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.
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.
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
I chose UQ due to its outstanding reputation in musculoskeletal physiotherapy as well as the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best physiotherapy researchers.
I chose UQ due to its outstanding reputation in musculoskeletal physiotherapy as well as the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s best physiotherapy researchers.
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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
- 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.
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.
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.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
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:
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.
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.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
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.
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Physiotherapy is 5221.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Physiotherapy is 5221.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
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.
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