Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy

The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty) is a coursework programme designed to provide individuals currently working in a specific area of physiotherapy, in New Zealand, with a programme of study designed to enhance their knowledge, competence and skill. It has a strong clinical emphasis to service the current health needs of the New Zealand population and consequently, the needs of the New Zealand physiotherapy profession. The programme develops a student's ability to critically review and evaluate current evidence and practice and apply this information appropriately to the evaluation and management of client needs. It further aims to provide students with an ability to contribute to the ongoing development of effective physiotherapy management.

Information for new applicants

This qualification is available to registered physiotherapists. The majority of papers on offer by the School of Physiotherapy, for the PG Diploma of Physiotherapy, 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 PG Diploma of Physiotherapy. 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.

On completion of the Diploma, students can progress to the Master of Physiotherapy by coursework, if they have a minimum B grade average.

Applications normally close on 10 December. Late applications may be considered.

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)