Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 95.20
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
4.5 years full time
Location: 
Footscray Park
Delivery mode: 
In person
Start date:
24 February 2025
Application due dates:
View How to apply
Apply

Overview

Become a physiotherapist and use rehabilitation and exercise to improve people's quality of life, with the Bachelor of Applied Movement Science/Master of Physiotherapy from Victoria University.

Our 4.5-year dual degree will prepare you for real-world, contemporary physiotherapy practice. You will learn how to restore, maintain and enhance people's mobility, function and health – regardless of their age or physical ability.

Studying with expert physiotherapists and world-leading researchers, you'll develop targeted knowledge and clinical-reasoning skills. Throughout your study, you will learn to manage complex situations concerning individuals, families and communities.

You will graduate from the Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy with diverse and complementary skills in:

  • human structure and function
  • exercise physiology
  • Indigenous health
  • population health and wellness
  • human psychology
  • applied clinical skills for evidence-based practice.

These will be underpinned by respect for cultural diversity, and commitment to thoughtful, peronalised care.

The Master of Physiotherapy is accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Successful graduates are eligible for membership of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia enabling them to practise in Australia.

Taught by experts in movement and physiotherapy, our courses are designed to fully prepare you for work.

Our unique small-group learning approach lets you develop clinical-reasoning skills alongside students from other health professions. This lets you develop inter-professional skills before you begin clinical placements.

You'll complete supervised professional practice (work-integrated learning) in a range of settings, including:

  • elite sports
  • private practice
  • acute care and rehabilitation clinics
  • aged care
  • community care.

Our world-class sport and learning precinct at the Footscray Park Campus features the most advanced exercise technology available. The facility is used by students, researchers, professional sports teams and community organisations.

Our facilities include:

  • exercise physiology labs
  • biomechanics labs
  • motor learning and skilled performance labs
  • heat chambers
  • motor control and biofeedback labs
  • integrated teaching and learning facilities.

VU has strong, unique partnerships with more than 350 local, national and global organisations across the sport, exercise and recreation industries. These partnerships inform the content of our courses and provide joint research opportunities. Our partnerships also give you access to industry contacts and work placements, which mean superior career development.  

Some examples of our partners include:

  • Western Bulldogs Football Club
  • Victorian Racing Club
  • Australian Sports Commission
  • Real Madrid Football Club Foundation
  • Beijing and German Sports Universities
  • Sport Australia Hall of Fame
  • National Heart Foundation
  • VicHealth
  • National Ageing Research Institute
  • Australian Institute of Sport
  • Football Federation Victoria
  • Tennis Australia
  • Western Health
  • Australian Football League (AFL).

VU’s Learning Hubs are welcoming spaces where you can improve your study and job-related skills, with 24/7 online support.

We offer maths, writing, careers and English-language advice and can show you effective ways to study and manage your time.

We also have accessibility support services and counselling services available to all students.

Need some advice?

Request a call back from one of our experienced VUHQ course advisers to get your questions answered.

Request a call back

We have first-rate facilities for you to practise physical rehabilitation techniques.

Careers in physiotherapy

After graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy, you will be eligible to register with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia and, once registered, to practise as a physiotherapist.

You may find work as part of a multidisciplinary team in a variety of settings, including:

  • hospitals
  • aged and community care
  • centres for people with physical disabilities
  • rehabilitation centres
  • private practice
  • elite and community sports
  • health research and health promotion
  • paediatrics
  • women’s and men’s health.

The Master of Physiotherapy has accreditation from the Australian Physiotherapy Council. Successful graduates are eligible for membership of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia enabling them to practise in Australia.

From sports management to physiotherapy

From sports management to physiotherapy

Recovering from a knee injury inspired Jack Riddle to study a Master of Physiotherapy at VU. He shares his experience.

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Australian Physiotherapy Council logo

The Master of Physiotherapy has accreditation from the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences and Master of Physiotherapy, students must successfully complete 432 credit points in total, consisting of:

- 288 credit points in the Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences
- 144 credit points, in the Master of Physiotherapy (4 additional units "nested" within the final 4 units of the Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences)

