Physiotherapy - Wits University

Overview

Physiotherapists aim to improve patient’s quality of life through skilled evaluation and therapy that reduces their pain and restores movement and physical function. This often restores their ability to perform normal activities. Physiotherapy also aims to maintain patients’ mobility, muscle strength, and exercise endurance.

With this degree, you can work as part of a multidisciplinary team in hospitals, clinics, community health centres, private practices, schools for children with disabilities, centres for people living with disabilities, and sports centres.

There are two entry points into the BSc Physiotherapy degree:

First-year, for applicants currently in Grade 12, and
Second year, for applicants who have completed a relevant prerequisite degree - the Graduate Entry Physiotherapy Programme (GEPP). Click here for more information about GEPP. Applicants who are currently studying or who have studied at a tertiary institution are advised to complete their studies and then apply for admission to the GEPP.

The Graduate Entry Physiotherapy Programme (GEPP) has been introduced to increase the number of physiotherapists in SA. The GEPP allows entry of suitably qualified applicants who meet certain minimum requirements into the second year of the BSc in Physiotherapy degree. This allows these students to complete their undergraduate physiotherapy studies in three years after which they enter their government-mandated community service period.

Career Opportunities

The field of physiotherapy is vast, encompassing six different areas, namely:

Cardiopulmonary
Community Health
Neuromusculo-skeletal
Neurology
Orthopaedic
Paediatrics
Sport Physiotherapy (specialised branch of physiotherapy which deals with injuries and health of the sports person)

Curriculum

First-year

Introduction to Medical Sciences I
Chemistry I
Introduction to Physiotherapy I
Physics I
Introduction to Psychology I
Basic Principles of Group and Individual Psychology I
Human Behavioural Sciences I

Second-year

Anatomy for Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Students
Physiotherapy I
Physiology and Medical Biochemistry

Third-year

Pharmacology
Physiotherapy II
Rehabilitation I
Clinical Physiotherapy I
General Medicine and Surgery
Research Methodology Part I

Fourth-year

Management for Therapists
Physiotherapy III
Rehabilitation II
Clinical Physiotherapy II
Research Methodology Part II

Entry Requirements

NSC Requirements

English Home Language OR First Additional Language Level 5
Mathematics Level 5
Life Sciences AND/OR Physical Sciences Level 5

The Faculty of Health Sciences uses a Composite Index (CI) score to guide applicant selection. This includes:

Your matric academic results for five subjects: English, Mathematics, best of Physical Sciences/Life Sciences and the best two other subjects. We consider the percentage achieved, not the symbol. The average of the five subjects carries a 60% weighting.
National Benchmark Test (NBT) scores. The average of the NBT scores carries a 40% weighting.

All applicants must write the NBT

Click here for the NBT test dates. NBT results are valid for three years and Wits only considers the first attempt of the NBT from the most recent year. Visit www.nbt.ac.za

The NBT should be written by 11 August.

Applicants applying to the Graduate Entry Medical Programme (GEMP) and/or Graduate Entry Physiotherapy Programme (GEPP) only, as well as applicants who are in their final year of study towards a Bachelor’s degree, or who have already completed a Bachelor’s degree, are not required to write the NBT.

Additional requirements

All applicants to BSc(Physiotherapy) must spend time observing a professional physiotherapist and complete a job shadowing certificate of attendance (minimum: 16 hours). Only observation hours completed between 1 July 2023 and 31 July 2024 will be accepted. You can download a certificate of attendance form from the Wits website https://www.wits.ac.za/undergraduate/apply-to-wits/additional-requirements/

Without this certificate, you will not be considered for admission to the programme.

University Application Process

The Student Enrolment Centre at Wits handles all student applications.
Please click here for an overview of the application process.
Check the admission requirements for your degree. Check if any additional selection requirements apply.
Submit your application, required documentation and application fee before the closing date.
Once you have applied, an admissions consultant will be assigned to your application.
Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
If you are an international applicant and/or have a foreign qualification, please click here.

Compliance with the minimum requirements does not guarantee a place at the University. The University has a specific number of places for first year undergraduates, approved by the Department of Higher Education and Training. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees for the first year of study. The Fees website also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

The Financial aid office provides information on student funding and scholarships. University-funded Scholarships include Vice-Chancellor's Scholarships, University Entrance Scholarships, Equality Scholarships, Sports Scholarships and National Olympiad winner awards. For information about NSFAS funding, please visit the NSFAS website. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.

Wits Plus applicants: terms of payment are in accordance with University regulations, and students are not eligible for University bursaries/NSFAS or residential accommodation.