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Bachelor of Physiotherapy (202JA.5)
Please note these are the 2026 details for this course
| Selection rank | English language requirements | Duration | UAC code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 85 | 4.0 years | 365106 | |
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Location | Available teaching periods |
| Faculty of Health | Discipline of Physiotherapy |
UC - Canberra, Bruce |
View teaching periods |
Fees
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their education, which is set by the Commonwealth Government. Information on Commonwealth Supported Places, HECS-HELP and how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
| Academic entry requirements | English language requirements | CRICOS code | Faculty |
|---|---|---|---|
| 076966F | Faculty of Health | ||
| Discipline(s) | Location | Available teaching periods | Duration |
| Discipline of Physiotherapy |
UC - Canberra, Bruce |
View teaching periods | 4.0 years |
Fees
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Academic entry requirements
To study at UC, you’ll need to meet our academic entry requirements and any admission requirements specific to your course. Please read your course admission requirements below. To find out whether you meet UC’s academic entry requirements, visit our academic entry requirements page.
Helping people heal through movement
Learn the science behind body movement and gain valuable knowledge, understanding, and insight about the amazing machine we call the human body - with the UC Bachelor of Physiotherapy.
This four-year comprehensive course will help you explore the human body in detail, and analyse how each muscle, bone, joint, and ligament enables human movement and development across a variety of age ranges and disabilities. You will also develop a sophisticated understanding of how the lungs, heart, brain, and nerves work together, and how to improve peoples’ lives through exercise and movement.
Your study of advanced functional human anatomy, combined with training from expert clinicians means you will be able to diagnose and offer effective therapeutic management solutions for a wide range of human movement disorders.
Once you graduate, you’ll open doors to further study, specialisation, or a Ph.D. in Physiotherapy. This course also offers an embedded Honours program for high-achieving students looking to progress into physiotherapy research or academic careers.
The course is fully accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council, which means you are eligible for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) from the day they graduate.
Study a Bachelor of Physiotherapy at UC and you will:
- develop knowledge of the structure and function of the human body
- learn to read, critique, evaluate and apply evidence from research and science into the practices of health care and health services
- enhance your communication skills in listening, speaking, explaining, and teaching
- develop detailed knowledge of normal function and development of the musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic, and neurological systems
- apply your knowledge and skill to assess, prevent, and treat developmental and degenerative diseases of the musculoskeletal, cardiothoracic, and neurological systems
- understand and apply the professional ethics, responsibilities, values, and standards for the practice of physiotherapy
- develop excellent clinical analytical and reasoning skills.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL)
This course offers a high volume of work integrated learning and the opportunity to gain clinical practice experience using theoretical and practical components of your studies.
Comprising of five, five-week placements, these hands-on learning opportunities will cover a wide range of areas such as acute care units, rehabilitation centres, neurological units, residential care facilities, pediatric units, and aged care facilities. Placements are only provided on a full-time basis and will require interstate travel. Accommodation and transport costs are the student’s responsibility. For further information on WIL please visit https://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/canberra-students/work-integrated-learning
Also, patients with a variety of medical issues such as spinal cord injuries and Parkinson’s disease will also regularly visit to discuss their conditions, and you’ll also have the chance to work with high-performance athletes looking to improve their physical and personal objectives.
Career opportunities
- ¿New graduate physiotherapist
- Physiotherapist
- Cardiothoracic physiotherapist
- Musculoskeletal physiotherapist
- Neurological physiotherapist
- Intensive care unit (ICU) physiotherapist
- Physiotherapy practice owner
- Physiotherapy researcher
Course-specific information
The Australian Physiotherapy Council accredits this course and successful graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) and practice physiotherapy in Australia.
Course content and structure is informed by the industry with Course Advisory Group members hailing from the physiotherapy department of Canberra Hospital, Calvary Hospital and the Australian Institute of Sport.
High-performing students may be eligible to apply for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy Honours degree, based on their academic performance, interview, and application.
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible, you must have an academic IELTS of 7.0 overall with no band score below 7.0 or equivalent.
Before commencing clinical placement, all students must:
- Provide a complete immunisation schedule
- Provide First Aid Certificates, including CPR
- Undergo an Australian Federal Police record check before participating in placements in the ACT
- May need to undergo additional Police checks before participating in any interstate placements – depending on each state requirements.
