Physical therapy education varies greatly from country to country. Worldwide, physical therapy training ranges from basic work site education in hospitals and outpatient clinics to professional doctoral degree and masters programs.
Africa North Africa Egypt (Middle East) In Egypt, physical therapy is a vital form of professional patient care that can be applied in most disciplines of medicine. A total of 266 credit hours are to be completed through ten semesters (5 years) before graduation and the study is in English. This is followed by a 12-month internship at the university and other educational hospitals before interns are allowed to register as physical therapists. New applicants are required to have an interview with the college dean.
Physical therapy is taught at the following governmental and private Physical Therapy Faculties: Cairo University, Kafr-Elshakh University, Bni-swaif University, South Valley University, Delta University for Science and Technology, Hours University in Egypt, Misr University for Science and Technology, Egyptian Chinese University, October 6 University, Pharos University, MTI University, BUC University, and Deraya University.
Sub-Saharan Africa Nigeria In Nigeria, Physiotherapy training is a 5-year Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPhysio) or Bachelor of Medical Rehabilitation (BMR) degree programme. A 1-year clinical internship program under the supervision of senior and experienced clinician physiotherapists is required upon graduation from an accredited University before the new graduate can be licensed to practice as a physiotherapist. The first training program in Nigeria was started at the University of Ibadan in 1966, followed by the University of Lagos in 1971. A training program was also started at the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University) in 1978, the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus in 1987, Bayero University, Kano in 1989, University of Maiduguri, Maiduguri in 2003. Other training programs are also available at the University of Maiduguri and the Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi. Advanced Master's and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in physiotherapy (MSc Physio and Ph.D.) are available at the University of Ibadan, the University of Lagos, Obafemi Awolowo University, and the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. Presently, the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (Professional body representing Nigerian physiotherapists) and the Medical Rehabilitation Therapists (Registration) Board (the Government body that regulates the training and practice of rehabilitation therapy professionals in Nigeria) are making plans to transit the Nigerian entry-level Bachelor's programs to entry-level Doctorate programs. Presently the Doctor of Physiotherapy (DPT) entry-level has been approved by the National university commission (NUC) and is expected to commence in Nigerian universities soon.
South Africa
In South Africa physiotherapists are First line practitioners (i.e. health professionals who can autonomously diagnose and treat), can refer patients to medical practitioner specialists and X-Ray imaging and issue a certificate of illness. There are eight schools of physiotherapy, usually attached to the corresponding medical school.
The bachelor's degree (B.PhysT, B.Sc.(Physio) or B.Physio) consists of four years of general practice training, involving all aspects of the discipline. Typically, the first year comprises largely theoretical ("basic sciences") instruction, while the second includes a focus on human anatomy and physiology. Gradually, time spent in supervised practice increases until the fourth year, in which the student generally spends about 80% in practice. In their final year, students are also expected to complete various research projects, which fulfill the requirements of an Honours degree. At the postgraduate level, several of the universities offer course work-based master's degrees (MPhysT, M.Sc. (Physio)) focused on a specific area of practice, and including a "mini-dissertation". Research-based degrees are the M.Sc. and Ph.D. (Physio).
After graduation, professional practice can only be entered into after completing a state-governed, compulsory year of community service. Practicing physiotherapists are also required to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa, the registering body for physiotherapists being the Professional Board for Physiotherapy, Podiatry and Biokinetics. They are often required to be trained in advanced life support for emergencies in their departments and private practices.
Uganda Training physiotherapists in Uganda started in 1972. This three-year diploma course is still running at the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences (previously Mulago Paramedical Training School).
The first degree-level course at a public institution was started at Mbarara University of Science and Technology in 2012.
All graduates need to be registered with the Uganda Allied Health Professionals Council and then can work as autonomous practitioners in both private and government health facilities.
Asia and the Pacific South Asia Bangladesh In Bangladesh, the Bachelor of Science in physiotherapy (BPT) course is provided by the Medicine Faculty of the University of Dhaka, University of Rajshahi, Jashore University of Science and Technology and Gono University.
The BPT curriculum includes Anatomy, Physiology, Biochemistry, Pathology and microbiology, Biomechanics, Radiology and imaging, Orthopedics & Rheumatology, Paediatric, Pharmacology, Neurology, Kinesiology, Electrotherapy, Therapeutic Exercise, Community Medicine, Psychology, Cardiopulmonary, General Surgery, Research Methodology, Geriatric, Psychiatry, Sports Physiotherapy, Orthopedic Medicine, Professional Ethics and Management, Teaching Methodology, Rehabilitation Medicine (Disability & Development), Prosthetics & Orthotic and Research Project. This curriculum has designed so that graduate physiotherapists can practice independently and autonomously in their clinical field.
