International Students
The School of Physiotherapy has places for up to 10 international students a year. We regularly welcome students from many different countries.
Applications close 1st October in the year preceding enrolment. Enrolment is in mid-February.
Health Sciences First Year
Entry to the professional years of the Physiotherapy course is conditional on completion of the Health Science First Year. Entry, to a limited number of places, is guaranteed for international students who achieve a minimum overall grade of B- in the prescribed programme and a pass in the Spoken English requirement.
Alternatively, applicants who have completed a degree may apply for entry into the second year of the course.
International Office
For application forms and further information please contact the International Admissions Office.
Foundation Studies
For students whose entry qualifications do not meet the requirements for admission to the University, there is a Foundation Studies programme which leads to the Health Science First Year. For information regarding this programme please visit the foundation studies website.
Culturally Sensitive Issues:
Physiotherapy students are required to participate in all; practical, clinical, and laboratory activities, in which there may be activities not usual to their culture. Some aspects of teaching will require students to practise certain techniques on each other. This may require them to partially disrobe and there is some body contact between students. This training is done under close supervision and all students are required to participate as it is essential for the acquisition of clinical skills. Counselling on this subject is available if required.
Registration:
Graduates holding the Bachelor of Physiotherapy from the University of Otago are eligible to register with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand.
- Practice opportunities include:
- acute hospital care,
- work in rehabilitation centres,
- private practice,
- occupational health,
- working with people with special needs,
- sports clinics and teams
- the elderly.
Under present immigration requirements you may be permitted to remain for up to two years to undertake study related work.
The qualification is internationally recognised. International students should contact the relevant authority in their home country for clarification regarding the requirements to practise physiotherapy in their country and recognition of the New Zealand Bachelor of Physiotherapy qualification.
