Course

Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Approved Abbreviation: BPhys

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4706.1

AQF Level: 7

This version of the course is available to new and continuing students. Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year in the course was 2015 or later.

Commencement Year 2013 - 2014 - 4662.4 - Bachelor of Health Science/Master of Physiotherapy

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 4-year Bachelor 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 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.

The Honours program is available to high achieving students in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Honours is a key early step in the pathway to leadership in the profession and opens up the world of research, without taking any longer to complete the degree. Students apply for entry into the Honours program in year 3 of the degree. They begin advanced research training in the latter half of year 3. Clinical placements and an honours thesis are completed during the fourth year of the program. The thesis presents research that addresses real physiotherapy problems. This research will be conducted under the supervision of experienced academic researchers.

Study Mode
Four years full-time

Accreditation
The Bachelor of Physiotherapy and Bachelor of Physiotherapy (Hons) are accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council and are approved programs of study by the Physiotherapy Board of Australia.

Inherent requirements

There are inherent requirements for this course that you must meet in order to complete your course and graduate. Make sure you read and understand the requirements for this course online.

Inherent Requirements

Admission

Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of English.

Recommended studies: Biology.

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

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to Western Sydney University should also use the information provided on the UAC website

http://www.uac.edu.au/

Special Requirements Prerequisites
In order to enrol in Second Year Spring units, all students must have: National Police Certificate, Working with Children Check Student Declaration and First Aid Certificate (including cardiopulmonary resuscitation). To be eligible for clinical placements, students must comply with vaccination requirements and be prepared to submit a completed Adult Immunisation Card to placement institutions. NSW Health can provide details of necessary vaccinations. To meet NSW health requirements for clinical placements, second year students will be required to attend a ‘bulk compliance’ appointment to have their special requirements verified by NSW Health staff. To be eligible to undertake field/work/practice placements, students must also comply with the NSW Health Records and Information Privacy Act (2004) and complete a relevant declaration. In clinical placement units, students must wear the UWS physiotherapy uniform, which complies with NSW uniform requirements. 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.

Course Structure

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

Recommended Sequence

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