Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy)
Overview
This course provides the learning experiences to gain the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours expected of an entry-level physiotherapist. It has a hybrid structure using curriculum-based learning to efficiently learn foundation knowledge together with case studies and clinical practice to integrate knowledge into clinical decision making. It also emphasises evidence-based practice and encourages students in critical thinking.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must have studied at least one science subject at Tertiary Entrance Examination (TEE) or post-secondary level, eg studies at 'A' levels, International Baccalaureate etc. The TER cut-off for school leavers in 2008 was 91.5.
Course Structure
Specific details regarding course structure, organisation, units, requirements, duration and availability, are available at the Curtin Online Handbook .
How to Apply
Australian Permanent Residents and New Zealand Citizens
Current Curtin Students
If you are currently, or have previously been, a Curtin student, you will need to complete the Application for Admission to an Undergraduate Award form (scroll to the bottom) and submit this, along with supporting documentation, to the Health Sciences Faculty Student Services Office .
Non-Curtin Students
Application must be made through the Tertiary Institutions Service Centre (TISC). Visit the TISC web site for more information about the application process and submission deadlines.
Please note: the application process for the BSc(Physiotherapy) has changed from the format of previous years - a Personal Information Form is no longer required, and interviews will not be conducted with non-school leaver applicants.
International Applicants
International applicants are required to apply through Curtin's International Office .
Course Requirements
It is a requirement of the physiotherapy program that all enrolled students participate fully in all laboratories and clinical activities to develop the professional skills essential to the competent practitioner. Students as part of their enrolled course requirements practise techniques on one another before being permitted to move into patient care. This requires that all students be suitably disrobed, for example in appropriate swimwear or undergarments, in a mixed class group to practise physiotherapy techniques on students of both genders throughout many of the laboratory sessions for the duration of the course.
By November of the first year of the course students are required to have:
- a current Senior First Aid Certificate or equivalent
- a swimming qualification to the Royal Lifesaving Society's Accompanied Rescue Award (Lifesaving Three) or equivalent - Bronze Medallion and Aquatic Rescue are acceptable (more information available in FAQs below)
Students will be advised of the required date for submission of proof of a Criminal History Check during first year.
Professional Recognition
The Physiotherapists Act of the State of Western Australia requires that all practising physiotherapists must be registered with the Physiotherapists Registration Board of Western Australia. This course is accredited by the Australian Council of Physiotherapy Regulating Authorities and is recognised by the Physiotherapists Registration Board of Western Australia and the Australian Physiotherapy Association. Under the terms of mutual recognition, registration in all Australian States is available and in New Zealand under the terms of Trans Tasman Recognition. Graduates applying for licensure in the USA, UK or Canada will be required to provide details of their program of studies to the relevant bodies and sit a licensing examination.
Tuition Fees
Please refer to the Fees website for details of tuition fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Bachelor of Science (Physio)
- Where do Physiotherapists work?
- What TEE subjects should I choose?
- What do I do if I don't get the required TER at the end of year 12?
- Will I be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning or Unit exemption?
- I already have a Bachelor Degree?
- What about the Swimming Qualification that is required?
- Are there any Scholarships available?
Answers
Where do Physiotherapists work?
Physiotherapists work as members of a hospital health care team, as well as in private practice. Other areas in which physiotherapists work include schools, homes, community, industry, nursing homes, occupational health, education and management. Positions for physiotherapists are readily available and graduates generally find work without difficulty. Check the Australian Physiotherapy Association website for more details.
topWhat TEE subjects should I choose?
The essential prerequisite is successful completion of at least one TEE (or TEE equivalent) science subject. Subjects recommended are physics and mathematics. Students who have not studied TEE Physics will be expected to undertake a Physics Bridging Course concurrently with semester one of the physiotherapy program. As the required Tertiary Entrance Rank is usually around 96.00 for entry into physiotherapy, it is suggested that students undertaking their TEE choose subjects that they are most likely to do well in, provided they are completing at least one science subject as well as English, if they have not yet met the English requirement. For English competency requirements check the Future Students Website
What do I do if I don't get the required TER at the end of year 12?
You may wish to undertake another tertiary course and make application for physiotherapy in future years. When deciding which other courses you might choose, it is suggested that you consider carefully all other tertiary courses available and base your decision on the ones that appeal the most to you and which you are likely to be able to compete successfully. As only 25% of non-school leaver applicants are offered a place in the physiotherapy program each year, course choice should be made with consideration for an alternative career. When assessing your application in future years, the Selection Panel will be more concerned with the excellence of your grades, rather than the course of studies undertaken.
The question is often asked as to which courses are most similar to the physiotherapy program. Many tertiary level science and health science based courses offer units common to those in the first year of the physiotherapy program. University Handbooks provide course structure and unit content detail for all courses offered. Handbooks are usually accessible via the respective university's Web address. Whilst some of the Health Science based courses offer units common to those studied in the first year of the physiotherapy program, there is no course that has all first year units equivalent. Therefore you would still commence in the first year of the physiotherapy program if you were successful in transferring across from another course.
Will I be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning or Unit exemption?
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)(previously Advanced Standing) is the responsibility of the Course Coordinator. If you believe you may be eligible for credit transfer or unit exemption, having previously passed post-secondary level subjects equivalent or similar to those undertaken in the BSc (Physiotherapy) program, you should lodge and application for RPL, together with adequate documentation supporting your claim at the time of enrolment. If you undergo an interview as part of the selection process, you may like to discuss RPL at that time.
I already have a Bachelor Degree?
You may also be eligible to apply for the Master of Physiotherapy (Graduate Entry). Pre-requisite units (Anatomy, Psychology and Human Biology) apply for eligibility for this program, which is a fast-track physiotherapy program undertaken over a period of slightly more than two calendar years. Upon completion, you are eligible to practice as a physiotherapist. The application and selection process is separate to the Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) program.
What about the Swimming Qualification that is required?
Physiotherapy students must have the required swimming qualification prior to completion of semester 2 the first year of the Bachelor of Science (Physiotherapy) program and prior to entering the Master of Physiotherapy program. Accepted qualifications include: Bronze Medal, Teachers Rescue Award, Royal Lifesaving Society's Accompanied Rescue Award (Lifesaving Three), Aquatic Rescue, or the equivalent of one of these.
To give you an idea of the basic level of requirement, the Aquatic Rescue course is a competency based award (which means that students are given the chance to practice until they get it right) and upon completion, you will be required to have:
- An understanding of resuscitation (this is minimal, as 2nd year physiotherapy students are required to have a Senior First Aid Certificate, which also includes resuscitation).
- Prioritised the order of rescue for multiple victims in water.
- Learned about spinal management, including doing a roll underwater (this is probably the most demanding swimming component but only requires the you to swim underneath the victim using legs, while supporting the victim with arms) spinal management also includes spine board management in the water.
- Used aids to rescue a victim.
- Protected yourself during a rescue.
Are there any Scholarships available?
The School of Physiotherapy does not offer any scholarships or financial assistance.
Information About Downloads
Many downloadable files are in the Portable Document Format (PDF). You will require the Adobe Reader to view and print them. This is a free application that may be downloaded from the Adobe web site.