Transform lives through freedom of movement

Physiotherapists help us recover, maintain and enhance our ability to move freely and without pain. They help us overcome injury, preserve physical condition during and after illness, and improve athletic performance.

But the psychological impact of that is far from purely technical; it’s a critical component of positive mental health and an enabler of a rewarding quality of life.

What will you study?

Our Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) equips you to assess and manage a range of health conditions.

With many courses taught by registered practising physiotherapists, the degree places an emphasis on real-world experience. In over 750 hours of work-based training, you’ll work with children and adults of all ages in multiple settings which may include: public and private health organisations; schools; rehabilitation centres; sporting organisations; aged care and more.

You’ll gain high-level knowledge and skills in:

• human anatomy, biomechanics and physiology
• clinical assessment and management of patients with cardiothoracic, musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunction, and developmental disorders
• safe patient handling practices and patient education
• broad public health issues
• evidence-based, patient-centred care.

You’ll regularly access our purpose-built training facilities and state-of-the-art simulation suites—among Australasia’s most advanced. In addition, you’ll benefit from collaborative learning with key complementary disciplines, speech pathology and occupational therapy.

From third year, you’ll choose one of two streams—research* or industry—and undertake a major project. Research will hone your skills in developing new knowledge; industry focuses on integrating research into practice.

Where could a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) take you?

You’ll graduate eligible to pursue a wide range of career opportunities. You could help cancer patients improve their condition—and spirit—during treatment. You could help a range of people better manage a variety of health conditions. You might help a child take their first steps, or you could help someone get back to work, sport or other activities. Those in the research stream may change the way we assess and manage a range of conditions, leading to better health outcomes for the population.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) is accredited with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

*Entry into the research stream will be based on academic merit.


Note: 
This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  If you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) requires four years of full-time study, with no option for part-time study.

In the first year of study, you will be introduced to anatomy, physiology, public health and health research courses, with a focus on physiotherapy principles and body movement combined with an introduction to professional practice.

The second year includes detailed applied anatomy, the principles behind physiotherapy management, and incorporates pathophysiology and pharmacology.

The final two years of the program include specialised practice principles including gender- and age-specific needs relative to women’s health and paediatrics; while developing your knowledge of specialty content relating to the clinical assessment and management of clients with cardiothoracic, musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunction.

Clinical placement courses within the third and fourth year of the program provide you with an opportunity to apply learning in professional practice settings, under the supervision of qualified and registered clinical professionals.

From late third year, you’ll choose one of two streams—research* or industry— and undertake a major project. Research will hone your skills in developing new knowledge; industry focuses on integrating research into practice.

* Eligibility for entry to the Research Stream will be determined by a student’s cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for the courses which comprise the first and second years of the program, and the availability of a suitable research project and supervisor within the School. Students with a cumulative GPA of 5 or greater will be notified of their eligibility for entry to the “Research Stream” at the commencement of the third year of the program. Eligible students who wish to undertake the Research Stream will be required to contact the School of Allied Health Science and Practice Honours Coordinator to discuss their area of interest and project the availability of a suitable research project and supervisor.

Career Readiness

Qualified physiotherapists have a wide range of career options in metropolitan and rural settings. Physiotherapists work in public and private hospitals, community health care, private practice, aged care, sporting organisations, rehabilitation centres, education, and research.

Please see the inherent requirements for physiotherapy programs for further information.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

From first year, students will undertake an observational clinical placement, before completing 900+ hours of clinical placement in a range of metropolitan and rural settings throughout the final 18 months of the program.

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) is accredited with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Physiotherapist

Successful completion of an Australian year 12 qualification with a minimum pass in an accepted English language subject

IELTS: Overall band score of 7.0 and Band score of 7.0 in all bands; TOEFL total score of 94 with a minimum of 27 in Writing, 23 in Speaking and 24 in Reading and Listening; Pearson Test of English (Academic) overall score of 65 and Skills profile of 65 in Writing, Speaking, Reading and Listening; and Cambridge English-Advanced (CAE): Overall score of 185 and Individual score of 185 in Writing and Speaking, Reading and Listening.