Postgraduate Studies in Physiotherapy

The Postgraduate Diploma is offered in Neuromusculoskeletal Physiotherapy (NMS) or in Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy.

Click here for entry requirements and to apply.

Speciality areas:

• Orthopaedic Surgery for Physiotherapists
• Respirology, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery for Physiotherapists
• Community Physiotherapy
• Traumatology
• Neurology and Neurosurgery for Physiotherapists
• Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy
• Paediatrics for Physiotherapists (General or Neurology)
• Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT)
• Physiotherapeutic Musculoskeletal Pain Management

For entry requirements and applications, please click here. 

Duration:

• All courses are done as “block release” modules
• Part-time study only

The MSc by coursework and research report degree can be completed over a period of two years (part-time). New students will be enrolled every second year. Anatomy, physiology and pathology will run in 2024, 2026 and so forth, while the speciality courses will run in 2023, 2025, 2027, and so forth.

The distribution of courses over the two years is:

First year

• Anatomy (general or neuroanatomy)
• Physiology (general or neurophysiology)
• Pathology
• Research methodology and development of a research proposal

Five face-to-face contact weeks consisting of lectures and practicals are spread out throughout the first year. The final examinations are performed over a period of two weeks at the end of the year. Students are also expected to complete a research proposal by the end of the first year.

Second year

In the second year, students enrol for the specialisation course of their choice and complete a research project (research report).

This department offers specialisation coursework in the following areas:

• Orthopaedic Surgery for Physiotherapists: The orthopaedic course consists of generalised and paediatric orthopaedics. Students will study acute orthopaedic management of various conditions - trauma, soft tissue injuries.
• Respirology, Cardiology and Cardiothoracic Surgery for Physiotherapists: This course includes all aspects of respiratory rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, exercise testing and cardiothoracic surgery. This course includes the physiology of mechanical ventilation and treatment of patients in ICU.
• Community Physiotherapy: This course includes community issues, interactions with different levels of health workers, epidemiology, communication, management, cross-cultural issues and primary health care.
• Traumatology: This course covers all aspects of acute multiple trauma, resuscitation, trauma orthopaedics, acute neurology, as well as the rehabilitation process of these patients.
• Neurology and Neurosurgery for Physiotherapists: This course covers neurological rehabilitation outcome measures; motor learning theories and neurodevelopmental theories including their clinical applications; aetiology, epidemiology, pathology, medical management, physiotherapy and interprofessional management of patients with stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, degenerative and demyelinating movement disorders, neurological manifestations of HIV. The course entails guided self-study interlaced with tutorials, assignments, attendance of ward rounds and journal club sessions.
• Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy: This course covers management of injuries from field-side to final rehabilitation, biomechanics, exercise physiology and training, psychology, sports for physically and mentally disabled, nutrition, drugs, exercise in chronic disease, muscle strengthening and flexibility.
• Paediatrics for Physiotherapists (General or Neurology): General - This course covers aspects of paediatric neurology, orthopaedics and respiratory conditions. Neurology - This course covers all aspects of childhood development and neurological problems. 
• Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy (OMT): This course includes the physiology of muscle control and exercise, pain mechanisms, applied biomechanics of the major joints, musculoskeletal conditions and their medical and therapeutic management.
• Physiotherapeutic Musculoskeletal Pain Management: This course covers pain management and includes amongst other topics: neuroscience of acute, chronic and complex pain; pain assessment and pain research;  complex pain pathologies; pharmacology for pain; pain management modalities; interventions and programmes; interdisciplinary pain management; ethical issues underlying pain management and palliative care.

Students are expected to be working clinically in the area of specialty.

Four face-to-face contact weeks consisting of lectures, workshops and clinical exposure are spread out throughout the second year. The final examinations are performed over a period of one week at the end of the year.

Research Project (Research Report):

The research topic has to be presented for departmental approval. After approval of the departmental research committee, the proposal will be presented to the School of Therapeutic Sciences’ assessors. Ethical clearance must also be obtained. All students will be required to attend the research methodology course prior to submitting their research proposals.

