Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty)
Course details
| NZQF Level | 7 |
|---|
About the course
The Otago Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhty) degree is a prestigious four-year programme positioned at the cutting edge of physiotherapy education. It is internationally renowned for excellence, because the graduates it prepares for the profession are among the best in the field.
The academic year is from late February to November. The programme is of four years' duration with years 2 to 4 being undertaken at the School of Physiotherapy. In the first year students take the Health Sciences First Year course and in the majority of cases students are selected from this year.
Students who complete all the competencies of the four years of study are then eligible to apply for registration as a physiotherapist with the New Zealand Physiotherapy Board.
Division of class after third year
Clinical education teaching facilities for undergraduate Physiotherapy programmes are provided in the Dunedin, Christchurch and Wellington Clinical Centres and associated Clinical Hubs. After completion of the third year, the class will be divided and students allocated to one of the Clinical Centres or Clinical Hubs for the remainder of their programme. Students may also be required to complete their third year clinical training at one of the School's Clinical Centres.
In dividing the class, account will be taken of each student's personal preference as far as possible. However, if the number of applicants for entry to any Clinical Centre or Clinical Hub exceeds the number of places available, a ballot may be held to determine which students will be required to take a place in one of the other Centres or Hubs.
Honours students will normally be allocated to the Dunedin Centre. However, such students may be assigned to another Centre, or required to complete a component of their final year of clinical training at a location outside Dunedin at the discretion of the School. In determining the location, account will be taken of each student's personal preference as far as possible.
Entry requirements
Entry to the Health Sciences professional programmes
First year – general entry requirements
If you have done no prior tertiary study, your first year at Otago will be the Health Sciences First Year (HSFY). The HSFY programme is subject to the same general entry requirements as general bachelors' degrees at Otago.
Second year – limited entry
Admission to the second year of the Health Sciences professional programmes is competitive, and will depend on your academic record. For most applicants, this will be based on your grades in Health Sciences First Year papers, but there are also application categories for people with other relevant academic or professional experience.
For detailed information about the application categories and their requirements, please refer to:
General entry requirements
A university entrance qualification is essential for admission to the University of Otago for all types of programmes. You must also be at least 16 years of age by the first day of classes in your period of study and meet English language requirements.
Domestic students
You need to have met the New Zealand University Entrance standard, based on your achievement in secondary school or other prior study. Learn about the different categories for achieving University Entrance and what information you may need to provide with your application.
International students
Check recognised entry qualifications by country, and find out what documents you need to provide for a successful application.
English language requirements
First year
All students must be proficient in the use of English. If your first language is not English, there are several ways you may provide evidence of English proficiency, including through prior secondary or tertiary study, internationally recognised English language tests, and foundation language programmes.
The level of English proficiency required for undergraduate study is equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0, with no individual band below 5.5.
For details about what is accepted as evidence of English proficiency, please refer to:
Second year
All students enrolled in Health Sciences First Year who are planning to apply for Health Sciences professional programmes are required to take the HSFY English diagnostic.
For detailed information, please refer to:
About the provider
The University of Otago, New Zealand’s first university, was founded in 1869 and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes with a strong emphasis on research and academic excellence. Ranked in the top 1% of universities globally and 2nd in New Zealand, it is also 214th worldwide according to QS rankings. Recognised as the top university in New Zealand for student academic performance by the Tertiary Education Commission, 96% of its graduates either enter the workforce or pursue further study shortly after graduation.
Located in Dunedin, a vibrant student city where students make up 20% of the population, the University benefits from a unique atmosphere. Dunedin, on the south-eastern coast of New Zealand’s South Island, is known for its rich cultural heritage and stunning landscapes, featuring Victorian and Edwardian architecture, picturesque hills, and wildlife reserves.
The University’s campus is ranked the 5th most beautiful in the world by THE Student Voice, enhancing the educational experience. The Otago region offers diverse scenery and is close to popular destinations such as Queenstown. New Zealand is rated the 1st most beautiful country by Rough Guides 2024, is renowned for its natural beauty, Māori heritage, and multicultural society, providing a friendly, inclusive environment for students and residents.