Postgraduate Study in Physiotherapy
Physiotherapists are health professionals essential to the rehabilitation and maintenance of optimal physical ability and healthy lifestyles.
They treat people of all ages and from all sorts of backgrounds – they might have a painful back, occupational work- related injury, cystic fibrosis, asthma, stroke, or have recently given birth or suffer from osteoarthritis or diabetes.
Patients could be recovering from an accident, a sporting injury, or may have undergone heart surgery.
Physiotherapists are educated to assess, treat, and prevent a wide range of physical limitations and dysfunction.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Physiotherapy as an undergraduate at Otago.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, Master’s, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a Master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Physiotherapy (PGCertPhty)
A coursework programme for registered physiotherapists that can be completed with full-time or part-time study, and by distance or on campus in Dunedin
Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty)
A one-year full-time (or longer part-time) coursework programme with a strong clinical emphasis for NZ-registered physiotherapists
Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty)
A one- or two-year postgraduate degree encompassing coursework and/or research for registered physiotherapists seeking the prerequisites for specialisation
Graduate Qualifications
Our graduate qualifications are crafted to transition students from foundational studies to advanced, specialised knowledge.
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PHTY papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHTY250 | 2025 | Anatomy (for BPhty) | 26 points | Full Year |
| PHTY251 | 2025 | Physiology (for BPhty) | 17 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY254 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Science 1 | 48 points | Full Year |
| PHTY255 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 1 | 17 points | Full Year |
| PHTY256 | 2025 | Physical Activity for Physiotherapy Practice | 12 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY353 | 2025 | Pathology (for BPhty) | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY354 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Science 2 | 70 points | Full Year |
| PHTY355 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 2 | 35 points | Full Year |
| PHTY455 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 3 | 24 points | Full Year (27 January 2025 - 31 October 2025), 4th Non standard period (21 July 2025 - 12 September 2025), 5th Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 31 |
| PHTY456 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 4 | 24 points | Full Year (27 January 2025 - 31 October 2025), 4th Non standard period (21 July 2025 - 12 September 2025), 5th Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 31 |
| PHTY457 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 5 | 24 points | Full Year (27 January 2025 - 31 October 2025), 4th Non standard period (21 July 2025 - 12 September 2025), 5th Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 31 |
| PHTY458 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 6 | 24 points | Full Year (27 January 2025 - 31 October 2025), 4th Non standard period (21 July 2025 - 12 September 2025), 5th Non standard period (15 September 2025 - 31 |
| PHTY459 | 2025 | Research for Physiotherapy | 24 points | Full Year (27 January 2025 - 31 October 2025), 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 28 March 2025), 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 28 March |
| PHTY468 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice for Honours | 90 points | Full Year (27 January 2025 - 7 November 2025), 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 11 April 2025), 1st Non standard period (27 January 2025 - 11 April |
| PHTY469 | 2025 | Physiotherapy Research for Honours | 30 points | Full Year (27 January 2025 - 7 November 2025), 1st Non standard period (14 April 2025 - 23 May 2025), 2nd Non standard period (4 August 2025 - 12 September 2025 |
| PHTY501 | 2025 | Biomedical Science in Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY530 | 2025 | Theoretical Constructs in Clinical Practice | 30 points | Not offered in 2025, expected to be offered in 2026 |
| PHTY535 | 2025 | Advanced Physiotherapy Management | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY539 | 2025 | Occupational Health Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY542 | 2025 | Sports Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY543 | 2025 | Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY545 | 2025 | Advanced Studies in Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHTY561 | 2025 | Clinical Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY610 | 2025 | Research Methods | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY650 | 2025 | Research Project | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
Contacts
School of Physiotherapy
Email [email protected]
Web otago.ac.nz/physio
This information must be read subject to the statement on our Copyright & Disclaimer page.
Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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