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Master of Physiotherapy

Overview

Take your career in physiotherapy to the next level through a masters program specialising in musculoskeletal or sports physiotherapy, or extend your study to obtain qualifications in both.

This 18-month program is designed for physiotherapists wanting to gain advanced skills in musculoskeletal physiotherapy or sports physiotherapy, and is delivered by world-renowned educators, researchers and clinicians. You’ll take your clinical reasoning skills to the next level to advance your clinical effectiveness, improve patient outcomes, and boost career opportunities.

Through the program, you’ll deepen your understanding of evidence-based practice, biological and medical sciences, pain and disability, and exercise. You'll develop your knowledge through advanced coursework, research and clinical placements. During your clinical placements component, you'll work under the supervision of dedicated specialist clinical educators and consolidate your knowledge and skills with real-time peer review and feedback. 

The program is flexible, with multiple delivery options, including part-time, on-campus and online courses, allowing you to learn around your clinical commitments. You'll finish your final four courses on campus in just one semester (full-time) or across 2 semesters (part-time). You'll also have the option to obtain a second master’s degree in the alternate field of study through an additional semester of full-time coursework.

As a graduate you'll have fulfilled the requirements to be a Titled Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist and/or Titled Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist, as awarded by the Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA). You'll also be eligible to pursue the final stage training for clinical specialisation within the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
2 Years part-time (only available as part-time study)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (19 Feb, 2024)
Program Code
5221
AQF
Level 9
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$51200
Duration
2 Years part-time (only available as part-time study)
Start Semester
Semester 1 (19 Feb, 2024)
Semester dates for 2025 are yet to be confirmed
Program Code
5221
CRICOS Code
102796K
AQF
Level 9

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Enjoy a flexible program that includes a combination of part-time external study and one semester of intensive full-time study.
  • Upskill and specialise by gaining extra qualifications to broaden your knowledge and career.
  • Develop your clinical expertise through supervised placements under internationally recognised physiotherapists.
  • Learn from award-winning physiotherapy educators, clinicians and researchers.

2 in the world for sports-related subjects

QS World University Rankings 2023

1 in Australia for sports-related subjects

QS World University Rankings 2023

Fields of study

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

  • Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
  • Sports Physiotherapy

How you'll learn

Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Work placements
  • Online study
  • Research experience
  • Fieldwork
  • Seminars

What you'll study

At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:

  • Pain, Disability and the Biopsychosocial Model in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy
  • Exercise is Musculoskeletal and Sport Physiotherapy
  • Advanced Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice
  • Sports Physiotherapy Clinical Science

Career possibilities

Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:

  • Musculoskeletal physiotherapist
  • Sports physiotherapist
  • Health services manager
  • Clinical scientist
  • Advanced practice physiotherapist

Next steps after graduation

The Master of Physiotherapy is usually undertaken for professional development reasons – for career progression or advancing clinical practice.

Graduates are equipped with developed knowledge, skills and understanding of physiotherapy and can use their qualifications to show evidence of professional development or to fulfil requirements for titled membership of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia, or Sports Physiotherapy Australia within the Australian Physiotherapy Association.

You will also be eligible to pursue the final stage training for clinical specialisation within the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Program accreditation

The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by:

  • Australian Physiotherapy Association
Meet the expert: instilling confidence in future physiotherapists with Dr Roma Forbes
Meet the expert, Dr Roma Forbes

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Meet the expert: instilling confidence in future physiotherapists with Dr Roma Forbes

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Meet the expert: instilling confidence in future physiotherapists with Dr Roma Forbes
Meet the expert, Dr Roma Forbes

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Meet the expert: instilling confidence in future physiotherapists with Dr Roma Forbes

3-minute read

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Is occupational therapy a good career?
Occupational therapy good career

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Is occupational therapy a good career?

