closing Date: 1st May 2017 at 5:15 pm

Change of Mind: Fee: Nil Closing Date: 1st July 2017 5:15 pm

Exceptional online late application - see page 14 of the 2017 CAO Handbook: Fee €50 Closing Date: 22nd July 2017 at 5:15pm

You should avoid submitting an application close to a closing date. No extensions to closing dates will be allowed and all fees are non-refundable.

LATE APPLICATIONS
Late Applications are those which are received after 5:15pm on 1st February 2017 and will be accepted up to 5:15pm on 1st May 2017, subject to the restricitions listed on page 3 of the 2017 CAO Handbook.

Late Applications (Exception to Timetable)
The exceptional closing date of 22nd of July at 5:15pm applies only to applicants who are currently undergraduate students in any year in any one of the participating HEIs (subject to the exclusions listed below). In order to avail of the Exceptional Late Application facility you must have entered the HEI through the CAO system.

If you did not enter your current course through the CAO system, you must first contact the Admissions Office of the HEI to which you wish to apply and they will inform you if you may submit an application direct to the institution.

Exclusions:
You may submit a late application only for entry to courses other than your existing course. If you wish to repeat the year in the same course you must arrange this within your HEI.

Mary Immaculate College Limerick, Trinity College Dublin and the University of Limerick have special procedures in place in the case of current or previous students who wish to apply for entry to another course in the same HEI. Such applicants must contact their Admissions Office to determine the application procedure. However, if you are a student in another HEI and you wish to apply to any of these three HEIs, you should apply through CAO.

Refer to page 15 of the 2017 CAO Handbook on how to make an Exceptional Late Application.

Restricted-category Applicants
Mature applicants – most HEIs will require mature applicants, who wish to be assessed on mature grounds, to have applied to CAO by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm. (This restriction does not apply if the applicant wishes to be considered on the basis of school leaving qualifications only.) For more information about applying to CAO on the basis of mature years go to www.cao.ie/mature.

Applying for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes – to be considered for the HEAR and/or DARE schemes applicants must have registered on the CAO system by 1st February 2017 at 5:15pm and must have completed the HEAR/DARE application form by 1st March 2017 at 5:15pm – supporting documents must be sent to CAO offices before 1st April 2017 at 5:15pm.

Expand+“The aim of the RCSI School of Physiotherapy is to educate professionally safe, competent, reflective and analytical physiotherapists who possess a sound scientific knowledge base; an understanding of the value of research and analysis; are responsiv...

Hide-“The aim of the RCSI School of Physiotherapy is to educate professionally safe, competent, reflective and analytical physiotherapists who possess a sound scientific knowledge base; an understanding of the value of research and analysis; are responsive to the needs of clients and carers and are aware of the dynamic diversity of health care environments in which they practice. In addition the RCSI programme has a strong clinical emphasis with almost one third of the programme undertaken in a variety of clinical placement sites, supported by dedicated clinical tutors.

RCSI provides the opportunity to study physiotherapy in a multidisciplinary health care environment and amongst an international student body. The RCSI programme is an internationally recognised qualification and we are very proud of our graduates who are currently employed in a variety of clinical locations both in Ireland and internationally including the UK, USA, Canada, Singapore, Australia and New Zealand.“

Physiotherapy Curriculum – RCSI Philosophy
The practice of physiotherapy is evolving in a rapidly changing healthcare environment with an increased emphasis on health and wellness, fitness, preventative medicine and health education. An ever-expanding body of knowledge, an increasingly well informed population, the changing roles of many healthcare professionals and a demand for accountability present increasing challenges for the physiotherapist of today. Developing areas in healthcare include elderly health, primary health, care in the community, health promotion and wellness. The academic and clinical aspects of the physiotherapy programme reflect these themes.

The physiotherapist must be aware of environmental trends and resource limitations and be responsive and competent to deliver quality care in a timely and cost effective manner. Complex health care situations require a high level of personal and professional autonomy. In the clinical setting an understanding of the role of the physiotherapist in the healthcare team, the role of physiotherapist as educator of patient and carer and the environmental limitations of practice is gained. This programme seeks to develop autonomous, competent physiotherapy practitioners who demonstrate advanced levels of analytical and problem solving abilities. It aims to engender a life long desire for further learning and time is allocated for self-directed study. In addition, students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to identify and manage gaps in their knowledge. A variety of teaching and learning strategies are employed to support this including tutorials, seminars, small group discussions and case study presentations.

Physiotherapy Curriculum Overview
Applicants with school-leaving qualifications undertake a 4-year programme, beginning with Foundation Year. Students with a primary degree (in any discipline) are exempt from Foundation year and undertake a three year BSc Physiotherapy programme. Graduates of the Physiotherapy course receive the award of BSc Physiotherapy from the National University of Ireland and professional recognition by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists.

Expand+Teaching and Learning
The emphasis throughout the programme is on the promotion of student–centred learning and the development of clinical reasoning skills. A variety of teaching methods are utilised to support these concepts including lectures, se...

Hide-Teaching and Learning
The emphasis throughout the programme is on the promotion of student–centred learning and the development of clinical reasoning skills. A variety of teaching methods are utilised to support these concepts including lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops, case presentations and small group discussions. The development of a reflective and analytical practitioner is facilitated by the use of a learning development portfolio. Students are encouraged to discuss clinical practice experiences with programme staff to develop clinical reasoning skills and promote critical analysis and evaluation.

Clinical Teaching
Clinical education is the central element of the physiotherapy programme where academic knowledge and therapeutic skills are integrated in the treatment of patients under the supervision and teaching of skilled and experienced physiotherapists.

Clinical education consists of more than 1000 hours over a three year period of the course with more than 90% of this in direct patient contact. During this time students gain experience in the provision of patient care and also have the opportunity to participate in the administration of services, in-service education programmes, quality assurance and clinical research activities.

Students also gain an understanding of the diversity of practice environments. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for their own learning and to adopt a reflective approach to the clinical experience which is fostered by the use of a Physiotherapy Undergraduate Learning Portfolio and structured discussion sessions facilitated by clinical tutors and the Practice Education Coordinator.

Clinical placements are on a full-time block basis and are undertaken in a variety of physiotherapy settings and in a number of geographical locations.

Expand+Why study Physiotherapy at RCSI
Programme is accredited by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP), a member organisation of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT)

Strong clinical focus of programme with over 1000 hour...

Hide-Why study Physiotherapy at RCSI
Programme is accredited by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists (ISCP), a member organisation of the World Confederation of Physical Therapy (WCPT)

Strong clinical focus of programme with over 1000 hours in a variety of clinical settings, where supervised clinical training is undertaken

Small class size and dedicated facilities

RCSI focus on health care professions education

International student body

First Irish School of Physiotherapy to have a programme successfully reviewed by the Australian Physiotherapy Council, allowing graduates to apply to the Physiotherapy Registration Board of Australia for General Registration

Programme is included on the List of Quotable Qualifications approved by the Physiotherapists Board of Hong Kong