Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Visual Effects and Animation

at University of Bolton United Kingdom

If you’re looking for a postgraduate course that exactly matches your strengths and ambitions then your search is over. The University of Bolton's MA/MSc Professional Practice (Specialism): Extended allows you to design your own master’s degree. We’ll help you personalise your postgraduate education by combining the disciplines that matter for your future. This bespoke course will support you to gain a combination of academic, analytical, and employment-focused skills that will prepare you for a career in your chosen professional area, as well as provide a sound basis for doctoral-level study.

Supporting your choices
Working with our expert tutors, you can choose two modules from across the whole spectrum of master’s level modules available at the University of Bolton. You’ll also be supported to devise a master’s-level dissertation or major project that develops your research and critical thinking skills and allows you to demonstrate your expertise. We’ll counsel you as you make these choices to ensure you create a coherent programme of study – one that is achievable and that will support you to develop the skills and knowledge you seek. We offer a wide range of subjects and you can choose modules from a single area or from two different disciplines, depending on your interests, prior qualifications and experience.

Capture essential employability, transferable and business skills
Alongside your subject-specific studies, you’ll have the opportunity to build the essential employability, transferable and business skills you need to compete with confidence for your dream job or build your own successful business from the ground up. You’ll focus on developing the skills that are most valuable to you as an individual, as shaped by your prior learning and future plans. We’ll guide you to explore areas such as influence and impact, self-management, creativity and innovation, and professional identity, bringing in business and psychological concepts to enhance your development as a professional.

Focusing on your future
We want to help you gain the skills and self-belief to showcase your worth in your chosen field. We’ll guide you to explore and understand the postgraduate labour market in the sector you wish to join, preparing you to apply your new knowledge, attributes and experiences so that you can satisfy and impress your stakeholders (such as employers, clients, commissioners and funding bodies). We’ll help you learn about the recruitment methods used by different types of organisations in your field, explore your personal brand and self-positioning, and prepare for recruitment and selection or self-employment. In addition, we’ll support you to develop skills in commercial ability and acumen, networking and professional relationship management, as well as strategies for career maintenance and growth.

Tried and tested research-informed coaching
Throughout the programme, we’ll use tried and tested, research-informed coaching and training methods to support your development. These will range from postgraduate-level skills in research, critique, problem-solving, professional presentation and synthesis to interpersonal and business-relevant skills such as innovative thinking, team working and project management, the effective use of technology, public speaking and professionalism. All this knowledge will be tailored to your chosen employment context to help you achieve your vision for your future.

An ideal course for graduates and professionals in a wide range of areas
This course should appeal to (but isn’t limited to) graduates and professionals in areas such as art and design, accountancy, science, engineering, business management, film FX, performing arts, community development and youth, computing, games, construction, law, crime and criminal justice, early years, education, English and creative writing, mathematics, nursing and the caring professions, media, psychology, the humanities and sport.

Would you prefer to complete your course over a different timeframe?
We also offer this course full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. For details of the 12-month course, please visit our full-time MA/MSc Professional Practice (Specialism) course search web page. Alternatively, to find out more and apply for the 24-month course, please visit our part-time MA/MSc Professional Practice (Specialism) course search web page.

Highlights

• Dr Selva Pankaj, the author of ‘Thinking into Character – A Proven Methodology for the Creation of Success & Self-Fulfilment’, is a valued partner of the University whose work will support you in the development of business and career planning, confidence and knowledge.
• This course allows you to focus on one subject or to combine two areas of interest to follow an interdisciplinary route. When you successfully complete the master's, your degree title will be chosen to reflect the focus of your studies.
• Our highly qualified and professionally experienced staff have strong links with many economic sectors, offering opportunities for industry masterclasses and lectures, joint projects, and networking.
• The University of Bolton offers a host of world-class facilities across our campus and faculties. Depending on your choice of modules, you'll be able to make use of our specialist facilities to support your studies.
• This MA/MSc is part of the University of Bolton’s ‘Career Development Masters’ suite, which offers shared modules designed to give you a wider business perspective, including tax self-assessment, invoicing, intellectual property and risk assessments, as well as knowing how to start a business and to take advantage of opportunities for enterprise development.

