Course

Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy

Approved Abbreviation: BHlthSc/MPhysio

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Western Sydney University Course Code: 4662.1

CRICOS Code: 069908G

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Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This course version applies to students whose commencement year in this course is 2010.

Physiotherapy is a highly regarded profession and demand for physiotherapists is strong. Physiotherapists work in private practice, aged care settings, private and public hospitals, workplaces, community based agencies, schools, rehabilitation centres and chronic health management clinics. Patients range across the life span, from birth to athletes and the elderly.

The course in physiotherapy is offered as a combined Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy. The first three years of the program combine studies in physiotherapy with a broad understanding of biomedicine and health science fields to develop the professional competencies important for ethical and safe practice, high quality care and the skills to work in multidisciplinary teams. The progression to the Master’s component of the combined degree is seamless. The final year focuses predominately on the development of physiotherapy practice skills which are used during clinical placements to treat patients in the community. Evidence-based practice is one of the most important trends in healthcare today and a strong feature of the program.

Study Mode
Four years full-time

Accreditation
The program is designed to meet all the requirements for accreditation by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and accreditation is being sought.

Admission

For local students admission is through UAC. Assumed knowledge, any 2 units of English.

Recommended studies, Mathematics, Physics and/or Biology.

For international students, admission is through direct application to the university with IELTS equal to 7.0 or above.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

UAC

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International Office

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof can be found on the Universities Admissions Centre website (UAC).

UAC

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Special Requirements Prerequisites
In order to enrol in Second Year Autumn units, all students must have: 1. NSW Health National Criminal Record Check prior to 1 June 2010 OR a Student Undertaking Form after 1 June 2010 and have applied for a National Police Certificate, 2. Prohibited Employment Declaration Form (PPED) prior to 1 June 2010 OR a Working with Children Check Student Declaration after 1 June 2010. In order to enrol in Second Year Spring units, all students must have a First Aid Certificate. To be eligible to undertake fieldwork placements in public hospitals, students must comply with vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. Details of necessary vaccinations are available from NSW Health.

Course Structure

Special Note:

Students in this program are required to participate fully in practical classes. This involves disrobing to shorts and singlet or swim-suit equivalent in mixed gender classes. Students will practice hands-on physiotherapy examination and treatment techniques on both genders, and will personally experience these techniques which will be performed on them by other students and relevant academic staff.

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

400870

Population Health and Society

400868

Human Anatomy and Physiology 1

400906

Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice

400871

Professional Health Competencies

Spring session

400732

Communication in Health

400869

Human Anatomy and Physiology 2

400863

Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice

400881

Functional Anatomy

Students may enter by transfer from Bachelor of Health Science at this point.

Year 2

Autumn session

400882

Introduction to Biomechanics

400138

Pathophysiology 1

400864

Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)

400866

Culture, Diversity and Health

Spring session

101614

Psychology and Health

400885

Sport and Exercise Physiology

300754

Neuroanatomy

plus one unit to be advised by the school

Please Note: The confirmed structure for years 3 and 4 which covers the theory and clinical practice of physiotherapy will be available at a later date.