Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy)

Frequently Asked Questions

Course Overview

• How does this course compare to that in other states?
  • Whilst all courses differ from each other slightly, all graduates who are registered for practice in the State in which they attended their university course, are eligible to apply for registration in other States around Australia and in New Zealand. Our course is nationally accredited by the Australian Physiotherapy Council (APC).
• How long is the course?
  • 4 years, full-time. 
• Is the course offered on a part-time basis?
  • No
• Can I study parts of this program off-campus?
  • No.  The mode of delivery for this course is entirely on-campus.
• How many contact hours per week?
  • Approximately 20 hours per week.  Classes are normally scheduled between the hours of 8:00 am and 5:00 pm. Individual timetables will vary but students must be prepared to have some classes starting as early as 8:00 and some finishing as late as 6:00 pm.
• How many hours of study are expected outside of contact hours?
  • Students should expect to spend at least 20 hours per week on self-directed study.
• How tough is the course?
  • This is a difficult but intellectually stimulating course which will require a different approach from high school. The emphasis is on problem solving, but there is a whole new language to learn and a great amount of detailed factual knowledge to acquire.

Course Entry and Enrolment Requirements

• What is the UAI cut-off?
  • In 2008 and 2007 the cut-off was 96.25. 
• Are there any pre-requisites for course admission?
  • No. However, assumed knowledge includes studies at HSC or tertiary level in Mathematics, Chemistry and Physics.
• I have already undertaken some tertiary study. What are the admission criteria for Non Year 12 Applicants?
  • If you have completed at least one full-time year (or part-time equivalent) or more in a qualification of a Bachelor degree or higher at a recognised provider, you are eligible to apply via UAC as a Non Year 12 Applicant. You must apply online using Apply-by-Web on UAC's website. Both your UAI and your tertiary record will be taken into account.
  A full-time year is 48 credit points at the University of Sydney, or its equivalent at another tertiary institution.
• I started a tertiary course but did not complete one full-time year of study (or the part-time equivalent).  How do I apply?
  • You apply via UAC as a Year 12 applicant on the basis of your UAI only.
• I have completed a tertiary qualification. Do I have to complete any other requirements in addition to my UAC application?
  • No.  There is no longer any requirement to complete a questionnaire or to undertake observational experience.
• My tertiary study is at a level lower than a Bachelor degree.  Am I eligible to apply as a non Year 12 applicant?
  • Yes.  Results in tertiary qualifications below the level of a Bachelor degree will also be considered for entry provided that the qualification is completed at a diploma or advanced diploma level and was accredited within the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) at the time of completion.
• What should I do if my UAI does not meet the cut-off for entry to physiotherapy?
  • If you fall within 5 points of the cut-off you may be eligible under the local fee paying option. Please refer to the current UAC guide for further information.
    
  • If you enrol in another course, it is possible to apply for physiotherapy via UAC as a tertiary record holder (non Year 12 applicant). We would always recommend that you pick a course that you would be happy to remain with as a career choice.  If applying with a tertiary record a very good grade point average (GPA) is expected and entry is highly competitive.
    
  • You could also consider the graduate entry pathway i.e. the Master of Physiotherapy. To be eligible for admission to this program, you will first need to complete an undergraduate course in exercise science or human movement science e.g. the Bachelor of Applied Science (Exercise and Sports Science).
• Can you tell me the selection criteria for the 2009 Rural Entry scheme?
  • For 2008 New South Wales HSC students or equivalent, a UAI of not less than 5 points below the main round cut off mark for the year of application. Additionally, all 2007 New South Wales HSC students (or equivalent) are eligible to apply if they have not completed one full-time year (or part-time equivalent) of tertiary study and meet the UAI cut off as described above for 2008 New South Wales HSC students. (Tertiary study refers to Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Bachelor’s Degree or higher qualification recognised by the University of Sydney).
    
  • You must have completed at least the last four years of secondary education at a rural school.
    
  • You must have lived in a rural area for a significant period of time.
    
  • You must be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in a rural health setting. (This may include an exceptional record of involvement and achievement in community affairs at school or local community level in a rural environment).
    
  • The basis for the definition of “rural” will be the area encompassing the rural NSW Area Health Service regions, or the equivalent definition of rural applicable to other States. Basically, all of New South Wales is considered rural with the exception of Sydney, Central Coast, Newcastle, Wollongong, the Blue Mountains and their surrounding areas.
• Are bridging programs available to assist students with meeting the required level of assumed knowledge?
  • Yes.  Courses are held in February each year. Information on bridging courses is sent out with offers of admission. For more information contact:

  The Mathematics Learning Centre (02) 9351 4061, and

  The Continuing Professional Education Unit (02) 9351 9343

• Can I transfer from another undergraduate physiotherapy program into the Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) at the University of Sydney?
  • There is no such thing as a ‘transfer’. If you are currently enrolled in a physiotherapy program in another institution, you must apply via UAC to be considered for the Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) as a non Year 12 applicant.
    