Key Features

• Teaching and supervision are delivered by dedicated staff chosen for their expertise and experience in fields relevant to your areas of study and professional development needs.
• We offer an engaging programme of visiting speakers and practitioners that gives you opportunities to network with and learn from industry professionals.
• We'll offer you opportunities for interdisciplinary work and collaboration.
• Your studies will culminate in your Professional Dissertation, an independent and substantial piece of research that will further your knowledge and practice. This will demonstrate your mastery of an aspect of your field, showcasing your expert knowledge to employers as well as forming an ideal preparation for doctoral-level studies should you to wish to pursue a PhD.
• Your final master’s degree title will reflect your specialist areas of study (please note that the final award title will be selected in agreement with the University within the parameters specified in programme documentation). If you have chosen two specialist subject areas with equal weighting, the title will reflect both specialist subject areas; for instance, MA Professional Practice Creative Writing and Computing. If one of your specialist subject areas has a greater weighting than the other, the word ‘with’ will be used instead of ‘and’ between the two subject areas; for example, MA Professional Practice Creative Writing with Computing.

The global games industry continues to grow. Worth over $137 billion in 2018, this value is predicted to rise to over $180 billion by the end of 2021*. Games offers lucrative careers at the cutting-edge of technology and talented games programmers are always in demand in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Offering a broad education in games programming, design, development and technology, our Games Programming degree emphasises the technical aspects of game production. We aim for you to become a skilled programmer and you’ll use C++, the principal programming language in the games industry, at each stage of the course. We assume no prior knowledge of programming but a good knowledge of mathematics, especially algebra, will help you succeed on the course. We’ll guide and support you throughout your studies to help you master object orientated programming and design techniques and learn about advanced programming data structures and algorithms for game development.

Games and interactive applications are becoming more cinematic in look and feel so we teach maths and physics in a very practical way to help you learn to create 2D and 3D environments where behaviour and movement looks realistic. You’ll also have opportunities to gain experience of multi-platform programming and artificial intelligence techniques used in the development of efficient and robust games.

Highlights

• University of Bolton games graduates have been enjoying careers in the games industry for longer than most – we were one of the first UK universities to offer games courses.
• We’ll help and support you to develop a portfolio of work that demonstrates your skills in readiness to impress potential employers.
• Team working skills are essential so you’ll have opportunities to work with students from our Games Design and Games Art courses on projects that mimic the multi-disciplinary teams found in the industry.
• Our Game Jams are great opportunities to build your social network and practice your programming and problem solving skills.
• We collaborate with games development companies on beta testing, offering you the chance to test upcoming games before they go to market. Previously, students have even got their names mentioned in game credits.
• Industry experts from the leading games studios in the UK, along with Bolton graduates now successful in the sector, are regularly invited to give guest lectures on aspects of games development.

Key Features

• Teaching staff on the games courses have a vast range of industry experience and an extensive network of contacts in the games industry.
• The course covers both 2D and 3D game environments and game engines for traditional gaming (PC and console), mobile gaming (cloud, social and casual) and virtual reality gaming, along with game play analysis and hardware specification.
• We organise studio visits and field trips to games development companies, and will encourage and support you to undertake work experience and industrial placements.
• We design the course assignments and projects so that they mimic industry pipelines and standards to give you a real feel for a career in the games sector.
• Our dedicated games labs feature high-specification hardware and industry-standard software.

Our BA (Hons) Fine Arts course will encourage you to develop your individual artistic identity and explore new creative possibilities. We offer a supportive environment where you can develop your creative skills and knowledge, learn to evaluate and draw inspiration from historical, philosophical and cultural influences, and establish the foundation of your professional practice as a working artist.

Our dedicated team will work to help you develop technical skills in the traditional fine arts media of painting, drawing, printmaking and sculpture. You’ll also have opportunities to learn about and practise a broad range of new media and we encourage critical thinking so you learn to evaluate and understand your own work and that of others.

