CSP accreditation of pre-registration courses

Currently, all pre-registration programmes in the UK are accredited by the CSP, meaning all higher education institutions (HEIs) have demonstrated their programmes meet the highest standards.  From September 2026, accreditation will be based on the new Physiotherapy Education Framework.

Accreditation ensures graduates are safe, competent, and ready for practice. The CSP strives for all HEIs to achieve accredited status and works in collaboration with teaching teams to develop the very best from each programme.

Accreditation normally lasts 5 years, with flexibility between 4–7 years.

All pre-registration programmes are also approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which is the UK regulator. Read more about the HCPC’s process.

Why is accreditation important?

The accreditation and re-accreditation processes are important because it makes sure students qualify as safe and competent practitioners as possible.

The CSP is uniquely positioned to advise and enhance each university’s programmes as it has oversight of all programmes as a whole. By creating a supportive relationship with providers, best practice and knowledge is shared between institutions, driving innovation.   

Physiotherapy Education Framework (pre-registration)

The Physiotherapy Education Framework sets out the national expectations for pre-registration physiotherapy programmes. Developed through extensive collaboration across the profession, it defines what students must learn, how programmes should be structured, and the capabilities graduates need to enter practice safely, confidently and sustainably.

It is intentionally flexible, enabling universities to innovate while ensuring all programmes meet a shared set of professional standards.

Alongside the framework, the CSP has defined a set of Graduate Attributes: the essential values, knowledge, skills and behaviours that all physiotherapy graduates are expected to develop during pre-registration education to ensure they are prepared for effective, responsible and evidence-informed practice.

When it comes into effect

The new Physiotherapy Education Framework will apply to all accreditation and re-accreditation processes from September 2026. 

For an accreditation date before September 2026, programme teams can chose whether to work to the Physiotherapy Education Framework or the legacy Learning and Development Principles and Physiotherapy Framework.  

Programme teams are also encouraged to read the CSP vision for UK physiotherapy.

The CSP accreditation process

The CSP strives for all HEIs to achieve accredited status and works in collaboration with teaching teams to develop the very best from each programme.

To secure CSP accreditation, HEIs must provide documentation and evidence that demonstrates their programmes meet the standards. 

To support teams to develop their programmes, we link each HEI with a CSP education consultant. Education consultants, who are experienced university lecturers and qualified physiotherapists, play a crucial role as ‘critical friend’ to teams at all stages of their programmes. 

What does the CSP accreditation process look like?

Programmes are reviewed at a scheduled accreditation event, which includes full documentation review, meetings with stakeholders and a tour of facilities. 

What are the documentation requirements?

• Mapping exercises against the 2011 CSP physiotherapy framework graduate attributes and section 2 of Quality Assurance processes (for events before September 2026 ) or the Physiotherapy education framework and graduate attributes (pre-reg) (from Sept 2026, or before if chosen)
• Programme specification
• Descriptions of the modules
• Practice placement handbook
• Student handbook
• Curriculum vitae for relevant staff
• External examiners’ reports for the last two years (if applicable)
• Evidence of sustainable practice-based learning resourcing: document demonstrating the provision of sufficient placements to support current and projected student numbers, with tangible evidence such as agreements, partnerships, or placement capacity forecasts.
• Programme teams are asked to provide a written narrative overview and rationale for their programmes. This should include the aims, philosophy, informed decision-making, what the team would like their students to achieve, and the type of graduate to be produced at the end of the programme. Alternatively, teams can present this information at the start of the event as a verbal presentation.

What should an accreditation event include?

At an accreditation event, we require meetings with the following stakeholders:

• Programme team
• Senior management (those who carry responsibility for physiotherapy education resources and the strategic development of the institution’s physiotherapy/health and social care provision, i.e. the Head of School)
• Practice educator/clinician/manager representatives
• Student representatives
• Service users

We also require:

• A tour of facilities
• Closeout meeting with the programme team to give feedback

Slots must also be planned into the schedule to allow for the CSP education adviser and education consultant to have private meetings at the beginning, middle and end of the event.

You might find our agenda template helpful when putting together the agenda for your accreditation event. Please note it is only intended as a guide, and it can be rearranged as necessary to fit around the groups listed above.

What is the QAE panel?

The Quality Assurance and Enhancement (QAE) network is made up of CSP education consultants, and their role is to oversee QAE activity. For each accreditation, a panel made up of members of the QAE network is assembled. 

The accreditation process is impartial as education consultants are not involved in accrediting their own institution’s programmes or those where a potential conflict of interest might impact the outcome.

The QAE network panel’s decision is then ratified by the CSP’s professional committee, which is one of the CSP Council’s three strategic committees. 

How long does CSP accreditation last?

Accreditation lasts five years with the flexibility to re-accredit within four to seven years, to fit into HEI timelines.  

However, re-accreditation can occur sooner if there are significant changes to the programme. Re-accreditation will involve another event, with the involvement of a CSP education consultant and a CSP education adviser.

During a programme's accreditation life cycle, any changes made are reviewed by linked CSP education consultants and subsequently by the Quality Assurance and Enhancement panel.  

How much does CSP accreditation cost?

There is an initial development fee of £2,600 for new providers when you decide to proceed with CSP accreditation. After this, there is an annual fee of £2,530, payable each autumn. A purchase order will be requested when this is due.

What if there is a change to my programme?

During an accreditation period, changes may occur to your programmes or institutions which will require our notification. These changes could be proposed for the future or unplanned modifications reported respectively. 

We ask programme teams to notify us of changes as soon as possible to enable support from CSP and the progression of the quality assurance processes. 

Please download and complete the notification of change form and send it with any applicable documentation to the education team.

We will then forward your form and documents to your linked education consultant before submitting them to the Quality Assurance and Enhancement panel. 

Raising concerns

The CSP recognises that accredited programmes may face unexpected challenges (such as staffing shortages or reduced placement capacity) that affect their ability to meet accreditation requirements. Our priority is to protect the quality of students’ learning and outcomes. Accreditation may also be reviewed if a programme departs from its approved design or does not meet annual quality review expectations.

When concerns arise, whether raised by students, the public, providers or through CSP monitoring, we follow a staged, supportive process. This typically includes formal notification, discussion and meetings, submission of evidence, and committee review. Stages may repeat if issues remain unresolved. Timescales are agreed with providers, with flexibility allowed in exceptional circumstances to ensure learners are not adversely affected.

Sanctions are only considered when constructive engagement has not resolved the concern. These may include pending accreditation status, temporary suspension or, in severe cases, withdrawal of accreditation. Regulatory bodies or practice partners may be informed if continuation poses risks to learners, staff or patients. Providers can appeal decisions they believe are unfair or procedurally flawed, with appeals reviewed by the CSP’s Professional Committee to ensure fairness and transparency.

Useful guidance

Below are some links you may find helpful when designing your programme and throughout your (re-)accreditation process.

Accreditation resources

Legacy documents (applicable for programmes accredited before Sept 2026):

• Learning and development principles
• Quality assurance processes
• Physiotherapy framework

For accreditations from Sept 2026 onwards: 

• Physiotherapy Education Framework (pre-reg) and Graduate Attributes