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University of Otago

Dunedin , South Island ,New Zealand

Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty) is designed to provide individuals currently working in a specific area of physiotherapy with a programme of study designed to enhance their knowledge, competence and skill. It can be endorsed in either Neurorehabilitation, Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy or Sports Physiotherapy, and as such, has a strong clinical emphasis to service the stated needs of the profession. Each programme develops a student's ability to critically review and evaluate current 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.

This qualification is available to registered physiotherapists. Domestic students must have a current Annual Practising Certificate from the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand. International students must obtain Special Purpose Scope of Practice from the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand before arriving in New Zealand.

Distance based students must be practising physiotherapy whilst undertaking the clinical paper and should note that some papers involved in this qualification involve attending residential blocks in Dunedin and phoning in on audioconferences. 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, with a minimum grade average of B, students can progress to the Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty) endorsed in the same area.

Campus Information

Dunedin

The University of Otago main campus is located in Dunedin. The Dunedin campus includes: Central administration Four academic divisions: Business, Health Sciences, Humanities, Sciences

Intakes

  • Feb

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

We encourage all students – including International students – to make use of the career resources available on our website. From exploring your career options to specific job search strategies, you’ll find the information you need to establish your future career. You’ll also find information on this page specifically targeted at International students.

Get help with:

Career planning: Explore your career and study options
Job Applications: CV and cover letters, interview skills and applying for work
Gaining Experience: Get the ‘right’ skills, enhance your Otago experience… and volunteer.
Finding Employment: Job search strategies, career events and looking for work
Speak to a career adviser one-on-one if you need further assistance.

Enhance your employability
The graduate job market is competitive – good grades alone may not be enough to get your ideal job. You’ll also be expected to possess excellent English language skills, and be able to demonstrate a range of work-related skills and personal qualities relevant to the job. Develop the required skills through:

Work experience – gain part-time work, voluntary work, summer placements, or internships
Extracurricular activities – get involved in activities outside your course such as student societies and sporting clubs
Academic activities – show your capabilities by, for example, leading a group project or being a student representative for your course

PSW Opportunity

  • During study, all students on a student visa can work up to 20 hours per week during semester and full time during vacations.
  • After completing Level 7 Bachelor’s Degree or Higher Qualification, a student will get a three years open post-study work visa.
  • After completing Level 8 Post Graduate courses of 1 year, students get 1 year PSW.

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

A postgraduate diploma can be taken at any time after the completion of a bachelor’s
degree. It is usually undertaken in the same area of study as the major subject pursued
for a bachelor’s degree, or in a related discipline, and requires achievement at a
satisfactory academic level.

IELTS

Score of 6.5 in the academic module (with no individual band below 6.0)

IELTS Indicator test

This is an online version of the regular IELTS test, made available due to COVID-19 testing centre restrictions.

Paper-based TOEFL

Score of 587 (TWE 4.5).

TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition

This is an online version of the regular TOEFL iBT test, made available due to COVID-19 testing centre restrictions.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CAE)

Minimum of 176 (with no individual band below 169)

Duolingo English Test (DET)

Score of 110

Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic

Overall score of 64 with no communicative skills score below 57