| Code | Faculty | Department |
|---|---|---|
| 10138103 | Faculty of Health Sciences | Department: Physiotherapy |
| Credits | Duration | NQF level |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum duration of study: 4 years | Total credits: 526 | NQF level: 08 |
The programme extends over four academic years, during which period a student receives clinical training as a student physiotherapist at an institution approved by the University.
Important information for all prospective students for 2025
The admission requirements below apply to all who apply for admission to the University of Pretoria with a National Senior Certificate (NSC) and Independent Examination Board (IEB) qualifications. ?Click here for this Faculty Brochure.
Minimum requirements | |||
Achievement level | |||
English Home Language or English First Additional Language | Mathematics | Physical Sciences | APS |
NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | NSC/IEB | |
4 | 4 | 4 | 30 |
For advice on a second-choice programme, please consult a Student Advisor. To make an appointment, send an email to [email protected].
Life Orientation is excluded when calculating the APS.
Applicants currently in Grade 12 must apply with their final Grade 11 (or equivalent) results.
Applicants who have completed Grade 12 must apply with their final NSC or equivalent qualification results.
Please note that meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee admission.
Successful candidates will be notified once admitted or conditionally admitted.
Applicants should check their application status regularly on the UP Student Portal at click here.
Applicants with qualifications other than the abovementioned should refer to the International undergraduate prospectus 2025: Applicants with a school leaving certificate not issued by Umalusi (South Africa), available at click here.
International students: Click here
A limited number of places are made available to citizens from countries other than South Africa (applicants who are not South African citizens), with those from SADC countries being given preference. Applicants who have multiple citizenships, including South African citizenship, will be considered to be South African.
Transferring students
A transferring student is a student who, at the time of applying at the University of Pretoria (UP) is/was a registered student at another tertiary institution. A transferring student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance. Students who have been dismissed from other institutions due to poor academic performance will not be considered for admission to UP.
Closing dates: Same as above
Returning students
A returning student is a student who, at the time of application for a degree programme is/was a registered student at UP, and wants to transfer to another degree at UP. A returning student will be considered for admission based on NSC or equivalent qualification and previous academic performance.
Closing date for applications from returning students is the same as the above
Note: Any deliberate ommission of information, or false information provided by an applicant in the application may result in the immediate cancellation of the apllication, admission or registration.
Also consult General Academic Regulations G1-G15.
Notes:
First year of study
A subminimum of 40% is required in the theoretical as well as in the practical examination in FTP 101.
Second year of study
Basic Emergency Care (Code GNK 286)
Subminimum
A subminimum of 40% is required in the theoretical and practical components in the examination in FTP 221 and 204 and in IHL 210.
Third year of study
Subminimum
A subminimum of 40% is required in the theoretical and practical/clinical examination in (FTP) Physiotherapy 303 (FTP) Physiotherapy clinical practice 304 and (IHL) Integrated healthcare leadership 310 and 324.
Fourth year of study
Subminimum
A subminimum of 40% is required in clinical/practical as well as theoretical components of the examination of (FTP 403,404) Physiotherapy 403, Physiotherapy clinical practice 404 and (IHL 414, 424) Integrated healthcare leadership 414, 424.
Chancellor's examination: Repeating fourth year of study
The following fundamental modules are relevant:
? FSG 251, 252, 261, 262; SLK 210, ANP 210; GMB 252, 253, 254; FAR 381, 382
The degree is conferred with distinction on a student who has obtained at least 75% in (FTP 403) Physiotherapy 403 and (FTP 404) Physiotherapy clinical practice 404 and a joint average of at least 75% in (RHC 400) Research in healthcare sciences 400 and (IHL 414, 424) Integrated healthcare leadership 414, 424 (not rounded).
Minimum credits: 130
Choose between SEP 119 Sepedi and ZUL 119 isiZulu.
Module content:
Find, evaluate, process, manage and present information resources for academic purposes using appropriate technology.
Module content:
Apply effective search strategies in different technological environments. Demonstrate the ethical and fair use of information resources. Integrate 21st-century communications into the management of academic information.
Module content:
A systematic approach to Anatomy, including general terminology, embryology and osteology, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes cytology, the nucleus and cell division, epithelial tissue, general connective tissue, cartilage and bone.
Module content:
Anatomy of the appendicular skeleton
A systematic approach to the Anatomy of the muscles, blood vessels, nerve supply, lymph drainage and joints of the upper and lower limbs, as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes muscle tissue, nerve tissue, and blood and haemopoietic tissue.
Module content:
A systematic approach to the anatomy of the thorax and its contents, the abdomen and its contents and the pelvis and its contents (organs, vascular systems, nerve supply, lymph drainage, muscles and joints), as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens. Introductory histology includes the histology of the lungs, liver and kidneys.
Module content:
Anatomy of the head and neck, and neuroanatomy
A systematic approach to the anatomy of the head and neck regions, the senses and the central and peripheral nervous system (cranial nerves, autonomic nervous system), as well as surface anatomy, with the use of wet specimens.
