Master of Chiropractic including Foundation Year
The Master of Chiropractic course ensures that students acquire the knowledge, understanding, skills and attitudes required for safe a competent practice.
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The primary aim of the chiropractic course is to produce reflective graduates, who are capable of solving problems arising within clinical practice, together with responding appropriately to the health needs of their patients and the community as a whole.
DESIGNED FOR
People who wish to work in professional clinical settings combining both passive care options (Soft tissue work, spinal manipulation etc) with Active care options (Exercise Rehabilitation, self-management support, patient education) individualised in context to the patient in front of them.
Accredited by
- The General Chiropractic Council
- The General Chiropractic Council
- The European Council on Chiropractic education (ECCE)
Career Paths
- Chiropractor
- Researcher
- Academic / Lecturer
Skills taught
- Clinical Reasoning
- Spinal Manipulation
- Clinical Assessment
- Clinical Thinking
- Clinical Communication
Course Highlights
Module Overview
The MChiro course has been successfully accredited by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) and the European Council on Chiropractic education since our inception in 1997. We pride ourselves on leading the way with evidence informed education within the profession, producing high quality graduates renowned for their excellent reputation who succeed within the profession helping their communities worldwide.
All students on the Foundation Chiropractic programme study the following core modules in one year and then, subject to grades, progress on to the Master of Chiropractic.
Foundations of Professional Development in Chiropractic
This module introduces the student to all aspects of professionalism in chiropractic, encompassing interpersonal communication techniques in the healthcare environment, personal and professional development and contemporary issues in the profession of chiropractic.
Foundation Anatomy for Chiropractic
This module introduces students to the key anatomical structures, both musculoskeletal and body systems, in order to apply clinical reasoning to hands-on examination.
Foundations of Clinical Management
This module focuses on common musculoskeletal conditions a Chiropractor may face in a clinical setting. Students will be introduced to various assessment and treatment techniques which will provide a solid base as students’ progress through the MChiro programme.
Foundation Biophysics
Foundation Biophysics introduces a wide variety of mathematical and physical-sciences topics and contextualises them within life sciences, clinical sciences and ultimately, chiropractic.
Foundation Biology
This module provides good foundational knowledge on a range of topics relating to biological sciences, from genetics and evolution to immunology and ecology. It has a substantial practical element, providing experience on a wide range of scientific techniques.
Foundation Human Physiology for Chiropractors
Students are introduced to an overview of the 11 physiological human systems to form the basis of their functional clinical knowledge.
Year 1 introduces students to the complex human body through study of life sciences. Understanding of normal human physiology, biophysics, anatomy, and radiographic anatomy, creates the required foundation of knowledge for further study of pathology and disease presentations in later clinical modules. Students will gain skills in palpation and assessment of learned anatomy within clinical management and also begin to understand biopsychosocial aspects of musculoskeletal conditions through studies of behavioural science.
Clinical Management 1
This module enables students to learn the initial framework of Musculoskeletal clinical assessment and practical application of orthopaedic, manual therapy and exercise rehabilitation techniques.
Clinical Anatomy
This module is designed to provide students with an in-depth understanding of clinical anatomy. Students will explore the relations between anatomical structures and systems and their clinical importance. Practical sessions will be devoted to hands-on examination of the anatomical structures, developing skills in muscle testing, deep tendon reflexes, dermatomes, myotome assessment.
Behavioural Science
This module introduces students to a comprehensive approach to healthcare from a biopsychosocial perspective. It explores the psychological and social factors pertinent to clinical practice and how these impact on the patient-practitioner relationship, and ultimately to clinical outcomes.
Biomechanics
This module develops an appreciation of the fundamental mechanical principles that are relevant to human movement and chiropractic. Students will learn to understand and resolve biomechanical problems relating to linear and angular kinetics and kinematics, in addition to material science theory underlying mechanical properties of biological materials.
