Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry)
Degree Level Postgraduate
Year 2025
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You're considered an Australian student if you are any of the following:
- Australian or New Zealand Citizen
- Australian Permanent Resident (including Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders)
Mode
On-campus
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Entry requirements
Applicants must:
- Have completed a Bachelor Degree or higher in an approved Field of Education with a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 5.5
- Have completed the prerequisite courses at a Bachelor level or higher within the last 10 years*
*On a case-by-case basis, the Program Director may consider applicants whose prerequisites were completed more than 10 years ago and have relevant work experience.
Approved Fields of Education
Applicants are required to have successfully completed a program of study (at Bachelor level or higher) in one of the following approved Fields of Education (FOE):- Medical Studies
- Rehabilitation Therapies
- Human Biology
- Medical Science
- Human Movement
- Public Health
Prerequisite courses
Applicants are required to provide evidence of satisfactory completion of prerequisite courses in the last 10 years in the following content areas:- 0.125 EFTSL Statistics and Research Methods; AND
- 0.250 EFTSL Human Anatomy; AND
- 0.250 EFTSL Human Physiology
All applicants are required to demonstrate their eligibility by completing the Additional Information Form which includes a detailed checklist of the required prerequisite knowledge and are required to provide supporting evidence. By signing the Additional Information Form, applicants are declaring they have met the prerequisite requirements and knowledge for entry to the program.
Note: As this program is considered an entry point into the physiotherapy profession, applicants who are trained physiotherapists and are eligible to apply for assessment by the Australian Physiotherapy Council to meet the qualification requirements for registration by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia are not eligible to apply for this program.
Preliminary assessment of pre-requisite courses is not available. See Additional Information Form.
International: only available to UniSA graduates with a relevant undergraduate degree within the last 10 years. Applications open for 7 days from the last Monday in November.
Degree overview
- Gain the requirements to practise as a registered physiotherapist with just two extra years of study.
- Become an expert in the structure and function of the human body, and help enable people of all ages to lead healthy lives.
- Study at a leading university with more than 50 years of experience delivering physiotherapy and allied health education.
- Benefit from our strong industry partnerships and alliances when you complete clinical placements in acute care, rehabilitation, paediatrics, aged care and disability, musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy.
- Get practical experience in UniSA's on-campus, student-led physiotherapy clinics.
- Study a contemporary and culturally diverse curriculum informed by above world-class research in physiotherapy.1
- Learn from award-winning teaching staff, including practising health professionals and researchers at the forefront of their fields.
- Study at the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers.2
- UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities,3 we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
1Results in Clinical Sciences – 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA). 2ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2021-23– Full-time Employment Indicator (Domestic Undergraduate). SA public universities. 3Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
Snapshot
This challenging master’s degree enables students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree and meet the prerequisites for registration as a physiotherapist with just two years of full-time study.
This graduate entry degree prepares you for a rewarding career helping people of all ages reach their bodies’ full potential. Physiotherapists can work across an enormous variety of healthcare settings across the globe, both as a first contact professional and as an integral member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Your studies will develop your capability to assess, treat and prevent a range of health conditions, enabling people to lead healthy and functional lives.
Applicants who are overseas trained physiotherapists and are eligible to apply for registration with the Australian Physiotherapy Council are not eligible to apply for this degree.
What you'll need
Students who undertake activities where interaction with patients/the public is required for their degree, such as field or clinical placements/visits and in University clinics and gyms, must demonstrate they meet mandatory pre-placement conditional requirements. These include criminal history clearance, child related employment clearance and broad and strict immunisation requirements.
Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.
Physiotherapy is a physically and cognitively demanding profession. Please refer to the degree’s Rules and Notes for further information about what you’ll need to successfully complete this degree.
All students enrolled in a program leading to professional registration must be registered with the relevant national board. The registration process is undertaken by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) with the University providing notification to AHPRA following enrolment in the program.
What you'll learn
The Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry) will teach you to assess, treat and prevent health conditions across various areas of practice, including sport, musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological disciplines across the lifespan.