Module content:
Theory: Introduction to general chemistry: Measurement in chemistry, matter and energy, atomic theory and the periodic table, chemical compounds and chemical bonds; quantitative relationships in chemical reactions, states of matter and the kinetic theory; solutions and colloids, acids, bases and ionic compounds, chemical equilibria. Introduction to organic chemistry: Chemical bonding in organic compounds, nature, physical properties and nomenclature of simple organic molecules, isomerism, chemical properties of alkanes and cycloalkanes, alkenes, alcohols, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and esters, amines and amides, carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids.
Practicals.
Module content:
Academic reading as well as academic writing and presentation skills, based on the approach followed in the healthcare sciences. *Presented to students in Health Sciences only.
Module content:
Study of specific language skills required in the Health Care Sciences, including interviewing and report-writing skills. *Presented to students in Health Sciences only. (BCur, BDietetics, BOH, BOT, Brad, BPhysT)*
Module content:
Introduction to physiological principles; neurophysiology, and muscle physiology.
Module content:
Body fluids; haematology; cardiovascular physiology, lymphatic system, and body defence mechanisms.
Module content:
Note: PHY 131 is aimed at students who will not continue with physics. PHY 131 cannot be used as a substitute for PHY 114.
Units, vectors, one dimensional kinematics, dynamics, work, equilibrium, sound, liquids, heat, thermodynamic processes, electric potential and capacitance, direct current and alternating current, optics, modern physics, radioactivity.
Module content:
*For absolute beginners only.
* Students from the School of Healthcare Sciences, who already possess the language skills taught in this module, may write an exemption examination.
The acquisition of basic Sepedi communicative skills with emphasis on everyday expressions and suitable high frequency vocabulary, within specific social situations.
Module content:
This module is a general orientation to Psychology. An introduction is given to various theoretical approaches in Psychology, and the development of Psychology as a science is discussed. Selected themes from everyday life are explored and integrated with psychological principles. This module focuses on major personality theories. An introduction is given to various paradigmatic approaches in Psychology.
Module content:
*For absolute beginners only
* Students from the School of Healthcare Sciences, who already possess the language skills taught in this module, may write an exemption examination.
The acquisition of basic isiZulu communicative skills with emphasis on everyday expressions and suitable high frequency vocabulary, within specific situations.
Module content:
General introduction and orientation to physiotherapy, PBL skills and evidence-based approach to physiotherapy. Introduction to biomechanics, terminology, passive movements, measurement of the range of movement, clinical visits and patient-handling.
Kinetics: axis, planes, levers, effect of gravity on the human body.
Applied electro biomechanics: introduction to radiation, high-frequency, ultrasound, shortwave diathermy, laser, ultraviolet, infrared radiation.
Introduction to manual therapy: general introduction to massaging, evaluation of soft tissue, types applications and effects of massage techniques on various types of tissue, modalities application to the human body.
Human movement science: introduction to biomechanics, study of human movement, functional evaluation, muscle-testing, types of muscular activity, kinematics: analysis of movement, motor control and posture, characteristics of normal movement. Applied electrobiomechanics, introduction to medium frequency currents, Russian currents. Pulmonology.
Note: Physiotherapy is presented in a problem-based and integrated manner.
Module content:
Leadership and multidisciplinary team work. Healthcare systems and legislation. Determinants of health. Introduction to healthcare models (e.g. community-based care, family-centred care, etc.). Professionalism, Ethical principles. Management of diversity. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Department of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology students.
Minimum credits: 128
Module content:
General principles of pathology, including necroses, reversible cell damage, reparation and abnormalities of growth, circulation disturbances, acute and chronic infections, classification of the spreading of tumours and carcinogenesis. Directed course in systematic pathology, with specific reference to cardiovascular system, respiratory system, locomotor system and neurophathology.
Module content:
Structure, gas exchange and secretory functions of the lungs; structure, excretory and non-urinary functions of the kidneys, acid-base balance, and skin and body temperature control. Practical work to complement the theory.
Module content:
Nutrition, digestion and metabolism, hormonal control of body functions, and the reproductive systems. Practical work to complement the theory.
Module content:
Infection, immunity and basic bacteriology.
Introduction and basic principles of infection, sterilisation and the immune system. Bacterial cells and the classification of disease-causing bacteria.
Module content:
Systemic bacteriology.
Commonly occurring bacterial infections and the bacteria that cause them.
Module content:
Fungi, parasitology and virology.
Commonly occurring fungal, viral and parasite infections and infestations, and the organisms that cause them.
Module content:
This practical-orientated module will provide students with training in basic life support, automated external defibrillation, and first aid treatment to the suddenly ill or injured patient. The theoretical content will be offered in an interactive format where students are expected to master the content as self-directed learning. Practical skills will be demonstrated in the skills laboratory and students will get the opportunity to practice the skills under guidance and supervision.
Module content:
In this module human development from conception through adolescence to adulthood is discussed with reference to various psychological theories. Incorporated are the developmental changes related to cognitive, physical, emotional and social functioning of the individual and the context of work in adulthood. Traditional and contemporary theories of human development explaining and describing these stages are studied in order to address the key issues related to both childhood and adulthood.
