Want to know more about what to expect from a work placement? Read about Quinn’s experience, and the feedback he received.
I am a third-year physiotherapist student on the verge of completing my studies, for the last eight weeks I have been on placement at Foundations Physio, where I have gained valuable skills and knowledge treating neurological elderly patients. This experience has been one of the most formative parts of my training so far, building on a diverse range of previous placements including the Pain Team at FHFT, community rehab, in‑patient CVR, and MSK outpatients with HIOW.
My time at Foundations Physio has been incredibly rewarding. I’ve seen significant growth in key clinical areas such as leadership, clinical reasoning, documentation, and exercise prescription. Working with neurological patients has exposed me to conditions I had only previously encountered in theory, helping me translate academic knowledge into confident, practical skills. I also had the opportunity to lead MDT meetings and run PD Warrior classes, which pushed me to communicate clearly, manage group dynamics, and adapt sessions to individual needs.
This placement has shaped me both personally and professionally. I’ve become more confident in my ability to assess, treat, and progress complex patients. I’ve learned how to break down sessions into manageable components, adapt when things don’t go to plan, and trust my clinical judgement.
Professionally, I’ve strengthened my ability to work within a multidisciplinary team, communicate effectively with colleagues and patients, and document clearly and efficiently. These are skills I know will be essential as I move into my first qualified role.
Some standout moments from the placement include:
- Leading my first PD Warrior class
- Running an MDT meeting and feeling genuinely part of the team
- Working closely with patients with complex neurological presentations and seeing meaningful improvements
- Realising how much my confidence has grown since first year
These experiences reminded me why I chose physiotherapy in the first place.
If you’re considering physiotherapy, or you’re about to start your first placement, here’s what I’d tell you:
- You learn so much more on placement than you expect
- It’s normal to feel unsure at first — confidence grows with experience
- Every placement, even the challenging ones, teaches you something valuable
- Working with real patients is the most rewarding part of the course
- You’ll develop skills you didn’t even realise you needed, like adaptability, communication, and resilience
Placements are where everything starts to click.
Why do a placement through the University of Winchester?
Placements are a vital part of physiotherapy education. They provide a safe, supportive environment to practise the skills students learn in lectures and practical sessions. It also encourages them to step into leadership roles, which are essential in modern physiotherapy practice. Beyond skill development, placements offer insight into the realities of both NHS and private practice.
The Chair of Parkinson’s UK, Guildford and South Surrey passed on high praise for Quinn and his PD Warrior classes, saying, “Quinn made a very positive impression on both myself and the members of our branch. He demonstrated professionalism, good technical knowledge and strong interpersonal skills. We are grateful for the contribution he made during his placement and wish him every success in his future career.”
The praise extended to the University: “I would like to congratulate the University of Winchester once again for producing candidates of such a high calibre. Before being diagnosed with Parkinson’s, I worked as a senior manager and spent much of my career assessing and developing people. In most populations one would expect performance to follow a normal distribution centred somewhere between average and good. My experience of Winchester physiotherapy students, however, suggests a distribution that is skewed much further towards good and exceptional. Quinn firmly occupies the upper end of that distribution.”
This reflects the University of Winchester’s commitment to ensuring students are placement-ready, with the skills, knowledge and professional mindset needed to make a positive impact in the workplace and successfully progress towards their chosen careers.
If you want to find out more about the University of Winchester’s BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy course, book onto one of our open days to meet the course team and hear from some current students.
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