In this intensive degree, you will learn to think like a physiotherapist from day one of your study. The beginning of the degree will cover topics in evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning and critical thinking, physiotherapy professional practice, and basic musculoskeletal and sporting injuries. Semester Two will challenge your understanding of the mechanisms and management of pain; and cover the theory, assessment and management for cardiorespiratory and neurological conditions. A central component of this master’s degree is clinical placements, which commence in the second half of your first year of study, in the area of acute care.
Your second year will focus on developing clinical competence in a range of clinical settings including rehabilitation, musculoskeletal and paediatric clinics.
You'll become qualified to work with prevention and management of disability/illness in the workplace or community, and also as a member of a multidisciplinary healthcare team. This holistic view of a patient’s health recovery is critical, especially across the different types of care needed for people of all ages.
Study hours
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
Your studies will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
- group work
- individual assessments
- workbooks
- clinical reports
- essays and assignments
- examinations
- placements
Global opportunities
Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.
You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.
Take a look at the global opportunities available.
Why Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry)
At UniSA, you’ll gain in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical skills to excel as a Physiotherapist with patient-centred care at the heart of your practice.
You’ll be taught by registered practising physiotherapists in our on-campus physiotherapy clinics and gain real-world experience through clinical placements across metropolitan, rural and regional health settings. Not only will you complete 30 weeks of practical experience across a variety of locations and physiotherapy disciplines, you’ll get to apply the knowledge and skills you learn in your degree in a practical way to ensure success in your career.
You’ll benefit from the expertise of UniSA’s above world-class research in physiotherapy.1
We’ve been teaching in this field for more than 50 years and are proud of the rich knowledge base we’ve created. You’ll be taught by expert registered practicing physiotherapists and award-winning academics at the top of their fields throughout your studies.
You’ll graduate with a degree that is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and satisfies the academic requirements for registration as a physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia. You will also be eligible for membership with the Australian Physiotherapy Association.
1Results in Clinical Sciences – 2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
Physiotherapy careers snapshot
Find out where a career in physiotherapy could take you. Hear from UniSA graduate, Tristan Chai, about his role as Head Physiotherapist of professional men’s basketball team, Adelaide 36ers, as well as Owner of Good Physio.
Your career
The demand for physiotherapists continues to grow, with 9,400 new job openings projected to become available by 20261.
A successful physiotherapist is a biopsychological expert that understands the human body, but can also adeptly communicate, assess, manage and problem-solve a variety of issues for their clients.
Physiotherapists can work across management, administration, education, research, policy development, advisory and regulatory contexts. Industry settings can include:
- private practice
- clinics
- sport and exercise services
- rehabilitation centres
- hospitals
- home and community services
- disability services
- aged care facilities
- women's health and paediatric services
- occupational and health promotion units
- research
This qualification can also be used as a pathway to further learning, including a Master of Research, doctoral studies or the Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Sports or Musculoskeletal).
1Australian Government National Skills Commission Employment Projections 2021.
Professional accreditation and recognition
The program is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and satisfies the academic requirements for registration as a physiotherapist with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.
Successful completion of the program is accepted for membership of the Australian Physiotherapy Association
Industry facts
Scholarships
Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.
Scholarship for student leadership
Available for students who are interested in undertaking specified activities with the aim of enhancing the overall student experience at UniSA.
International travel grants
Travel Grants are available to participate in our Study Overseas Programs. UniSA has agreement with over 80 institutions globally.
Your study experience and support
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and spaces that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Student services
Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. You can access a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling, career advice, social support services, as well as those through our student association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.
24/7 digital environment
Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.
Your study spaces
As a physiotherapy student you'll have access to purpose-built facilities, including:
- physiotherapy clinics
- physiotherapy laboratories
- anatomy laboratories
You’ll also have access to a range of on-campus spaces including, collaborative teaching rooms and relaxed student lounges.
Your program director
I have the privilege of directing a degree delivered by world-class researchers and educators, who support students to graduate with the knowledge and skills they need to work independently and meet the needs of our community. I strive to create innovative and safe learning environments that enable students to pursue excellence and fulfil their highest potential.
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
Bachelor of Physiotherapy student Danielle shares her experience of her rural placement at Sports Physiotherapy in Port Lincoln, supported by UniSA’s Department of Rural Health.
