Updated November 23, 2022
Physiotherapy Courses are the branch of paramedical programs that are concerned with the treatment, prevention, habilitation, and rehabilitation of individuals suffering from injuries, illness, and disabilities without any surgical operation.
Moreover, these programs are designed to produce a competent professional who can deal with physically and mentally impaired individuals and work on their rehabilitation, injury prevention, and health and fitness. This Physiotherapy course is very critical in various sectors, including defenses, sports, fitness institutes, rehabilitation centers, to mention a few.
Physiotherapy, also called Physical Therapy, is one of the allied health professions and is regarded as the old science that uses physical activities to alleviate pain, restore functioning, and improve a patient’s potential. It is one of the popular medical courses in India that provides a promising career.
The candidates can pursue various physiotherapy courses right after their intermediate examination. The courses are available at different levels such as Certificate, Diploma, Under-graduate, and Post-graduate. Some of the standard Physiotherapy courses pursued by candidates at the UG Level are Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT), B.Sc. Physiotherapy, Diploma in Physiotherapy, etc.
What is Physiotherapy?
Physiotherapy is a discipline of science that is concerned with clinical practices and primary treatment to physically and mentally challenged and injured individuals. Physiotherapy treatment is carried through physical forces such as heat, electricity, mechanical pressure, and mechanical forces. These treatments are provided to maximize the physical potential of a person suffering from injuries, illness, and disabilities. It is provided by a physiotherapist, a health care professional. They are concerned with identifying and maximizing a person’s quality of life and movement by promotion, prevention, intervention/treatment, habilitation, and rehabilitation service. After evaluation and review, they provide the patients with a holistic approach that supports and informs their practices and delivery.
Physiotherapy Courses in India
Physiotherapy courses are career-oriented programs that prepare students to work as health-care professional in the specialized field. It also offers several opportunities to the highly enthusiastic students in variety of sectors in the same field. In India, aspirants some time could not find the right choice of career options, inspite of having numerous courses. Here, we have listed down some physiotherapy courses that you can choose from-
Bachelor Courses- Physiotherapy Course After 12th
There are numerous physiotherapy courses that a student can choose from. Suppose you have completed your intermediate education and wanted to step into the medical field apart from considering your career in MBBS and BDS. In that case, it is one of the best career options. These courses require some essential qualifications. Some of Bachelor of Courses are-
(a) Bachelor in Physiotherapy (BPT)
Bachelor in Physiotherapy or BPT is an undergraduate program that deals with the science of physical movement and provides the knowledge of how to alleviate pain, prevent injuries and disabilities, and maximize the potential of physical movement. In the course, students are provided a thorough understanding and knowledge of human anatomy and the intricacies of bones, muscles, and nerves. It is a four-year course along with 6 months internship. Aspirants eyeing their career in Physio can avail this course.
(b) Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy (B.Sc. in Physiotherapy)
Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy or B.Sc. in Physiotherapy is 3 year-long undergraduate course providing various methods of physiotherapy to the students for treating injuries and disabilities. The students looking forward to this field can choose this course. Through the course, students learn various skills and knowledge to treat a variety of impediments faced by the patients. In this course, the students learn various non-surgical treatment methods to maximize the physical potential of the patients. Some of the core skills imparted in the B.Sc. in Physiotherapy course are therapeutic exercise, manual therapy, and the application of electro-physical modalities.
(c) Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant
B.Sc. Physician Assistant or Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant is an undergraduate medical course that offers a various understanding of impairments and disabilities of the patients. It is a 3-year medical field course for aspirants eyeing a career as a physician assistant. A Physician Assistant is a qualified and skilled health care professional that provides diagnostic, therapeutic, and preventive healthcare services to patients under the guidance of specialized doctors. Physician Assistant provides extreme care to the patients in every medical and surgical treatment. Notwithstanding, they also treat minor injuries patients. Bachelor of Science in Physician Assistant student undergoes training in anatomy, physiology, organic chemistry, and psychology.
