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Glasgow Caledonian University has launched the country's first accelerated postgraduate degree for physiotherapy.

A qualification to practise physiotherapy usually comes through a three-year degree course in England and Wales and a four-year degree in Scotland and Northern Ireland. But huge interest in the course from applicants with first degrees in related science subjects has led GCU to develop a two-year MSc in rehabilitation science.

The course includes 1,000 hours of clinical practice, the same as in the longer courses, and has been approved by the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy and the Council for the Professions Supplementary to Medicine.

Around 20 students with first degrees in subjects such as sports science, physiology or microbiology will start the course at the end of January. It will comprise two 43-week years.

Alan Walker, director of education for the CSP, said: "This is an exciting development in physiotherapy education. It is a pilot course, and we will be following its progress with interest. I am sure that it offers a terrific opportunity for many graduates" Sandra Myles, professor of physiotherapy at GCU, said: "It represents good news for potential physiotherapists and good news for their patients. The country is crying out for more physiotherapists and we are happy to play our part."