Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This one-year introductory course explores the core principles of rehabilitation and the therapeutic techniques used to treat injury, illness, and disability. Students gain a deep understanding of human anatomy and the impact of impaired mobility on physical performance, learning practical skills such as therapeutic exercise, massage, and taping. By blending clinical insights with patient handling and care implementation, the program ensures graduates meet HSE standards, equipping them to effectively support therapy plans and help clients restore their mobility and overall function.
Certification:
- Level 5 Laboratory Techniques 5M3807
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Physiotherapy Assistant Practice
Physiotherapy Assistant Therapy Theory
Biology
Physics
Chemistry
Mathematics
Laboratory Techniques
Body Massage and Figure Analysis
Kinesiology
Care Support
Infection Prevention and Control
Anatomy and Physiology
Safety and Health at Work
Communications
Work Experience
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course results in a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a direct progression route, click below:
QQI Code
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:
Social
The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.
Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.
Naturalist
Not surprisingly, some aspect of the natural sciences will run through the Naturalist's interests - from ecological awareness to nutrition and health. People with an interest in horticulture, land usage and farming (including fish) are Naturalists.
Some Naturalists focus on animals rather than plants, and may enjoy working with, training, caring for, or simply herding them. Other Naturalists will prefer working with the end result of nature's produce - the food produced from plants and animals. Naturalists like solving problems with solutions that show some sensitivity to the environmental impact of what they do. They like to see practical results and prefer action to talking and discussing.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
Graduates of this course can access multiple academic pathways, including progression to related Level 8 degrees followed by a Level 9 Masters in Physiotherapy at institutions like UL, UCD, and UCC. The qualification also opens doors to undergraduate physiotherapy programs in the UK and various Level 7 or 8 degrees across Ireland, with mature students remaining eligible for direct university applications. Beyond further education, the course provides a clear route to immediate employment, qualifying students to work as Physiotherapy Assistants or Healthcare Assistants within the broader medical industry.