Advanced clinical knowledge and practical skills for assessments of and interventions on the spine and extremities are covered in the focus area Musculoskeletal. Special topics of musculoskeletal physiotherapy (for example: headache, dizziness, chronic pain) and manipulation of the spine and extremities are taught during the studies. Additionally, an overview of the diagnostics of related fields and broad information on biomechanics and motion analysis is given.

The musculoskeletal focus area includes the option of acquiring the title of "manual therapist PT OMTsvomp®", recognised by the IFOMPT (International Federation of Orthopaedic Manipulative Physical Therapists), in addition to the MSc degree.

The focus area Physical Activity (PA) provides in-depth theoretical knowledge and teaches practical skill sets to use in assessments, training techniques and interventions for promoting physical activity and specific exercise, as well as techniques in effective communication, how to motivate and change activity patterns. In this focus area, the physiotherapist’s role is that of a physical activity expert and provider of specific exercise for patients with chronic illnesses and those who are healthy. During the course programme, students acquire advanced skills in developing and implementing interventions, and analyzing behavior and social conditions within the context of prevention.

The focus area modules and subjects are complemented by higher-level content from biomechanics and movement analysis, as well as modules on advanced practice.

Paediatrics focusses on advanced clinical knowledge and practical skills in the diagnosis and therapy of children from neonatal age to adolescence. It deals with motor learning in children, developmental psychology, pedagogy, and didactics, along with the international classification of functional ability, disability, and health of children and adolescents (ICF-CY).

The focus of the assessments and interventions in paediatrics is on pathologies of the musculoskeletal system, internal organs, neuromotor, and sensory functions. The programme also deals with other specialist topics (e.g., cystic fibrosis, tumours, plexus paresis, and burns), paediatric rehabilitation and aids, as well as child abuse and child protection. These areas of competence are supplemented with broad professional knowledge in the fields of biomechanics and motion analysis.

In this focus area, students acquire advanced clinical knowledge and practical skills to look after athletes in training, help them prepare for competitions, and treat and prevent injuries. The program provides the advanced skills necessary for sports rehabilitation, the care and treatment of top athletes, and first aid for sports injuries both in general and related to high-performance sports. In addition, students gain extensive professional knowledge in the areas of training theory and performance diagnostics, sports medicine and nutrition, sports psychology, biomechanics, and motion analysis.

Classes are practice-orientated and take place in Winterthur at our cooperation partner, WIN4. This centre offers comprehensive facilities in the fields of sport, health, training, and events. As well as a seminar room, state-of-the-art training equipment is available for rehabilitation and training purposes, in particular for strength, speed, endurance, and coordination.

The curriculum follows the guidelines of the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy (IFSPT). Students who complete the MSc programme with this specialisation will be entitled to register with the IFSPT.

In this focus area, students acquire advanced knowledge and skills related to the challenges of the health care system that qualify them for activities in research and teaching as well as for the new and advanced activities in a clinical setting. They focus on the implementation of research results in practice, chronic care management, communications, and patient education. The role and application of new technologies are also important issues in this area of physiotherapy. Selected physiotherapeutic approaches to treat the musculoskeletal system, inner organs, and the vessels, as well as neurology and geriatrics, are examined and discussed regarding current evidence and relevance to practice. Biometrics and motion analysis and control are also covered.