Bachelor of Physiotherapy
Course details
| NZQF Level | 8 |
|---|
About the course
Physiotherapists help restore movement, function and quality of life to people of all ages affected by injury, disability or health conditions.
This programme has been designed for those who are engaged with their community and have a commitment and interest in Māori and/or Pacific health. Students will gain the skills, knowledge and qualifications to practice as a physiotherapist in Aotearoa.
This programme enables students to study closer to home in the Midland region of Aotearoa New Zealand. It is delivered in block courses on campus supported by online learning activities in a blended learning approach. Students will need some IT expertise and internet access while working off campus.
Students will undertake five clinical practice modules where they will work full-time in a clinical setting under the supervision of practicing physiotherapists.
There will be a total of six two-week blocks (12 weeks) based at the Hamilton City Campus throughout year one (3 in semester one and 3 in semester 2).
Several modules in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy provide interprofessional teaching and learning opportunities for students across the Centre for Health and Social Practice (CHASP) to come together to learn about and from each other. Students will also learn knowledge and skills to work effectively with whānau and in hauora settings.
Please note: It is anticipated that there will be more applications than places available.
Preference will be given to those that demonstrate evidence of meeting key criteria, including:
Engagement within a candidate's community and the impact of their engagement, Referee evidence supporting community engagement, Residency in the wider Midlands regions of New Zealand (Waikato, Taranaki, Tairawhiti, Lakes, Bay of Plenty and Hawkes Bay), Commitment to and interest in Māori and/or Pacific health.
Entry requirements
General Academic Admission
a) Candidates are required to have: i. University Entrance (UE) or equivalent is the minimum requirement to enter the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme. To qualify for University Entrance candidates need NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including: (1) 14 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects, and (2) Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and (3) Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above); or ii. A relevant level 4 qualification; or iii. Equivalent.
b) Candidates who have studied on a Physiotherapy Degree programme at another institution will need to meet the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme entry requirements or equivalent.
c) Applicants who have completed an approved foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme in Health at Level 4, with 65% or higher in all modules will be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme.
Special Admission
Domestic applicants aged 20 years or above who have not met the General Admission or entry requirements for a programme but whose skills, education or work experience indicate that they have a reasonable chance of success4 may be eligible for Special Admission. Special Admission will be granted at the discretion of the Head of Physiotherapy/Center Director or designated nominee. Such applicants may be required to successfully complete a foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme as a condition of entry into higher level programmes.
Selection Criteria
a) Candidates will be required to provide a record of prior qualifications, employment history, work experience, and one written reference (forms provided) and may be required to attend a selection interview/hui.
b) Selection of students into the programme will be determined on the basis of: i. Academic ability, as demonstrated in previous education, and ii. Community engagement (evidenced by letter of support from their community). Candidates may also be required to provide additional information and/or attend an interview in order for their application to be assessed.
c) All candidates are required to: i. Complete the standard Wintec application form, ii. Complete a self-declaration of criminal convictions, iii. Complete a self-declaration of mental and physical condition.
d) Candidates are required in their application to indicate whether they have been convicted of, or have been prosecuted for, a criminal offence. Candidates should be aware that, under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act (2003)), some types of criminal conviction may result in the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand refusing to allow a person to register as a Physiotherapist. Similarly, some types of criminal conviction may result in difficulty to obtain a clinical practice placement and therefore meet the requirements to pass the programme.
e) Candidates are required in their application to indicate whether they have had a mental and/or physical condition that may prevent them entering the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Candidates should be aware that, under the HPCA Act (2003), some types of physical or mental conditions may result in the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand being unable to register a person as a Physiotherapist.
Clinical Practice Requirements
a) Before undertaking clinical practice within the programme, candidates will be required to provide a written health and immunity status assessment from their health practitioner.
b) Candidates must hold a current First Aid Certificate prior to undertaking any clinical practice module in the programme.
Safety Check Requirements
In order to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children’s Act, 2014 and Child Protection Policies for all ‘specified organisations’ providing a ‘regulated service’, all candidates/students will be subjected to safety checks. These will include, but are not limited to; (1) Referee Checks, (2) A Police Vet Check, (3) A Risk Assessment.
Any unsatisfactory result arising from the full safety checking process may result in the candidate/student being precluded/declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study. Furthermore, students must declare any pending or new convictions arising during any stage throughout the entire enrolment period. A conviction or failure to declare a conviction may also result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the programme. Persons who are convicted of ‘specified offences’ will not be accepted onto any programme that requires that person to work in an organisation providing a regulated service.
English Language Requirements
a) Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with no individual band score lower than 6.5.
About the provider
Based in Hamilton, the Waikato Institute of Technology (Wintec), is one of the country’s largest institutes of technology. We deliver high-quality education across vocational (technical) and professional fields of study to approximately 13,000 students, across over 130 different courses.
At Wintec students are educated in a way that builds their confidence and gets them work-ready. We differ from other types of tertiary providers in the way students get the chance to put their theoretical learning into practice from the very start. You will get to work on real-life projects based on relevant topics and themes as if you were in the workplace. You will also get involved in work placements. This means that by the time you graduate, you will be confident in your skills and knowledge, and know-how to apply your learnings. Our academic staff have years of industry experience between them, which means they can guide you on your journey.
Wintec maintains collaborative relationships with local industry and iwi to identify the needs of the region and community. Fostering strong networks that our students and graduates benefit from is a high priority for us. Understanding the needs of local industry, what type of graduates they need now, and what they will need in the future is critical to assisting industry and our graduates.