(d) Bachelor in Rehabilitation Therapy
Bachelor of Rehabilitation Therapy is an undergraduate program and is one of the Physiotherapy courses that provide complete understanding to the students regarding patients’ illness and physical impairments. In the course, students learn a variety of methods to resume an active and sound lifestyle. Rehabilitation Therapy refers to a treatment that promotes the patient to come back into his pre-illness condition and lead and healthy lifestyle. It is one of the popular courses all over the world. Children to old people suffer from some illnesses and injuries that restrict them from living a full-fledged lifestyle; Rehabilitation Therapy helps them resume a healthy and active lifestyle as soon as possible.
(e) Bachelor of Occupational Therapy
Bachelor of Occupational Therapy is a 4-5 year undergraduate course designed to produce efficient Occupational Therapists who can help treat physically or mentally challenged people. They are responsible for conducting treatment so that the patients can enjoy their life without any hindrance. It offers enough opportunities in various sectors like Rehabilitation Centers, Multi-Specialty Hospitals, Private Practice/Private clinics, Mental Hospitals, Geriatric homes/ Old age Homes, and many more.
Eligibility for Bachelor Courses in Physical Therapy
To be eligible for admission to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy, the candidates must satisfy the criteria and requirements set by the authorities in charge. Candidates who do not meet the standards cannot get admission to the institute. It is important to note that the criteria for admission could differ from institution to institution. Candidates must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified by the institute in question.
(a) In order to apply Bachelor of Physical therapy, candidates should have passed Intermediate or 10+2 with a minimum of 50 percent marks from any recognized institute.
(b) You must have completed your higher secondary examination or 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects.
(c) Also, if it is required you will have to qualify entrance exams for the admission to Bachelor of Physiotherapy programmes.
(d) Some universities provide admission to the BPT course, only when students qualified the entrance exams of respective universities. Some of these entrance examinations are CET, JIPMER all India entrance test, Guru Govind Indraprastha University Physiotherapy entrance exam, etc.
(e) However, students can apply for Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy on the basis of merit in class 1 board exams. There is no entrance exam for admission to Bachelor of Science programmes in this field.
(f) Along with these, students will require a basic requirement of having passed in English
(g) Candidates should have completed the age of 17 years at the time of admission.
Diploma Courses- Physiotherapy Course After 12th
Here are some of the Diploma Level Physiotherapy courses-
(a) Diploma in Physiotherapy
Diploma in Physiotherapy is a 2 year-long undergraduate level diploma course in medical nursing that produces competent professionals who will work to reduce patients’ functional limitations. It is a popular course that deals with Physiotherapy and its allied healthcare areas. This course has been designed to produce skilled and qualified professionals who will be competent enough to carry out the tasks to resume the active and sound lifestyle of the patients. Aspirants can get into this field right after completing their 12th or Higher Secondary Education with basic requirements.
(b) Diploma in Physiotherapy Technician
Diploma in Physiotherapy Technician is an undergraduate level diploma course for students interested in treating patients with some physical impairment and resuming their everyday lifestyle. Students have various job opportunities in variety of sectors, including Health Institutions, Defence Medical Organizations, Orthopaedic Departments, the Pharma Industry, and after competition of DPT Course. The average placement package offered to DPT holders usually ranges between INR 2 to 5 lacs per annum.
Eligibility for Diploma in Physiotherapy Courses after 12th
Candidates must satisfy the criteria and requirements set by the institutions to get admission to the Diploma in Physiotherapy Courses. Candidates who do not meet the required standards, they cannot get admission to the institution. It is important to note that the criteria for admission could differ from institution to institution. Candidates must satisfy the eligibility requirements specified by the institute. Among them are-
(a) In order to be eligible to get admission to the Diploma in Physiotherapy Course, candidates must have completed their 10+2 level examination with a minimum score of 50% in science.
(b) Candidates must have secured atleast 50% marks in the qualifying exam with compulsory subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology, and/or Mathematics.
(c) Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD could get 5% relaxation in their marks.
(d) A few of the college’s candidates also need to appear for the entrance exam.