Clinical Imaging
This module introduces students to academic knowledge relevant to radiological studies. Students will learn how to identify normal anatomy on plain film radiographs, as well as other advanced modalities. This module also introduces the student to the correct terminology required to interpret and understand radiographic findings. Additionally, this module introduces the student to the current legislation related to radiography and advanced imaging, as well as the physical principles involved in the formation of radiographic images.
Clinical Physiology 1
Students are introduced to the 11 physiological human systems. This module further describes the roles of each system on homeostasis, including an introduction to disorders and disease.
The second year of the Master of Chiropractic degree focusses on developing the foundations established in the first year in modules such as Physiology, Imaging, and Clinical Management. The year combines practical and theory-based learning with the latter being weighted slightly heavier. The introduction of Public Health, Neuroanatomy and Clinical Diagnosis I as new modules, in comparison to year 1, allows the students to develop their basic clinical thinking skills and apply it more to the chiropractic profession.
Neuroanatomy and Clinical Neurology
The module will cover the basic clinically based knowledge of head and neck anatomy as well as neuroanatomical structure. Building on this knowledge gain an understanding of the aetiology, disease mechanisms and diagnostic criteria necessary to perform an in-depth neurological examination.
Clinical Diagnosis 1
This module will enable students to appreciate repair mechanisms and disease processes both generally and at the level of the organ system. Within lectures and practical classes, students will be able to understand the symptomatology associated with these disease processes and be able to recognise conditions based on common presentations within a clinical setting.
Public Health for Chiropractors
This module enables students to apply an in-depth knowledge of public health principles to chiropractic practice and will introduce students to the theories of motivation for change in regard to health behaviours.
Clinical Management 2
This module aims to enhance the student’s understanding and application of psychomotor skills necessary for chiropractic practice based upon current evidence including the neuro-biomechanical, spinal stability, rehabilitation, and diversified models of care.
Clinical Imaging and Diagnosis 1
This module is designed to develop clinical image interpretation skill required to recognise and describe various pathological states relevant to chiropractic.
This module will also cover the knowledge, understanding and application of different imaging modalities, including X-rays, MRI, CT and ultrasound scans relevant to various pathological states.
Clinical Physiology 2
The module challenges students to broaden their knowledge base on all human physiological systems, by identifying and understanding a variety of physiological adaptations, disorders and diseases.
A year that that consolidates and finely tunes students knowledge, confidence and practical skills so that they are prepared for clinical encounters. A broad range of pathology is explored, with a focus on the diagnosis and management of neuromusculoskeletal presentations so that students are prepared for the diverse patient base that awaits them in their final year of education.
Research Methodology
This module enables students to develop their critical thinking and appraisal skills by teaching an in depth understanding of research methodologies in the context of reading scientific literature. Cognitive bias awareness, statistical analysis and risk of bias assessment skills are all developed to help students develop their clinical reasoning for implementation of evidence into clinical practice.
Clinical Preparation
This module prepares students for the WIOC clinical environment and the role of the Primary Healthcare Practitioner (Chiropractor) in context of the General Chiropractic Council's (GCC) Code. Students are guided and encouraged to consolidate and develop their clinical reasoning and diagnostic skills and apply them to theoretical and real clinical scenarios.
Clinical Diagnosis 2
This module aims to continue to develop a student’s ability to identify and differentiate common signs and symptoms of conditions routinely encountered in chiropractic practice. Students are taught to perform comprehensive physical examinations of body systems such as cardiovascular and respiratory and be able to apply these skills to specialist populations. Pharmacology and laboratory test findings in the context of general diagnosis is introduced.
Clinical Management 3
Learn develop and refine a complex range of basic and advanced manual skills and rehabilitation. This module prepares students with the tools to create evidence-based chiropractic treatment plans for a diverse MSK patient base.
Clinical Neuro-Orthopaedics
This module builds on previous modules such as anatomy, neuroanatomy and pathology and diagnosis. At completion the students will be able to perform and interpret the outcome of a neurological and/or orthopaedic examination of all parts of the body, as well as implement clinical reasoning in order to both lesion localize and determine tissues involvement and provide rationale for possible differential diagnoses, management and potential referral.
