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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. It will deepen your understanding of evidence-based practice, biological and medical sciences, pain and disability, and therapeutic exercise. You'll develop your knowledge through advanced coursework, research and clinical placements. 

Through the program, you'll gain in-depth knowledge and advanced clinical skills which will enable you to critically evaluate and contribute to research in your clinical specialisation. The program is flexible, with multiple delivery options, including part-time, on campus and online courses. 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.

Both specialisations have an extensive clinical placements component where you'll practice under the supervision of dedicated specialist clinical educators.

As a graduate you'll have fulfilled the requirements for titled membership of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia or Sports Physiotherapy Australia within the Australian Physiotherapy Association. You'll also be eligible to pursue the final stage training for clinical specialisation within the Australian College of Physiotherapists.

Location
St Lucia
Duration
Part-time and full-time components required.
Start Semester
Semester 1 (20 Feb, 2023)
Program Code
5221
AQF
Level 9
Location
St Lucia
Fees
A$49376
Duration
Part-time and full-time components required.
Start Semester
Semester 1 (20 Feb, 2023)
Program Code
5221
CRICOS Code
102796K
AQF
Level 9

Program highlights

Program highlights

  • Enjoy a flexible program that includes part-time external study and an option 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 at UQ's musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy clinic.
  • Learn from award-winning physiotherapy educators 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

Placements and work experience

Both fields of study have an extensive clinical practice component where you will practise under the supervision of dedicated specialist clinical educators.

Clinical placements may be outside of the Brisbane metropolitan area where you will be required to fund your travel, accommodation and daily living expenses.

Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.

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:

  • Clinical Reasoning in an Evidence Based Practice Paradigm
  • Pain, Disability and the Biopsychosocial Model in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy
  • Clinical Reasoning and the Biomedical Model in Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy
  • Exercise is Musculoskeletal and Sport Physiotherapy

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

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.

Professional memberships

When you graduate, you may be eligible for memberships with the following professional organisations. Contact the organisation to find out how to become a member.

  • Australian Physiotherapy Association

Program accreditation

The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by:

  • Australian Physiotherapy Association

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
  • equivalent qualifications and experience.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Entry is competitive based on GPA. The GPA cut-off for those offered a place in 2021 was 5.12.
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
  • equivalent qualifications and experience.

You must have a grade point average (GPA) of 4.0 on a 7-point scale in your previous qualification.
Entry is competitive based on GPA. The GPA cut-off for those offered a place in 2021 was 5.12.
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 - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.

TOEFL PB - Overall 600, listening 59, reading 59, writing 64/6.

Pearsons - 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 following additional documentation is required with your application:

  • names and contact details of two referees*
  • curriculum vitae with full work history
  • evidence of continuing professional education

* Referees must be of a professional or academic nature, from a workplace or prior study, and cannot be provided by a near relative (e.g. partner, child, sibling or parent) or close associate (e.g. friends, neighbours, or partners or children of colleagues).

Shortlisted candidates are required to undertake an interview. Offers will be made on the basis of academic achievement, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), work experience, references, and interview. There are limited places available in this program.

Students will need to be practicing physiotherapists with an active caseload while undertaking the core courses of the program.

For the Field of Study component of the program (Year 2), students are required to hold limited registration or, if applicable, full registration with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, which includes the Board's English Language Proficiency requirements.

Applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined here.

Applicants who need to provide evidence of English language proficiency (ELP) should be aware that this program requires a higher ELP than the UQ minimum, outlined in: PPL 3.40.14 English Language Proficiency Admission

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSPs) are limited. There is no separate application process for CSPs and all eligible applicants who submit a complete application by 30 November in the year prior to commencement will be considered automatically. Applicants will be notified prior to the start of classes whether they have been offered a CSP.

Additional application information

The following additional documentation is required with your application:

  • names and contact details of two referees*
  • curriculum vitae with full work history
  • evidence of continuing professional education

* Referees must be of a professional or academic nature, from a workplace or prior study and cannot be provided by a near relative (e.g. partner, child, sibling, or parent or close associates (e.g. close friends, neighbours and partners or children of colleagues).

Shortlisted candidates are required to undertake an interview. Offers will be made on the basis of academic achievement, Continuing Professional Development (CPD), work experience, references, and interview. There are limited places available in this program.

Students will need to be practicing physiotherapists with an active caseload while undertaking the core courses of the program.

For the Field of Study component of the program (Year 2), students are required to hold limited registration or if applicable, full registration, with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia, which includes the Board's English Language Proficiency requirements.

Applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined here.

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 (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.

$32,480

2023

$32,480

2023

Reduced fee (CSPs)

We offer a limited number of Commonwealth supported places (CSPs) for this program based on academic merit. We allocate CSPs based on academic merit after the closing date for applications and before Orientation.

$8,300

2023

$8,300

2023

Learn more about postgraduate fees

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

AUD $49,376

2023

AUD $49,376

2023

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

FEE-HELP

Domestic students who are accepted into the Master of Physiotherapy pay tuition fees.

FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.

Learn more about FEE-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 - January 16 of the year of commencement.

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 - January 16 of the year of commencement.

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 Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

Explore other programs

Physiotherapy Studies

Master of Physiotherapy Studies

St Lucia
2 Years full-time2 Years full-time

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