The University of Melbourne

Doctor of Physiotherapy

Graduate

Details

University Location Melbourne, Victoria
City Population 5.3 million
Student Population 54,000
Int'l Student Population 23,760
Main Campus Parkville (Melbourne)
Program Campus Parkville
Program Duration 3 years
Estimated Annual Tuition AUD$58,880 (2024 fees; subject to increase)
Semester Intake February
Next Available Intake 2025
Application Deadline June 26, 2024*
International Places 25 – 30 (100 – 120 total)

Overview

The Doctor of Physiotherapy draws on the University of Melbourne’s reputation for excellence in teaching and research to inspire and enable students to become outstanding physiotherapists ready to excel as world-class leaders in their chosen field.

Led by highly credentialed and networked lecturers and mentors, as well as connections with leading hospitals, research institutes, and the private sector, the Melbourne DPT is designed to meet the current and future needs of students, patients and the changing nature of the health workforce.

This physiotherapy program includes clinical placements in major metropolitan teaching hospitals, primary care, rural and international settings. It uses innovative teaching methods and an extensive clinical program to offer advanced skills that will create work-ready and highly employable graduates.

Program

The Melbourne DPT will prepare you for the current needs and changing roles of the physiotherapist in areas such as chronic disease management, health promotion and prevention, as well as acute care, rehabilitation, and sports and private practice. The program also features advanced theoretical knowledge in areas such as pharmacology, leadership, and management, and includes a student conference.

The curriculum is designed around three identities: Self, Practitioner, and Advocate. These three key identities are supported by nine elements:

  • Professional Practitioner
  • Health and Well-being
  • Evidence Informed Practice
  • Partnerships
  • Education
  • Communication
  • Ethical Practice
  • Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Engagement
  • Sustainability

The constructive alignment model has been used in designing each subject within the program. This model aligns each learning outcome with both teaching activities and assessment tasks. Assessment tasks emphasize a mix of individual and group work assessment, written and oral presentations in traditional and in e-assessment formats, and skills-based assessment. In addition, you’ll build an e-portfolio to demonstrate your professional journey, acquisition of professional skills, and identity.

As a Melbourne physiotherapy student, you’ll experience the inner workings of the clinical schools and world-renowned facilities of the Melbourne medical precinct. Throughout your training, you will have access to opportunities across a range of specialist areas such as cardiorespiratory, pediatrics, and musculoskeletal and neurological physiotherapy practice.

Day-to-day Experience
Throughout your three years of study, you will spend time both on and off campus completing clinical rotations with university partners, learning directly from experienced practitioners and leading researchers in your field.

As you move between campus life to clinical rotations, you will regularly be exposed to a range of diverse practice areas. This will allow you to expand your knowledge of the skills required to excel in the field, both from an academic and industry standpoint.

Learning Mode
Research and evidence-based learning will direct you throughout the program. With a mix of individual and group assessments, written and oral presentations, and skills-based assessments, your learning will focus on developing both the breadth and depth of your knowledge in this field of study.

Clinical Placements
Throughout the program, you can partake in clinical and research opportunities that will enhance your overall learning experience and increase your professional skills. If you have hospital work in mind, cardiorespiratory components and other dedicated areas in physiotherapy are offered throughout clinical practice rotations. This assists graduates to enter the industry well-equipped to handle the rigors that medical professionals face.

The Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Melbourne comprises 1064 supervised clinical placement hours, not including simulations. This is above the hours required to meet CAPR regulations. This degree is focused on providing you with as much private practice experience as possible (37 weeks). With this significant exposure, you will have the opportunity to develop a better understanding of what future path may best suit you.

With developments in indigenous, mental and remedial health, the University of Melbourne is proactively devising more ways to get its medical and health students in front of increasingly complex patients. Students who take advantage of these opportunities are more prepared to deliver effective care in a smarter way.

Admission Requirements

1. Completed bachelor’s degree
You must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree in any discipline at a recognized international university within the past 10 years. GPA weightings will be applied by weighting the final year x2, third year x2, second year x1.

2. Prerequisites
Prerequisite subjects (one semester each) in human anatomy and human physiology (approved by Melbourne) are required. For both subjects, the prerequisites must have been completed no more than 10 years prior to commencing.

To see if your courses meet the prerequisites, please go to the University of Melbourne’s Prerequisites page, and check both the DDS and the DPT lists. If your subjects aren’t listed, you must complete the Melbourne’s Subject Prerequisite Assessment Form prior to end of May. This must be done before your application can be submitted.

3. Multi-mini interview
Selected applicants will be shortlisted to participate in a multi-mini interview (MMI) to assess interest in and motivation for undertaking the program, likely capacity for establishing and maintaining rapport with patients in a clinical setting, communication skills, and aptitude for collaboration and decision making. This will not be a real-time, face-to-face interview. Question prompts will be presented to applicants on an online platform rather than by an interviewer.

As an international applicant, you must also meet the university’s English language proficiency requirements. If you have recently completed your undergraduate degree in Canada and the institution’s language of instruction is English, the university will refer to your official academic transcript to assess your English language proficiency.

Offers of admission will be made from a combined ranking list where a candidate’s GPA and interview results are given equal weightings.

Admission Timeline

*While applications for the 2025 intake close June 26, 2024, you’re encouraged to apply as early as possible.

2025 Intake Application Timeline

Application deadline: June 26, 2024
Prerequisite assessment deadline: May 30, 2024
Interview invitations released: Mid- to late August 2024
Skype MMI interviews conducted: Early to mid-September 2024
Offers released: Late September – early October 2024

1/2

“I like all of the practical sessions”

I like the city, the accessibility of the school, lots of study spaces, the different lecturers we get to work with each week. I like the variety of lectures we have, I like all of the practical sessions. I wish there were more study resources and organization in some courses.

Sophie K
Doctor of Physiotherapy
The University of Melbourne, 2022

“Anatomy cadaver lab is pretty cool and the only uni in Victoria that has one!”

I love my professors and how supportive and understanding they are. Anatomy cadaver lab is pretty cool and the only uni in Victoria that has one! :)

Ansley L.
Doctor of Physiotherapy
The University of Melbourne, 2018