Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours)

Transform lives through freedom of movement

Physiotherapists help us recover, maintain and enhance our ability to move freely and without pain. They help us overcome injury, preserve physical condition during and after illness, and improve athletic performance.

But the psychological impact of that is far from purely technical; it’s a critical component of positive mental health and an enabler of a rewarding quality of life.

What will you study?

Our Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) equips you to assess and manage a range of health conditions.

With many courses taught by registered practising physiotherapists, the degree places an emphasis on real-world experience. In over 750 hours of work-based training, you’ll work with children and adults of all ages in multiple settings which may include: public and private health organisations; schools; rehabilitation centres; sporting organisations; aged care and more.

You’ll gain high-level knowledge and skills in:

  • human anatomy, biomechanics and physiology
  • clinical assessment and management of patients with cardiothoracic, musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunction, and developmental disorders
  • safe patient handling practices and patient education
  • broad public health issues
  • evidence-based, patient-centred care.

You’ll regularly access our purpose-built training facilities and state-of-the-art simulation suites—among Australasia’s most advanced. In addition, you’ll benefit from collaborative learning with key complementary disciplines, speech pathology and occupational therapy.

From third year, you’ll choose one of two streams—research* or industry—and undertake a major project. Research will hone your skills in developing new knowledge; industry focuses on integrating research into practice.

Where could a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) take you?

You’ll graduate eligible to pursue a wide range of career opportunities. You could help cancer patients improve their condition—and spirit—during treatment. You could help a range of people better manage a variety of health conditions. You might help a child take their first steps, or you could help someone get back to work, sport or other activities. Those in the research stream may change the way we assess and manage a range of conditions, leading to better health outcomes for the population.

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) is accredited with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

*Entry into the research stream will be based on academic merit.


Note: 
This degree is only available in blended mode and on-campus attendance is required.  If you are a continuing student in the degree and are unable to attend campus, please contact your program coordinator for program advice.



Explore your career in Physiotherapy

Aaron shares how hands-on practical learning, cutting-edge facilities, and early clinical placements have helped him discover the dynamic field of physiotherapy, leading towards a rewarding career in promoting well-being and recovery.



 

  • Very strong employment growth predicted (up to 35% by 2026)*
  • 750-1000+ hours of placement
  • Simulation-led teaching and brand-new facilities


*Australian Government, Labour Market Insights, 2023.

Entry Requirements

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant admissions information for this program.
I am a:

Before applying make sure you understand the eligibility and entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Look out for any prerequisites or assumed knowledge subjects. Some degrees also have additional entry requirements like interviews and auditions.

Domestic applicants

Admissions information

SATAC Code 354251
2024 CSP ATAR 87
2024 CSP IB 34.25
Deferment Yes - 2 year
Intake

February

Additional Entry Requirements

Rural Background Entry Pathway:

If you have as of 31 December in the year prior to degree commencement, spent at least five 5 consecutive years, or 10 years cumulatively, in an Australian Standard Geographic Classification - Remoteness Areas (ASGC-RA) RA 2-5 area, from birth, you are eligible to apply under the Rural Background entry pathway. The time frame is based on the location of your primary residence. Please refer to Remote Area locations (RA) for further guidance. Rural Background Entry (RBE) pathway applicants are required to sign and submit a statutory declaration with your SATAC application as the only acceptable proof of rural background.?

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander application process:

  1. Please contact the Future Students team via email at start@adelaide.edu.au to discuss your interest in applying.
  2. Submit a South Australian Tertiary Admission Centre (SATAC) application online.
  3. Submit the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Pathway Declaration Form. You must upload the form as part of your SATAC application.
Selection Criteria
Recent Secondary Education

Applicants with recent secondary education are those whose admission is primarily based on the completion of Year 12 within the last two years, however if you completed your secondary education more than two years ago, you may still be able to be considered on the basis of your secondary schooling. You must not have completed more than 2 years full time equivalent university study (48 units). You compete for a place with your Selection Rank (ATAR plus any applicable adjustment factors).

