Registration and deadlines bachelor in physiotherapy
Detailed administrative information on the bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy at a glance.
Entry requirements
Applicants who meet the formal entry requirements and have a baccalaureate (Federal Vocational Baccalaureate (FVB) or, Specialised Baccalaureate (FSB) or a Baccalaureate) can register for the aptitude test.
| Completed vocational training | additional module A |
|---|---|
|
FSB in Heath Care FSB in Health and Natural Sciences |
Additional module A – met |
| Other FSB | Additional module A – must be completed |
|
FVB + Federal VET Diploma in Health Care |
Additional module A – to the overview(PDF 84,8 KB) |
|
FVB + other Federal VET Diploma |
Additional module A – must be completed |
|
Swiss Red Cross diploma / degree from a College of Higher Education and Training in health professions |
Additional module A – to the overview(PDF 84,8 KB) |
| Degree from a College of Higher Education and Training in other professional areas according to berufsberatung.ch | Additional module A – must be completed |
| Baccalaureate | Additional module A – must be completed |
Candidates with a professional diploma but no FVB do not meet the school's formal admission requirements. They will first have to complete a Baccalaureate or a FVB (for more information go to the vocational college in your area or a careers advisory service). The Federal Act on Universities of Applied Sciences also stipulates that students must complete a year of practical work experience in their future profession before they can apply for admission to a degree programme. For the bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy, this means that students have to attend additional modules A and C. For more detailed information, see the information sheet “Information on additional modules in BSc Physiotherapy.
It is important to keep in mind that the additional module A must be completed not more than 5 years prior to the time of the start of your studies. If this time is exceeded, the validity of the additional module expires and only the programme director can decide on exceptions to this rule. Federal diplomas do not expire.
Knowledge of English
Applicants need to have a good knowledge of English at level B2-C1 according to the European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which corresponds to a very good Cambridge First Certificate in English (grade A) or a good Certificate in Advanced English (grade C).
Students are expected to read English academic texts (abstracts, reports, studies) and follow the lessons in English.
Students who fail to meet the above basic language requirements are strongly recommended to attend a language course prior to the start or during the course.
Mandatory vaccinations
In preparing for a career in the health professions, follow these general rules. Healthcare professionals in Switzerland are vaccinated against certain diseases (if natural immunity does not already exist).
Certain vaccinations are mandatory for being fully admitted to the degree programme in Physiotherapy at the School of Health Sciences at ZHAW. Students who are not vaccinated may not be guaranteed a degree, since clinical placement providers only accept students with the recommended protective vaccinations.
«The balance between practical work and theoretical knowledge transfer makes the whole study programme very interesting and varied. In this way, the programme fully prepares me for everyday professional life and helps me achieve my goals.»
Christopher Riesen, BSc student in Physiotherapy
Admission procedures
The bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy has only 150 study places available each year. All potential students have to undergo a fee-based aptitude test, which consists of three parts and is used in the final admission decision-making process.
Aptitude test and interview
The evaluation of the formal admission requirements by the Academic Office is followed by a fee-based aptitude test that consists of the following two stages:
- written part: cognition test based on the German Aptitude Test for Medical Students (TMS), but its content is adapted to studies in physiotherapy; text comprehension and interpretation of graphs and tables are tested.
- practical part: participation in a practical test followed by a one-to-one interview
The Academic Office decides on the final approval of candidates based on the results obtained in the aptitude test. If you fail to achieve the minimum score in the aptitude test, you get one more chance to try again.
How to enrol
After having passed the aptitude test, you will receive the documents for enrolment by post from the Programme Secretariat at ZHAW.
«In the degree programme in Physiotherapy I acquire a lot of medical knowledge that I can expand during my clinical placement in close contact with patients. This is the perfect blend in training for my dream profession.»
