In this podcast I meet Access to Higher Education student Peter, who is studying the Health Science Professions Diploma in Physiotherapy at level 3. I will be asking Peter about his studies with academy online learning and how studying this access course has enabled him to apply to university. As well as what he plans to do after graduating from university.

Welcome to this podcast episode Peter, thank you for taking the time to join me on this podcast episode. What has brought you to study an access course with Academy Online Learning?

So the reason why I've enrolled on the ACCESS course is because I was looking to head back to university to study physiotherapy, and when I spoke to the universities they said that they wanted to see some recent study from myself because I'd originally done a degree many years ago, so they wanted to see some more recent study from myself. So I thought an ACCESS course would be the best option, and I was looking around online at different providers, and the Academy Online course looked really, really good, and it's allowed me to start immediately because I want to enrol in university in September, so I needed a course that I could start right away. And yeah, I can work at my own pace with it, it offers a lot of support and it's a huge help.

You have chosen to study the access to HE in Physiotherapy Diploma. Have you got a background in this field that pushed you forwards to study it?

So my background is actually in personal training and strength and conditioning. So I've been doing that for 16 years now. And, you know, within that time, I've been working with a lot of people, a lot of clients, athletes, and a lot of the time helping them deal with and work around various injuries and, you know, prevent certain injuries and problems from occurring. So I've had some pretty good experience in the injury prevention side of things. And I'd like to delve a little bit deeper into that, really. So I thought that, you know, my skills so far would lend themselves quite well to a career in physiotherapy. And I'm very interested in delving a bit deeper into the rehabilitation process whilst working with people in a more medical setting. So that's kind of why I'm looking to head into physiotherapy.

It sounds like you have a rich background in personal training and strength conditioning, which definitely complements a move into physiotherapy. Your experience in injury prevention and working with clients and athletes is a great foundation. Transitioning to physiotherapy will allow you to deepen your understanding of rehabilitation and work in a more medically-focused setting.
 

Have you considered your university options and where you would like to study? 

Yeah, I've been considering the options for universities and different courses. So, I want to keep them in the Manchester area, and the ones that I'm looking at are Manchester Metropolitan, Salford, and Bolton. So, they're all local to me, all well-established courses with good reviews, and they have good links with local organisations, which I think will be very helpful going forward career-wise.

Great choices! Manchester Metropolitan, Salford, and Bolton universities are all reputable institutions with strong programs in physiotherapy. Considering they are local to you and have good connections with local organisations, they seem like ideal options for your career transition.

When evaluating these universities, you might want to consider factors like course curriculum, placement opportunities, faculty expertise, and the specific focus of each program. This can help you align your choice with your interests in rehabilitation and medical settings.

How has this online learning provision with AOLL helped you with your aims of applying to go to University?

So Academy Online has been a huge help in terms of supporting me with applying for my course. They provided a lot of assistance in terms of weighing up different university courses and the pros and cons of each one and also really good advice in regards to writing your personal statement. So your personal tutor marks it and helps you out with it and gives you feedback so you can make it sound as good as you can. It's been a really, really big help in terms of applying.

That's fantastic to hear! Academy Online seems to be providing excellent support in your application process. Their assistance in comparing university courses and crafting a strong personal statement is invaluable. Personalized feedback from a tutor can make a significant difference in presenting your strengths and experiences effectively.

A well-written personal statement can be a key factor in your application, especially when it highlights your extensive background in personal training and your interest in physiotherapy.

Now that you are applying to University, what preparation has this course offered during the process?

Yeah, the diploma has really, really helped prepare me for university. Like I said, I've been to university before, but it was quite a while ago, so it's been really good that, you know, Academy Online, a lot of the courses on there are aimed initially at getting you back in the habit of skills such as, you know, how to write essays, academic writing skills, information literacy skills, how to gather all your sources and, you know, do your referencing and bibliography and all that kind of stuff. So, it's skills that you kind of get out the habit of and, you know, really, really important to learn before you head to university. So, I've been very, you know, very happy with it, very impressed with how it's been organised as well.

 

It's great to hear that Academy Online's diploma program has effectively prepared you for returning to university. Refreshing skills like essay writing, academic writing, information literacy, and proper referencing are crucial for a smooth transition back into an academic environment. These foundational skills are key to success in any university program, especially in a field as detailed and research-oriented as physiotherapy.

It sounds like you're well-equipped for your next steps. With your previous university experience and the updated skills from the diploma program, you're poised to excel in your physiotherapy studies.

As you prepare for this new chapter, do you have any specific areas in physiotherapy or university life that you're particularly excited about or would like to discuss more?

What plans do you have after completing your undergraduate degree?

So, after completing my degree, my aim really will be to get a career in the field, you know, probably, most probably in the musculoskeletal, MSK area of physiotherapy, and that could be in the NHS, or it could be with a private organisation, or I might look to use my sort of strength conditioning background and move more into the athletic sports realm. So that's kind of my aims already after the courses I've done.

Your goal to specialise in musculoskeletal (MSK) physiotherapy aligns well with your background in strength and conditioning. Whether in the NHS, private sector, or sports realm, your skills and experience will be highly valuable.

Each path offers unique opportunities:

• NHS: Here, you'd likely work with a diverse range of patients, contributing to community health. It's a great platform for broad experience in MSK physiotherapy.
• Private Sector: This could offer more specialised roles and perhaps more flexibility in terms of patient demographics and conditions treated.
• Sports and Athletics: Leveraging your strength and conditioning background, you could work with athletes, focusing on performance enhancement, injury prevention, and rehabilitation.

As you progress through your studies, gaining experience through placements or internships in these different settings could be beneficial. It can provide insight into which path aligns best with your interests and career goals.

Many thanks for joining me and wishing you the best of luck for your interviews at university and your future career in Physiotherapy.