Bachelor in Physiotherapy

Introduction

The International programme, fully taught in English, is accessible to foreign students from any country. The programme has a duration of four years and is identical to the four-year programme in Dutch except for the language. Graduates obtain the Dutch diploma and are presented with a Bachelor degree in physiotherapy.

Physiotherapy is a varied and interesting profession. Looking at the number of possibilities you will meet many types of patients and just as many different diseases, all needing their own type of therapy. Most physiotherapists are enterprising, sportive and energetic persons. They have wide interests and strong social skills. They like working with people and are not afraid of touching them. They are disciplined, systematic, and medical subjects appeal to them. They don’t want to do just mental labour and like working with their hands.

The department of physiotherapy has had a high standard for internationalisation for over 10 years. This shows amongst others in the presence of many foreign students, foreign projects, in which both Dutch as well as foreign students participate, but also through the way Saxion designed her education of physiotherapy according to international measures. Besides that there are large foreign networks and agreements with international partners where we see the exchange of both students and teachers. Internationalisation is also an important issue in research projects. All of this contributes to an international development of the profession.

Course content

Skills:

• Exercise therapy
• Technical applications
• Massage therapy
• Orthopedic assessment
• Neurologic assessment
• Interpersonal skills

Theory:

• Anatomy
• Pathology
• Physiology
• Applied physical sciences

Clinical affiliation
The clinical education, which covers approximately one of the four years, can be done in one of several countries. The school has developed an extensive network of affiliated clinical sites in Norway, Germany and the Netherlands.

Minor
During the main phase of your education, you are given the opportunity to participate in a Minor education programme, which is a half year part of the curriculum. This Minor is called the ‘Master Class Physiotherapy’ and includes the following courses:

• manuel therapy treatment forms
• massage therapy treatment forms
• physiotechnique treatment forms
• pelvic floor therapy
• motor learning
• advanced shoulder, neck and arm diagnostics
• psychosomatic and other unexplainable complaints

Additional courses offered:

• S.E.T. courses
• Taping course

Specific requirements

Senior secondary school (biology and/or physics are recommended). In addition, you need a good understanding of English in reading, writing and speaking.

For Norwegian students an average of 3.8 is recommended.
For Irish students 450 points are required.

Career prospects

After graduation the physiotherapist can work in several settings such as, rehabilitation centres, nursing homes, private practices, hospitals and work related health care institutes.