80 Hours of service

For students enrolled for an MSc degree, there is a due performance requirement of 80 hours of service to the Physiotherapy Department. These hours are aimed at the development of the student and will be made up (not an exclusive list) by clinical teaching, tutorials or practical teaching in the undergraduate programme, as well as working as a research assistant.  Sports Masters Students will be required to help at sporting events at which the Department offers a service and this is a “Due Performance” requirement. 

These hours will be done over course of study in consultation with the Physiotherapy Department. No remuneration is made for these hours.

Students can register research topics with the department. They will then develop a research proposal and apply for ethical clearance. The research proposal is first presented to the Physiotherapy Department and will, after approval, be submitted to the School of Therapeutic Sciences assessors’ committee.  It is compulsory for students to attend a research methodology course.

80 hours of service

For students enrolled for an MSc degree, there is a due performance requirement of 80 hours of service to the Physiotherapy Department. These hours are aimed at the development of the student and will be made up (not an exclusive list) by clinical teaching, tutorials or practical teaching in the undergraduate programme, as well as working as a research assistant.

These hours will be done over course of study in consultation with the Physiotherapy Department. No remuneration is made for these hours.

Applications

Step 1

If you are interested in pursuing an MSc by dissertation through the Physiotherapy Department of the University of the Witwatersrand, send the required documents (listed below) to Helena.VanAswegen@wits.ac.za (Cc Veronica.Ntsiea@wits.ac.za) by 30 September (for January intake the following year). Under special circumstances, students pursuing an MSc by dissertation will be allowed to apply by 31 March (for July intake of the same year).

The processing of applications is complex and involves input from different parties. Feedback will be provided within 4 to 5 weeks. Await feedback before you formally apply for the degree through the online system.

• Detailed curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter stating:
  1. Why you want to pursue an MSc by dissertation;
  2. Area and number of years of clinical experience;
  3. Relevant postgraduate courses attended;
  4. Content covered in your undergraduate training relevant to area of speciality.

• Concept note - use template  Concept note template
• Reference letter - use template provided  Referee report template

If you hold a foreign qualification, you must submit proof of evaluation of your qualification by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

An interview may be arranged by the potential supervisors should it be deemed necessary

Step 2

Once feedback has been received, you may apply online here or via the course entry here.

Students can register research topics with the department.  They will then develop a research proposal and apply for ethical clearance.  The research proposal is first presented to the Physiotherapy Department and will, after approval, be submitted to the postgraduate committee. 

Students applying for a PhD must have a masters’ degree.

40 hours of service

For students enrolled for PhD degree, there is a due performance requirement of 40 hours of service to the Physiotherapy Department. These hours are aimed at the development of the student and will be made up (not an exclusive list) by clinical teaching, tutorials or practical teaching in the undergraduate programme, as well as working as a research assistant.

These hours will be done over course of study in consultation with the Physiotherapy Department. No remuneration is made for these hours.

Applications

Step 1

If you are interested in pursuing a PhD through the Physiotherapy Department of the University of the Witwatersrand, send the required documents (listed below) to Helena.VanAswegen@wits.ac.za (Cc Veronica.Ntsiea@wits.ac.za) by 31 March (for July intake of the same year) or 30 September (for January intake the following year).  The processing of applications is complex and involves input from different parties. Feedback will be provided within 4 to 5 weeks. Await feedback before you formally apply for the degree through the online system.

• Detailed curriculum vitae
• Motivation letter stating:
  1. Why you want to pursue a PhD;
  2. Area and number of years of clinical experience;
  3. Relevant postgraduate courses attended;
  4. Previous publications or related academic work;
  5. PhD funding opportunities pursued.

• Concept note - use template provided Concept note template
• Reference letter - use template provided Referee report template

If you hold a foreign qualification, you must submit proof of evaluation of your qualification by the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA).

An interview may be arranged by the potential supervisors should it be deemed necessary

Step 2

Log onto the Wits application page at /applications/ and complete the application