Celebrating 50 Years of Physiotherapy at Ulster University

Building a Future, Inspired by History

Fifty years ago, in 1976, a pioneering idea took shape with the launch of the first physiotherapy degree programme in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The programme was hosted by the Ulster College of Physical as a constituent college of Ulster Polytechnic before the merger of the Polytechnic and Ulster University in 1984.

What began as a bold academic venture with just 28 students has grown into a world‑class programme that now graduates more than 100 physiotherapists each year from its home on the Derry~Londonderry campus.

As we mark this golden anniversary, Ulster University celebrates not only the longevity of the programme, but the generations of graduates who have shaped healthcare locally, nationally and globally.

The physiotherapy programme’s journey mirrors the evolution of Ulster University itself. Initially delivered through the Ulster College of Physical Education, the programme became part of Ulster University following the 1984 merger with the Ulster Polytechnic. For decades, the Jordanstown campus was its academic home before the School of Health Sciences relocated to the Derry~Londonderry campus in 2022.

Through every transition, one constant has remained, Ulster University’s commitment to producing exceptional physiotherapists who lead, innovate and transform lives.

A Year of Celebration: Events Marking the 50th Anniversary

To honour this remarkable milestone, a series of special events will take place throughout 2026, bringing together alumni, staff, students, partners and distinguished guests.

Belfast Campus Celebration - 22 April 2026

The anniversary year celebrations begin with a flagship event on the Belfast campus. This gathering will welcome alumni, former and current staff, key stakeholders and students for an afternoon of reflection and inspiration.

The programme includes:

• Panel discussions exploring the evolution of physiotherapy over five decades
• A Professorial Lecture by Professor Daniel Kerr, Head Of School Of Health Sciences
• Keynote addresses from alumni of the University:
  • Dr Phil Glasgow, a global leader in high performance sport who has supported athletes at Olympic Games, Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cups.
  • Professor Brenda O’Neill, Physiotherapy Lecturer and Researcher at Ulster University, specialises in rehabilitation after critical illness and respiratory conditions, and leads major multi‑centre research programmes funded by bodies such as the NIHR, while heading the Centre for Health and Rehabilitation Technologies (CHaRT) and contributing to Northern Ireland’s research infrastructure. Brenda is an Associate Editor for Physiotherapy Canada, a former President of the International Confederation of Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapists (2019-2023), and winner of the 2023 Advancing Healthcare Award for Research and Development.

This event will set the tone for a year that honours our past while looking confidently to the future.

You're Invited! Attend Launch Event on 22 April

Book Your Seat! (Opens in a new window)

Golden Anniversary Gala Ball - Everglades Hotel, Derry~Londonderry, 18 September 2026

The celebrations will culminate in a Gala Ball that promises to be a highlight of the year. Guests will include members of the first 1976 cohort, representatives from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, local representatives, alumni from across the decades, staff, partners and friends of the programme.

It will be an evening of stories, reconnection and recognition, and an opportunity to honour the people who built the programme and those who continue to carry it forward.

Share Your Memories!

If you or someone you know is an alumnus/a from the Ulster University physiotherapy programme, and would like to share your memories or photos from your time at Ulster University to join the celebrations, email: physio50@ulster.ac.uk