Master's Degree Physiotherapy Full Time

Doctor of Physiotherapy

at University of Melbourne · Melbourne, Victoria

CRICOS course code

071302J

CRICOS provider code

00116K

This course is registered on the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. Verify it yourself at cricos.education.gov.au before paying any fee.

Duration

3 years

Tuition (whole course)

A$231,648 total

Per year

A$77,216/yr

Intake

Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul)

About this program

The Doctor of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne is designed for individuals seeking advanced clinical, research, and leadership roles in physiotherapy practice. Delivered over three years, this graduate-entry master's course develops skilled practitioners ready for work across diverse healthcare settings. The curriculum is structured into semesters, with students completing a series of units of study that cover foundational sciences, clinical assessment, therapeutic interventions, and advanced physiotherapy practice, culminating in a research project or capstone experience.

Throughout the course, students accrue credit points as they progress through core and elective units, undertaking significant work-integrated learning through supervised clinical placements in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and community clinics. These placements—an essential feature of physiotherapy education in Australia—ensure graduates develop hands-on expertise and meet professional competency standards.

The program emphasises evidence-based practice, ethical patient care, critical thinking, and the development of advanced skills in diagnosis, management, and treatment of a wide range of conditions. Students gain proficiency in working with diverse populations and are equipped to operate in interdisciplinary teams, reflecting the collaborative demands of the Australian healthcare sector. The Doctor of Physiotherapy course is suited to graduates with a previous undergraduate degree in a health, science, or related field who wish to progress to professional practice in physiotherapy.

Students benefit from strong links between the University and the local health industry, with access to cutting-edge research, diverse clinical settings, and exposure to contemporary Australian physiotherapy practices. International students are encouraged to confirm English language requirements and further course details through the official university page. Graduates are eligible to apply for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, and students are permitted to work up to 48 hours per fortnight while studying.

Entry requirements

English: International applicants must evidence English proficiency. IELTS Academic 6.0–6.5 overall is the common undergraduate and coursework-postgraduate standard, rising to 7.0–7.5 for teaching, nursing, medicine, law and social work. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university’s own English programmes are accepted as equivalents; the Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself.

International students: Registered on CRICOS for international students. A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) for this course supports a Student visa (subclass 500) application; Overseas Student Health Cover is required for the full duration.

Career outcomes

Clinical physiotherapist in hospitals, private practices, or community health
Rehabilitation specialist
Sports physiotherapist with professional or community teams
Researcher or academic in health sciences
Healthcare manager or consultant in public and private sectors
Opportunities within the Australian healthcare, aged care, disability, and occupational health industries

Frequently asked questions

How long is the Doctor of Physiotherapy at University of Melbourne?

It typically takes 3 years, with intakes in Semester 1 (Feb/Mar), Semester 2 (Jul).

How much is the tuition?

Tuition is around A$231,648 total. Fees change yearly — confirm with an advisor.

What are the career outcomes?

Clinical physiotherapist in hospitals, private practices, or community healthRehabilitation specialistSports physiotherapist with professional or community teamsResearcher or academic in health sciencesHealthcare manager or consultant in public and private sectorsOpportunities wi...

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