Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
AUT offers one of the largest physiotherapy programmes in the Southern Hemisphere. Our physiotherapy graduates are recognised throughout the world for their knowledge and leadership in healthcare.
Physiotherapists help people improve their quality of life. As a physiotherapist you work with a wide range of people, helping them overcome physical problems due to ageing, injury, diseases, disorders, conditions or environmental factors. Most New Zealand physiotherapists work privately, treating acute sport and accidental injuries, chronic pain, back and neck problems. You also find physiotherapists in most hospitals and general practices.
If you ever wondered how to become a physiotherapist, start with AUT's Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy). The programme has a strong focus on clinical practice, and you complete about 1,000 hours of clinical experience as part of your studies.
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Minimum entry requirements
If you have New Zealand qualifications
- University Entrance or equivalent
- Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children’s Act 2014 requirements, including police clearance
Applicants with English as a second or other language who have not completed at least three years of secondary schooling in NZ will be required to meet IELTS requirements.
Ranking of applicants will occur. Preference will be given to applicants with the highest level of academic achievement and/or evidence of accomplishments in the relevant field.
If you have qualifications from another country
See entry requirements for students from other countries. Select your country from the dropdown menu.
Useful New Zealand school subjects
Biology, Chemistry, Health, Physical Education, Psychology, Science, Art History, Classical Studies, Drama, English, Geography, Health Education, History, Media Studies, Social Studies, Statistics, Te Reo Māori, Te Reo Rangatira
English language requirements
- IELTS (Academic) 7.0 overall with all bands 6.5 or higher
Year 1
Semester 1 courses
- HEAL506 Knowledge, Enquiry and Communication (15 points)
- HEAL512 Te Tiriti Ora (15 points)
- HEAL513 Introduction to Healthcare Systems and Practice (15 points)
- HEAL514 Understanding the Human Body Systems for Health Practice (15 points)
In the first semester all students study the same four courses to help you develop an in-depth understanding of general healthcare, learning alongside other health science students.
If you started before 2026
If you started your studies in the Bachelor of Health Science (Physiotherapy) in 2025 or earlier, the courses you need to complete may be a little different. Find out what courses you need to take to complete your qualification if you started in 2025 or earlier.
Semester 2 courses
- PHTY611 Introduction to Physiotherapy Practice (30 points)
- PHTY612 Human Structure & Function for Physiotherapy I (15 points)
- PHTY613 Human Structure & Function for Physiotherapy II (15 points)
Year 2
You’re introduced to the management of abnormal function and physiotherapy assessment, including clinical reasoning principles, evidence-based practice and a range of physiotherapeutic techniques. You develop an understanding of the rehabilitation of disorders of movement and function, exercise-based rehabilitation and clinical science reasoning and research methods.
You could also spend one week observing physiotherapy in practice.
Semester 1 courses
- PHTY601 Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics (15 points)
- PHTY607 Health Conditions in Physiotherapy Practice (15 points)
- PHTY608 Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation (15 points)
- PHTY614 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice I (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- PHTY610 Analysing Health Needs (15 points)
- PHTY615 Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Practice II (15 points)
- PHTY616 Fundamentals of Cardiovascular and Respiratory Practice (15 points)
- PHTY617 Introduction to Neurological Rehabilitation (15 points)
Year 3
You develop more specific assessment and treatment skills, and become familiar with a wider range of complex health issues. This requires more detailed assessment and advanced treatment strategies, together with an understanding of reflective, professional and ethical practice.
You’ll also be provided with a two-week student assistantship.
Semester 1 courses
- PHTY704 Exercise-Based Rehabilitation (15 points)
- PHTY706 Acute Care (15 points)
- PHTY707 Musculoskeletal Disorders: Diagnosis & Rehabilitation (15 points)
- PHTY710 Managing Neuromuscular Disorders (15 points)
Semester 2 courses
- PHTY705 Managing Complexity in the Acute Care Environment (15 points)
- PHTY708 Managing Complexity in the Community Environment (15 points)
- HEAL719 Health Research Project (15 points)
And one of
- HEAL708 Professional Practice & Ethics (15 points)
- HEAL723 Health Coaching (15 points)
- HLAW701 Health Law & Policy (15 points)
- MAOH701 Māori Health Promotion (15 points)
- MAOH702 Applied Primary Māori Mental Health (15 points)
- PHMY701 Pharmacology for Professional Practice (15 points)
Or any other bachelor’s degree course with approval of programme leader
Year 4
The majority of the year is spent in a clinical centre, where you complete the approximately 1,000 hours of supervised physiotherapy practice experience required for registration. You also complete the Research Project course.
Complete the following courses
- PHTY712 Physiotherapy Professional Practice in Aotearoa New Zealand (30 points - Full year)
- PHTY701 Physiotherapy Practice I (30 points)
- PHTY702 Physiotherapy Practice II (30 points)
- PHTY703 Physiotherapy Practice III (30 points)
Workplace experience in the physiotherapy degree
There is a strong focus on clinical practice, and you complete about 1,000 hours of clinical experience as part of your studies.
Want more info about work integrated learning at AUT?
Read more about workplace experience in AUT programmes, how it works and why it’s so beneficial when you start your career.
Workplace experience in AUT programmes
Ready to enrol in your courses?
Find out how you can enrol in the courses and classes for your programme, whether you’ve just joined AUT as a new student or you’re already studying with us. If you’re looking for a course timetable or more info on a specific course use our course search.
Physiotherapists specialise in:
- Acupuncture
- Cardiothoracic illness
- Hand therapy
- Health promotion and primary healthcare
- Manual therapy (including acute and chronic pain, injury, back and neck problems)
- Mental health
- Neurology (for spinal cord injury, stroke, Parkinson’s Disease, multiple sclerosis)
- Occupational health
- Older adults
- Paediatrics
- Sports
Find out more about industry trends, job descriptions and what employers may be looking for.
Other undergraduate study options
- Bachelor of Health Science
- Case Management
- Counselling
- Health Management
- Paramedicine
- Perioperative Practice
- Psychology
- Public and Environmental Health
- No major (tailor the degree to your interests and career goals)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Midwifery)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Occupational therapy)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Oral Health)
- Bachelor of Health Science (Podiatry)
- Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Health Science in Psychology conjoint programmes
Postgraduate study options
($8,190 - $8,541 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
($43,000 tuition fees + $1,221.60 student services levy)
- Fees shown are based on a full-time workload for the points indicated next to the fee. The exact fee charged will depend on which courses you select at the time of enrolment.
- Fees are subject to change year to year. If you are planning for study beyond the current year, fees may vary from those stated.
- There may also be other fees and charges you need to pay.
- International students' tuition fees reflect the full cost of tuition. Domestic students' tuition fees are less due to a proportion of the tuition fees being funded by the New Zealand Government.
- Fees-free study may be available for domestic students
The information on this page was correct at time of publication. For a comprehensive overview of AUT qualifications, please refer to the Academic Calendar.