Introduction
Fast track your way into a Physiotherapy Career
If you already possess a health-related degree but now wish to move into a career in physiotherapy, then the UC Master of Physiotherapy course will help you transition into a new pathway fast – and with confidence.
This 2-year, full time course will help you leverage your existing qualification and combine it with a comprehensive integrated learning schedule to ensure that you meet both Australian Physiotherapy Association requirements, and your own career objectives in the most expediate way possible.
This course is unique to UC and has been specifically designed to help you not only graduate faster, but also enter the physiotherapy industry with a highly competitive edge.
So if you’re a health graduate that has been considering pursuing a career path more in line with your passion or purpose - then look no further than the UC Master of Physiotherapy course – and take your career to another level – fast.
Study a Master of Physiotherapy at UC and you will:
- become a skilled practitioner capable of working in a variety of settings
- receive an integrated learning mix of lecture, laboratory and tutorial sessions with a strong professional practice component
- gain the knowledge, skills, ethical appreciation and the clinical decision-making confidence required to practice as a physiotherapist
- gain professional experience in public hospitals and private practices in the ACT, regional NSW or across Australia
- undertake a series of problem based clinical studies to further develop your skills and adaptability
- acquire research skills and learn how to challenge established theories against a body of knowledge in the areas of growth and development, movement dysfunction, pathology or degeneration.
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
The Master of Physiotherapy course at UC is fully accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Graduates are eligible for registration as a Physiotherapist by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
A range of careers are available for Master of Physiotherapy students including:
- musculoskeletal
- neurological
- cardiothoracic
- sports
- women’s health
- paediatrics
- oncology
- emergency
- aged care
- burns units and more
- private industry and the government sector.
Course-specific information
All students are required to undergo a police record check and present current immunisation records prior undertaking clinical practice placement in the community.
All students are required to undergo a 'working with vulnerable people' check, an Australian Federal Police Record Check prior to undertaking clinical experience in the ACT, and a NSW Police check before undertaking practice in NSW.
Professional Accreditation
The course has been accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy are eligible for registration as a Physiotherapist by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
For professional Physiotherapy registration with APHRA, IELTS is required for anyone who did not complete high school in Australia, England, Ireland, New Zealand, USA, Canada or South Africa, as opposed to the University requirements where IELTS is only required for those who have not studied in an English speaking country.
Admission Requirements
Requirements
This course has an early closing date to submit applications by the 31st May of every year for domestic applicants and 31st March every year for international applicants. Domestic applicants must apply through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Students should apply at: http://www.uac.edu.au/postgraduate/
Applicants must meet all of the following criteria:
A) a completed bachelor degree in a health science discipline* with a credit or higher average, and
B) degree level studies in musculoskeletal anatomy, advanced functional anatomy, physiology of exercise and biomechanics.
* Health science disciplines include exercise physiology, exercise science, exercise and sports science, medical science, biomedical science, health science, human movement, physiotherapy, physical therapy, applied science, human biology, medicine, rehabilitation science, human nutrition, occupational therapy.
Additional Admission Requirements
All students in the course are required complete clinical practice placements in blocks of time, often outside of teaching time. These clinical practice placements are essential to the program and are assessed.
Prior to commencing clinical practice, all students need to present a complete immunisation schedule, and First Aid certificates including CPR, as a requirement of the ACT and NSW health departments.
Information on admission closing dates can be found here.
English Language Requirements
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. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Fees
Information for Fee Paying Students
| Year | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | CSP | $47,000 |
The fees detailed above 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.
Government Support
| Year | CSP Places Available | Eligible for Student Income Support (Centrelink) |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | YES | YES |
Typical Study Pattern
Course Information
Course Requirements
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.
Course Duration
Standard four semesters (not available part-time). Maximum eight semesters.
Unit Delivery Modes
Each unit within your course may be offered through various delivery modes like on campus, online, flexible and intensive modes. Check how each of your units are delivered in the Course Requirements section.
Admission Periods
| Year | Location | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2019 | UC Canberra - Bruce Campus | Semester 2 |
Semester 2 |
| 2020 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 2 |
Semester 2 |
| 2021 | UC - Canberra, Bruce | Semester 2 |
Semester 2 |
Assumed Knowledge
Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Advanced Functional Anatomy, Physiology of Exercise and Biomechanics.
Additional Placement Requirements
This course requires students to meet compulsory placement requirements prior to undertaking professional placement (Work-Integrated Learning) in a clinical or professional setting. For information on what these requirements are and how to meet these requirements, please visit www.canberra.edu.au/placement
Awards
| Award(s) | Official Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Master of Physiotherapy | M Physio |
Alternate Exit Awards
- Graduate Certificate in Health Studies
- Graduate Diploma in Health Studies
Related Courses (Double Degrees, Nested Courses and Alternative Exits)
Students who are unable to complete the two-year masters program may be eligible to exit this course with one of the following awards: - Graduate Certificate in Health Studies, after completion of 12cp study of units in this course; or - Graduate Diploma in Health Studies, after completion of 24cp study of units in this course, with at least 12cp at PG level.