Becoming a Physiotherapist
The Otago Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty) is a four year undergraduate degree programme. On completion you will be eligible to apply for registration as a practising physiotherapist in New Zealand.
First year
The first year is in common with other health science degrees at Otago and provides the basic knowledge of biomedical sciences on which later specialist physiotherapy training will be built.
Full details on the Health Sciences First Year can be found on the Health Sciences website.
After completing the Health Sciences First Year you can apply for entry into the professional years. Entry is competitive and is based on your results from this first year and an interview.
Second year
The second year builds on the biomedical sciences of Anatomy, Physiology and Pharmacology and introduces Physiotherapy Science and Clinical Practice.
| Paper Code | Title | Points | Teaching Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHTY250 | Anatomy (for BPhty) | 26 points | Full year |
| PHTY251 | Physiology (for BPhty) | 17 points | First semester |
| PHTY252 | Pharmacology (for BPhty) | 12 points | Second semester |
| PHTY254 | Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Science 1 | 48 points | Full year |
| PHTY255 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 1 | 17 points | Full year |
Third year
The third year builds on themes introduced in second year and also includes pathology.
| Paper Code | Title | Points | Teaching Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHTY353 | Pathology (for BPhty) | 15 points | First semester |
| PHTY354 | Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Science 2 | 70 points | Full year |
| PHTY355 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 2 | 35 points | Full year |
Fourth year
The Fourth Year is mainly clinical practice with a variety of rotations being offered in and around Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. There may be opportunity for a clinical rotation overseas. The major fields of physiotherapy are explored through supervised clinical practice, which will help you make decisions about your future career. There is also opportunity to pursue a research topic.
| Paper Code | Title | Points | Teaching Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| PHTY455 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 3 | 24 points | To be arranged |
| PHTY456 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 4 | 24 points | To be arranged |
| PHTY457 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 5 | 24 points | To be arranged |
| PHTY458 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 6 | 24 points | To be arranged |
| PHTY459 | Research for Physiotherapy | 24 points | Full year |
Registration
To practice as a physiotherapist in New Zealand you have to be registered with the Physiotherapy Board and hold an Annual Practising Certificate. Completion of the four year Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree makes you eligible to apply for registration in New Zealand and many other countries.
The address of the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board to contact for registration and an annual practising certificate is physio@physioboard.org.nz and their web site is http://www.physioboard.org.nz
