"Best" Country to Study Physio?

**IvanDuong** · 14-12-2010 02:37 PM

Hi all,

I'm an international college student in the States. Originally from Hong Kong, and I'm looking to get into physio.

I realize this is a very objective question but where, in your opinion, would be the best place to study physio? For now, I'm thinking of specializing in sports. If you name a country, could you also provide a short explanation why?

Currently, in my mind it's a fight between Australia and the US.

Also, I'm still unsure as to where I want to be practicing, so I was wondering how "transferable" is your education? For example, if your degree in Physio is from the States, how easy/difficult would it be to apply for a licence elsewhere? (I ask because I understand it is very very difficult for say, medicine)

Thanks. I really appreciate this.
Ivan

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**physiobob** · 14-12-2010 07:35 PM

The is no comparison. Australia wins hands down. if nothing more than a degree from an Australian univserity opens up the world to you for jobs. The USA confines you to pretty much the USA and maybe a few third world countries as the course is simply to narrow and to short.

**gcoe** · 19-12-2010 10:40 AM

Hi Ivan

Physiobob is right that Australia has a very high level of education in physiotherapy, but NZ, Canada and the four year degrees available in Ireland and Scotland can all be good choices. The three year degrees in England are comparatively of a poorer standard. The US has a very variable standard of education with some excellent schools (as an example the University of Pittsburg) and some really crappy ones (like REALLY BAD!)- the free market approach really. Countries such as Australia, NZ, Canada and the UK have a much more regulated approach to the standards of education so there tends to be an overall higher standard of practice and perhaps less variation - although I would still choose your school carefully. As I said in England the educational system is at the other extreme: almost too tightly controlled by the NHS that has limited funding and forced the institutions to cover primarily the priorities of the NHS. Graduates have been criticized as not coming out as well rounded science-based practitioners and find it hard to meet the registration requirements in a number of countries.
Other things to consider
* It maybe quite important to think about where you want to work. The sad reality is that it is not becoming easier to take your qualification and move country - not impossible and thousands do it every year but it would pay you to really know what country you want to work in easily accepts graduates from the country you train in.
* whether you choose to do an undergraduate degree or an entry level post grad degree (Masters or Doctorate). An entry level post grad degree is where you complete an undergraduate degree in a more general but related foundation degree - such as biomedical science, exercise science, etc then use this qualification to gain entry to physiotherapy education later. The actual content of the entry level post grad degree vs an undergrad entry level degree may not be that different but in the former usually the progression is faster and more intensive and the standard may (but is not necessarily) higher. This is where the world trends in education are heading and so having a clinical doctorate or masters degree may give you a better ticket in the long term even though it is more years (and money) at university. Having just an undergrad degree may lock out of working in certain countries in the future and this is already happening in the USA where the vast majority are clinical doctorates. In canada physiotherapy is only offered at the Masters level, and in Australia there are both levels offered but three schools are now offering clinical doctorates with impeccable programmes. In Ireland and Scotand there are various arrangements.
* So I would do some homework around the particular school. For example does the University the school is in have a prestigious academic standing? (eg listed recently the top 200 universities in the world) Does the school have an excellent research program that attracts grants? And are the academics leaders in their field? While these activities are not directly related to the quality of basic education it is an indicator. A school flush in research money is a happy school and can afford to spend more on all its programmes and employ more staff.. Another factor to consider is if you know what area of physio you want to work in, does the school do a good job of education in that area? Entry level courses are generalist in nature but say you want to work in sports or musculoskeletal physio make sure the programs strong in that area. What I would do is have a look at the academic names on the website who are involved in the sports programme, have a look at their publishing history - you want to see they regularly publish in top physiotherapy/sports medicine/biomechanics journals - you are looking for a nice long string of primary research papers and grants.
* A final thing to consider is the size of the school and ratio of educators to students. A very rough way of measuring this is ask the intake size of the class and divide it by the number staff teaching staff on their website. In some schools the classes have become so big that it is hard to get adequate small group and one-to-one educational experience - something that is essential in such a practical discipline as physiotherapy.

**IvanDuong** · 19-12-2010 12:47 PM

That was wonderful gcoe! Thanks.

Is there a particular degree from a country that is most widely accepted worldwide?

Also I'm particularly interested in sports physio. I'm currently studying liberal arts in the States and most probably going to major in Biology... Have looked into Australia mostly actually. But have heard great things about NZ too. Are there any schools that are particularly known for their sports program? I heard Uni of Melbourne is quite decent.

Thanks for all your help guys, I really appreciate it.

**gcoe** · 19-12-2010 11:13 PM

You are welcome.

Is there a particular degree from a country that is most widely accepted worldwide?

On the whole it doesn't quite work like that. Generally registration or licensing bodies in the country that you wish to work have various rules and criteria about what is acceptable and what isn't. Often decisions are made about whole country programmes nationwide and then they may or may not look at your transcript and other documents from the university you attended. So it is quite complex. I am not up with the play about what exactly is acceptable for a specific country.

Melbourne Uni has one of the most prestigious degrees and they offer the clinical doctorate. However entry is generally by their preferred undergraduate degree in biomedical science so you should really check that out before continuing your studies. Bond Univerisity is a private uni in Queensland near Brisbane and it also offers the clinical doctorate with a heavy emphasis on sports/orthopaedics. University of Queensland and Curtin Universities have traditionally been high standing courses and I think they are still mainly at the bachelors degree level. Griffith University has a double degree in exercise science and physiotherapy (5 years) and I think it has a good reputation. But there are others. Personally I wold avoid a lot of the newer universities and the "bush" universities as they are just getting going and often on a small budget.

