Registration and deadlines for the MSc in Physiotherapy
Detailed administrative information on the Master’s degree programme in Physiotherapy at a glance.
Target Audience and Entry Requirements
The Master’s degree programme in physiotherapy is suitable for physiotherapists who wish to broaden their knowledge and skills in the clinical and scientific fields in order to qualify as a physiotherapy expert or take a position in professional development, research, or teaching.
Entry requirements
To be eligible, applicants need a BSc in Physiotherapy from a Swiss or foreign university with at least 180 ECTS credits and a licence to practice or a recognised, equivalent degree in physiotherapy (physiotherapy diploma, subsequent title acquisition and proof of knowledge of scientific work worth 5 ECTS credits).
In Switzerland, the requirements for a licence to practice vary depending on the university of applied sciences and may include the following:
- BFH: successful completion of BSc degree programme and the subsequent Module B.
- HES-SO: successful completion of BSc degree programme
- SUPSI: successful completion of BSc degree programme
- ZHAW: successful completion of BSc degree programme and Module C
Applicants need a very good command of English and German: The recommendation is for English language skills at level B2 and German language skills at level C1 for applicants whose native language is not German. Formal proof of English is not required. International applicants whose native language is not German must provide proof of B2 German at the time of application.
Professional activity: Students are recommended to have a part-time job on 1.5 to 3 days a week. You do not need to demonstrate professional experience in the area you choose as your specialisation, but access to patients in your chosen specialisation must be guaranteed while you are enrolled in the programme.
Admission documents from applicants with a foreign diploma are examined individually in an equivalency procedure. After your admission documents have been reviewed, you will receive an invitation to take the entrance examination (fee-based) to verify your professional aptitude.
Individual Study Counselling
Are you interested in a Master of Science in Physiotherapy? What is the best path for you? How can you combine the MSc programme with your work life? What can you expect from a Master of Science in Physiotherapy? What opportunities does this degree open up for you?
We are happy to advise you, free of charge and without obligation.
Registration for the MSc in Physiotherapy
On the registration platform, you can register online for the Master’s programme in Physiotherapy. You will be guided through the application, admission, and enrolment process.
Further details about the online registration process
"In the MSc programme, we are often confronted with complex problems and are given the tools to assess them ourselves and develop possible solutions. A Master’s degree will open up a wide range of career prospects for me. For example, I hope to work in research."
Dominik Kunz, MSc in Physiotherapy student, Musculoskeletal Science
Costs and Charges
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Entrance examination to verify professional aptitude | one-off expense | CHF 200 |
| Lecture notes | each semester | CHF 25 |
| Registration of documents with the Swiss Red Cross | one-off expense | CHF 130 |
| Fee for the optional OMT-title in the musculoskeletal focus area | one-off expense | CHF 1’350.- |
| Additional study-specific expenses for learning material. |
Notebook Computer
You will need to buy your own notebook computer for your studies. The specifications will be provided to you before you start. ZHAW can help you purchase a notebook. As you start your studies, you will be informed about how to configure your notebook. You can establish a secure connection to ZHAW via an unsecured Internet connection using a virtual private network (VPN). This will enable you to use the university IT infrastructure at any time.
"Our physio team welcomes the professional and organizational expertise of physiotherapists with an MSc degree. They support the implementation of new findings and act as a link to our research departments. They can take on a specialist role or be responsible for a process and thus actively participate in the quality process for the benefit of our patients."
Christina Gruber, Head of Physiotherapy, Balgrist University Hospital
Deadlines
- Registration deadline: 29.9.2024 - 30.4.2025
- Entrance examination for professional aptitude: ongoing
- Mandatory introduction day: September, calendar week 37
- Start of the course: September, calendar week 38
- Study day: usually on Wednesday/Thursday
- Duration of study: six semesters of part-time study
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.