Some 20 students from Ireland and overseas have embarked on a new three-year degree programme in physiotherapy at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI).

There are 24 places on the course, four of which are open to Leaving Cert students via the CAO. These students, however, will have to take an additional pre-physiotherapy year, since the three-year programme is open to graduates of science, science-related or appropriate subjects only. The students will graduate with an honours degree in physiotherapy awarded by the NUI and recognised by the Irish Society of Chartered Physiotherapists. All the RCSI's programmes are fee-paying; this year's fees for Irish and other EU students are £3,400. According to course director Professor Marie Guidon, an important part of the programme is the provision of a minimum of 1,000 hours in a clinical setting. "This provides an environment where students are able to consolidate their academic and practical studies." Clinical placements take place in hospitals throughout the State.