Physical Therapy or Physiotherapy institutes in Bangladesh: National Institute of Traumatology Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation (NITOR) (government institute) Bangladesh Health Professions Institute (private) State College of Health Sciences (SCHS) (private) The Institute of Health Technology (IHT) – Dhaka (government) Institute of Health Technology (IHT) – Rajshahi (government) Gono Bishwabidyalay (GONO University) (private) SAIC Institute of Medical Technology (SIMT) (private), which provide five years of professional education including a one-year mandatory internship. Daffodil Health Institute (DHI) (private) offers B Sc in Physiotherapy, B Sc in Occupational Therapy and B Sc in Speech and Language Therapy Courses under the University of Dhaka.
Peoples University Of Bangladesh was the pioneer in private sector but they stopped all health Science courses due to some unexpected legal problems.
Two institutes are offering post graduation in Physiotherapy. Gono Bishwabidyalay (GONO University) is offering the only clinical Master of Physiotherapy (MPT) and BHPI is offering a non-clinical postgraduate MSc.Pt.Bangladesh Open University launched Master's of Disability Management and Rehabilitation (M.D.M.R) under the school of Science and Technology in 2018.Bangladesh Physical Therapy Association is the only trade organization of Bangladeshi physical therapists. Another organization recognized under social Ministry is named Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association working as a social welfare organization. Bangladesh Physiotherapy Association received international recognition from WCPT (2007).
Just after liberation war Bangladesh started three-year Physiotherapy Graduation course in 1972. It was initiated by Professor Dr R J Garst first time at National Institute of Traumatology & Orthopaedic and Rehabilitation (NITOR).
In Bangladesh most of the physical therapists are using prefix of Dr and suffix as PT. Bangladesh Government passed "Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council Bill, 2018 in the Jatiya Sangsad.
Bangladesh Rehabilitation Council (BRC) is the government regulatory body for physiotherapy and rehabilitation professionals of Bangladesh. The body regulates and provides registration to professionals, professional education, practice, and services in Bangladesh.
India
In India, universities offer diploma, bachelor's, master's and PhD in physiotherapy. Diploma course is usually three years and the enrollment has reduced since the introduction of Bachelor's in Physiotherapy (BPT) in the early 1990s in India. Most students with diploma has opted for lateral entry to Bachelor programme.
Bachelor in Physiotherapy (BPT) is a four and half year undergraduate program in physiotherapy with six months of mandatory clinical internship, typically conducted on a rotational basis across various medical specialties such as orthopedics, neurology, cardiovascular care, pediatrics, geriatrics, and community health. The BPT curriculum is structured to closely mirror international standards, offering subjects such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pharmacology, and therapeutic exercises, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared to practice both independently and within multidisciplinary teams.
Graduates are trained not only in clinical skills but also in critical thinking and patient management, enabling them to address a wide range of physical ailments. However, due to the absence of a unified National Council overseeing physiotherapy education, there is significant variation in the BPT syllabus across different states in India.
After the graduation Physiotherapist (PTs') could go for further specialization in cardiovascular and pulmonary physiotherapy, Community Physiotherapy, Neurology, Musculoskeletal, Hands, Sports, Obs-Gynaecology, or undertake Research.
PTs in India use the title 'Doctor' and prefix it before their name with a suffix P.T. (Physiotherapist) so as to make their stand clear they are not medicine doctors. However, the use of the title 'Dr' according to the IAP (Indian Association of Physiotherapist) and IACP (Indian Association of Chartered Physiotherapists) is by tradition and convention and is used in the same manner as it is used by the MBBS/MS/BDS/MDS/BHMS/BAMS/BNYS/BUMS degree holders. PTs argue that they are not breaching any law prevailing in India as legally only one who has earned a degree in MD/DM or Phd is justified to use and prefix the 'Doctor' title.
There are well over 250 colleges offering undergraduate program in physiotherapy (BPT) and more than 50 colleges offering masters in Physiotherapy (MPT) with two years' duration. MUHS (Maharashtra) and some other universities in India run a 3-year MPT postgraduate degree. PhD in Physiotherapy is also offered in some selected universities of the states Maharashtra, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu and Delhi.
A.M.U. Aligarh started Diploma in Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation very early but they did not upgrade it yet.
IACP (Indian Association of Chartered Physiotherapists) is providing Post graduation Certificates (Cert.NMD, Cert.SPM) and Diplomas in online and offline modes.
Delhi Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research University offers a bachelors course in Physiotherapy with an annual intake of about 50 students. The university is also equipped with an outpatients department.