Degree Programme in Physiotherapy

Degree: Bachelor of Health Care and Social Services, Physiotherapist
Extent: 210 ECTS cr, 3.5 years
First-preference applicants / intake 2011: 398/40
Intake 2012: 40

Are you interested in promoting wellness and functional ability, as well as in working in a people-oriented field? The Degree Programme in Physiotherapy provides you with the competence needed in expert tasks related to locomotion, function and rehabilitation. In your work you will promote the health and locomotion, functional and work ability of different-aged people, of diverse fitness levels, in their own environments.

Content of Studies

The focal areas of the Degree Programme in Physiotherapy are physical activity and health, the promotion of function, and orientation to the working and operating environment of the physiotherapist. You can study, for example, the structure and functioning of the human body, the promotion and training of locomotion and functional ability, and the guidance and teaching of people of different functional ability.

About 1/3 of the programme consists of supervised practical training in the field and in projects. You can also familiarize yourself with entrepreneurship or develop R&D competence as part of the programme.

A personal study plan will be created for each student at the beginning of the programme. It facilitates the building of an individually designed career path. Potential prior competence is taken into consideration on creating the personal study plan.

Implementation of Studies

The study approach is practical and workplace-oriented. Studying is mainly action-based and collaborative learning of knowledge and skills. You will also learn to utilize the theoretical knowledge available in different sources, and how to apply it to practice.

The programme includes four practical training periods, which will introduce you to physiotherapy associated with functional restrictions. The periods will be implemented in hospitals, health centres, enterprises, rehabilitation centres and special schools.

Part of the studies can be completed abroad through study or practical training in one of the unit’s nine partner institutions. The most popular exchange destinations in 2007 were Spain, the Netherlands and Taiwan.

Bachelor’s theses are often assigned by JAMK’s working life partners, or they can constitute part of a project. The purpose of the thesis is to enhance your ability to develop the field.

Eligibility Criteria

The successful completion of the programme, as well as physiotherapy practice itself, call for the ability for independent work. In addition, problem-solving skills, interaction and cooperation skills, and the ability to develop one’s work are required. Language skills are also necessary, as part of the learning material is in English.

Employment Prospects

Physiotherapists work with different-aged people of diverse levels of functional ability, either in the public or the private sector.
Physiotherapists work e.g. in

• hospitals
• health centres
• research and rehabilitation institutes
• occupational health care
• sports or disability organizations
• municipal educational or sports departments
• old people’s homes
• nursery schools

The employment rate of the programme’s graduates is good.

Admission Criteria and Applying

You can apply for admission if you have completed general upper secondary education, the matriculation examination or if you have a vocational qualification. If you will graduate during the spring in which you are submitting your application, please refer to your latest school certificate in your application.

The application period is in the spring. Further information on applying and on the admission criteria is available in the Applicant's Guides and in the Admissions Office.

Eligibility for Further Studies

After graduation as a physiotherapist you can continue your studies at a university of applied sciences. With three years of work experience you can apply for admission to a master’s programme of the field. You can complete professional specialization studies or continuing education while working. If you are planning a teaching career, you can apply for admission to the Teacher Education College.

Those with a Master’s degree at a university of applied sciences are eligible for university postgraduate education. The university in question will decide separately in each case on the admission criteria.

Further Information on the Programme

Mirja Immonen, Head of Department +358 40 547 8949
Pirjo Hynynen, Senior Lecturer, +358 400 989 469
firstname.lastname@jamk.fi
JAMK, School of Health and Social Studies

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Curriculum