Anja Ernst, BSc student in Physiotherapy
Course fees / Expenses / Compensation
| Description | Frequency | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Registration fee for admission process [1] | once | CHF 100.– |
| Enrolment fee for Bachelor's and Master's programmes [2] | once | CHF 100.– |
| Tuition fees for Bachelor's and Master's programmes [3] | per semester | CHF 720.– |
| Fixed charge for students on leave of absence [4] | per semester | CHF 300.– |
| Additional tuition fees for students who are not Swiss residents [5] | per semester | CHF 500.– |
| Membership of the Academic Sports Association Zurich (ASVZ) | per semester | CHF 35.– |
| Membership of the ZHAW Students Association (Alias) | per semester | CHF 20.– |
| Fees for guest auditors (depending on the number of courses attended) | per semester | CHF 100.– to 600.– |
[1] Fee according to § 2 ordinance on tuition fees
[2] Applicants are exempt from paying the registration fee for the admissions process if they pass the admissions assessment/test and enrol for the next available programme start date.
[3] According to §4 of the regulations on tuition fees
[4] According to § 25, paragraph 5 of the general examination regulations for Bachelor's and Master's programmes at the ZHAW, students on leave of absence are exempt from paying tuition fees. According to the regulations on fees and contributions (in German), they pay a fixed charge per semester of CHF 300.– to cover their e-mail account, campus card, use of the University Library and general administration costs. This fixed charge also applies to students on the Bachelor’s programmes at the School of Health Sciences who attend the additional module C and to students who do delay the completion of their programme (e.g. by postponing submission of their thesis).
[5] Under Swiss law, non-Swiss nationals who come to Switzerland to study are not considered residents of Switzerland (Art. 23 Swiss Civil Code). In addition to the regular tuition fee, they pay an additional tuition fee of CHF 500.– during the entire duration of their studies (even if they move their official place of residence to Switzerland after commencing their studies). Official residency under civil law is not possible if the residence permit was issued for study/educational purposes.
Additional costs
| Item | Recurrence | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Aptitude test (part 1 CHF 300.-, part 2 CHF 300.-) | one-off expense | CHF 600.- |
| Flat rate for lecture notes | each semester | CHF 35.- |
| Registration of documents with the Swiss Red Cross one-off expense | one-off expense | CHF 130.- |
Salary clinical placements
Over the entire study (4 years) approximately CHF 30,000.-
Notebook computer
All students are required to purchase their own laptop or notebook computer at their own expense. The students' association at ZHAW (VSZHAW) runs Techshop, which offers students notebooks and other items at discounted rates.
«At ZHAW, I am particularly impressed by the right balance between evidence-based knowledge transfer and direct networking with practice.»
Samuel Karrer, BSc student in Physiotherapy
Registration
To enrol in the bachelor degree programme in Physiotherapy, you need to submit the completed registration form (available online as of mid-September) together with all mandatory attachments to the Programme Secretariat in Physiotherapy. Receipt of registration will be confirmed in writing.
The invitation to the first part of the aptitude test will be sent out to all candidates after the registration deadline. Candidates will receive a written invitation to the second part of the test after successful completion of the first part of the aptitude test.
All mandatory registration documents must be submitted to the Programme Secretary by the end of July. Exception is made only for regard to employer's references from practical work experience (additional module A). They must be submitted to the Programme Secretariat in Physiotherapy by the end of August before the beginning of the course.
Additional information
Studying in Switzerland
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
International Studies
Spending a semester or a clinical placement abroad is a priceless experience for any student and offers the opportunity to learn how professions are taught and practised in other countries.
Brochure International Relations
We offer a wide range of courses for international students. Learn more about our international activities in our brochure.
Studying in Switzerland
International Studies
Brochure International Relations
Switzerland supports students from other European countries studying at the ZHAW.
Spending a semester or a clinical placement abroad is a priceless experience for any student and offers the opportunity to learn how professions are taught and practised in other countries.
We offer a wide range of courses for international students. Learn more about our international activities in our brochure.