Advance your physiotherapy practice through flexible, research-led postgraduate study designed for clinicians who want to make a bigger impact.
Why study postgraduate Physiotherapy?
Postgraduate physiotherapy builds on your clinical experience and helps you take the next step in your professional journey. At Otago you’ll explore advanced rehabilitation, movement science and service delivery, with options that let you specialise or shift direction.
You can choose coursework that strengthens your clinical reasoning or undertake research that asks deeper questions about practice, community needs and long-term outcomes. You’ll learn from researchers active in musculoskeletal health, pain, neurorehabilitation and physical activity, and study alongside peers committed to evidence-based care.
Many programmes are offered by distance, so you can continue working while you learn. Whether your goal is to specialise, lead service improvement or move into research, postgraduate physiotherapy gives you the clarity, capability and confidence to grow.
Career opportunities
Postgraduate study strengthens your ability to take on specialised or more advanced roles in clinical, academic, or community settings. Depending on your pathway, you could move into areas such as:
- Specialist clinical practice
- Clinical education in tertiary settings
- Research positions in universities or rehabilitation centres
- Programme development or service improvement
- Advisory positions in the wider health sector
What it’s like to study at this level
You’ll engage in small classes, online modules and occasional residential courses that help you connect with staff and peers. Coursework pathways focus on applied skills, reflection and advanced clinical reasoning, while research programmes pair you with supervisors from the Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research.
Throughout your study you’ll explore ideas that challenge assumptions, strengthen decision-making and support innovative, patient-centred practice.
This is for you if ...
You’re a registered physiotherapist with an Annual Practising Certificate and you’re ready to expand your scope, take on new responsibilities or explore research. Curiosity, reflective thinking and the ability to balance study with professional work will help you get the most from the programme.
Are you just starting uni?
Learn about studying Physiotherapy as an undergraduate at Otago.
Blend flexible delivery with research-driven learning
Otago’s School of Physiotherapy combines strong research capability with deep clinical expertise. Our programmes are supported by the Centre for Health, Activity, and Rehabilitation Research, a hub for studies in areas such as musculoskeletal health, neurorehabilitation, balance, and community-based activity.
You’ll have access to purpose-built laboratories, including our balance and vestibular research facility, and you will work with academic staff who are recognised for their leadership in physiotherapy research. Whether you study on campus or by distance, you join a welcoming community committed to advancing rehabilitation and improving health outcomes.
Choose a study option
Whether you are advancing your career with our specialised graduate qualifications or pursuing in-depth research and expertise through our postgraduate programmes, Otago is here to support your aspirations.
Postgraduate qualifications
Honours, masters’, PhDs, and other advanced degrees for graduates. Just one additional year of study will earn you a valuable postgraduate degree. Or perhaps you want the depth of a full year of research-only time during a master’s or to step up to a PhD.
Postgraduate Certificate in Physiotherapy (PGCertPhty)
A coursework programme for registered physiotherapists that can be completed with full-time or part-time study, and by distance or on campus in Dunedin
Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty)
A one-year full-time (or longer part-time) coursework programme with a strong clinical emphasis for NZ-registered physiotherapists
Master of Physiotherapy (MPhty)
A one- or two-year postgraduate degree encompassing coursework and/or research for registered physiotherapists seeking the prerequisites for specialisation
Ready to apply?
Take your expertise to the next level with advanced study.
Papers
View a list of all related papers below.
PHTY papers
| Paper Code | Year | Title | Points | Teaching period |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PHTY250 | 2026 | Anatomy (for BPhty) | 26 points | Full Year |
| PHTY251 | 2026 | Physiology (for BPhty) | 17 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY254 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Science 1 | 48 points | Full Year |
| PHTY255 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 1 | 17 points | Full Year |
| PHTY256 | 2026 | Physical Activity for Physiotherapy Practice | 12 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY353 | 2026 | Pathology (for BPhty) | 15 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY354 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Science 2 | 70 points | Full Year |
| PHTY355 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 2 | 35 points | Full Year |
| PHTY455 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 3 | 24 points | Full Year (26 January 2026 - 6 November 2026), 4th Non standard period (20 July 2026 - 11 September 2026), 5th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 30 |
| PHTY456 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 4 | 24 points | Full Year (26 January 2026 - 6 November 2026), 4th Non standard period (20 July 2026 - 11 September 2026), 5th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 30 |
| PHTY457 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 5 | 24 points | Full Year (26 January 2026 - 6 November 2026), 4th Non standard period (20 July 2026 - 11 September 2026), 5th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 30 |
| PHTY458 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice 6 | 24 points | Full Year (26 January 2026 - 6 November 2026), 4th Non standard period (20 July 2026 - 11 September 2026), 5th Non standard period (14 September 2026 - 30 |
| PHTY459 | 2026 | Research for Physiotherapy | 24 points | Full Year (26 January 2026 - 6 November 2026), 1st Non standard period (26 January 2026 - 27 March 2026), 1st Non standard period (26 January 2026 - 27 March |
| PHTY468 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Clinical Practice for Honours | 90 points | Full Year (26 January 2026 - 6 November 2026) |
| PHTY469 | 2026 | Physiotherapy Research for Honours | 30 points | Full Year (26 January 2026 - 6 November 2026) |
| PHTY501 | 2026 | Biomedical Science in Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY530 | 2026 | Theoretical Constructs in Clinical Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY535 | 2026 | Advanced Physiotherapy Management | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY539 | 2026 | Occupational Health Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY542 | 2026 | Sports Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY543 | 2026 | Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY545 | 2026 | Advanced Studies in Physiotherapy | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| PHTY561 | 2026 | Clinical Practice | 30 points | Semester 2 |
| PHTY610 | 2026 | Research Methods | 30 points | Semester 1 |
| PHTY650 | 2026 | Research Project | 30 points | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
Contacts
School of Physiotherapy
Email physio.academic@otago.ac.nz
Web otago.ac.nz/physio
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Regulations on this page are taken from the 2026 Calendar and supplementary material.
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