Career and transferable skills are also essential to your future success so we aim to ensure you gain relevant experience towards running a small business enterprise, creative studio management and a wider knowledge of the arts sector. You’ll be exhibiting your work in a public setting from level 4, and organising your own shows by level 5. Exhibiting your work in our Creative Showcase at the end of your final year will allow you to show off your projects to the public and impress industry.

Highlights

• Our Art courses are placed in the top ten in the UK for student-to-staff ratio by the Guardian University League Tables 2020, so you have access to individual tutor support and small group teaching.
• Previous students have won regional and national competitions and awards, and prestigious commissions and artists’ residencies as a result of the industry connections offered by the programme.
• We use our direct connections with public art commissioners to give you access to a number of exclusive commissions each year. These ‘live briefs’ provide you with invaluable experience in this important creative field.
• Exhibition is vital, and you will be expected to play an active role in the department’s exhibition committee and have the opportunity to present your work to the public, including during Bolton School of the Arts’ Creative Showcase during your final year.

Key Features

• Theory is combined with practice, and traditional techniques with modern technologies. As well as taught practical workshops in a wide range of media and materials, you will receive tuition in using industry-standard digital software.
• Our large, well-lit, open studios have adjacent 2D art facilities that include printmaking, drawing workshops, 3D art facilities including ceramics, a dedicated casting area, sculpture space, fully equipped metal and wood workshops, spray booths capable of accommodating large-scale works, and a suite of MAC computers with large-scale printers.
• The programme is delivered by a dedicated team of practising artists, working in both group and private studios in the region, with extensive experience of exhibiting (nationally and internationally), curation, public and private commissioning, and strong connections to arts organisations and commissioning agencies nationally and internationally.
• Prominent guest speakers from a range of fine art disciplines are invited each year to talk about their practice. The department has strong links with arts groups, including the Bolton-based neo:artists studios and galleries, which were set up by graduates of the course.
• We develop opportunities to explore public art practice, through the programmes’ connection to public art and arts organisations. As a student, you'll have access to commissioning possibilities providing experience in public art making and commissions.

A recent survey of 9.2 million job adverts found that just over one in ten roles required data expertise (1). Across the economic spectrum, there is a growing need for professionals who can unlock the potential of data, turning raw information into actionable insight. From healthcare, government and public services to marketing, telecommunications and the energy sector, data skills are highly transferable between industries. It doesn’t matter what your background area of expertise is, the University of Bolton's MSc Data Analytics and Technologies: Extended is open to everyone wishing to launch their career in data analysis, data visualisation and the technologies that underpin these essential business activities.

Supporting you to become the ‘complete package’
Employers are not looking for ‘robots’ that process data – they are looking for well-rounded human beings with a combination of high-level technical expertise and essential interpersonal and employability skills, such as leadership, communication, critical thinking, team working and problem-solving. We draw expertise from across the University to ensure you gain the vital mix of hard and soft skills necessary for career success. In addition, our extensive links with regional and national employers offer opportunities for masterclasses, networking and individual industry-based projects. Overall, this course offers you the opportunity to develop extensive knowledge of data analytics and a broad grounding in technology solutions, coupled with essential skills development for business and leadership. Together these attributes will take your CV to the next level.

Mastering the data
Our experts will support you as you develop an extensive knowledge of data analysis principles and methods and gain a broad grounding in technology solutions. We’ll focus on high-impact areas such as digital marketing and how the culture of the web, social media and digital technologies affect consumer behaviour. You’ll be encouraged to explore how concepts from consumer psychology, marketing and business intelligence are applied in areas such as web analytics, email marketing, search engine optimisation and online advertising. We’ll guide you as you learn how to use a selection of data analytics software packages, and apply this knowledge to contemporary case studies in a hands-on way to extract and present valuable insights from the data. This course offers you the skills to interrogate and make sense of data, unlock vital insights and communicate your discoveries.

