Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences
Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Key Information
Campus location
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
1 year
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
Request info
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
Introduction
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences
Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences Musculoskeletal disorders generally lead to pain and restricted mobility. They are the leading cause for functional disabilities and physiotherapy treatment.
Scientific research on musculoskeletal health and clinical treatment has increased exponentially over the last 15 years. By learning to conduct clinical research yourself, as a clinician or therapist you will better understand and value the possibilities, limitations, and results of scientific evidence from clinical research as well as its translation into clinical practice.
In this one-year Master's programme, you will receive theoretical education within the context of clinical challenges on musculoskeletal disorders and physiotherapy, as well as skills in clinical experimental data collection, data analyses and research methodology.
This master is unique in its multidisciplinary focus on both clinical experimental research (e.g., underlying mechanisms of pain or pathophysiology) and applied studies (like virtual reality or eHealth interventions).
To follow this programme, a background with skills in clinical reasoning is needed and a pre-master is not required. The programme is fully in English and can be followed in part-time.
In this Master's programme, you will learn how to conduct high-quality research in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy, from searching for theoretical evidence of clinical problems to translating knowledge into clinical solutions. You will apply pre-clinical and innovative research methods in a lab environment, and put the knowledge and skills you acquire to use in your own clinical research project.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
With our own scholarship, the VU Fellowship Programme (VUFP), we offer highly motivated students with excellent study results the unique oppurtunity to pursue a Master’s degree with financial support provided by the university. The VUFP scholarship is a tuition fee waiver. The Holland Scholarship Programme (HSP) is meant for students from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) who want to follow a Master’s programme in the Netherlands. VU Amsterdam embraces diversity as an enrichment to our teaching, research and our contribution to society. This scholarship is specifically intended for excellent students who contribute to the diversity at our campus. As an international student planning to study at VU Amsterdam, you can apply for a variety of grants and bursaries
Curriculum
This Master's programme is unique in its multidisciplinary focus on clinical experimental research in musculoskeletal physiotherapy.
The programme has close connections with the Master's programme in Human Movement Sciences, but differs mainly in its focus and approach of addressing musculoskeletal problems from a clinical and applied perspective.
It offers you the necessary scientific expertise, grounded in an academic attitude and skills, to advance physiotherapy practice.
The Master's programme in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences is a one-year, full-time programme. It is also possible to do the programme part-time. The programme is taught in English.
Dynamic teaching methods
In this programme, we use various teaching methods such as lectures, practicals, workgroups, seminars and directed self-guided learning. We also apply blended learning by combining on-site and online teaching. This makes the programme and your learning dynamic. The different formats enhance your theoretical knowledge and research skills, and integrate those within the context of practical problems related to physiotherapy.
Programme credits
This Master's programme consists of 60 EC. In the first semester, you will take 6 required courses (each 6 EC), in which you will acquire in-depth knowledge of physiotherapy, develop scientific skills, and apply methodology regarding data acquisition and analyses. During the second semester, you will take elective courses related to research skills and methods (generally 3 EC) and conduct your individual research project (24 EC).
Individual research project
During the programme, you will conduct a five-month substantial individual research project. This project can be conducted within the labs of our own faculty or in a clinical practice, such as one that is part of the VU Science Network. You can also choose to conduct your research project abroad. Regardless of where you decide to conduct your internship, you will be supervised by an experienced member of our academic staff.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of the programme, you can use your scientific perspective and training to join or return to clinical practice.
Your degree will enable you to work as an academically trained scientist/therapist, pursue a scientific career in physiotherapy sciences, become a teacher in higher (physiotherapy) education, or can make you a more competitive candidate for senior and leadership positions.