Another option to think about is to do a Bachelor in physiotherapy then do a post grad Masters in sports physio. But this all takes extra time and money. You could od this all in one go or have some time in the field after graduating with the Bachelor degree.

Whatever it sounds like you really should find out what their entry criteria and standards are like so you don't undertake further study now that won't be accepted.

**vaneetrekhi18** · 02-06-2016 11:29 PM

hie,
i m pursuing my bachelors of physiotherapy from india
and there is no scope of the same. i want to pursue my further education from abroad. i m confused whthr i should go fr mpt or mba in healthcare. kindly brief me wd d best country as well as course to b pursue frthr. it is very tough to attain license regrdn the same ,plz guide for dt too..i ll b highly obliged

**Jeni7783** · 22-12-2010 09:07 AM

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ontVertAlignInTxbx/> <w:Word11KerningPairs/> <w:CachedColBalance/> <w:UseFELayout/> </w:Compatibility> <m:mathPr> <m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/> <m:brkBin m:val="before"/> <m:brkBinSub m:val="--> <m:smallfrac m:val="off"> <m:dispdef> <m:lmargin m:val="0"> <m:rmargin m:val="0"> <m:defjc m:val="centerGroup"> <m:wrapindent m:val="1440"> <m:intlim m:val="subSup"> <m:narylim m:val="undOvr"> </m:narylim></m:intlim> </m:wrapindent>I think UK is the best place to study physiotherapy. Next is Australia. But if it is Australian it will be easy for find jobs worldwide. </m:defjc></m:rmargin></m:lmargin></m:dispdef></m:smallfrac>

**sami.crpt** · 22-12-2010 03:19 PM

hi evry1,
in my opinion India is the best country to do physiotherapy as u r looking for specialisatiion in sports p.t.
it may sound strange but its true as i hav encountered with many sports p.ts who graduated frm india;they hav high knowledge & exposure even escorting with national teams during matches. very practical oriented.whn som of the P.T educated frm U.S couldnt handle real situations they handled with ease.I have heard lot of good sports academies with all equipments & facilities r there!!!
another advantage is the education which is 4and haf yrs. is really afordable.

**gcoe** · 24-12-2010 01:59 AM

Sorry Sami

No offence but I really can't agree. In the world community India has one of the worst reputations for both professional practice and also research outputs. Hopefully this situation may change over the next few years - I am sure a big boost in funding and some effective educational reviews have often helped physiotherapy education in a country get ahead.

In making a decision of where to study itisimportant to consider the quality of academic education and the research capability of the institution. I think we should be advising people based on these sort of criteria and not just on the country we came from or were trained in. I know I could be accused of this myself in my previous post but what I did was base the countries I recommended on a combination of academic qualiy, research outputs, overall consistency of standards and also reputation of graduates in the market place. Having said that I did leave out the Scandinavian countries and the Netherlands which are certainly worth a mention.

**sami.crpt** · 24-12-2010 06:49 AM

hi gcoe
even i had the same kind of opinion unless i met them,who r really gud @ sports physio;it changed my opinion!! they were extra ordinarly proffessional..
i have nt come across many physios frm there( but just a few) & not visited india or hardly kno abt the place.
was just a suggestion...

**yelufem** · 08-01-2011 09:38 PM

Intresting to know that Australia is winning hands down.I would like to submit that physio trainning world wide is undergoing metamorphosis induced by factors that are specific to individual countries.Agreeably, Uk trainning is getting defliated by reduced trainning years despite increased PT knowledge base.The advocasy made by a physio body in Ireland to further reduce trainning year a couple of year ago has thrown a another concern with regard to the quality of trainning curriculum in such countries.
Gcoe has done a good job on the subject matter.The quality of faculties,availabitlity of reseash funding in a sustainable manner,focused and comprehensive curriculum and adequate,updated facilities + uncrowded trainning years are key to excellent physio education on our planet.I give kudos to australia physio schl for doing a great job to make their product relivant anywhere in the world.yelufem.(be nice,be kind)

**hounsh.munshi** · 06-04-2012 08:38 PM

This is an extremely helpful thread. It definitely confirms my inferences about the right place to do my graduate degree. However I was wondering if anyone had any links or articles that might support the strong affinity towards Australia. It'd be really helpful. Thanks

estherderu · 07-04-2012 08:08 PM

what I do miss in all the information is that:
it is wise to think about the country you would like to work in after graduating.
Even if the Australian education may be very good, if you do not speak Dutch you will nog get a job in Holland easily, if you do not speak Spanish dito...
Realize that every country has its own education and very own culture.
I wish you all well.

Esther

**richardnollan742** · 27-06-2012 08:11 AM

Multicultural Australia offers the international student - relaxed, outdoor lifestyle, spectacular scenery and wildlife, friendly people, wide open spaces and clean, every required facility. physiotherapy education in Australia has a strong record of academics and commitment to evidence based practice.
apart from that in Australia beaches,a perfect lifestyle makes your course easy. study physiotherapy in Australia can be challenging and very rewarding. placements from Australian universities is quite convincing.
A highlight for the profession was the key role that physiotherapists played in the recent Sydney 2000 Olympic and Paralympics Games. many physiotherapists provided services to the Australian Olympic Team. many physio- therapists visited the Polyclinic in the Athlete' s Village repeatedly to learn about Australian physiotherapy techniques.

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