Clinical Biomechanics

Study options

Award

MSc

Key facts

Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Part-time, blended learning
Duration:
3 Years
Start date:
25 September 2023

Weekend study

Learning fits around your working week

Research influenced

Current research and clinical practice influences module content

Access lab equipment

Use our state-of-the-art Biomechanics Lab for practical sessions

The MSc Clinical Biomechanics has been developed for healthcare professionals who wish to extend their understanding of the clinical application of mechanical principles. Considerable flexibility in the way the award is structured will allow you to tailor learning to your specific area of practice and professional development

Designed by research-active clinical professionals, the course bridges the gap between clinical practice and biomechanical principles, for a rigorous and focused understanding of the subject.

Applying mechanical principles to the management of pathology, human movement and gait dysfunction, the course is primarily focused on musculoskeletal practitioners – such as physiotherapists, orthotists, chiropractors and podiatrists – who provide biomechanical-based interventions in their clinical practice.

In addition to being able to study to Certificate, Diploma or MSc level, you can choose to complete individual modules. This route not only provides an ideal taster to the MSc course, but can also be an effective way of completing CPD.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: MSc Clinical Biomechanics

Course content

At Certificate level, you’ll gain an insight into the patho-mechanics of musculoskeletal problems and be introduced to current thinking in biomechanical therapeutic interventions.

The principles and concepts taught are built on at Diploma level, where an emphasis on research and critical practice will help prepare you for the MSc stage. You’ll study subject-specific modules such as Tissue Stress, Spinal Mechanics, Sports Biomechanics and Injury, and Lower Limb Paediatric Pathologies and Therapies – which you can choose to suit your clinical practice.

Modules can be selected to suit your clinical practice and professional development, with Critical Appraisal Skills, Research Methods and Methodologies and Origins and Principles of Biomechanics being compulsory modules required to complete your award. The blended learning approach allows for you to study some of the modules as distance learning whilst other modules have a component of the teaching based on Stoke-on-Trent campus at our state of the art Biomechanics lab. This enables you to have a hands-on approach to the equipment whilst learning and applying your clinical skills in a group setting.

You’ll also produce an innovative piece of research that involves investigating problematic clinical conditions from a mechanical perspective.

REF researcher interview – Professor Nachi Chockalingam

REF researcher interview – Professor Nachi Chockalingam

Video

Nachi Chockalingam, Professor of Clinical Biomechanics, talks about the real-world impact and benefits of his research.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Any of the modules can be studied as CPD by applying here.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Critical Appraisal 20 credits
The Origins And Principles Of Biomechanics 20 credits
Show 2 optional modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Year 2 compulsory modules
Research Methods And Methodlogies 20 credits
Show 4 optional modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Year 3 compulsory modules
Dissertation 60 credits

Entry requirements

You’ll normally need to be an HCPC-registered allied health professional. You can also be an associate of a medical or an allied health professional (such as a chiropractor, a sports therapist or a biomechanist) who is involved in the clinical management of musculoskeletal conditions.

When considering the general requirements below, the degree or other acceptable qualification must be in a healthcare or biomechanical field involving the treatment of patients. Healthcare professionals need to hold any necessary post-qualification registration (e.g. HCPC Registration) deemed a requirement for working with patients.

You’ll need:

  • An Honours degree from a UK University, or any other qualification deemed to be equivalent to a UK Honours degree.

Or

  • If you don’t have an Honours degree you may still be admitted if you have significant appropriate experience and can provide substantial evidence of your ability to undertake the course successfully and benefit from it. We recommend that you bring a professional portfolio indicating your achievements to interview.
  • If your first language is not English you must have achieved IELTS 7.0 overall with no less than 6.5 in each area.

Staffordshire biomechanics conference celebrates its 21st

News

Scientific breakthroughs in biomechanics are to be shared with academics and clinicians at the Staffordshire Conference on Clinical Biomechanics.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

Careers

Successfully completing the course will help equip you for advanced practice, as well as team leadership, research and subject leader positions. Modules can be mapped against specific capabilities and skills in your portfolio for advanced clinical practice.