Helping you pursue Amazon Web Services (AWS) certification
To ensure you have the skills to effectively manage and store data, we’ll support you to develop critical understanding and practical ability in the use of core IT infrastructure, architecture, processes and technologies. This will be particularly helpful when you undertake cloud-based data analysis. Companies are increasingly using the public cloud so need professionals with the skills to design, deploy and manage applications in cloud computing so we offer specific materials to help you pursue AWS certification as a Cloud Practitioner (2). AWS certification emphasises hands-on experience and best practice, meaning it stands out for its rigour and thoroughness in evaluating your skills. As the market leader in the cloud computing space, AWS certification demonstrates and validates your technical cloud knowledge and skills, helping you stand out to employers.

Future-proof your career
Big data, cyber laws, consumer data analytics and AI is revolutionising and transforming how people do business. Being able to adapt and work effectively in a digitally enriched business environment is a key skill required by employers. Our MSc Data Analytics and Technologies: Extended degree offers an innovative approach that will help you to become your own careers coach. We’ll take a multi-faceted approach to help you gain a combination of academic, analytical, business and professional skills that will prepare you for a career as a data analyst, as well as provide a sound basis for doctoral-level study. We’ll use tried and tested, research-informed coaching and training methods to support your development and help you form clear plans for your future. You’ll undertake individual industry-based projects and create a body of work that focuses on your progression into employment. Completing this course will extend your skills and increase your self-confidence so you can compete with confidence for your dream job, secure a promotion or build your own business.

Would you prefer to complete your course over a different timeframe? We also offer this course full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24 months. For details of the 12-month course, please visit our full-time MSc Data Analytics and Technologies course search web page. Alternatively, to find out more and apply for the 24-month course, please visit our part-time MSc Data Analytics and Technologies course search web page.

Highlights

• Dr Selva Pankaj, the author of ‘Thinking into Character – A Proven Methodology for the Creation of Success & Self-Fulfilment’, is a valued partner of the University whose work will support you in the development of business and career planning, confidence and knowledge.
• Our industry?engaged staff have strong links with organisations across the range of public, commercial and industrial sectors, offering opportunities for industry masterclasses and lectures, joint projects, and networking.
• We offer you the opportunities to develop extensive knowledge of the key data analysis principles and methods, along with a broad grounding in technology solutions.
• This MSc is part of the University of Bolton’s ‘Career Development Masters’ suite, offering shared modules that give you a wider business perspective. Inspired by the graduate training programmes of major companies, these modules will help you develop high-level employability and transferable skills and apply them in your career.

Key Features

• Teaching and supervision are delivered by dedicated staff chosen for their expertise and experience in fields relevant to data analytics and big data, relevant technologies and your professional development needs.
• We offer an engaging programme of visiting speakers so you can enjoy masterclasses with industry professionals, gaining insights into contemporary issues, developments and practice in data analysis, digital technologies and the broader commercial environment.
• We'll offer you opportunities for interdisciplinary work and collaboration.
• On graduation, you’ll be able to showcase your expert knowledge to employers through your Professional Dissertation. This independent and substantial body of work will demonstrate your mastery of an aspect of data analytics and technologies, as well as your postgraduate-level skills in research and critical thinking.

While it’s possible to become a mobile app developer by studying short online courses independently, our BSc (Hons) Computing (Application Development) degree offers comprehensive training designed to prepare you for a career in the wider applications development industry. Our focus is to ensure you fully understand the principles and concepts that underlie the technologies, programming languages, platforms and operating systems used to develop and run applications. In the fast-moving digital world, tools and technologies evolve rapidly and having a solid understanding of the fundamentals of computing will help you to stay current, adapt to changes and maintain the skills you’ll need to continue to develop high quality applications commercially throughout your career.

Our expert and dedicated team will support you to gain the in-depth, comprehensive skills and understanding needed for you to develop applications that are truly functional, creative and intuitive – be these secure, efficient business applications or 5-star mobile apps that users choose to return to. Drawing together aspects of software development, cloud computing, networking, and security, we’ll support you to gain a sound understanding of how mobile, desktop and tablet computers interact with applications and data repositories. We’ll explore design for user experience, multi-platform and cross-platform development, security testing and evaluation, and how to plan, manage and deliver projects within constraints such as user requirements, timescale and budget.

