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Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty)

New Zealand

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What will I learn?

The Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty endorsed) programme endorsed in one of the specialist areas (Neurorehabilitation, Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy or Sports Physiotherapy) aims to advance the student’s clinical reasoning and patient management skills beyond that of the possible level practitioner and provide one of the prerequisites necessary to achieve specialisation. The one-semester research components that may comprise the design and implementation of a small research project, a case series, a data-based clinical review, a systematic review, or a critical review under the supervision of a member of staff, will ensure that the student is research enabled and ready to embrace evidence based practice in the performance of their career.

Alternatively, students can undertake two papers from the approved schedule and a thesis to obtain a research master's (MPhty). The School of Physiotherapy has a strong postgraduate research programme currently supporting numerous master's research students working on topics that range from neurological disorders to anatomical studies. We aim to provide students with a high level of knowledge and experience in order to help them develop their own research skills whether using qualitative or quantitative methodologies for statistical analysis, lab-based studies or community work, prevalence studies or intervention trialling – our aim is to have students complete their master's confident in their abilities to conduct research and assess relevant literature and practices, whether this leads to PhD study in the future or to more assured clinical practice.

Information for new applicants

This qualification is available to registered physiotherapists. International students must obtain Special Purpose Scope of Practice from the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand before arriving in New Zealand.

For the endorsed Master's, distance based students must be practising physiotherapy whilst undertaking the clinical paper in Year 2 of the programme and should note that some papers involved in this qualification involve attending residential blocks in Dunedin and phoning in on audioconferences. On-campus students will be based at the School of Physiotherapy in Dunedin.

Students enrolling for this programme should take care to enrol for the on-campus or Distance versions of the papers as appropriate.

Schedule of Endorsed Options

The Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) degree is available with endorsed options in:

Neurorehabilitation

Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy

Sports Physiotherapy

These endorsements for the Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) are also available through Distance Learning.

Majors

  • Sports Physiotherapy
  • Neurorehabilitation
  • Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy

Which department am I in?

Division of Health Sciences

Study options

Full Time (1.5 years)

Tuition fees
NZ$47,095.00 (US$ 28,237) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Application deadline

Expected May 2025

More details

Start date

24 February 2025

Venue

Dunedin Campus

University of Otago Clocktower Building,

362 Leith Street,

DUNEDIN,

North Dunedin,

9016, New Zealand

Online/Distance (1.5 years)

Tuition fees
NZ$47,095.00 (US$ 28,237) per year

*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution

Application deadline

Expected May 2025

More details

Start date

24 February 2025

Entry requirements

For international students

Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Every applicant shall

  • have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Physiotherapy or hold an equivalent Physiotherapy qualification acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences);
  • be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand and possess an Annual Practising Certificate where appropriate or be a registered (or equivalent) physiotherapist in their country of practice or residence; and
  • have post-qualification clinical experience in physiotherapy.

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) - Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0.
  • TOEFL iBT - Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21.
  • C1 Advanced (previously Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) or C2 Proficiency (previously Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)) - Overall score of 176 (with no individual band below 169).
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50.
  • Language Cert - International ESOL: C1 Expert (LRWS) with a high pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill OR C2 Mastery (LRWS) with a pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill.
  • NZCEL - NZCEL 5 Academic endorsement
  • English New Zealand's Accredited Pathway Assessment - Assessment Level 3 (with no skill lower than Level 2).
  • APIEL Advanced Placement International English Language Examination - Grade 4 or higher.

Applications normally close on 31 October, however late applications may be considered.

*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.

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About University of Otago

The University of Otago is ranked in the top 1 per cent of universities in the world and is often regarded as the best in New Zealand.

  • Top 5 most beautiful campuses globally
  • New Zealand’s No.1 university for educational performance
  • 95 percent of Otago graduates go into work or further study
  • Opportunity to apply for a three-year post-study work visa

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