Physiotherapy

Entry requirements

Every applicant shall have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Physiotherapy or hold an equivalent Physiotherapy qualification acceptable to the Board of Studies in Physiotherapy; obtain registration with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand and possess an Annual Practising Certificate, where applicable, before the programme commences; and have had relevant post-qualification clinical experience in physiotherapy, where the application is for an area of specialisation.

If your first language is not English you need to meet our English language requirements as follows: IELTS score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0); we also accept a number of other English language tests. Due to COVID-19, we currently accept Duolingo English Test (DET), IELTS Indicator Test, and TOEFL iBT Special home Edition.

Don’t meet the English language requirements? The University of Otago Language Centre "English for Otago" programme offers a pathway for Undergraduate and Postgraduate students to meet the English language requirements for undergraduate and postgraduate study.

Months of entry

February

Course content

The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty) is designed to provide individuals currently working in a specific area of physiotherapy with a programme of study designed to enhance their knowledge, competence and skill. It can be endorsed in either Neurorehabilitation, Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy or Sports Physiotherapy, and as such, has a strong clinical emphasis to service the stated needs of the profession. Each programme develops a student's ability to critically review and evaluate current practice and apply this information appropriately to the evaluation and management of client needs. It further aims to provide students with an ability to contribute to the ongoing development of effective physiotherapy management.

This qualification is available to registered physiotherapists. Domestic students must have a current Annual Practising Certificate from the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. International students must obtain Special Purpose Scope of Practice from the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand before arriving in New Zealand.

Distance based students must be practising physiotherapy whilst undertaking the clinical paper and should note that some papers involved in this qualification involve attending residential blocks in Dunedin and phoning in on audio conferences. Applicants enrolling for distance learning should ensure that they nominate the distance learning option. On-campus students will be based at the School of Physiotherapy in Dunedin. On completion of the Diploma, with a minimum grade average of B, students can progress to the Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) endorsed in the same area. The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty) is available with endorsed options in: Neurorehabilitation, Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy, and Sports Physiotherapy. These endorsements for the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty) are also available through Distance Learning.

Information for international students

Otago offers students an unrivalled campus experience and a vibrant, social student culture. The majority of Otago’s 21,000 students live, work and play in Dunedin - New Zealand’s only true university city. Otago is home to over 3,000 students, from over 100 countries.

Fees and funding