The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty) is a coursework programme designed to provide individuals currently working in a specific area of physiotherapy, in New Zealand, with a programme of study designed to enhance their knowledge, competence and skill. It has a strong clinical emphasis to service the current health needs of the New Zealand population and consequently, the needs of the New Zealand physiotherapy profession. The programme develops a student's ability to critically review and evaluate current evidence and practice and apply this information appropriately to the evaluation and management of client needs. It further aims to provide students with an ability to contribute to the ongoing development of effective physiotherapy management.
Information for new applicants
This qualification is available to registered physiotherapists. The majority of papers on offer by the School of Physiotherapy, for the PG Diploma of Physiotherapy, requires applicants to hold a current Annual Practising Certificate (APC) issued by the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand.
Students must be practising physiotherapists whilst undertaking the PG Diploma of Physiotherapy. Applicants should note that some papers involved in this qualification involve attendance at residential blocks in Dunedin and audioconferences. Students enrolling for this programme should take care to enrol for the on-campus or Distance versions of the papers as appropriate. Applicants enrolling for distance learning should ensure that they nominate the distance learning option. On-campus students will be based at the School of Physiotherapy in Dunedin.
On completion of the Diploma, students can progress to the Master of Physiotherapy by coursework, if they have a minimum B grade average.
Applications normally close on 10 December. Late applications may be considered.
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Programme details
Regulations for the Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty)
Admission to the Programme
Admission to the programme shall be subject to the approval of the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences).
Every applicant shall
have been admitted to the degree of Bachelor of Physiotherapy or hold an equivalent Physiotherapy qualification acceptable to the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences);
be registered with the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand and possess an Annual Practising Certificate where appropriate or be a registered (or equivalent) physiotherapist in their country of practice or residence; and
have post-qualification clinical experience in physiotherapy.
Structure of the Programme
The programme shall consist of approved papers to the value of 120 points, of which at least 90 points are 500-level PHTY papers, as per Part 2 of the Schedule.
With permission of the Dean of Physiotherapy, a candidate may substitute up to 30 points in a relevant subject for one of the PHTY papers, as per Part 2 of the Schedule.
A candidate who has completed the requirements for the Postgraduate Certificate in Physiotherapy shall be credited with those papers in the programme for the diploma which have been previously passed for the certificate.
Duration of the Programme
A candidate for the diploma shall normally follow a programme of study for not less than one year of full-time study or the equivalent in part-time study.
A candidate will normally be expected to satisfy the requirements for the diploma within three years of admission to the programme.
Terms Requirements
No candidate shall be eligible to sit a final examination for a paper without having gained terms in that paper.
A candidate gains terms in a paper by satisfactorily demonstrating the acquisition of sufficient knowledge, professional behaviours and skills; by attendance (in person and/or online); by performance in a professional manner of such practical and clinical work and other work as the School of Physiotherapy may require; and on overall performance in all components of each paper.
A candidate who fails to gain terms in any paper will, if other requirements of the regulations have been met, be required to repeat the whole of that paper.
Terms granted in any paper shall normally be for that year only.
Examinations
A candidate shall be required to gain terms in a paper before being permitted to sit the examination for that paper.
A candidate who obtains a D grade in a paper may be permitted to sit a special examination for that paper. Any candidate who has obtained an E grade in a paper will not normally be admitted to a special examination in that paper but may be offered an opportunity to repeat the paper.
Withdrawal from the Programme
Where a candidate withdraws from the programme after completing approved papers to the value of 60 points required by regulation 2(a), the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may recommend the award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Physiotherapy or determine which papers shall be credited towards the Certificate.
Exclusion from the Programme
Any student who, during the course of their studies, is:
subject to criminal charges; or
subject to disciplinary proceedings of the University or of a professional body; or
found to have an issue in connection with their mental or physical health that could adversely affect their fitness to practise; or
found to have failed to declare a matter covered by (a)-(c),
may be excluded from further study towards the diploma by the Academic Board of the Division of Health Sciences on the recommendation of the Board of Studies for Physiotherapy.
Level of Award of the Diploma
The diploma may be awarded with distinction or with credit.
Variations
The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health Sciences) may in exceptional circumstances approve a course of study which does not comply with these regulations.
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2025 Calendar and supplementary material.
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