Master of Musculoskeletal and Sports Physiotherapy

Degree Level Postgraduate

Years

Australian students

Start Date
January

Campus
City East

Duration
1.25 year(s) full-time

Program Code
IMPX

Study as
Full-time or part-time

Fees
$AU 27,300 per 1.0 EFTSL for students enrolled in 2015

Entry requirements
Applicants must:
- hold an approved Bachelor degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent qualification from a recognised higher education institution; AND
- be a Registered Physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia or, for international students, be eligible for limited registration for postgraduate training as a physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
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This program has no further intakes, please see the Rehabilitation, Health & Sport Sciences page.

Aim

The program provides physiotherapists with specialised education in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy and enables them to develop an advanced level of evidence based practice.

Content & Structure

The program, requiring completion of 45 units of study, is conducted over one calendar year rather than an academic year. It provides opportunities for students to study both musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy. The program commences with a research, evidence-based theory and practice course. Theoretical knowledge of biomedical, pain, physiotherapy, and psychosocial sciences underpins supervised clinical practice.

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia are combining their strengths to create a new university for the future, Adelaide University, opening in January 2026.

From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
LEVEL 1
Summer Term (Study Period 7)
Allied Health Evidence Based Theory and Practice	REHB 5102	9
LEVEL 2
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Examination	REHB 5055	4.5
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice	REHB 5057	4.5		Rule(s): 2,3
Anatomy and Pain Science	REHB 5062	4.5	Note(s): 2
Rehabilitation of Movement	REHB 5060	4.5
LEVEL 3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Management	REHB 5056	4.5		Rule(s): 2,3
Chronic Pain Management	REHB 5063	4.5
Principles of Sports and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy	REHB 5059	4.5
Practice of Sports and Orthopaedic Physiotherapy	REHB 5058	4.5		Rule(s): 2,3,4

Rules & notes

Rules

1. All students in the Division of Health Sciences who, as part of their program, undertake activities where interaction with patients / the public is required, such as in field or clinical placements / visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate that they have a Department for Communities and Social Inclusion National Criminal History Record Check, which will be current for the duration of that activity. Interstate student placements require a National Police Certificate.

2. Before commencing any clinical courses, students are required to be registered to practice physiotherapy in Australia. International students are required to obtain a `Limited Registration' from the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

3. Students enrolled in clinical courses must hold a current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Certificate.

4. Students must hold a recognised Australian accredited Advanced First Aid Certificate before they will be permitted to undertake this course. In addition, students are required to hold current Sports Medicine Australia Level 2 Sports Trainer Accreditation.

5. Students will be required to undertake a Certificate of Mandatory Notification before commencing their clinical placement.

6. Students with a completed (nested) Graduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy from the University of South Australia will be eligible for 18 units credit.

7. Students will be required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which clinical placements are undertaken.

8. This program requires a high level of physical fitness.

Notes

1. The program is offered on a full-time or part-time basis.

2. The course Anatomy and Pain Science requires student participation in examination of prosected anatomical specimens.

3. The program requires participation in laboratory classes where manual skills and topics such as surface anatomy are presented. Essential learning strategies require all students to disrobe appropriately to act as models for their peer group in laboratory classes.