Clinical Imaging and Diagnosis 2
This module further develop student’s knowledge and understanding of clinical imaging, especially, image analysis and interpretation skills.
Students learn to promote differential diagnoses of a variety of orthopaedic and general pathological conditions relevant to chiropractic by integrating case history, imaging findings and laboratory investigations.
Acknowledgement of patient risk using ionising radiation and recognise health and safety protocols and relevant legislation in imaging.
The final year of the Master of Chiropractic (MChiro) degree programme develops, consolidates, and applies the academic knowledge, the practical skills and the professional behaviours learned in the initial three years. This year provides the environment to complete all the statutory requirements so that students are safe and competent at the point of graduation to enter professional life.
Chiropractic Clinic
Our supervised outpatient clinic provides an excellent forum for students to apply their skills in clinical practice offering patient care and management. In addition to treating patients, students engage in various clinical management activities including the use of diagnostic imaging and running rehabilitation programmes within our purpose-built rehabilitation facilities.
This module provides the environment to complete all the statutory requirements as safe and competent at the point of graduation to enter professional life.
Translating Evidence into Clinical Practice * (Optional)
This module develops the skills previously learned in the Year 3 to critically appraise relevant research to inform chiropractic practice. Students gain a thorough understanding of the principles of evidence-based practice and build a critical awareness of their application in clinical practice. Students learn how to effectively communicate current research to patients, translating often challenging technical data, terminology, and research outcomes to a format that patients can easily understand.
Research Project
Students partake in a full research project from start to finish. Creation of a thesis title, going through an ethics procedure, recruitment of participants, writes up and statistical analysis of results are all skills acquired by a student choosing this thesis option. High level work could potentially be published in academic journals.
Clinical Diagnosis and Management
Students will continue to apply principles learned in previous years to advanced clinical cases in Chiropractic. Review of procedures and problems in differential diagnosis within a chiropractic context, supplemented by specific case studies and research studies. Relevant clinical cases will be critically discussed, along with their implication on health status and management. Further development of knowledge within pharmacology and laboratory test findings.
Contemporary Clinical Practice
Students undertaking this module will learn and develop the skills to move from education into professional practice. The basics of audit and business planning will be taught, so that students are prepared for the rigours and legalities of entrepreneurship. In addition, this module instils an understanding of professionalism, where students will learn to apply the legal and ethical requirements of the Code of Practice.
Course Highlights
How you’ll learn
Typically, students on our foundation chiropractic course will spend around around 12-14 hours each week in lectures, practicals, tutorials, laboratory or clinical work, depending on the topic.
A variety of assessment methods are used throughout each term, including (but not exclusively) short-answer in-class tests, practical tests, multiple-choice tests, group presentations and long-answer written tests.
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Teaching staff
Our Staff includes Clinical Physiologists, Counsellors, Ultrasound Sonographers, strength and conditioning specialists, Imaging experts alongside PhD candidates and working Chiropractors. This broad skillset helps to support and enable our students with the components required to be a contemporary Chiropractor.
Our Course leader Paul McCambridge has spoken at the world famous San Diego Pain summit.
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Placements
Students undertake clinical placements in a supervision work base environment to observe and/or assume roles and responsibility, for patient management. In the students final year, students will be working as clinical interns in our in house Chiropractic Clinic, assessing, treating and manging real patients under the guidance and supervision of GCC registered clinical tutors.
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Facilities
Our anatomy and radiology lab which contains the Anatomage Table, producing the most accurate 3D anatomical images possible. We are also one of the few institutions in Europe to utilise the Force Sensing Table technology to help optimize psychomotor skill development with Spinal Manipulation.
Keep up to date with the building progress of our new Chiropractic Clinic at our Treforest campus.
