Overview
Postgraduate programmes ( PGCertPhty , PGDipPhty , and MPhty) by coursework offer the opportunity to undertake papers tailored to your specific areas of physiotherapy interest.
Our programmes enable you to update your qualifications wherever you live in New Zealand and beyond. Postgraduate study offers opportunities for flexible learning through a number of primarily distance learning (extramural). Due to the technical skills required for physiotherapy practice, some of the post-graduate papers also include residential placements.
The following papers have residential blocks in 2025:
Semester 1
- PHTY 501: TBC
- PHTY 543: 3 x 3 days held in early March, mid-April and late-May
Semester 2
- PHTY 535: 3 days held in mid August
- PHTY 542: 4 days held in early September
- PHTY 561: 100 hours of supported clinical practice in an approved location
The University of Otago is a research intensive university. This means that the academic and clinical skills taught at postgraduate level are intertwined/informed not only by international best evidence but also by University of Otago led research.
School of Physiotherapy postgraduate students are supported and expected to be self-directed and life-long learners. Each paper predominantly involves searching and critically engaging with the literature before applying evidence to clinical practice.
Our papers are all worth 30 points and this equates to 300 hours of study for each paper taken per semester. This is approximately 20 to 25 hours of work each week for each paper. Most domestic students study part-time and work part-time.
For study costs, please explore fees by paper
Postgraduate study can be undertaken as:
- Postgraduate Certificate (60 points) – PHTY 501 followed by paper(s) worth 30 points
- Postgraduate Diploma (120 points)
- Master's (180 papers)
Check your eligibility for School of Physiotherapy PG coursework study
Papers on offer for postgraduate study at the School of Physiotherapy:
- PHTY 501 Biomedical Sciences
- PHTY 530 Theoretical Constructs in Clinical Practice
- PHTY 535 Advanced Physiotherapy Management
- PHTY 539 Occupational Health Physiotherapy
- PHTY 542 Sports Physiotherapy
- PHTY 543 Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy
- PHTY 545 Advanced Studies in Physiotherapy
- PHTY 561 Clinical Practice
Students enrolled in a PGDipPhty may also consider papers worth a maximum of 30 points from:
- MSME Musculoskeletal Medicine
- PUBH Public Health
- OCCH Occupational Health
- REHB Rehabilitation
- PAIN Pain management
- SPME Sports Medicine
Physiotherapy papers at Masters include:
Contact us
To find out more about our postgraduate programmes by coursework please contact us
Email meredith.perry@otago.ac.nz or physio.academic@otago.ac.nz