Module content:
The problem-based learning approach to the principles of human movement science manual therapy for soft tissue and electro-biomechanics. This approach is applied by using selected clinical conditions of the thorax, pelvis and hip-joint over the total life spectrum.
The problem-based approach to the treatment of selected clinical conditions of the knee, ankle and foot complex, the pectoral girdle and gleno-humeral joint, the elbow, forearm and wrist and hand complex over the total life-cycle, through the application of the principles of human movement science manual therapy for soft tissue and electro-biomechanic.
Module content:
Study of the epidemiology, prevalence and incidence of selected clinical conditions. Students acquire clinical experience through the treatment of selected clinical conditions in various health care institutions, practices and clinics.
A theoretical and clinical examination will take place after conclusion of the module.
Module content:
Principles of project management. Communication principles. Leadership. Health promotion and education, advocacy and literacy. Counselling for health behaviour change. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Speech- Language Pathology and Audiology students.
Minimum credits: 155
Module content:
The undergraduate pharmacology module introduces students to general pharmacological principles, routes of administration, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics. Furthermore, disease treatment with relation to disorders of the cardiovascular, inflammatory and autonomic nervous system is discussed, as well as anaesthesia, asthma, diabetes, diuresis, obesity and pain.
Module content:
Hormones, drugs that act on the histaminergic, serotonergic, and dopaminergic receptors. Pharmacotherapy of diabetes mellitus, schizophrenia, depression, obesity, anxiety, insomnia, gastro-intestinal diseases. Anticoagulants, antimicrobial drugs.
Module content:
Community needs assessment. Leadership in community development. Planning and implementation of collaborative community-based interventions. Application of principles of monitoring and evaluation. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Department of Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology students.
Module content:
End-of-life care; preventing and managing sexual harassment; giving and receiving feedback; self and time-management; reflexive caring; practice; the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF); working with mid-level workers; leadership management and evidence-based practice; ethics in physiotherapy practice; medico-legal documentation.
Module content:
Concepts of research; research process; research studies appraisal; planning and developing literature review; developing research idea and research question; research principles in designing research proposal; research proposal writing.
Module content:
Theory of comprehensive physiotherapeutic management (prevention, promotion, restoration, and rehabilitation) of notifiable, non-notifiable and infectious conditions.
Diseases of lifestyle, chronic disease, the impact of HIV on disability and on patients with trauma, mental health. Impact of physical/economic/political/
psychosocial environment on health and well-being, health promotion and development and sports science.
Comprehensive physiotherapy management is applied to infant health, during childhood, adolescent health, women's and men's health, health and disease in middle age and geriatrics.
Module content:
Comprehensive clinical management of patients with communicable and non-communicable diseases and conditions, patients with an impairment or disability as a result of the impact of physical/economic/political and psychosocial environment on health and well-being, health promotion, and development and sports science. Comprehensive clinical management is applied where relevant on infant health, during childhood, adolescence, in women's and men's health, and health and disease in middle age and geriatrics, diseases of lifestyle, chronic disease, impact of HIV on disability, victims of trauma, and/or a mental health condition.
Module content:
Community needs assessment. Leadership in community development. Planning and implementation of collaborative community-based interventions. Application of principles of monitoring and evaluation. NB: Only for School of Healthcare Sciences and Department of Speech - Language Pathology and Audiology students.
Minimum credits: 113
Module content:
Advanced comprehensive physiotherapeutic management of communicable and non-communicable diseases and conditions. This includes diseases of lifestyle, chronic disease, impact of HIV on disability, victims of trauma, and mental health. Impact of physical/economic/political/psychosocial environment of health and well-being, health promotion and development, and sport science. The comprehensive physiotherapeutic management is applied to patients of all ages where relevant: in infant health, childhood, adolescent health, women's and men’s health, health and disease in middle age and geriatrics and is based on the epidemiology of disease. The module includes 800 hours clinical experience in a variety of health care scenarios.
Examination period: October/November.
Module content:
Comprehensive clinical management of patients with communicable, non-communicable diseases and conditions, patients who have an impairment or disability due to the impact of physical/economic/political/psychosocial environment on health and well-being. Health promotion, and development and sport science. Comprehensive clinical management is applied where relevant to infant health, during childhood, adolescence, in women's health and men’s health, and health and disease in middle age and geriatrics, diseases of lifestyle, chronic disease, impact of HIV on disability, victims of trauma, and/or a mental health condition, addressing the determinants of health over the total life span. The module includes 800 hours clinical experience in a variety of health care scenarios. Examination period: October/November.
Module content:
Ethical management of community physiotherapy programmes, including physiotherapy aspects of community-orientated primary health care. Continuing professional development, private practice management and labour law.
Module content:
Ethical management of community physiotherapy programmes, including physiotherapy aspects of community-based primary care. Sustained professional development, private practice management and labour law.
Module content:
Conducting process of obtaining ethics clearance, data collection, data analysis, research report writing.
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