Australian Schools

I am a 24 year old Canadian planning to attend physio school in Australia next year. I have accepted an offer from Griffith University and was planning to head over there for first semester. However, I recently received an offer from the University of Sydney.

I have tried to look up how the physiotherapy schools in Australia are ranked to one another, but haven't had any luck. I have also tried to use the search function, but couldn't find any applicable information. I know that the University of Sydney is ranked higher as a whole, but I'm not sure if the physiotherapy program is ranked equally high relative to the other options in the country. Griffith University will be $20 000 less expensive, so I'd prefer not to make a switch if it won't be significant.

I would enjoy living in both cities, and the programs themselves look similar enough. I was hoping to get an opinion from someone that may be more aware of the school's presence on the other side of the globe. Thank you for your assistance. :)

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Originally Posted by Andy_H

I am a 24 year old Canadian planning to attend physio school in Australia next year. I have accepted an offer from Griffith University and was planning to head over there for first semester. However, I recently received an offer from the University of Sydney.

I have tried to look up how the physiotherapy schools in Australia are ranked to one another, but haven't had any luck. I have also tried to use the search function, but couldn't find any applicable information. I know that the University of Sydney is ranked higher as a whole, but I'm not sure if the physiotherapy program is ranked equally high relative to the other options in the country. Griffith University will be $20 000 less expensive, so I'd prefer not to make a switch if it won't be significant.

I would enjoy living in both cities, and the programs themselves look similar enough. I was hoping to get an opinion from someone that may be more aware of the school's presence on the other side of the globe. Thank you for your assistance. :)

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Hi dude:

I am an physiotherapy student in New Zealand, and also an international student as well. Though my experience is not in Australia, but the circumstance in NZ is similar to Oz, so hopefully my ideads would be helpful.

To be brief, if finacial issue is not killing you, and you want to be a cardiovescular/respiratory/ER/ICU physio, definately choose University of Sydney: (1) PT is nationally regulated in Oz & NZ, and there is no Provincial registration as in Canada, so both qualifications can enable you to practice in the entire Australia. (2) There is a on-going tsunami of physio graduates is Oz & NZ due to the explosion of accreditated physio programmes in Oz and the huge increase of new student intake in most programms. So the reputation and ranking of your university/institution is vital when you are trying to find a job. (3) Long-established universities and programmes tend to have abundant clinical placements due to their network and history (this is especially the case for cardiovescular/respiratory/ER/ICU placements, as such places are nearly only offered by hospitals), while new programmes/universities may not - the placements in hospitals are limited and once they have signed contract with certain universities they rarely change to other universities.

Otherwide just pick up the cheaper one.

Hopefully I am helpful.

Thanks lilium,

Your post was very informative. I was initially leaning towards Griffith, and this post made me more uncertain (damn you!). Everything you said makes a lot of sense. At the moment, I am not particularly interested in cardio/respiratory, however this may change in the future when I am more knowledgeable about the different specialisations. I am paying all fees/expenses from my own pocket via loans, so it is fairly important to me to place the proper value of things. As said previously, Sydney is $20 000 more plus increased accommodation and cancellation fees.

Do you believe that the ends justify the means in a monetary sense. I hate thinking of things in this way, but I feel like paying back $30 000 can be quite substantial. Will going to Sydney justify this higher expense with a higher paying/better job. I realize that there is no definite answer due to so many variables, I am just after opinions. I also realize that you can only speak on behalf of Oz/NZ and not necessarily Canada where I may return to work. Once again, thank you everyone who took the time to read. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

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Originally Posted by Andy_H

Thanks lilium,

Your post was very informative. I was initially leaning towards Griffith, and this post made me more uncertain (damn you!). Everything you said makes a lot of sense. At the moment, I am not particularly interested in cardio/respiratory, however this may change in the future when I am more knowledgeable about the different specialisations. I am paying all fees/expenses from my own pocket via loans, so it is fairly important to me to place the proper value of things. As said previously, Sydney is $20 000 more plus increased accommodation and cancellation fees.

Do you believe that the ends justify the means in a monetary sense. I hate thinking of things in this way, but I feel like paying back $30 000 can be quite substantial. Will going to Sydney justify this higher expense with a higher paying/better job. I realize that there is no definite answer due to so many variables, I am just after opinions. I also realize that you can only speak on behalf of Oz/NZ and not necessarily Canada where I may return to work. Once again, thank you everyone who took the time to read. Any responses would be greatly appreciated.

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If you want to return to Canada for practice, I am wondering why you don't enroll physio programmes in Canada? According to the Canadian Registration regulation you still have to pass the Canada registration exam if you are a Canadian and have Australia/oversea qualification+registration.

That is correct. All graduates of accredited Canadian universities have to pass the exam as well. Unfortunately, I did not get into any of the schools I applied for in Canada.

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Originally Posted by Andy_H

That is correct. All graduates of accredited Canadian universities have to pass the exam as well. Unfortunately, I did not get into any of the schools I applied for in Canada.

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Oh, what is ur background? How competitive it is to get into Canada physio programme?

Hey Andy, I am in a similar situation as you. I am 24 years old and looking to get into a physiotherapy program down in Australia as well. I've been accepted into Canberra University. Although I declined/deferred till the 2014 intake as the cost is so expensive (tuition is unreal and on top of that an estimated $40,000 for the 2 years of living). Just curious to know what made you choose Sydney and Griffith? Have you checked out other schools? Canadian universities are very competitive - needing at least a 3.7GPA with lots of volunteer experience and/or work experience.