Higher Education Study

You must have completed at least six months full time equivalent higher education study (the number of courses and units will vary depending on your prior institution however at the University of Adelaide, this equates to 4 courses / 12 units). There are places in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) reserved for University of Adelaide students however students with study from other institutions are also considered. A Grade Point Average (GPA) is calculated for each separate program you have undertaken (apart from some double degree programs where the GPA is combined). You compete on the basis of your best GPA.

Work and life experience

To be eligible to sit the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) as as pathway for entry, you must be 18 years or over before 1 February 2025. If you have studied at higher education level in the last two years (for 2025 entry this means you were enrolled in either 2024 or 2023), you must not have accumulated more than a TOTAL of 2 years full-time (or part-time equivalent) higher education study (ie. including any study prior to 2023). If you meet this criteria, you will be ranked according to your result in the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). Your STAT result is not weighted between verbal and quantitative components.

Other Entry Pathways

2024 Admissions Data for school leavers
ATAR
(raw ATAR, excluding any applicable adjustment factors)
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer 78.55
Median ATAR to receive an offer 93.6
Highest ATAR to receive an offer 99.95
Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Lowest Selection Rank to receive an offer 87
Median Selection Rank to receive an offer 96.33
Highest Selection Rank to receive an offer 99.95
Minimum eligibility score 70
Additional criteria considered Selection rank only
  • Admissions Transparency Data
    Student Profile
    Applicant background Semester one/Full year intake 2024
    Number of students Percentage of all students
    (A) Higher Education study
    (includes a bridging or enabling course)
    35 28.9%
    (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study n/a N/A
    (C) Work and life experience
    (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)
    <5 N/A
    (D) Recent secondary education:
    • Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
      (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors)
    62 51.2%
    • Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
      (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
    N/A N/A
    • Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
      (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
    N/A N/A
    International students 21 17.4%
    All students 121 100.0%

Ready to Apply?

Find out more about the application process and start your studies at the University of Adelaide.

Be sure to check the critical dates to avoid missing application deadlines.

Apply

Fees and Scholarships

Choose your applicant type to view the relevant fees and scholarships information for this program.
I am a:

Domestic applicants

Indicative annual tuition fees
Commonwealth-supported place: $9,315

Where the standard duration of the program is less than one year the full cost of the program is displayed.

More information on Student Contribution Amounts.

Incidental fees There will be additional costs, over and above tuition fees for all Honours Degree of Bachelor of Physiotherapy students, these include (but are not limited to) textbooks, equipment, required immunisations, clearance renewals, first aid certificates, student amenities fees etc. For further information visit: adelaide.edu.au/student/finance/other-fees-charges

Scholarships

Scholarships are not only for high achievers—they are also available to provide students with an equal opportunity to study at university, no matter where they live or what their financial situation might be.

Scholarships are available to both new and continuing students. We encourage students to apply for any scholarships for which they may be eligible.

To browse scholarships offered by the University, visit: University Scholarships

To explore scholarships offered by organisations external to the University, visit: External Scholarships

Careers

Career Readiness

Qualified physiotherapists have a wide range of career options in metropolitan and rural settings. Physiotherapists work in public and private hospitals, community health care, private practice, aged care, sporting organisations, rehabilitation centres, education, and research.

Please see the inherent requirements for physiotherapy programs for further information.

The University of Adelaide Careers Service prepares, inspires and empowers students to achieve successful career transitions and connect with industry.

Industry Placement

From first year, students will undertake an observational clinical placement, before completing 900+ hours of clinical placement in a range of metropolitan and rural settings throughout the final 18 months of the program.

Professional Accreditation

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) is accredited with the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Potential careers

Graduates of this program have gone on to roles such as:

Physiotherapist

Degree Structure

The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) requires four years of full-time study, with no option for part-time study.

In the first year of study, you will be introduced to anatomy, physiology, public health and health research courses, with a focus on physiotherapy principles and body movement combined with an introduction to professional practice.

The second year includes detailed applied anatomy, the principles behind physiotherapy management, and incorporates pathophysiology and pharmacology.

The final two years of the program include specialised practice principles including gender- and age-specific needs relative to women’s health and paediatrics; while developing your knowledge of specialty content relating to the clinical assessment and management of clients with cardiothoracic, musculoskeletal and neurological dysfunction.

