Fontys University of Applied Sciences

Bachelor in Physiotherapy

Year 1

In the first year, your study weeks are divided as follows:

• 16 hours of lessons (approx. 40% practical lessons)
• 4 hours project work
• 16 hours self-study

In the first year, you will learn how your body functions by studying subjects such as anatomy, physiology and neurology. Furthermore, you will learn about physiotherapeutic treatments: how you deal with people and how you implement this when you're treating them. During the practical lessons, you practice these skills on real patients and on your fellow students.

Study advice

At the latest at the end of the first year (propaedeutic phase), all the first-year students receive study advice: a decision about the continuation of their studies. Students who do not achieve the required number of study points may get a dismissal notification from the university. This dismissal is binding. In the second year, during the practical lessons, you apply the knowledge you acquired. Halfway through the second year, you chose a speciality theme; that means that starting from the third year, you approach your studies in a more specific way. The speciality themes are:

• Enabling People with Technology
• Value-Based Healthcare
• Empowering Healthy Behaviour

Internship

The first-year internship is mainly about orientation on the future profession and self-reflection.

You gain practical experience by working in various institutions, such as independent clinics, general hospitals or other institutions (such as a nursing home, a rehabilitation centre or a psychiatric hospital).

Going abroad

The physiotherapy programme also enables you to do your internship abroad. Fontys has excellent contact with a large number of clinics/institutions in the Netherlands and abroad and can help you find a suitable internship or workplace. And that is to your benefit because nowadays employers consider it increasingly important to see international experience on your CV.

Starting from the third year, you start working within your speciality theme, which you have selected halfway through your second year.

You do an internship of 10 weeks and choose a minor, for example, a speciality minor within the speciality theme you have selected. That way you focus on a single speciality in healthcare and you become a specialist in that area. This enables you to develop into a healthcare professional in the future and you also build a wide network in the field.

The speciality minors are:

• Exploring Health Behaviour
• MADE for Allied Healthcare (Measurement, Analysis, Design & Exploration for Allied Healthcare)
• Healthcare on the Move: time for a new outlook! (NEW MINOR)
• Thinking Differently, Doing Differently; practical care innovation with practice (NEW MINOR)

The speciality minors during your study

Of course, you can also choose to do your minor at another university, abroad or in another study programme of Fontys. You can also do your internship abroad.

In the fourth year, you do an internship of 20 weeks. Furthermore, this year is focused on graduating. You choose a final thesis within the speciality theme that you selected. After completing your studies, you are ready to start working as a professional in your professional field.

Most graduates find a job within one year.

Year 2

During the second year, you’ll need to incorporate more independence into your studies. However, you’ll be provided with advice
and recommendations when it comes to making your choices. You’ll also choose one of the three focus programmes and a Minor, which you’ll follow in the third year.

Years 3 & 4

During the third and fourth years, you’ll become increasingly independent about your work. You’ll follow a Minor and choose one of the three focus programmes: Healthcare, Self-Management, or Interprofessional Collaboration. You’ll also engage in an extensive internship during these final years.

It is possible to do internships abroad. Fontys has excellent partnerships with a large number of practical institutions both within the Netherlands and abroad, so we can assist you in finding a suitable internship and/or work placement.

Summary

Year 1 and 2:

Short internship as an introduction to physiotherapy and part of the module “personal and Professional Development”.

Year 3:

Track A: First semester a 10-week internship combined with the 10-week module “specialisms within physiotherapy”. Second-semester minor.
Track B: First-semester minor. Second semester a 10-week internship combined with the 10-week module “specialisms within physiotherapy”.

Year 4:

Graduation phase, a combination of graduation internship and research project.

What are you going to learn

This is a four-year program. Approximately half of the study time will involve self-study, either at home or at school. The other half of the study time will be dedicated to lectures and practical lessons. The lectures will cover the theory. During the practical classes, you’ll develop physiotherapy skills, such as massage therapy and movement therapy. The medical practical sessions will teach you about the structure and functioning of your own body. Even if you have a perfect command of the theory, your social skills will be just as important for the effective practice of your profession. This is why we devote a great deal of attention to practical training during your studies.

What does a typical study week look like

• You’ll attend classes for 16 hours a week, alongside 4 hours of project work and approximately 16 hours of self-study.
• The course program is divided into 40% theory, 40% practical work, and 20% independent learning.
• One academic year is made up of 4 periods, each lasting 10 weeks.

After the successful completion of your studies, you’ll find that there are many opportunities available for pursuing a career as a physiotherapist. You may choose to work at a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation centre, a school for disabled children, or at a physiotherapy practice. You may want to start your own practice. The profession of physiotherapy is under development within the preventive sector. You could work for a company, at a fitness centre, or for a sporting association.

The degree programme Bachelor Physiotherapy at Fontys Allied Health Professions is of EQF level 6 according to the Dublin descriptors bachelor level. To get your Physiotherapy degree qualified please contact the official qualification agency of the country you want to work.