Master of Physiotherapy

The Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) coursework programme aims to advance the student's clinical reasoning and patient management skills beyond that of the entry level practitioner and provide one of the prerequisites necessary to achieve specialisation. The one-semester research paper requires involvement in a small project. Under the supervision of a member of staff, students may be involved in aspects of the design or implementation of a treatment, a case series, a data-based clinical audit, observational or qualitative study. The member of staff will ensure that the student is research enabled and ready to embrace evidence based practice in the performance of their career. Applicants may enrol in the MPhty by coursework directly or by staircasing up from the PGDipPhty.

The Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) by thesis (Research pathway) requires the completion of two papers, usually PHTY545 and PHTY610, and a thesis to obtain a research master's. The School of Physiotherapy has a strong postgraduate research programme currently supporting numerous master's research students working on topics that range from neurological or musculoskeletal disorders, health equity, pain science, to anatomical studies. We aim to provide students with a high level of knowledge and experience in order to help them develop their own research skills whether using qualitative or quantitative methodologies. Our aim is to have students complete their master's confident in their abilities to conduct research and assess relevant literature and practices, whether this leads to PhD study in the future or to more assured clinical practice. Applicants may enrol in the MPhty by thesis (Research pathway) directly.

Information for new applicants

This qualification is available to registered physiotherapists.

The Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) coursework programme requires applicants to hold a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC) issued by the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. Students must be practising physiotherapists whilst undertaking the Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) coursework. Applicants should note that some papers involved in this qualification involve attendance at residential blocks in Dunedin and audioconferences. Students enrolling for this programme should take care to enrol for the on-campus or Distance versions of the papers as appropriate. Applicants enrolling for distance learning should ensure that they nominate the distance learning option. On-campus students will be based at the School of Physiotherapy in Dunedin.

Applicants must achieve a minimum of a B grade average for the PGDipPhty before progressing to the 600- level paper.

The Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) by thesis (Research pathway) requires evidence of physiotherapy registration in the applicant’s current place of residency. All applicants must confirm a topic and supervisor before applying for the Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) by thesis (Research pathway). Applications will only be accepted if the School of Physiotherapy has the supervisor capacity to support the topic of interest. For assistance with confirming a topic and finding a supervisor please contact the Physiotherapy Academic Admin: physio.academic@otago.ac.nz

Applicants must achieve a minimum of a B grade average from the two papers preceding the thesis, before progressing to the thesis.

International students are required to undertake the MPhty by thesis whilst residing in New Zealand.

Domestic applicants: 10 December. Late applications may be considered.
International applicants: 31 October.

Postgraduate entrance requirements

Entrance requirements for postgraduate study vary by programme with most requiring a minimum bachelor-level qualification in the same field, and some having additional requirements such as relevant work experience and/or professional registration in New Zealand.

A postgraduate certificate or postgraduate diploma can usually be taken at any time after the completion of your bachelor's degree.

If you hold an honours degree or postgraduate diploma you may be able to eligible for master’s study by thesis only. In some cases if you hold a bachelor’s degree you may apply for a coursework master’s degree or for master’s study by coursework and thesis.

To study a PhD you usually require the completion of a master’s degree, or a first-class or upper second-class honours degree in the same area of study, or a related discipline, as your intended area of research.

Check the postgraduate students pages for specific information on the entrance requirements of the programme you are interested in.

IELTS (Academic module) (including IELTS Online) : Overall score of 6.5, no individual band below 6.0

TOEFL iBT : Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21 The University of Otago TOEFL institution code is 9483 (Please note we do not accept MyBest TOEFL scores)

Pearson Test of English ( PTE ) Academic : Overall score of 58 with no communicative skills score below 50

Duolingo English Test : Overall score of 120 (with no Individual Subscore below 95)