Update on behalf of NHS Education for Scotland - NHS Scotland Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme 2024/25
We are awaiting confirmation of the funding position with regards the Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme which means we will need to pause current activity until confirmation is received.
This situation is unprecedented, and we apologise for the delays to our original timescales. We will provide a further update as soon as we have more detail.
What is the Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme?
In response to the national workforce demand the Scottish Government commissioned NHS Education for Scotland to facilitate implementation of the Funded Places Scheme. The purpose of the scheme is to support Scottish domicile students who fully intend to develop their future career within NHS Scotland to enter and undertake an MSc (Pre-registration) Physiotherapy course at one of the Scottish HEIs. The scheme offers payment of tuition fees for 2 years and agreement that a minimum of 50% of practice-based learning placements will be located within one health board area; or within NHS Orkney, Shetland and Western Isles in the case of the Inter Isles opportunity. All NHS Scotland geographical health boards are part of the scheme and information on each board can be found at the bottom of this webpage.
Please note the scheme covers tuition fees. Placement and other expenses will still apply.
Further information on the scheme is available in this short video: NHS Scotland Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme and below.
How do I apply to the scheme?
Further information on the application process will be shared on this webpage once 2024/25 funding is confirmed by the Scottish Government. The application process includes an online application form, and competetive interview process. In order to be eligible to apply for the scheme you must hold an offer or be in the process of applying to the MSc (pre-reg) Physiotherapy programmes at Edinburgh Napier University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Queen Margaret University or Robert Gordon University Aberdeen. The funding scheme application is completed separately to university application.
Please contact nes.nhspa@nhs.scot with any queries.
Further information including inclusion criteria can be found in the application guidance below.
Please contact nes.nhspa@nhs.scot with any queries.
Application guidance for the physiotherapy funded places scheme
In order to be eligible to apply for to the Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme 2024/25 you must hold an offer for or be in the process of applying for September 2024 or January 2025 intake on the MSc (Pre-registration) 2-year course at one of the Scottish Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) listed: Edinburgh Napier University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Queen Margaret University Edinburgh, or Robert Gordon University Aberdeen. Evidence of HEI application is required as part of your funded places scheme application. Further information is available in the NHS Scotland Physiotherapy Funded Places Scheme Application Guidance available above.
Timeframes to apply for a university place are different for each Higher Education Institute. A summary can be found below for 2024/25 applications. Please note that the deadline for applying for a funded place through the NHS Funded Places Scheme is the same regardless of which university you apply to.
Information to consider at point of application and to assist identification of Board preferences. Please note that if successful a minimum of 50% of your practice-based learning placements will take place within your host board, this may be within any area of the host board. Please note NHS Orkney, NHS Shetland and NHS Western Isles are offering an inter isles experience and therefore this can be selected as one Board preference instead of selecting these Boards individually.