Professional accreditation
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy has been accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council, and approved by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia so that graduates are eligible to apply for registration to practice Physiotherapy in Australia.
Admission to this course is based on an entrance rank. A rank can be achieved by the following means:
- Year 12 ATAR
- other Australian Qualification
- work experience
- overseas qualification
We also offer a number of entry initiatives that give you the opportunity to gain entry to the University via alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes. More information is available on our Alternative Entry page: http://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/applications/apply-now/alternative-entry
Domestic applicants who are not currently enrolled in a bachelor degree at the University of Canberra must apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC): https://www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants
Admission to this course is competitive. Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit and the number of available places. Domestic applications will open on the 1st September. First offer round applications must be received by 30th November with offers being released mid-December. Applications remain open while vacancies exist for ongoing consideration of offers.
Applications from international students are accepted on an ongoing basis while vacancies exist. Please refer to the key dates (https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-students/apply-to-uc/key-dates) for further information.
Additional admission requirements
Comprising of five, five-week placements, these hands-on learning opportunities will cover a wide range of areas such as acute care units, rehabilitation centres, neurological units, residential care facilities, paediatric units, and aged care facilities. Placements are only provided on a full-time basis and will require interstate travel. Accommodation and transport costs are the student's responsibility. For further information on WIL please visit https://www.canberra.edu.au/current-students/canberra-students/work-integrated-learning
All students are required to undergo an Australian Federal Police record check prior to undertaking clinical experience in the ACT, and a NSW Police check before undertaking practice in NSW.
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you may need to meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course.
Assumed knowledge
ACT: Mathematical Methods major and either Biology or Human Movement major(s); and Chemistry or Physics major(s). NSW: Mathematics and either Biology or Human Movement, and Physics or Chemistry.
Periods course is open for new admissions
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 1 | 02 February 2026 |
Credit arrangements
There are currently no formal credit transfer arrangements for entry to this course. Any previous study or work experience will only be considered as part of the application process in accordance with current course rules and university policy. Credit is not permitted towards completion of a graduate certificate.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy (202JA) | 96 credit points
Note:
- - Unit 8997 Professional Practice in Health is no longer available. Students to enrol in alternative unit 11616 Patient-centred communication.
- Students who do not successfully complete Clinical Physiotherapy 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 may be required to complete unit 11713 Clinical Physiotherapy.
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you must meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course
UC - Canberra, Bruce
Year 1
Semester 1
Year 2
Year 3
Semester 1
Evidence Based Practice (8988) OR Evidence Based Practice (Honours) (8987)
Semester 2
Non-Honours only: Restricted Choice Elective
Winter Term
Honours only: Honours Thesis 1 (11761)
Year 4
Semester 1
Two Restricted Choice Electives OR Honours Thesis 2 (8993)
Semester 2
Non-Honours only: Restricted Choice Elective
Winter Term
Course duration
Standard eight semesters full-time. Maximum ten semesters. This course is only available for full-time enrolment.