The department’s strong links with business mean you’ll have the chance to work on ‘live briefs’ in your coursework assignments, so you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy real-world context and application for the skills and knowledge we’ll help you develop.

Highlights

• The department – and the wider University – provides a warm and friendly environment for your studies, with relatively small class sizes, purpose-built teaching facilities, and excellent student support and library services.
• Your teaching and tutorial team brings an impressive range of professional experience and technical prowess to the course, so you’ll have the chance to explore and evaluate a range of perspectives relating to your studies.
• A big part of our commitment to your progress is helping you develop your employability and industry networks. So we’ll encourage you to attend guest lectures that give your learning context, offer industry contact, and contribute to your underlying professional development.
• By underpinning our content and assignments with a strong industrial focus, we foster a keen understanding of the professional IT environment, and help you develop essential skills such as team-working, communication and problem solving.
• We’ll focus on your individual needs, and provide personalised support to help find the learning strategies that best support your learning and ultimate success.

Key Features

• Our dedicated laboratories, servers and end-hosts feature high-specification hardware and the latest software, so you’ll have industry-equivalent hands-on experience.
• You’ll also get to experience the latest technologies, such as OpenStack – developed by Rackspace and NASA.
• As you’d expect, many of our computing facilities are accessible online, so you can work on your assignments wherever you are, and whenever inspiration kicks in.
• We’ll support you to develop sought-after skills such as background research, critical reasoning and problem solving, as well as professional communication, time management, teamwork, and lifelong learning.
• We’ll also encourage you to build a portfolio of evidence representing the projects and tasks you’ve completed during your studies, ready to impress potential employers.
• We continually monitor and update the course to reflect current and ever-changing issues in computing, and to keep your learning in line with technological advances and innovations.

Television shows, films, music videos, commercials and theatre productions all rely on the magic of special effects to enhance their storytelling. Our BDes (Hons) Special Effects for Film and TV course is ideal if you wish to combine design creativity, physical model-making skills, special prosthetic make-up effects, and cutting-edge 2D and 3D computer modelling and prototyping in the creation of special effects for all these platforms.

Our unique course has been created to allow you to explore and develop both design and problem solving skills and apply them to the art of creating special effects for film and television. It’s designed to offer specialisation while still nurturing an understanding of the entire landscape of special effects.

Large scale film and TV productions use both physical and digital effects, so our intensely practical approach allows you to gain hands-on experience of a broad range of special effects disciplines and techniques.

Several elements of the course are delivered by industry practitioners. Our staff are very hands on, skilled, friendly and enthusiastic, prioritising one-to-one support and industry-focused development.

Highlights

• You don’t have to worry about the cost of the materials needed to complete your studies – we provide these for you. This means you can concentrate on learning how to use expensive industry-standard materials, like silicones and resins, rather than worrying about how you are going to pay for them!
• Neill Gorton, multi-award winning artist/designer and founder of the world-renowned Millennium FX company, is our Visiting Professor of Special Effects. His astonishing range of professional experience, knowledge of cutting-edge techniques and industry contacts brings enormous benefits.
• We’re committed to helping develop your employability and career network. During your time with us you’ll have the opportunity to attend lectures from the likes of award-winning make-up artists Nick Dudman and Neill Gorton, many FX studios like KMFX, and model-makers like Artem.
• We’ll encourage you to research, analyse, design and develop special effects techniques so that you can take an idea from a brief or script scene and find the most time-efficient, cost-effective and visually impressive way to turn that vision into reality.

Key Features

• The course is designed in collaboration with professional special effects artists and studio directors. This ensures that the content is industry-relevant and includes the latest techniques, materials and innovations.
• Course assignments and projects mimic industry pipelines and standards so your experience is a realistic preparation for a career in special effects.
• Alongside your special effects skills and knowledge, we’ll support you to develop a broader understanding of production design, including concepting, cinematography and composition. This will help you appreciate the roles, skills and expectations of other professionals working in the industry.
• Our dedicated staff team have a wide range of professional experience, industry knowledge, technical expertise and academic credentials, offering you a variety of perspectives and broadening your horizons.
• We offer a warm and friendly environment for your studies, with relatively small class sizes, purpose-built teaching facilities, and access to industry-standard materials.

Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing sectors in the financial world, estimated to be worth over US$1.5 trillion. This postgraduate qualification offers a suite of contemporary modules designed to prepare those with previous management or business experience for work in this dynamic sector.

Whatever area of industry or commerce you currently work in, this MBA course will assist you in gaining essential skills to work in Islamic finance. In addition, the programme aims to provide a critical understanding of the problems and challenges facing enterprises and organisations and equip you with the analytical and critical faculties to identify potential innovative solutions. These qualities are highly sought by prestigious international employers.

The course will cover how to evaluate and develop good practice in key areas of business management and in the commercial development of general and Islamic finance products and services. You’ll have the opportunity to acquire the skills needed to work effectively, independently and as part of a team.

Highlights

• This MBA course offers you the chance to join a well-established postgraduate community engaged in preparing themselves for a career in executive management in the Islamic Finance Sector.
• Teaching and supervision is delivered by a dedicated team of experienced and well-qualified staff drawn from the Centre of Islamic Finance and the Institute of Management at the University of Bolton.
• The University’s excellent libraries, 24/7 IT facilities, WiFi and learning areas are freely available for your use.
• You’ll be given access to a research and study skills module which will assist in your studies.
• Guest lecturers from the International Integrated Reporting Council (IIRC) will be held on the need for holistic approaches to strategy, risks, key stakeholder interests and financial performance.

Key Features

• You’ll have the opportunity to gain an advanced knowledge and understanding of strategic management and Islamic Finance issues in a global business environment.
• The course aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies and concepts of Islamic Law and the application of legal principals within Islamic business transactions.
• Teaching is conducted by a highly-dedicated team with specialist knowledge in Islamic law and banking.
• Course materials are available online, allowing students to prepare work at home and also ensuring that in-class learning is highly interactive.

Professional recognition

• On successful completion of the MBA Islamic Finance programme you may apply for membership to the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Please note that terms and conditions apply. More details are available at www.managers.org.uk

Interested in a career that combines technical skill, the ability to care for people and a level of artistry? Dental technicians (or dental technologists as they are often referred to) make dentures, crowns, bridges and dental braces that improve patients’ appearance, speech and chewing function. The University of Bolton is home to state-of-the-art facilities and knowledgeable, professional staff committed to delivering a varied curriculum of theoretical, practical and transferable material. Studying subjects within the fundamental areas of oral anatomy and physiology, you’ll have the opportunity to get hands-on with the latest equipment in our specialised laboratories and learn the biomechanics and biomaterials science behind dental appliance design.

We’re dedicated to coaching the next generation of dental technicians in the knowledge and competency required to compete and exceed in this sought-after profession. Strongly employer informed and designed to meet the learning outcomes required by the General Dental Council, this course aims to provide students with a thorough overview of the key regulatory, legal and ethical topics relevant to the industry today, as well as the essential theory of dental technology and biomedical science.

Highlights

• As a dental technology undergraduate, you’ll have access to the latest specialist equipment in our advanced laboratories and have the chance to participate in regular hands-on sessions to help develop your practical capabilities.
• You’ll have the opportunity to apply your skills to live patient cases via work-based learning modules.
• The course has strong employer links, reinforced by industrial dental laboratory work placements. Every student is assigned a work-based mentor, supported by a work placement officer from the dental academic team.
• On successful completion of this course you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Dental Technology.

Key Features

• Practical projects are assessed in the three key disciplines of fixed prosthodontics, removable prosthodontics and orthodontics. You’ll have the opportunity to further demonstrate your skills by completing a specialist dental technology module.
• In preparation for your dissertation, you’ll focus on study skills and research methodologies over two modules.
• Opportunities for progression after completing the include BSc (Hons) course include dental technology MSc and PhD programmes.

