Program Overview
Victoria University's Master of Physiotherapy is a two-year program that equips students with hands-on expertise in physical rehabilitation. Through state-of-the-art facilities and expert faculty, the program develops clinical reasoning skills, cultural awareness, and knowledge in anatomy, physiology, and psychology. Graduates are prepared for entry-level physiotherapy practice in Australia and contribute to the advancement of the profession.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
The Master of Physiotherapy at Victoria University is a two-year, full-time program that focuses on developing hands-on expertise in physical rehabilitation and care. The program offers state-of-the-art facilities, world-class faculty, and practical learning experiences to prepare students for a successful career as a physiotherapist.
Objectives:
- To provide students with a deep understanding of anatomy, physiology, and psychology relevant to physiotherapy practice
- To develop clinical reasoning skills and cultural awareness to manage complex situations involving individuals, families, and communities
- To equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively provide physiotherapy services for clients with various conditions, including cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological, and other issues
- To promote health and well-being through the facilitation of client self-management
- To prepare graduates for entry-level physiotherapy practice in Australia and to contribute to the advancement of the profession
Outline:
Year 1, Semester 1:
- Physiotherapy in Musculoskeletal Practice
- Physiotherapy in Cardiorespiratory Practice
- Physiotherapy in Neurological Practice
- Physiotherapy in Rehabilitation and Community Practice
Year 1, Semester 2:
- Integrated Practice 1
- Integrated Practice 2
- Integrated Practice 3
- Diversity in Practice
Year 2, Semester 1:
- Clinical Practice 1
- Clinical Practice 2
- Clinical Practice 3
- Clinical Practice 4
Year 2, Semester 2:
- Clinical Practice 5
- Clinical Practice 6
Teaching:
The program is taught by expert physiotherapists and world-leading researchers with years of experience in diverse clinical settings. The small-group learning approach allows students to develop clinical reasoning skills alongside students from other health professions. The program also emphasizes self-care and reflective practice to ensure students are well-prepared to handle the complexities of physiotherapy practice.
Careers:
Graduates of the Master of Physiotherapy are eligible to register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and practice as physiotherapists in various settings, including:
- Hospitals
- Aged and community care centers
- Rehabilitation centers
- Private practice
- Elite and community sports
- Health research and health promotion
- Pediatrics
- Women's and men's health
For more than 100 years, Victoria University (VU) has offered accessible education to students in Melbourne’s west and beyond. Victoria University aims to continue creating positive outcomes for education, industry and our community into the future.
Services
Housing services
Victoria University is pleased to offer guaranteed accommodation to new and continuing full-time domestic and international students. This offer is in partnership with UniLodge, our accommodation provider.
UniLodge Victoria University offers modern purpose-built student accommodation apartments in Footscray with excellent facilities and a community environment – all within a short walking distance to classes!
Library services
Our online resources are available 24 hours a day from wherever you are. You can also visit any of our seven campus libraries for help with your information needs, access to a PC or a quiet place to study.
Student Life
Campus life
Victoria University has campuses across Melbourne's CBD and western suburbs. International students can also choose to study at VU Sydney, VU India or partner institutions overseas.
Our flagship campus is located in Footscray - study with us in Melbourne's western cultural and creative epicentre.
- City Flinders
- City Flinders Lane
- City King
- City Queen
- Footscray Nicholson
- Footscray Park
- St Albans
- Sunshine
- Werribee
- VU at MetroWest (Footscray)
- VU Sydney
Sports facilities
There are plenty of options for staff and students wanting to join a sporting club and play in local competitions.
Joining a Victoria University sport club helps keep you fit while doing something you love. You will also get to meet new people and maybe do some travelling too.
Student clubs
VU organises a range of activities on- and off-campus, including:
- Orientation Parties
- Annual Ball
- Mental Health training (subsidised)
- Be a Better Human Festival
- De-stress Festival
- Queernival
Entry Requirements:
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.
