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Student experience
Overview
As a Doctor of Physiotherapy student, you will be a part of an active and energetic cohort of peers. Your interest in the human body and its abilities will be shared and supported by a diverse group of fellow students with a wide range of backgrounds, education and experiences.
As a student, you will experience the inner workings of the clinical schools and world-renowned facilities of the Melbourne medical precinct. Throughout your training, you will have access to unrivalled opportunities across a range of specialist areas such as cardio respiratory, paediatrics, musculo-skeletal and neurological physiotherapy practice.
While a Doctor of Physiotherapy student, you will learn contemporary practices from world-class staff and researchers, and harness the University’s innovative teaching styles. As a graduate, you will be well equipped with a degree that places you in the top echelon of physiotherapists in Australia.
The day-to-day experience
Throughout your three years of study, you will spend time both on and off campus (completing clinical rotations with our partners, learning directly from experienced practitioners and leading researchers in your field.
As you move between campus life to clinical rotations, you will regularly be exposed to a range of diverse practice areas. This will allow you to expand your knowledge of the skills required to excel in the field, both from an academic and industry standpoint.
Learning mode
Research and evidence-based learning will direct you throughout the program. With a mix of individual and group assessments, written and oral presentations, and skills-based assessments, your learning will focus on developing both the breadth and depth of your knowledge in this field of study.
Opportunities
Throughout the program, you can partake in clinical and research opportunities that will enhance your overall learning experience and increase your professional skills.
If you have hospital work in mind, cardio-respiratory components and other dedicated areas in physiotherapy are offered throughout clinical practice rotations. This assists graduates to enter the industry who are well equipped to handle the rigours that medical professionals face.
This degree is focused on providing you with as much private practice experience as possible. With this significant exposure, you will have the opportunity to develop a better understanding of what future path may best suit you.
With developments in indigenous, mental and remedial health, the University of Melbourne is proactively devising more ways to get its medical and health students in front of increasingly complex patients. Students who take advantage of these opportunities are more prepared to deliver effective care in a smarter way.
Read about Kimberly's experience below:
Kimberly Chian
I wanted to pursue a career in Physiotherapy because I enjoyed the physical and hands-on aspect of helping people achieve functional independence. A major aspect of the Doctor of Physiotherapy course is the wide range of opportunities for clinical placements in leading facilities which consolidates theoretical knowledge.
I had always been interested in Health Sciences and was thrilled that the Melbourne Model allowed me to explore other options in undergraduate study while meeting the prerequisites for the Doctor of Physiotherapy course.
I liked the practical classes and anatomy labs that allowed me to improve my manual physiotherapy skills and consolidate my learning. These classes also allowed me to foster great friendships within the small cohort.
I really enjoyed the opportunity to go on clinical placements in different healthcare settings and being to apply theoretical and practical knowledge learnt in classes to clinical situations. The academic content delivered is extensive and comprehensive, including the latest evidence from research, delivered by experts in the physiotherapy field.
I have developed team-based skills and effective communication through patient-therapist roleplay, presentations and group projects. Importantly, I have also refined my skills in critically appraising scientific evidence and applying it to practice when I am on clinical placements.
Knowing that I am capable of making a huge impact in people’s lives inspires me to grow as a person. This is represented throughout my university experience through physiotherapy encounters while on placements, and also through my interactions with my friends and peers on the course.