Does your Physiotherapy degree classification matter?
This article runs alongside the video on the YouTube channel (link at the bottom of page)
Graduating with a Physiotherapy degree means being eligible to apply for your Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration. You get to apply for that registration no matter what classification or percentage you achieved in the degree.
Your employer will be looking for that HCPC and because you have to have the degree to get registered it means they don't even need to ask for your degree certificate let alone your classification.
By having your HCPC registration they know you have the degree.
Your employer will be looking for that HCPC and because you have to have the degree to get registered it means they don't even need to ask for your degree certificate let alone your classification.
By having your HCPC registration they know you have the degree.
Does it even matter?
It’s personal and if that’s what motivates you then great BUT if we become too obsessed by grades we can not just lose focus on other things, it can also become an incredibly stress inducing and unhealthy way to spend 3 years at university.
does getting a 1st make you a better Physio?
No
I’ve not seen any obvious correlation between classification and being a good physio.
I’ve also seen very successful physios in the NHS and private sector who did not get a 1st.
I’ve also seen very successful physios in the NHS and private sector who did not get a 1st.
What does getting a good classification do?
It potentially means you’ll have more in-depth knowledge and your ability to clinically reason using research maybe more honed.
However your Physiotherapy career is going to be a lot longer than 3 years!
Everyone is different and that means some will find and hone these skills later in their careers especially as they get more experience both clinically and in life generally.
However your Physiotherapy career is going to be a lot longer than 3 years!
Everyone is different and that means some will find and hone these skills later in their careers especially as they get more experience both clinically and in life generally.
Don’t compare yourself to others. Do you best not someone else’s best.
The most important thing at university is that you aim to become the best Physiotherapist you can be at that point on your journey!
Be a sponge and absorb all the experiences and ideas that you can. Be open and will to listen. This skill will help you not just in your learning but also with patients.
Be a sponge and absorb all the experiences and ideas that you can. Be open and will to listen. This skill will help you not just in your learning but also with patients.
wHEN IS THE CLASSIFICATION IMPORTANT?
There are times where your classification is important. That is if you want to go on to do a masters and PhD. Usually universities ask that you have achieved a 2:1 or higher although I have seen some that accept 2:2’s.
PLACEMENT
From my experience the most important time not to focus on grades is placement! Here it can be a real weight that will hold you back.
It’s vital you take on feedback and reflect to improve whilst you have the opportunity to put things into practice. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn but not if all you’re focused on is what percentage or grade you’ll get. Focus on how much you can experience and learn to make you a better clinician and better at interacting with patients.
It’s vital you take on feedback and reflect to improve whilst you have the opportunity to put things into practice. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn but not if all you’re focused on is what percentage or grade you’ll get. Focus on how much you can experience and learn to make you a better clinician and better at interacting with patients.