Master of Physiotherapy

VU course code: HMPS | Level of study: Postgraduate

Duration

2 years full time

Delivery mode

In person

Fees

Fee type for this course: Full fee

Location

Footscray Park

Next start date

29 July 2024

Application closes

21 July 2024

Master of Physiotherapy students work in clinic

Overview

Develop hands-on expertise in physical rehabilitation and care by studying the Master of Physiotherapy at Victoria University.

As a leading university in exercise science and healthcare, we offer top facilities and opportunities for you to train as a physiotherapist.

During your physiotherapy masters degree, you'll build your knowledge of anatomy, psychology and physiology. You'll learn how to improve movement and physical function in patients, and to promote health in all people regardless of age or physical ability.

Our teachers are expert physiotherapists and world-leading researchers, with years of experience in diverse clinical settings. Under their guidance, you'll develop the clinical reasoning skills and cultural awareness needed to manage complex situations concerning individuals, families and communities.

You'll graduate well-prepared for real-world physiotherapy practice, with deep knowledge and practical experience.

The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Successful graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia enabling them to practise in Australia.

: On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Translate knowledge from biomedical, exercise and social sciences, including determinants of health, to plan and deliver safe and effective physiotherapy services;

Practise as a physiotherapist autonomously and as a collaborative member of an interprofessional team to provide professional, ethical, person-centred and culturally responsive management across diverse health populations, settings and environments;

Exemplify critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to safely, effectively and creatively provide physiotherapy services for clients with cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological and other conditions across the lifespan;

Justify and implement high quality person-centred practice based on the best available research evidence including translational research, available resources and clinical expertise, ethical considerations and with careful consideration of the clients’ preferences, values and cultural and spiritual beliefs;

Advocate for individual health and wellbeing through facilitation of client self-management across the lifespan;

Exhibit effective communication and collaborative skills when working with clients, families, the community, other health professionals and the public appropriate to the context;

Critically reflect on one’s practice and understand the importance of improving knowledge and skills through self-reflective practice, peer assisted learning, commitment to lifelong learning, self-care strategies, work-life balance and career planning;

Devise appropriate strategies to manage time, workload, resources and priorities effectively, responsibly and ethically;

Exemplify and role model effective leadership, management and education skills within relevant clinical and professional frameworks;

Exhibit culturally responsive practice, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Traditional Owners of Australian lands; and

Demonstrate readiness for entry level Physiotherapy practice in Australia and articulate the ability to contribute to advancing the future of the Physiotherapy profession in Australia.
: Taught by experts in movement and physiotherapy, our courses are designed to fully prepare you for work.

Our unique small-group learning approach lets you develop clinical-reasoning skills alongside students from other health professions. The inter-professional skills gained in this environment are a real advantage in when you start clinical placements.

You'll complete supervised professional practice (work-integrated learning) in a range of settings, including:

elite sports

private practice

acute care and rehabilitation clinics

aged care

community care.
: Our world-class sport and learning precinct at the Footscray Park Campus features the most advanced exercise technology available. The facility is used by students, researchers, professional sports teams and community organisations.

Our facilities include:

exercise physiology labs

biomechanics labs

motor learning and skilled performance labs

heat chambers

motor control and biofeedback labs

integrated teaching and learning facilities.
: VU has strong, unique partnerships with more than 350 local, national and global organisations across the sport, exercise and recreation industries. These partnerships inform the content of our courses and provide joint research opportunities. Our partnerships also give you access to industry contacts and work placements, which mean superior career development.

Some examples of our partners include:

Western Bulldogs Football Club

Victorian Racing Club

Australian Sports Commission

Real Madrid Football Club Foundation

Beijing and German Sports Universities

Sport Australia Hall of Fame

National Heart Foundation

VicHealth

National Ageing Research Institute

Australian Institute of Sport

Football Federation Victoria

Tennis Australia

Western Health

Australian Football League (AFL)

Barwon Health

Melbourne Victory FC.
: Self-care and reflective practice are key features of this course, encouraging you to practise mindfulness and adopt healthy work–life habits.

These self-care tools are crucial for working in complex situations. By taking care of your own mental and physical health first, you will be well positioned and prepared to take care of others in your physiotherapy practice.

Entry requirements

When assessing your application, we consider your education, work experience, current skills and personal attributes (where relevant).

Applicants for this course will need to meet the entry criteria outlined below. If you don’t meet the entry criteria, you may be able to gain entry by first completing a different course. We call this a ‘pathway’.

For PhD applicants, we offer a related ‘Integrated PhD’ which allows you to establish relevant skills before beginning your research.

You may also be eligible for course ‘credits’, where you are granted a unit or units towards your qualification for equivalent previous study or work experience, so you can graduate sooner.

Entry criteria

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. We also consider non-academic research and work experience for our research candidates.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree with studies in a cognate discipline and evidence of completion of a minimum of one anatomy, one physiology and one research unit or equivalent. Anatomy unit or units must have covered anatomy of the thorax, limbs and neuroanatomy. Examples of discipline areas include, but are not limited to: Exercise physiology, exercise science, exercise and sports sciences, medical science, biomedical science, health science, physiotherapy, physical therapy, human movement, applied science, rehabilitation science, occupational therapy, nursing and osteopathy. PLUS A minimum GPA of 4.5 out of 7.0 or a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of 60 percent.

Additional information

Students are notified at enrolment of professional practice requirements including: appropriate uniform/attire, equipment, travel, ‘Police Check’ and ‘Working with Children Check’, record of immunisation, First Aid and CPR certification, and a signed agreement to nominate oneself as fit for practice. Students must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia to be eligible to undertake clinical placements and must pass essential pre-requisite units before undertaking clinical placements. The Master of Physiotherapy assumes requisite knowledge in the ethical code of conduct and scope of practice of physiotherapy Where students do not meet this requisite knowledge, on admission, they will be provided with access to one unit: • HPT1001 Introduction to the Health Profession (Physiotherapy) Students will be required to complete this unit as a self-directed unit and assess their own learning through the use of quizzes within the unit.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Learn more about special admission programs

Credit & Entry pathways into this course

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency. Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Course Structure

To attain the Master of Physiotherapy students must successfully complete:

192 credit points of Core units.

Units

Fees & Scholarships

University fees vary, depending on how much the government contributes towards course costs (if anything).

Read below to find out about the fee ‘type’, the estimated yearly tuition costs for this course, and the financial support on offer (including our generous scholarship program).

Fees

Scholarships

CAREERS

After graduating with a Master of Physiotherapy, you will be eligible to register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and, once registered, to practise as a physiotherapist.

You may find work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a variety of settings, including:

hospitals
aged and community care
centres for people with physical disabilities
rehabilitation centres
private practice
elite and community sports
health research and health promotion
paediatrics
women’s and men’s health.

Accreditation

The Master of Physiotherapy has accreditation from the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Successful graduates are eligible for membership of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia enabling them to practise in Australia.

VU Stories

From sports management to physiotherapy

Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy

"The best things about VU are the facilities and the helpful staff, who actually understand students’ lifestyles and different reasons for taking the course, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach."

Jack's story