Clinical placement courses within the third and fourth year of the program provide you with an opportunity to apply learning in professional practice settings, under the supervision of qualified and registered clinical professionals.

From late third year, you’ll choose one of two streams—research* or industry— and undertake a major project. Research will hone your skills in developing new knowledge; industry focuses on integrating research into practice.

* Eligibility for entry to the Research Stream will be determined by a student’s cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) for the courses which comprise the first and second years of the program, and the availability of a suitable research project and supervisor within the School. Students with a cumulative GPA of 5 or greater will be notified of their eligibility for entry to the “Research Stream” at the commencement of the third year of the program. Eligible students who wish to undertake the Research Stream will be required to contact the School of Allied Health Science and Practice Honours Coordinator to discuss their area of interest and project the availability of a suitable research project and supervisor.

Example Study Plan

Level I
S1 HLTH SC 1400

Biosciences for Human Health A
HLTH SC 1401

Communication in Professional Practice
HLTH SC 1404

Evidence Based Practice in Allied Health 1
PHYSIOTH 1000         

Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice
S2 HLTH SC 1403

Biosciences for Human Health B
HLTH SC 1402

Foundations of Health and Wellbeing
PHYSIOTH 1001

Physiotherapy Exercise Prescription and Activity
PHYSIOTH 1002

Clinical Biomechanics of Human Movement
Level II
S1

HLTH SC 2400

Evidence Based Practice in Allied Health 2

ANAT SC 2400

Anatomy of Lower Limb and Trunk

PHYSIOTH 2000

Physiotherapy Across the Lifespan

PHYSIOTH 2001

Applied Physiotherapy Practice A

S2

PATHOL 2400

Pathophysiology for Allied Health

ANAT SC 2402

Anatomy of Upper Limb, Head and Neuroscience

PHARM 2400

Pharmacology Essentials for Physiotherapy

PHYSIOTH 2002

Applied Physiotherapy Practice B

Level III – Industry Honours Stream
S1

PHYSIOTH 3004

Paediatric, Pelvic & Women's Health Physiotherapy

PHYSIOTH 3001

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Practice

PHYSIOTH 3002

Neurological Physiotherapy Practice

PHYSIOTH 3003

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice

S2

PHYSIOTH 3000

Person Centred Physiotherapy Practice

PHYSIOTH 3005

Managing Complexity in Clinical Settings

PHYSIOTH 3006

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice A

PHYSIOTH 4000

Physiotherapy Simulation-based Clinical Practice 

Level IV – Industry Honours Stream
S1

PHYSIOTH 4001

Managing Chronic Conditions

PHYSIOTH 4002

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice B

PHYSIOTH 4003

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice C

PHYSIOTH 4005

Advanced EBP in Physiotherapy

S2

PHYSIOTH 4004

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice D

PHYSIOTH 4006

Advanced Physiotherapy Practice (6 units)

PHYSIOTH 4007

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice E

Level III – Research Honours Stream
S1

PHYSIOTH 3004

Paediatric, Pelvic & Women's Health Physiotherapy

PHYSIOTH 3001

Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Practice

PHYSIOTH 3002

Neurological Physiotherapy Practice

PHYSIOTH 3003

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice

S2

PHYSIOTH 3000

Person Centred Physiotherapy Practice

PHYSIOTH 3005

Managing Complexity in Clinical Settings

PHYSIOTH 3006

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice A

HLTH SC 4400

Allied Health Research Project Planning

Level IV – Research Honours Stream
S1

PHYSIOTH 4001

Managing Chronic Conditions

PHYSIOTH 4002

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice B

PHYSIOTH 4003

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice C

HLTH SC 4401A

Allied Health Honours Research Project 

S2

PHYSIOTH 4004

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice D

PHYSIOTH 4007

Physiotherapy Clinical Practice E

HLTH SC 4401B

Allied Health Honours Research Project (6 units)



Further information
All courses are compulsory. The Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) does not contain elective courses.

Assessment

Assessment in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Honours) consists of formative and summative work including but not limited to; essays, case studies, tests, oral presentations, practical assignments, tutorial participation, structured clinical assessments and written examinations. Both face-to-face and online methodologies will be used.

Related Degrees

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Last updated: Thursday, 12 Sep 2024