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First Contact Musculoskeletal Practice at University of Essex - UCAS

University of Essex

Degree level: Postgraduate

First Contact Musculoskeletal Practice (Taught)

Course options

2026 - 2027
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Open days

11Oct
University of Essex Open Day - Southend Campus
Undergraduate
8Nov
University of Essex Open Day - Colchester Campus
Undergraduate

Course summary

Our Postgraduate Certificate First Contact Musculoskeletal Practice course enables experienced musculoskeletal clinicians to gain academic recognition for their First Contact Practitioner training. The content of this course has been aligned with guidance from all national and professional groups involved in the development and delivery of this role. The first module, First Contact Musculoskeletal Practice, has been designed to map to Stage 1 requirements of Health Education England's 'Roadmap to Practice', and the second module, Evaluation of Clinical Practice for First Contact Musculoskeletal Practitioners, evidences the Stage 2 clinical competencies. You explore topics relating to FCP practice, including:

  • communication strategies
  • screening for sinister pathology
  • integration of the wider determinants of health
  • operational issues
  • professional accountability
A clinical mentor is required to support your clinical learning, but this mentor does not need to be 'Roadmap trained'. Completing this course will enable you to demonstrate:
  • advanced understanding of key concepts related to advanced musculoskeletal practice in primary care
  • knowledge of how to assess complex health needs in the primary care environment (musculoskeletal presentations), diagnose, prescribe, and provide individualised care
  • knowledge of the relationships between diseases and the wider determinants of health, e.g. psycho-social theories and individuals' responses to health and illness
  • knowledge of how to critically appraise research findings and apply research evidence to question routine practice, including relevant ethical and legal issues
  • advanced ability to reflect upon your own professional practice

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for this course can be found on the course finder on the University of Essex website – www.essex.ac.uk

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

This CPD pathway allows you to study flexibly. Fees are therefore charged per module and may vary. A full list of current module fees can be found on the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences CPD page, or by contacting [email protected].
First Contact Musculoskeletal Practice at University of Essex - UCAS