Physiotherapy

Unit of study table

Academic calendar

Teaching and learning in this course takes place in accordance with the University’s approved semesters and teaching blocks, and as set out in the 2026 Sydney School of Health Sciences Academic Calendar, available on the Key dates page and approved by the Academic Standards and Policy Committee.

Doctor of Physiotherapy

To qualify for the award of the Doctor of Physiotherapy, a candidate must complete 144 credit points, comprising:
132 credit points of core units of study; and
12 credit points of elective units of study.
All units in the Doctor of Physiotherapy are prescribed and must be taken in the year of enrolment to which they correspond.
Unit of studyCredit pointsA: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites
C: Corequisites N: Prohibition

Core Units

Year 1
PHTY5500
Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice I
24A Human anatomy and physiology
PHTY5501
Foundations of Physiotherapy Practice II
24P PHTY5500
Year 2
PHTY6500
Physiotherapy Core Clinical Practice I
18P PHTY5500 and PHTY5501
C PHTY6501
PHTY6501
Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum I
6P PHTY5500 and PHTY5501
C PHTY6500
PHTY6502
Physiotherapy Core Clinical Practice II
18P PHTY6500 and PHTY6501
C PHTY6503
PHTY6503
Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum II
6P PHTY6500 and PHTY6501
C PHTY6502
Year 3
PHTY7500
Advanced Reasoning: Capstone Projects
6P PHTY6502
PHTY7501
Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum III
6P PHTY6502
PHTY7502
Physiotherapy Advanced Clinical Practice
6P PHTY6502
PHTY7503
Advanced Reasoning: Capstone Seminars
6C PHTY7500
PHTY7504
Physiotherapy Clinical Practicum IV
6P PHTY6502
PHTY7505
Advanced Professional Development
6P PHTY6503
C PHTY7502

Elective Units

Year 3
HSBH5001
Sydney Health Students Abroad
6 
MBHT5001
Diabetes Management
6A This unit of study is recommended for medical graduates, as well as nursing or allied health graduates with a minimum of 12 months clinical experience
MBHT5003
Obesity and Pre-diabetes: Prevention and Care
6 
PAIN5026
Pain and Sleep
6 
PAIN5028
Musculoskeletal Pain and Rehabilitation
6N PAIN5013 and PAIN5017
PUBH5510
Healthy Ageing and Fall Prevention
6N PUBH5419
PUBH5020
Chronic Disease Prevention
6A PUBH5033 or PUBH5010 or CEPI5100 or equivalent
N PUBH5555
PUBH5033
Disease Prevention and Health Promotion
6 
PUBH5430
Public Health Advocacy
6 
PUBH5036
Public Health: Critical Challenges
6 
BIDH5003
Foundations of Digital Health
6N HSBH5003 or HSBH3008 or BIDH3008
BMRI5006
Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
6 
PAIN5024
Headache
6 
PAIN5027
Psychologically Informed Pain Management
6N PAIN5011 or PAIN5016
BIDH5000
Digital Health Innovation and Implementation
6A Assumed basic knowledge of health, health care and associated systems are required. Students who have not completed an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in a health profession will be asked to complete the Open Learning Environment module 'Preparation for learning in the Hospital Environment', which is openly available to all University of Sydney students via Canvas. Please check the Canvas site for this unit for any information on further recommended resources
PHTY5205
Clinical Practicum 5
6P PHTY5197 and PHTY5203 and PHTY5204
PHTY7188
Anatomical Principles of Exercise Prescription
6P PHTY6502
N BIOS3065 or BIOS4188
EXSS5109
Sport and Physical Activity With a Disability
6P A minimum of 90 credit points
N EXSS4109