Physiotherapist
A physiotherapy degree or a degree apprenticeship. "Physiotherapist" is a protected title: you must be on the HCPC register to use it.
ONS
- Checked
- 9 Oct 2026
Medians for full-time employee jobs. ONS hides estimates it rates unreliable (CV over 20%).
View sourceHCPC
- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
To use a protected title (including paramedic and physiotherapist) a person must be registered with the HCPC.
View sourceHow to get there
2 routes. Physiotherapy degree · Degree apprenticeship
Physiotherapy degree HCPC
A degree approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
- School2 or 3 A levels
Including biology.
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
- DegreePhysiotherapy degree
Or a postgraduate master's if you have a related degree (biological, health or sports science).
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
- RegisterRegister with the HCPC
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
- GoalPhysiotherapist
HCPC
Professions and protected titlesHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
To use a protected title (including paramedic and physiotherapist) a person must be registered with the HCPC.
View source
Degree apprenticeship Level 6
Learn on the job while studying at university.
- Level 6Physiotherapist Degree Apprenticeship
Usually 4 years.
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
- RegisterRegister with the HCPC
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
- GoalPhysiotherapist
HCPC
Professions and protected titlesHealth and Care Professions Council (HCPC)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
To use a protected title (including paramedic and physiotherapist) a person must be registered with the HCPC.
View source
- Physiotherapy assistant?
- You can start as an assistant (for example in the NHS) and study part time to qualify.
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
At school
GCSEs (Years 10–11) and A levels (Years 12–13), or equivalents.
- A levels
- 2 or 3 A levels including biology, or equivalent.
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026
- UCAS points
- An A* = 56 points. Many courses ask for grades instead of points.
UCAS
The new UCAS Tariff: ten things applicants need to knowUCAS- Checked
- 9 Oct 2026
An A* at A level is worth 56 Tariff points. Only about a third of courses use Tariff points in their entry requirements; most ask for grades.
View source
Pay by region
Pay is in pounds (£) per year, before tax, for full-time employees. ASHE counts employees only, so self-employed people (most barristers, many contractors) are not in these figures.
Physiotherapists SOC 2221
- UK median £43,532
- Bottom 25% under £35,953
- Top 25% over £50,694
| Region (where people work) | Median pay | Jobs | How exact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scotland | £48,906 | — | Rough estimate |
| South East | £43,150 | — | Rough estimate |
| East | £42,921 | — | Rough estimate |
| London | £40,970 | — | Good |
| North West | £38,753 | — | Rough estimate |
| South West | £38,270 | — | Rough estimate |
Regions where ONS did not publish a reliable figure are left out. "Rough estimate" = ONS rates it CV 10–20%: use it with care. A region is listed only where ONS published a median for that job.ONS
Starting vs experienced (National Careers Service)
- Physiotherapist: starter £32,000 · experienced £48,000
NCS
Physiotherapist — job profileNational Careers Service (GOV.UK)- Checked
- 23 Oct 2026