Physiotherapy

Overview

The Physiotherapy program at the University of Sydney will help you to learn from leading academics how to use a range of drug-free techniques to treat and prevent injuries, as well as promote a healthy body. In addition to the high-profile sports side of physiotherapy, graduates also practice in roles that contribute significantly to the wider community, such as the management of neurological conditions, movement disorders, rehabilitation and recovery. 

During this two-year degree, you will explore introductory and advanced musculoskeletal, neurological, and cardiopulmonary physiotherapy, applied to patients across the lifespan. Biomechanics, occupational health and community health are incorporated in various units of study, and evidence-based practice and professional practice are embedded throughout the curriculum. Four five-week clinical placements in your second year will provide the opportunity for you to apply your knowledge and gain significant practical experience in a range of clinical areas including rehabilitation, acute care, ambulatory care/outpatients and community/general care.

The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC) and recognised by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA). This allows our graduates to work in any state or territory in Australia and New Zealand, with a wide variety of career options available in both the public and private healthcare sectors.

Career Pathways

Physiotherapy is applied in the management of a wide variety of acute and chronic cardiopulmonary, neurological and musculoskeletal conditions, among patients across the lifespan. For example, physiotherapists assess and treat neurological conditions such as stroke or Parkinson’s disease or movement disorders in children; provide rehabilitation after acute or chronic injury; and assist in recovery of normal function following surgery or childbirth. 

It also plays a central role in the management and prevention of chronic conditions such as asthma, cardiovascular disease, diabetes and obesity. Physiotherapists work in many places, including private practice, sports facilities, hospitals, schools and universities, public health organisations, community centres, aged-care facilities and workplaces. Some physiotherapists pursue a clinical career assessing and treating patients; others pursue a career in academia to undertake research to further the evidence base for assessing and treating patients and to teach physiotherapy students; others mix a clinical career with academia.