Professional recognition

• This programme was new for 2016 and has been provisionally accepted to commence delivery by the General Dental Council (GDC) following initial quality assurance processes. The GDC inspected the University provision in the academic year 2018/19 and have reported to the Registrar that the programme is fit for purpose to develop individuals for professional registration as dental technicians.

The Harvard Business Review has called the data scientist ‘the sexiest job of the 21st century’*. Our BSc (Hons) Computing (Data Analyst) course offers a route into this exciting career, along with global opportunities in a huge range of sectors. Data analysts provide up-to-date, accurate and relevant data analysis for organisations, making recommendations to improve business performance. Throughout this course, we’ll guide you as you develop technical knowledge and applied skills with a range of data structures, software development procedures and analytical tools.

Our expert and dedicated team will cover managing, cleansing, abstracting and aggregating data, a wide range of standard and custom analytical studies, as well as data visualisation techniques. We’ll support you as you learn how to provide insight and analysis through clear visual, written and verbal communication. The department’s strong links with business mean you’ll have the chance to work on ‘live briefs’ in your coursework assignments, so you’ll have the opportunity to enjoy real-world context and application for the skills and knowledge we’ll help you develop.

With intentionally small class sizes, we can offer you meaningful and personalised interaction with our dedicated and enthusiastic lecturers – many of whom are active researchers and come with extensive industry insights and experience. Meanwhile, guest speakers and lecturers give you access to highly relevant and up-to-date input from industry settings.

All of this is backed by our well-equipped IT suites, where you’ll get to apply and develop your learning individually and in groups, with expert guidance and support.

* https://hbr.org/2012/10/data-scientist-the-sexiest-job-of-the-21st-century visited on 07/01/2019

Highlights

• The department – and the wider University – provides a warm and friendly environment for your studies, with relatively small class sizes, purpose-built teaching facilities, and excellent student support and library services.
• Your teaching and tutorial team brings an impressive range of professional experience and technical prowess to the course, so you’ll have the chance to explore and evaluate a range of perspectives relating to your studies.
• A big part of our commitment to your progress is helping you develop your employability and industry networks. So we’ll encourage you to attend guest lectures that give your learning context, offer industry contact, and contribute to your underlying professional development.
• By underpinning our content and assignments with a strong industrial focus, we foster a keen understanding of the role and value of data analysis in the business environment, and help you develop essential skills such as attention to detail, communication and time management.
• We’ll focus on your individual needs, and provide personalised support to help find the learning strategies that best support your learning and ultimate success.

Key Features

• Our dedicated laboratories, servers and end-hosts feature high-specification hardware and the latest software, so you’ll have industry-equivalent hands-on experience.
• You’ll also get to experience the latest technologies, such as OpenStack – developed by Rackspace and NASA.
• As you’d expect, many of our computing facilities are accessible online, so you can work on your assignments wherever you are, and whenever inspiration kicks in.
• We’ll support you to develop sought-after skills such as background research, critical reasoning and problem solving, as well as professional communication, time management, teamwork, and lifelong learning.
• We’ll also encourage you to build a portfolio of evidence representing the projects and tasks you’ve completed during your studies, ready to impress potential employers.
• We continually monitor and update the course to reflect current and ever-changing issues in computing, and to keep your learning in line with technological advances and innovations.

The University of Bolton’s MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) degree focuses on supporting you to develop the core expertise, knowledge and skills demanded of physiotherapy professionals in a number of different clinical settings and environments. The global demand for qualified physiotherapists means that career opportunities are excellent in the UK and further afield.

You’ll spend a total of 1000 hours of your time in physiotherapy practice-based learning environments across the primary care, private and voluntary sectors, helping to prepare you for the changing environments you’ll encounter during your career. The rest of your studies will be based at the University, increasing your theoretical understanding and practical knowledge in a way that complements and enhances your learning in the workplace.