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcomes | Related graduate attributes |
|---|---|
| Demonstrate professionalism in the practice of physiotherapy, including insight into scope of practice and the ethics, responsibilities, values and conduct required in a broad range of contexts, including maintenance of self-care as required. | UC graduates are professional: Communicate effectively; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| Discuss and critically analyse existing evidence from research, quality improvement and other sources as they inform physiotherapy and health care practice, with readiness to change practice and teach others as the evidence base evolves in the future. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; and use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems. UC graduates are global citizens: Make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Evaluate and adopt new technology. |
| Demonstrate safe and effective patient-centred assessment, therapeutic intervention, and evaluation using evidence-based tools and outcome measures relevant to the practice of physiotherapy, incorporating patient's goals. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; and display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload. UC graduates are global citizens: Adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; and make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. |
| Select and use cognitive and technical skills to execute a research project to a standard acceptable to professional proactive and research outlets within a physiotherapy field. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; and display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload. UC graduates are global citizens: Make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. |
| Effectively communicate results, synthesising knowledge and judgements about research findings to a variety of audiences. | UC graduates are professional: Communicate effectively; and use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems. UC graduates are global citizens: Communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings. |
| Apply knowledge of the degenerative and disease processes affecting the human body (across the lifespan and in different patient groups) in the patient-centred practice of clinical physiotherapy . | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; and communicate effectively. UC graduates are global citizens: Adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; and make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. |
| Demonstrate communication skills, including culturally-responsive interpersonal, written and electronic communication with patients, families and carers, and other health professionals, in clinical and wider inter-professional contexts, including constructive conflict resolution. | UC graduates are professional: Communicate effectively; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. |
| Demonstrate in-depth understanding of the structure and function of the human body relevant to the practice of physiotherapy. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills. |
| Additional Learning Outcomes for Honours students: Design, communicate a defend a research proposal. |
UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; and communicate effectively. UC graduates are global citizens: Communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. |
Majors
- Specialist Major in Physiotherapy Interventions (SM0063)
- Specialist Major in Physiotherapy Practice (SM0064)
- Core Major in Allied Health (CM0023)
Awards
| Award | Official abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Bachelor of Physiotherapy | B Physio |
| Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) | B Physio (Hons) |
Honours
Honours students will complete a research project where they study patients, collect data, analyse that data, and then develop a thesis with the objective of presenting their findings at a national conference and eventually publishing in a peer-reviewed journal. High performing students may be eligible to enter the Bachelor of Physiotherapy honours stream. Students may be invited to apply to complete the honours degree, or apply based on their academic performance of high credit average, or on approval of the course convenor, as detailed below.
Prerequisites for honours study include completion of preparatory units in statistics or health data analysis.
Honours study involves completion of unit 8987 Evidence Based Practice (Honours) and two honours units: Physiotherapy Honours Thesis 1 and 2.
Requirements for degree with Honours:
(i) Application for Bachelor of Physiotherapy with honours, should be made during third year. Eligible applications will be considered by the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course convenor and the Physiotherapy Honours Thesis Unit Convener. To be eligible to undertake studies at honours level, a student must achieve at least a credit average in all eligible units.
Eligible units: Eligible units for calculation of the Entry GPA are all required units in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy program years 1,2 and 3 undertaken at the University of Canberra, and this includes units for which you receive credit, whether done at UC or elsewhere. Where you have done extra units which may count, e.g. more than the required amount of restricted elective units, your best results will be counted.
Eligible units for calculation of the Honours GPA are any required and elective units for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, including the units Physiotherapy Honours Thesis 1 and 2.
(ii) The degree of Bachelor of Physiotherapy may be awarded with first or second class honours, following submission of an Honours thesis as part of the units Physiotherapy Honours Thesis 1 and 2.
Calculating the final class of honours
Bachelor of Physiotherapy degrees with Honours are awarded in the following classes depending on the Honours GPA obtained and the standard of the Honours Thesis.
First Class: both an Honours GPA of at least 6 and an exceptional performance in the honours component of your assessment
Second Class - Division I: both an Honours GPA of at least 5.5 and a very good performance in the honours component of your assessment
Second Class-- Division II: both an Honours GPA of at least 5 and a good performance in the Honours component of your assessment.
A student with an honours GPA of less than 5, and pass level performance in the Honours component of the assessment, may pass the Honours unit, but be awarded with Bachelor of Physiotherapy without honours.
Calculating the Honours GPA
Honours GPAs are calculated by using the University's system. The units Physiotherapy Honours Thesis 1 and 2 will be weighted as 30% for the purposes of calculating the Honours GPA. Units used in the Honours GPA are as described in 'Eligible units' above for Honours GPA assessment.
Note that marks are not automatically rounded up for purposes of Honours. Thus 4.99 does not become 5.00. Where your final mark is within two marks of the next level of honours, or of achieving honours at all (e.g. a 4.8 is rounded up to 5.0), you can apply in writing to have your honours result upgraded. This will be determined by Bachelor of Physiotherapy course convener and the Physiotherapy Honours Thesis Unit Convener, taking into account your academic record and any mitigating circumstances which may have affected your academic performance.
Enquiries
| Student category | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Prospective Domestic Students | Email study@canberra.edu.au or Phone 1800 UNI CAN (1800 864 226) |
| Current and Commencing Students | Email Health.Student@canberra.edu.au |
| Prospective International Students | Email international@canberra.edu.au or Phone +61 2 6201 5342 |
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