Master of Chiropractic including Foundation Year

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.