Study Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for International students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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International students

Start date
July

Campus
City East

Duration
1 year(s) full-time

Program Code
IMAP

Fees
2021: AUD$ 39,700 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL)

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [7.0]
IELTS reading [7.0]
IELTS writing [7.0]
IELTS speaking [7.0]
IELTS listening [7.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
088576K

Entry requirements

Applicants are required to have:
- completed a Bachelor degree level, or equivalent professional entry level qualification, from a recognised higher education institution, in Physiotherapy; AND
- a minimum 10 months full-time, or equivalent, physiotherapy practice in a relevant field following completion of the professional entry level qualification; AND
- met the requirements for eligibility for registration as a physiotherapist or limited registration under supervision with the Australian Health Practitioner Registering Authority. Students must apply for limited registration after acceptance into the program.
English language entry requirements
International students who are working with English as an additional language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Note that only IELTS, OET, PTE Academic or TOEFL are accepted for entry to this program. No other equivalences apply. Possession of one or more of these standards, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution certifying that the language of instruction was English.
English language test
- IELTS total [7.0]
- IELTS reading [7.0]
- IELTS writing [7.0]
- IELTS speaking [7.0]
- IELTS listening [7.0]
See equivalence table for other qualifications and English Language tests accepted by UniSA (PDF)
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Degree overview

Develop advanced musculoskeletal competencies.
Study at a university that is ranked in the Top 5 in Australia for student satisfaction in Physiotherapy.¹
Benefit from flexible learning options that include a blend of on-campus and online study, with part-time study options available.
Benefit from more than 40 years’ experience in physiotherapy education.
Learn from internationally-renowned teachers and clinicians.
Benefit from our strong industry partnerships and alliances.
Advance your clinical skills through supervised practice in our on and off-campus physiotherapy clinics and placements.
Study a curriculum informed by well above world-class research in Clinical Sciences.²

¹ComparED (QILT): Course Experience Questionnaire 2018-19, Rehabilitation Services — Overall Satisfaction Indicator (Postgraduate). Public universities only.
²2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

Snapshot

This Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia-accredited master degree is for qualified physiotherapists who want to gain advanced clinical skills and knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You will develop advanced competencies in musculoskeletal physiotherapy through student-centred, critical, reflective engagement with contemporary theory and supervision by clinical experts in practical and clinical sessions. Graduates from our program work in clinical practice, advanced practice roles in settings such as screening clinics and emergency departments, and academia.

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, a Working with Children Check and immunisation requirements. Please visit the Clinical Placement Unit for information on key requirements, and to access the full student checklists.

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

Musculoskeletal physiotherapists need to be able to assess and manage a wide range of patient problems within a biopsychosocial framework. This requires advanced biomedical and psychosocial knowledge, advanced physical and psychosocial examination skills, advanced clinical reasoning, and advanced communication, education and procedural management skills. Through a variety of theoretical classes and practical experiences you will develop advanced skills and knowledge in musculoskeletal physiotherapy. You will study topics such as:

allied health evidence translation
pain theory and science
pain assessment and management
advanced musculoskeletal examination and management
facilitating change in cognition, behaviours and lifestyle.

You will also receive supervision from postgraduate qualified physiotherapists to facilitate application of your new knowledge to clinical practice.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
First Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 7)
Allied Health Research Evidence Translation	REHB 5118	4.5	Note(s): 3
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 1	REHB 5120	4.5
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Theory and Practice 2	REHB 5121	4.5
Pain Theory and Science	REHB 5123	4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Pain Assessment, Rehabilitation and Management	REHB 5122	4.5
Exercise and Conditioning	HLTH 5197	4.5
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice 1	REHB 5114	4.5		Rule(s): 3,4,5,6
Advanced Physiotherapy Practice 2 (Musculoskeletal)	REHB 5125	4.5		Rule(s): 3,5,6

Rules & notes

Rules

1. The program requires participation in practical classes where manual skills are practised. Essential learning activities in some classes may require that students partially remove their clothing to a level that is appropriate to the learning activity. Students may also be asked to act as subjects for their peer group members. If a student is unable to meet these requirements they may be at risk of being unable to successfully complete course objectives and assessments and progress through the program.

2. All students 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 current National Police Certificate (NPC) through SAPOL (or their home state police service) and a current Department of Human Services (DHS) Working With Children Check (WWCC) which is valid for the duration of the program. The National Police Certificate will list disclosable court outcomes that may prevent clinical placement involvement. The University has a process for reviewing these outcomes to assess suitability for placement.

3. 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' under supervision from the Australia Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

4. Students must hold a 'Provide First Aid' Certificate, including expired air resuscitation (EAR) and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), therapeutic oxygen techniques and automatic defibrillation training, asthma management and emergency trauma management certification before undertaking this course. The University will organise a combined workshop to cover all of these components, for which you receive national certification.

