Studying physical therapy

Studying physical therapy is for those who are interested in a diverse and rewarding career that includes work on prevention, training, health promotion, rehabilitation, and manual therapy for people, whether they are healthy, sick, or disabled.

Physiotherapy studies are both theoretical and practical and emphasize professionalism, theory, and scientific methods. In order to gain the right to work as a physiotherapist, one must complete a three-year BS and a two-year MS program.

Part of the program takes place in rehabilitation centers, physical therapy clinics, healthcare institutions, and hospitals, where students treat clients under the supervision of experienced physical therapists.

A limited number of students are admitted to the program each year, and entrance exams take place at the beginning of the summer each year.

Physiotherapy studies abroad

We advise those who choose to study physical therapy (e.g. physical therapy / physiotherapy) abroad and aspire to work in Iceland to choose a school that offers a program that is comparable to that taught at the University of Iceland in terms of both the length of the program, number of credits, and content.

In some countries, a two-year MS program is offered, followed by a 3-year BS program, similar to the Physical Therapy Program at the University of Iceland. In the United States, physical therapists graduate from a DPT program (doctor of physical therapy) which takes 3 years and is in addition to a BS program that serves as a foundation for studies in physical therapy (e.g. anatomy, physiology or rehabilitation science). In many parts of Europe, physical therapy is at the BS level, and it is important to choose a school where the BS program is 4 years (240 ECTS, sometimes called BS honors).

In all cases (4-year BS, MS or DPT), it is important to compare the content of the study abroad with the study in Iceland each time (see information in the University of Iceland course catalog).