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.
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.
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
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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10 October - 12 November
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UQ people
Meet the expert: instilling confidence in future physiotherapists with Dr Roma Forbes
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Meet the expert: exploring nutrition education with Dr Olivia Wright
4-minute read
Stories
See all storiesUQ people
Meet the expert: instilling confidence in future physiotherapists with Dr Roma Forbes
3-minute read
UQ people
Meet the expert: exploring nutrition education with Dr Olivia Wright
4-minute read
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. Entry is competitive with a limited intake capacity.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. Entry is competitive with a limited intake capacity.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.
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 Student (GS) requirement.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
Additional application information
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 (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
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
$4,474
2025
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 $53,760
2024
Fee information for 2025 is not yet available. Fee information displayed is for 2024.
AUD $53,760
2025
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.
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 - November 30 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 - November 30 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.
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