  • As well as submitting an application via UAC, you should write to the Undergraduate Course Coordinator, Discipline of Physiotherapy, explaining the reason why you wish to transfer from your current physiotherapy program into our program and include your academic transcript of all your tertiary study. Prior to submitting the letter, please ring the Program Administrator, (02) 9351 9378.
• If I have undertaken other relevant tertiary study, will I get recognition of prior learning?
• At the University of Sydney, this is known as credit transfer.  Assessment of your prior studies with a view to credit transfer, takes place after you have been admitted to the program – at enrolment time.  Unless the unit of study is exactly the same as one offered in our program, you will need to prepare a portfolio detailing the content of the units of study you have attained.  The maximum amount of credit that can be awarded in a four-year program is 75% of the total number of credit points. Even if you are coming from another physiotherapy program, it is not normal for a student to move from another program without having to pick up units from the previous year of study.  This may mean that your course will be a year longer than you expected.
• You can review our program on-line in Chapter 14 of the Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook and compare the units of study you have completed with those in our program.
  
• Information about the credit transfer process is available on the Faculty of Health Sciences website. 
• Can I defer my enrolment following an offer of admission?
  • Year 12 applicants who applied under their UAI score are generally permitted to defer enrolment for one year.  However, deferment will not be granted for students wanting to undertake another tertiary course.
• If I am granted a deferment, do I have to apply again through UAC the following year?
  • Yes. Deferred applicants must reapply through UAC to take up their offers.

You may find related information here:

International Office for Overseas Students
Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook
Credit Transfer Process
Future Students Webpage

Information about Classes and participation

• I faint at the sight of blood.  Will I be able to handle the course?
  • You will be exposed to various clinical situations while on your clinical practicums which may involve exposure to blood. Human anatomy is an integral part of the course and students will learn on human cadavers. 
• Will I be required to remove my clothing for practical classes?
  • Yes.  Both male and female students alternate as models.  The model is often required to partially disrobe (down to swimwear/aerobic gear) for the purpose of carrying out examination and treatment procedures used by physiotherapists.
• What does clinical education involve and in what type of setting is it conducted?
  • Clinical education offers the undergraduate the chance to integrate academic subjects and clinical skills in a practical setting (eg: community, hospital, private practice). These units may be situated in public or private health care settings anywhere within NSW and may coincide with the inter-semester break periods.  At least one clinical practicum will be in a rural area and students are required to find their own accommodation. Students will spend between 35 – 40 hours per week whilst on clinical practicum.
• Will I need a Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate? 
  • Yes. You must provide proof that you hold a current CPR certificate prior to your first clinical placement which is the Mentored Clinical Placement in Semester 1, Year 2.  You must maintain currency of your CPR certificate for the entirety of your program.
• Where can I find out more about Clinical Education?
  • Read the Discipline of Physiotherapy website and the information on Clinical Education in the Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook (Chapter 14, School of Physiotherapy and Chapter 6, Clinical Education.)

You may find related information here:

Faculty of Health Sciences Handbook

Working and Leave requests

• I have to work to support myself through University, therefore, can I be exempt from rural clinical placements and can I alter my academic timetable schedule to suit work commitments?
  • No. Approval is rarely given for special consideration on the basis of work commitments.
• How much part-time work is considered reasonable while studying?
  • Many students manage a small amount of part-time work. However, this is a full time course and work commitments should not compromise your academic responsibilities.
• Are leave of absence requests granted automatically?

  • No.  You would have to apply to the Course Coordinator stating reasons for requesting leave of absence.

Costs and Living

• How much should I allow for textbooks?
  • $500 - $700.00 per year  Generally the Year 1 text books are the most expensive, there may be some second hand books posted for sale on notices boards.
• I have questions about Austudy?
  • Contact the Department of Social Security and the Commonwealth Employment Service.  Student Services would also have some information.  Centrelink-Student Services contact number is: 13 2490
• Is accommodation available?
  • There is limited on-campus accommodation. Yannadah offers rooms for 39 students.  Priority is given to Year 1 students living outside the greater metropolitan area.  

  You may also try these related pages:

  Costs and Scholarships
  Yannadah (Cumberland Campus)
  

About Physiotherapy Careers

• What are some of the career opportunities and are jobs easy to get?
  • Examples include physiotherapy clinical practice, academia, administration, research and consultancy within the public and private health care sectors.
    
  • Generally a high percent of our graduating students find employment - you need to look around. Factors such as the state of the economy will affect job prospects.
• What is the starting salary for a new graduate?
  • The full-time salary for 1st year physiotherapy graduates in NSW public hospitals is approximately $47,825 (plus superannuation) per annum (November, 2007 rate).
• Can I practise physiotherapy overseas once I have graduated?
  • In most cases yes - provided you register to practise physiotherapy in the country where you intend working. In some places you may be restricted to working for a limited amount of time and/or you may need to do an exam before commencing work. Language proficiency may also be a requirement in non-English speaking countries.
•  What are the trends and future directions for physiotherapy?
  • Community based rehabilitation, need for specialisation.
• Is there scope for specialisation (e.g. sports physiotherapy) at an undergraduate level?
  • No. All undergraduate students will complete the sequence of subjects for the undergraduate programs (pass and honours).
• How do I become a Sports Physiotherapist and do I have to be good at sports?
  • You can specialise in sports physiotherapy at the postgraduate level or by experience.  You don’t have to be good at sports to specialise in sports physiotherapy. 

Thinking about Further Studies in Physiotherapy?

Postgraduate Courses on the Future Students Page