Year 1, Semester 1

Year 1, Semester 2

Year 2, Semester 1

Year 2, Semester 2

Year 3, Semester 1

Year 3, Semester 2

Year 4, Semester 1

Year 4, Semester 2

Year 5, Semester 1

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

  1. Apply foundation knowledge from biomedical, exercise and social sciences, including determinants of health, to plan and deliver safe and effective physiotherapy services;
  2. Practise as a physiotherapist autonomously and as a collaborative member of an interprofessional team to provide professional, ethical, person-centred and culturally responsive management across diverse health populations, settings and environments;
  3. Demonstrate critical thinking and clinical reasoning skills to safely, effectively and creatively provide physiotherapy services for clients with cardiorespiratory, musculoskeletal, neurological and other conditions across the lifespan;
  4. Provide high quality person-centred management by basing practice decisions on the best available research evidence including translational research, available resources and clinical expertise, ethical considerations and with careful consideration of the clients' preferences, values and cultural and spiritual beliefs;
  5. Effectively function as a champion of health and facilitator of client self-management for the enhancement of physical and emotional health and wellness across the lifespan;
  6. Communicate and interrelate effectively and collaboratively with clients, families, the community, other health professionals and the public appropriate to the context;
  7. Maintain and improve knowledge and skills through self-reflective practice, peer assisted learning, commitment to lifelong learning, self-care strategies, work-life balance and career planning;
  8. Manage time, workload, resources and priorities effectively, responsibly and ethically;
  9. Demonstrate and role model effective leadership, management and education skills within relevant clinical and professional frameworks;
  10. Demonstrate culturally responsive practice, value diversity among peoples and engage in decolonising practices that acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders as Traditional Owners of Australian lands; and
  11. Demonstrate readiness for entry level Physiotherapy practice in Australia and articulate the ability to contribute to advancing the future of the Physiotherapy profession in Australia.

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type for this course: Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Read more about inherent requirements.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Year 12: Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English; plus a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics, Mathematical Methods (any) or Specialist Mathematics.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 30 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, English (any except EAL) Mathematical Methods (any) or Specialist Maths or a study score of 35 in English (EAL) equals 5 aggregate points. Overall maximum of 20 points.

ATAR profile

VU course code: HCPT

VTAC course code: 4301011131

Campus: Footscray Park

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy.
  ATAR
(Excluding adjustment factors)		 Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer 98.95 99.85
Median rank to receive an offer 93.52 97.82
Lowest rank to receive an offer 90.90 95.20

 

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in Health Sciences.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least two semesters of Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in health or medical sciences.
OR
Completion of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent) in any discipline
Second year entry:
Completion of at least two semesters of Bachelor of Biomedical Sciences (HBBS) or Bachelor of Biomedical Science and Exercise Science (HBES) at Victoria University.
Note: Meeting the minimum requirement for entry to second year does not guarantee entry. Places are limited and applicants will be competitively ranked based on their course WAM in their first two semesters of study.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Applicants that completed an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago, including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in English (EAL) or 25 in any other English; plus a study score of at least 25 in one of Biology, Chemistry or Physics, Mathematical Methods (any) or Specialist Mathematics.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Additional information

Students are notified at enrolment of professional practice requirements including: appropriate uniform/attire, equipment, travel, 'Police Check' and 'Working with Children Check', record of immunization, First Aid and CPR certification, and a signed agreement to nominate oneself as fit for practice. Students must be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of Australia to be eligible to undertake clinical placements and must pass essential pre-requisite units before undertaking clinical placements.

The Bachelor of Applied Movement Sciences/Master of Physiotherapy and Master of Physiotherapy are registered with AHPRA. Students who complete these courses are eligible to apply to practice as Physiotherapists in Australia. Students in AHPRA registered courses must meet and maintain certain standards referred to as a student's "Fitness to Practice".

On commencement and throughout their studies at Victoria University, students in AHPRA registered courses are required to acknowledge and provide information about their fitness to practice as set out in this form. Part of a student's "Fitness to Practice" is being ready to undertake compulsory clinical placements. Clinical venues require Victoria University to confirm that all students have met the compulsory immunisations and clearances. These are referred to as pre-placement requirements.

Once studies have commenced, students will be advised of the deadlines to complete both the Fitness to Practice form acknowledgement and pre-placement requirements. Failure to meet these deadlines will result in students being delayed in their progress and/or not being able to complete their course.

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Available start dates:
  • 24 February 2025

Before you apply

Before applying, you should consider whether you also want to apply for:

  • Special admission programs: Depending on your life circumstances you may be eligible for special consideration of your application.
  • Advanced standing: If you have significant experience or studies elsewhere you may be eligible for credit for some units of your course and not have to undertake them.

Applications for this course are now being taken by VTAC. See this course in VTAC website.

Find out more about applying for our courses.

Apply through VTAC

Apply through VTAC if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are applying for more than one course
  • you are completing Year 12 in 2023
  • you have an existing VTAC application to study in 2024

VTAC course code: 4301011131

VTAC very late applications are due 14 January 2025.

Apply via VTAC

Special Entry Access Scheme

You can apply for consideration of your life circumstances during the application process by submitting a VTAC Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) application.

Apply direct to VU

Apply directly to VU if any of the following apply to you:

  • you are a current VU student
  • you are only applying for this course and are not completing Year 12 in 2023

Direct applications are due on 16 February 2025 for our next intake which starts on 24 February 2025.

Applications for this course are now being taken by VTAC. See this course in VTAC website.

Apply direct to VU

Already a VU student?

If you are already a VU student, apply direct to VU using our Admissions centre to transfer into this course. Remember it’s best to be accepted into your new course before withdrawing from your current one.

After you apply

  • It’s important to check for emails from us (which may go to your spam/junk folder).
  • Complete any requests for information by the given dates, otherwise your application may not be considered

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Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.