The implications of the COVID-19 pandemic were extensive and observed by everyone on a global spectrum. However, the repercussions perceived amongst those in predominantly practical based further education courses remains to be analysed in its entirety, with relatively little research investigating into this topic being available. Therefore, this study was designed to explore the imputations of online learning throughout the coronavirus pandemic as perceived by physiotherapy students. Six female 3rd year physiotherapy students that experienced online learning throughout the pandemic were questioned using semi-structured style interviews to elicit their concept on how online learning influenced their progression into practical placements. In order to elicit this, a constructivist and interpretive stance was maintained throughout the course of research with all data that was emergent from the interviews being analysed thematically. The findings of this study provide support that the students experienced practical, psychological and social ramifications as a result of the virtual learning that negatively influenced them within clinical placements. The students observed the online learning to alter a multitude of important skills such as communication, manual handling and working within a multidisciplinary team. If the student perceptions disclosed are accurately presentive, then the study supplies an insight into how practical based students observe the introduction of virtual based learning.