We’ll support you as you learn about the structure and function of the human body in the context of health, disease, disorder and dysfunction, across the lifespan. With our expert guidance, you’ll explore the theories and physiotherapy approaches that can be applied to enhance movement and minimise loss of function, focusing on the musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiovascular and respiratory systems. We’ll also consider developing areas of physiotherapy such as the principles of management for women’s health, amputees and palliative care. We’ll help you develop knowledge of the biomedical, physical, clinical and behavioural science that underpins physiotherapy practice, and gain skills in physical assessment, treatment and evaluation. We'll support you to develop interpersonal and communication skills, such as respecting and prioritising the needs and choices of individual service users, their carers and families. We’ll also focus on helping you gain an understanding of the political, social and economic factors that are influencing the current and future delivery of physiotherapy, health and social care services.

Together with our partners, we’ll work to prepare you to become a confident, professional physiotherapist, able use a range of physical and psychological treatment approaches to help individuals develop, maintain and regain mobility within an ever-changing health and social care environment. On successful completion of the Physiotherapy qualification, you’ll possess the knowledge and skills you need to practise as an autonomous, independent practitioner who can be trusted to maintain professional standards while working to improve the health and wellbeing of service users through your individual and team-working actions.

This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).

Highlights

• The University of Bolton’s MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP). On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration as a physiotherapist in the UK and for full membership of the CSP.
• The University hosts world-class facilities in Bolton One for clinical and laboratory teaching. As part of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, the MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) benefits from strong links with the NHS and private healthcare providers, and our experienced staff team offer expertise and knowledge across all subject disciplines.
• You’ll have access to our state-of-the-art Clinical Simulation Suites, Athlete Development Centre and Sports & Spinal Injuries Clinic. These provide outstanding learning environments where you can practice skills and develop knowledge under the supervision of our team of experienced researchers and practitioners. You’ll also have access to a range of learning and exercise specific resources such as online learning software, Vicon motion capture, Delsys/Trigno wireless electromyography, Alter-G treadmill, isokinetic dynamometer and hydrotherapy pool.
• Our professional expert academic tutors come from a wide range of professional and academic backgrounds, including physiotherapy, the allied health professions, sports rehabilitation and exercise science. They weave essential knowledge of inter-professional and multi-agency working into their delivery of the theory elements of the course, helping prepare you to work effectively with colleagues from a variety of other professions and agencies.
• You’ll gain first-hand work experience and have the opportunity to develop an invaluable network of professional contacts during your work placements. You’ll undertake a total of 1000 practice-based learning hours during your studies and you’ll have the opportunity to negotiate an elective practice-based learning experience of your choosing.
• Key skills such as leadership, teamwork and professional communication are essential elements of the course, and we’ll foster your commitment to lifelong learning helping you to ensure your knowledge and skills remain current as you progress through your career.

Key Features

• The teaching and learning on the programme will have a particular emphasis on woman’s health and paediatrics, preparing graduates with the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to work in this rewarding and highly sought-after workforce.
• Throughout the course, specialists in the field of physiotherapy, the health professions and rehabilitation therapists will be invited to join us as guest speakers. You can also expect to meet service users with direct experience of using physiotherapy services and benefit from their unique and valuable perspectives on the role of physiotherapists in practice.
• Our dedicated team will guide you as you develop critical thinking and research evaluation skills and apply these during your master’s-level project, which gives you the choice between either a scientific or a work-based enquiry. This experience will support your on-going professional development in future and help you evaluate evidence to inform your practice and decision-making in the field.
• Physiotherapy can be very demanding and carries a lot of responsibility so we’ll support you to learn strategies and techniques that can help you to build your professional and emotional resilience to successfully manage the situations you face.
• In preparation for a career in this dynamic, evolving profession we aim to expose you to many of the different clinical settings, sectors and industries in which physiotherapists are currently finding employment. These may include emerging areas such as the third and voluntary sectors, first-contact practitioners and the Ministry of Defence.
• On successful completion of this programme, you’ll be awarded the MSc Physiotherapy (Pre-registration) from the University of Bolton.

Professional recognition
The University of Bolton’s MSc Physiotherapy is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration to practise as a physiotherapist in the UK.

The programme is also accredited by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).