Post Graduate Courses- Physiotherapy Course After Graduation
(a) Masters in Physiotherapy
Masters in Physiotherapy is a 2-year post-graduate program that provides skills and knowledge of how to use and adjust treatment plans according to the specific need of patients. This can be obtained after completing the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course. It is one of the most sought-after physiotherapy courses in India. This program offers considerable pay, i.e., the average fees range between INR 35,000-INR 50,000. This course provides a variety of specializations that can be chosen from, including Sports, Musculoskeletal, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, Neurology, and Cardiopulmonary Physiotherapy, to mention a few. List of Master’s in Physical Therapy Specializations are as-
- MPT Cardio-respiratory Course
- MPT Neurology Course
- MPT Sports Physiotherapy
- Master of Physiotherapy in Urology and Obstetrics
- Master of Physiotherapy in Pediatrics
- Master of Physiotherapy in Neurology
- Master of Physiotherapy in Neuro-Physiotherapy
- Master of Physiotherapy in Musculoskeletal
- Master of Physiotherapy in Hand Conditions
- Master of Physiotherapy in Community Physiotherapy
Eligibility for PG Level Physiotherapy Course
Students pursue Post-graduate level physiotherapy courses to widen their career prospects or get a salary raise. To get admission in physiotherapy course, candidates would have to fulfill some essential criteria and requirements. Some of them are-
(a) The candidates would have to secure 50% marks in the Bachelor of Physical Therapy (BPT).
(b) Candidates belonging to SC/ST/PwD could get 5% relaxation in their marks.
(b) If it is required, the candidates would have to clear the entrance exam to grab a seat in the interested universities. Some of entrance exams include All India Post Physiotherapy Entrance Test, (CET) Common Entrance Test for Master’s courses, JIPMER All India Entrance Exam, NEET PG, AIAHCET, CMC Vellore Test, St. John’s Entrance Test, Jamia Hamdard Entrance Test, to name a few.
PG Diploma in Physiotherapy Courses
(a) PG Diploma in Physiotherapy
The Postgraduate Diploma in Physiotherapy (PGDipPhty) is intended to increase an aspirant’s expertise, knowledge, and skills who works in a specific field of physiotherapy with a program of study. It offers various specialized courses, including Neuro-rehabilitation, Orthopaedic Manipulative Therapy, Sports Physiotherapy, and many more. It has a solid clinical emphasis to serve the stated needs of the profession. Every program helps the students enhance their ability to critically examine current practice and apply this knowledge appropriately to assess and manage client requirements. The program also aims to provide students with the ability to aid in the continual improvement of physiotherapy management that is effective.
(b) PG Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy
The Post Graduate Diploma in Sports Physiotherapy is a program designed to produce a professional who will work on the fitness of athletes. This professional is called Sports Physiotherapist. Through the course, they impart on the skills and understanding required for the prevention and treatment of injuries which is occurred to athletes in a team environment. It is one of the most demanding specialized courses in India. It is so because a sports physiotherapist is required in every team who will provide treatments to the athletes depending on the therapeutic requirements. A Sport Physiotherapist plays a vital role in the sports team which makes them to uphold a prestigious spot in the organization.
Doctorate in Physiotherapy Course
PhD. in Physiotherapy is 3 years doctorate program which needs a master’s degree in the specialized field to sit in the entrance exam. Apart from that students must have completed their master’s degree with minimum 50% to 45% marks from a recognized university. On getting PhD. in Physiotherapy, they can join research programs, Lecturer, Therapist, etc. Notwithstanding, graduates are given numerous positions in Osteopath Lecturer Researcher, Therapy Manager Research Assistant, Customer Care Assistant, Assistant Physiotherapist, Sports Physio Rehabilitator, and more. It offers numerous career options to the students with considerable annual salary.
Top colleges offering Physiotherapy Courses
(a) College of Physiotherapy, NIMS University, Jaipur
(b) Jamia Millia Islamia [JMI], Jamia Nagar, Delhi
(c) KGMU – King George’s Medical University, Lucknow
(d) CT University (CTU), Ludhiana
(e) Chandigarh University (CU), Chandigarh
(f) Parul University, Vadodara
(g) Apex University, Jaipur
(h) Jamia Hamdard, Hamdard Nagar, Delhi
(i) NIMS – Nizam’s Institute of Medical Sciences, Panjagutta, Hyderabad
(j) Usha Martin University, Ranchi
(k) University of Mumbai [MU], Fort, Mumbai
(l) Dr. M.G.R. Educational and Research Institute, Maduravoyal, Chennai