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you will be ideally placed for further academic study at PhD level.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

MSc Clinical Biomechanics - Professor Nachiappan Chockalingam

MSc Clinical Biomechanics - Professor Nachiappan Chockalingam

Video

Professor Nachiappan Chockalingam discusses the MSc Clinical Biomechanics degree - who it's suited to, how it works and what modules are included in the course.

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Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your studies wherever you are via your PC, tablet or phone. This includes accessing video, audio and discussion forums where you can debate subjects with your tutors and fellow students.

Assessment

All modules are assessed by portfolio and often take the form of task-based reflections of clinical practice. The range of tasks you can choose to include is purposefully non-specific to allow for a broad range of interests, and to enable you to develop work that is relevant to your clinical practice.

Your dissertation will be self-directed and must take the form of a research project that is relevant to your needs. We understand that students typically wish to complete their dissertation in a particular healthcare setting. We therefore always aim to facilitate projects around the country.

Learning support

You’re supported throughout the course by specialist tutors within the modules you study and are also allocated a personal tutor during your time with us. We have a well-developed personal tutorial system and staff are only a phone call, email or Skype chat away. In addition, you’re carefully introduced to the online learning process and have access to a subject specialist librarian and course administrator.

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We will normally give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days.

Olivia Tasker - MSc Clinical Biomechanics via Distance learning

Olivia Tasker - MSc Clinical Biomechanics via Distance learning

Video

Find out how student Olivia has found studying MSc Clinical Biomechanics via distance learning.

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Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments. It will vary depending on your module choices.

Independent learning

When not taking part in scheduled activities through our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment, you’ll be expected to continue learning independently through self-study.

Self-instructional learning materials are provided through Blackboard. Learning takes place using a series of tasks built around supplied materials and additional web-based resources. Online lectures introduce the central concepts of the award. Discussion forums allow you to exchange experiences and ideas with other students.

Discussion forums allow you to exchange experiences and ideas with other students.

Staff

Teaching staff on this course either run their own clinical practices or offer significant expertise in clinical research. Our team includes physiotherapists, podiatrists, sports scientists and clinical scientists, as well as biomechanical engineers. Many are clinical leads in their specific areas, are research active, and are qualified to PhD level. External clinical specialists enhance the teaching of certain modules.

Professor Nachiappan Chockalingam

Professor Of Clinical Biomechanics

As Professor of Clinical Biomechanics, I direct the Movement Analysis Laboratory and lead the biomechanics team and research at Staffordshire University. I am also an Affiliate Professor at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta

Nachiappan's profile

Helen Branthwaite

Senior Lecturer

I am course leader for the postgraduate awards in Clinical Biomechanics. I also work as an advanced podiatrist in the independent sector allowing for current practice to be reflected in the award curriculum and my research.

Helen's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 25 September 2023 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for MSc-Part-time, blended learning
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Part-time £8,460 per course £8,460 per course

The expected study pattern on this programme enables you to complete modules totalling 60 credits in your first year of study and the other 120 credits, split equally over your second and third year of study. If you follow this pattern of study you will pay the same fee for each year of study. You will be invoiced for the modules that you register for each year, so if your study pattern is different from the expected pattern, you will pay more or less each year accordingly.

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Providing you are studying towards a full Masters qualification you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan of up to £11,570 to help with tuition fees, maintenance and other associated costs. Student loans are available for many of our postgraduate degrees and are provided by the Student Loans Company (SLC). The loan can cover a wide range of postgraduate study options; part-time, full-time and distance learning. 

For more information and how to apply visit masters loan.

Our students

Completing the MSc has improved my ability and given me confidence to be able to teach other students and podiatry colleagues about biomechanics, and even made me more confident at public speaking! It has also opened my eyes to clinical research with regards to reading and critiquing journal articles – and has made me more passionate about my job.

Sarah Podbery

MSc Clinical Biomechanics

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus MSc Part-time, blended learning 25 September 2023 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations

UK University

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

for Job Prospects

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

for Student Satisfaction

Complete University Guide 2022

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

for Course Content

StudentCrowd University Awards 2022

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021