5. Students will be required to undertake Child Safe Environments training before commencing their clinical placement.

6. Students will be required to satisfy the standard of dress and behaviour prescribed by institutions in which the clinical placements are undertaken. Failure to satisfy such requirements may prevent them from satisfying the requirements for the completion of the program.

Notes

1. The program is normally completed in 12 months of full-time study or the part-time equivalent.

2. The Master of Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy does not itself qualify students for general registration as a physiotherapist in Australia. Physiotherapists trained overseas wanting to work in Australia must contact the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) for details on qualification acceptance and registration.

3. It is assumed that students enrolling into this course have obtained at least an undergraduate level understanding of the principles and practice of evidence-informed practice, and quantitative and qualitative research designs.

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 and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). 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:

practical examinations
quizzes
presentations
online activities
clinical examinations
clinical assessments
essays and assignments.

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. Australian and international students may have the option to do an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas. We have links with universities worldwide. 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 Advanced Clinical Physiotherapy (Musculoskeletal)

Vrinda Suri with Program Director Mark Jones

UniSA has more than 40 years' experience in physiotherapy education. If you want to advance your skills and knowledge in the area of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, then this may be the degree for you.

You will learn from postgraduate qualified physiotherapists, with a curriculum informed by above world-class research in Clinical Sciences¹ and receive supervised outpatient practice to advance your musculoskeletal physiotherapy reasoning and clinical skills.

We are fast becoming a renowned centre of innovation and enterprise in the sectors that will drive Australia's future, including health and biomedicine. It’s a very good time to choose UniSA for your postgraduate study.

As Australia’s university of enterprise:

we are the largest university in South Australia with more than 31,000 students
we are No.1 in Australia for quality education.²

Our commitment to research with an industry focus is unprecedented in South Australia, with 100 per cent of our assessed research rated at world-class or above.³

¹2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA).

²2019 THE University Impact Rankings.

³2018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 4-digit Fields of Research.

Real-world connections

You will benefit from our strong industry links and have opportunities to build important industry networks as you meet influential invited speakers and receive supervised clinical education from expert musculoskeletal physiotherapists.

We host regular University-wide employee master classes and employment expos, and alumni events in Australia and overseas.

Career outcomes

Your career

Contemporary healthcare and clinical practice require therapists’ reasoning and practice to be critical, reflective, patient-centred and evidence based. Postgraduate clinical education is the optimal way to develop the advanced clinical knowledge and skills essential to expert physiotherapy practice.

As a graduate, you may further your physiotherapy career across a variety of settings, including:

private practice
clinics
sport and exercise services
rehabilitation centres
hospitals
home and community services
disability services
aged care facilities.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The program is accredited by the Professional Standards Committee of the Australian Physiotherapy Association national group Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia and satisfies the requirement for Titled Membership, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Australia.

Industry facts

Employment for physiotherapists in Australia is projected to increase by 7,900 (24.6 per cent) by May 2024.¹

¹Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

To May 2024, healthcare and social assistance is projected to make the largest contribution to employment growth in Australia – an increase of 252,600 jobs.¹

¹Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

Healthcare and social assistance has been the primary provider of new jobs in the Australian labour market since the 1990s.¹

¹Australian Government Department of Employment, Occupational Employment Projections 2019

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

check you meet the full entry requirements for this program
go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Credit transfer

You could be eligible for credit for previous studies you have undertaken. Find out online.

Go to credit assessor

Life in Adelaide

Current international students talk about living in Adelaide and studying at UniSA.

Hear from our students

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.

More scholarships

Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship

Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.

Learn more

International Merit Scholarship

Recipients can get a 25% reduction on tuition fees for their first year of study for selected degrees.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

As a student at the University of South Australia you will have unique access to work placement opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events, internships, guest speakers and more.

Our campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform. We have health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and great student lounges. You will also have access to a range of community clinics, which provide professional and cost effective services in areas of health, law and psychology. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and lots more.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect 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

International Student Services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help we will be there to assist. Support services include:

careers advice
help with student visas and health cover
personal counselling
academic counselling
fees and finance help
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
services offered through our student association, USASA
accommodation services

We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers. You can work with them face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies. They also offer help with the English language. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

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 campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.

Your study spaces

Student helping patient at Magill Health Clinic

As a physiotherapy student you will have access to:

state-of-the-art, on-campus Physiotherapy Clinics
on-campus Health and Fitness Centre

Your program director

Postgraduate clinical education is the optimal way to develop the advanced clinical knowledge and skills essential to expert clinical practice. Graduates have testified that their advanced knowledge and expertise has created new opportunities, enhanced their patient outcomes and increased their professional work satisfaction.

AsPr Steven Milanese

Program Director

Enquire

AsPr Steven Milanese

Program Director

Enquire

Ask UniSA

How to apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.