Course

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Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Approved Abbreviation: BPhys

Western Sydney University Course Code: 4706.3

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 0101790

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 this course is 2022 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

Commencement Year 2015 - 2021 - 4706.1 - Bachelor of Physiotherapy

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 combined 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 (Honours) 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 should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

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

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/international/home/apply/admissions/entry_requirements

For courses that will lead to AHPRA registered careers and students studying Sport and Exercise Science and Speech Pathology, students are required to have a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 overall with a minimum score of 7.0 in Speaking and Listening, and 6.5 in Writing and Reading or equivalents, in an acceptable language test.

International Office Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Department of Education, Skills and Employment to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Student Compliance Information for all Health-Related Placements

Students must meet Western Sydney University course requirements as well as any special, legislated, or policy-mandated requirements.

Western Course Requirements

Visit the Special Requirements webpage for details about your course

Special Requirements

Mandatory NSW Health student placement policy requirements

To be able to undertake placement in any NSW Health facility you must be assessed as compliant with NSW Health student placement policy in the first year of your course, regardless of when you expect to go on your first placement. Access and read the NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

NSW Student Compliance Information Booklet

Please ensure that you

1. Find your existing National Police Check or apply for one

2. Gather documentary evidence of your vaccination history

3. Print and compete all relevant NSW Health forms relevant to the campus you are enrolled at or online enrolment requirements

4. Follow booklet instructions on how to have your compliance documents assessed by NSW health staff.

International students have additional requirements: the link to the booklet will inform you of these requirements.

School Requirements

Contact your School for further details regarding your School’s requirements, if any, such as

  • If you live outside of NSW or Australia and need to meet your state, territory or country’s compliance requirements
  • If you need to meet different state, territory or country compliance requirements.
  • NSW Working with Children Check (WWCC) or other state equivalent, valid for your entire course.
  • Current approved first aid certificate valid for your entire course - approved course providers can be found at the Government Training website
  • http://training.gov.au
  • Other non-health related requirements

Student Compliance Resources are also available on the Placements Hub web page

https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/learning_futures/home/placements_hub/placements_hub/student_compliance

Special Requirements Prerequisites
In order to enrol in Second Year Spring units, all students must have completed the NSW Health requirements above. In clinical placement units, students must wear the Western Sydney 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.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS)

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

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

400870Population Health and Society
400868Human Anatomy and Physiology 1
400906Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice
401396Professional Competencies in Health

Note: Unit 401396 Professional Competencies in Health replaces 400871 Professional Health Competencies from Autumn 2021

Spring session

400869Human Anatomy and Physiology 2
400732Communication in Health
401383Evidence in Health

Note: Unit 401383 Evidence in Health replaces 400863 Foundations of Research and Evidence-based Practice from Autumn 2021

401410Functional Anatomy

Note: Unit 401410 Functional Anatomy replaces 400881 Functional Anatomy from Autumn 2020.

Year 2

Autumn session

401140Biomechanics
400866Culture, Diversity and Health
400864Research Methods (Quantitative and Qualitative)
401407Pathophysiology 1

Note: Unit 401407 Pathophysiology 1 replaces 400138 Pathophysiology 1 from Autumn 2020.

2H session

400982Core Competencies in Physiotherapy Practice

Spring session

300754Neuroanatomy
400981Clinical Pharmacology
101614Psychology and Health

Year 3

1H session

400997Exercise Rehabilitation
400986Neurological Physiotherapy
401199Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy A

Autumn session

401197Clinical Education (General)

Spring session

400984Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy
400998Neurological Rehabilitation
400865Evidence-Based Practice

From 2023 400865 is replaced by 401384 Evidence in Professional Reasoning

401384Evidence in Professional Reasoning
401200Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy B

At this point, students may exit with the Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science)

Bachelor of Health Science (Clinical Science)

Year 4

1H/2H sessions

Students must complete the four units Clinical Education A, B, C, D in Year 4 of the course. Due to availability of clinical placements, these units are available in both 1H and 2H sessions.

400985Clinical Education A (Acute Care)
401110Clinical Education B (Rehabilitation)
401111Clinical Education C (Ambulatory Care)
401112Clinical Education D (Paediatrics)

1H session

401106Paediatric Physiotherapy
401107Physiotherapy for Chronic Illness and Disease

2H session

401108Complex Cases and Professional Issues
401109Integrating Research into Physiotherapy Practice


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