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Entry requirements

Entry requirements

To be eligible for entry, you'll need:

a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in physiotherapy, plus 2 years full-time equivalent, relevant professional experience and evidence of continuing professional education, or</li><li>equivalent qualifications and experience.</li></ul><p>You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.<br>Entry is competitive based on GPA. Entry is competitive with a limited intake capacity.<p>Please see 'Additional application information' below for further details on entry requirements.
a bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in physiotherapy, plus 2 years full-time equivalent, relevant professional experience and evidence of continuing professional education, or</li><li>equivalent qualifications and experience.</li></ul><p>You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.<br>Entry is competitive based on GPA. Entry is competitive with a limited intake capacity.<p>Please see 'Additional application information' below for further details on entry requirements.

English language requirements

IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ

TOEFL iBT (including Paper Edition) - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.

PTE Academic - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.

CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 185.

Other OET - A minimum grade of B for each sub skill (L,S,R,W).

BE is not accepted.

 

There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.

Learn how to meet the English language requirements

Inherent requirements

To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.

Learn about inherent requirements

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Physiotherapy are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Need help meeting the entry requirements?

We can help you meet the academic or English language requirements for your preferred program.

If you haven’t completed the prerequisites, we can help.

Learn about pathway options

Additional application information

The cornerstone of our programs are the clinical placements where you will practise under the supervision of dedicated specialist clinical educators. In order to complete the clinical placements, students are required to hold limited registration or full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. International student can apply for limited registration to enable them to undertake their studies.Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.

Additional application information

The cornerstone of our programs are the clinical placements where you will practise under the supervision of dedicated specialist clinical educators. In order to complete the clinical placements, students are required to hold limited registration or full registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. International student can apply for limited registration to enable them to undertake their studies.Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.

Fields of study

Fields of study

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

This speciality focuses on musculoskeletal disorders of the spine and the extremities.

Specific emphasis is placed on the development of advanced clinical reasoning and skills in manual therapy and therapeutic exercise.

You'll develop specialised professional skills including high level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.

View

This speciality will prepare you to work with athletes of all levels, specifically in the practical and theoretical instruction in management of and preventative approaches to sports injuries.

Focus is placed on developing your advanced clinical reasoning skills and the underlying scientific basis of sports physiotherapy practice.

You'll develop specialised professional skills including high-level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.

View

Fields of study

Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:

This speciality focuses on musculoskeletal disorders of the spine and the extremities.

Specific emphasis is placed on the development of advanced clinical reasoning and skills in manual therapy and therapeutic exercise.

You'll develop specialised professional skills including high level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.

View

This speciality will prepare you to work with athletes of all levels, specifically in the practical and theoretical instruction in management of and preventative approaches to sports injuries.

Focus is placed on developing your advanced clinical reasoning skills and the underlying scientific basis of sports physiotherapy practice.

You'll develop specialised professional skills including high-level clinical reasoning, problem solving, assessment and diagnosis. You'll be trained in the application of advanced preventive and management programs based on basic, behavioural, medical and physiotherapeutic sciences. You'll also develop research skills and actively participate in clinical effectiveness, evaluation and research.

View

Fees and Scholarships

Indicative annual fee

Approximate yearly cost of tuition (8 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$4,474

2024

$4,474

2024

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

AUD $51,200

2024

AUD $51,200

2024

Learn more about postgraduate fees

Additional costs

  • Annual CPR re-certification (approximately $80 per year)
  • First Aid Certificate (including CPR) (approximately $130 renewed every 3 years)
  • Costs for vaccinations and serology are the responsibility of the student and will vary based on individual and program requirements.

Government assistance

Financial aid

As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.

Learn more about financial aid

HECS-HELP

Domestic places in the Master of Physiotherapy are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.

Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.

HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.

Learn more about HECS-HELP

Centrelink support

Scholarships

You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:

How to apply

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 1 - December 31 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Important dates

The closing date for this program is:

  • To commence study in semester 1 - December 31 of the previous year.

To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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