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ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
UCAS Points: 88 (or above)
Typical qualification requirements:
- A Level: CCD
- Welsh BACC: Pass the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Diploma with Grade C in the Skills Challenge Certificate and CD at A Level to include one A Level but to exclude General Studies (this is equivalent to 88 UCAS tariff points).
- BTEC: BTEC Extended Diploma Merit Merit Merit
- Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 88 UCAS Tariff points
Additional requirements include:
The University normally requires a minimum 5 GCSEs including Mathematics/Numeracy and English at Grade C or Grade 4 or above, or their equivalent, but consideration is given to individual circumstances.
An Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check on the Child & Adult Workforce and Child & Adult Barring List and subscription to the DBS Update Service is required. (Overseas equivalent required for non-uk applicants).
Evidence of observation of a minimum of 3 hours of a chiropractor in clinical practice. An IELTS (or equivalent) minimum average score of 6.0 is required for non-UK applicants.
International applications welcomed:
We welcome international applications with equivalent qualifications of our entry requirements. For more details related to your country of residence, please view our dedicated country pages.
English language requirements
International applicants will need to have achieved an overall of IELTS 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each component/TOEFL 72 overall and a minimum of 18 in reading, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing or equivalent.
Equivalents can be located on our English Language pages.
If you have previously studied through the medium of English, IELTS might not be required, please visit our country specific page for further details. If your country is not featured, please contact us.
If you do not meet the English entry criteria, please visit our Pre-Sessional course pages.
Contextual offers
We may make you a lower offer based on a range of factors, including your background (where you live and the school or college that you attended, for example), your experiences and individual circumstances (as a care leaver, for example). This is referred to as a contextual offer, and we receive data from UCAS to support us in making these decisions.
USW prides itself on its student experience and we support our students to achieve their goals and become a successful graduate. This approach helps us to support students who have the potential to succeed and who may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university.
We're here to help
Whether you a have a question about your course, fees and funding, the application process or anything else, there are plenty of ways you can get in touch, and we'd love to talk to you. You can contact our friendly admissions team by phone, email or chat to us online.
Fees and Funding
£9,535
per year*£16,200
per year*Additional Costs
Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of stationery, printing, or equipment during your foundation year. For costs after you progress to year 1 of your degree programme, please see the list below.
Non-UK applicants must provide a satisfactory National Police check, with costs varying by country.
Cost: Varies
Enhance DBS is a requirement for the course to ensure suitability for clinical Practice.
Cost: £56
Students are required to purchase a diagnostic kit necessary for their training. Purchases are advised after course commencement, with guidance provided on required equipment for each training phase.
Cost: £300
Investing in your future
The Clinic, which will be the new home of the Welsh Institute of Chiropractic (WIOC), will be an extension of the new learning and teaching facilities for Chiropractic.
The project will replace the current facilities at the William Price Business Park, bringing together all learning, teaching and treatments onto the same site.
The Clinic building is expected to be completed in spring 2025, and will welcome new patients from summer 2025.
University Quality Assurance
At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.
If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.
Life at USW
Halls are a big part of your student experience and there’s accommodation at all three of our locations. If you don’t want to live near the campus, there are great transport links to keep you connected.
How to apply
All applications for full-time undergraduate courses or foundation degrees should be made via UCAS. Take the next step: Apply through UCAS. You can apply to us directly for all part-time undergraduate courses, if you’re seeking advanced entry or you’re an international student. To apply directly, please choose the application form below for your preferred start date and mode of study (full-time or part-time.)
Advanced entry
If you already have a relevant qualification or experience related to the course you're applying for, you may be eligible to start at a later stage of the course. For example, students from partner colleges can ‘top up’ their qualifications to a degree by joining us in Year Two or Year Three of a course. This process is known as ‘advanced entry’, you can apply directly to the University for 'advanced entry' using the application forms provided above.
International admissions
International applicants can apply to us directly. If the University has an in-country team in your region, your application will be assigned to them for assistance.