Melbourne School of Health Sciences Physiotherapy

Overseas Study/ Exchange Opportunities

About Overseas Study

As part of its commitment to internationalisation, The School of Physiotherapy at The University of Melbourne encourages its students to undertake studies at selected international universities. The University of Melbourne has exchange agreements with institutions in the United States, Canada, Japan, Korea, Sweden and many other countries.

Students in the Bachelor of Physiotherapy may apply for a six month or one year exchange with an approved overseas institution. Credit will be granted for studies undertaken overseas.

There are two main ways to study overseas as part of your Melbourne degree, as an Exchange student or as a Study Abroad student. On either program you may receive credit or fulfil degree requirements. 

Further Information:

What Our Students Say

David Beakley
Study Abroad to Canada

I had always wanted to travel overseas and the opportunity to do it while studying seemed like a great way to experience another country.  My most memorable experience would definitely be the friends that I have made from all over the world.  I chose Canada because I've always liked their lifestyle, their landscape and scenery continually amazes me and I love the outdoors.  They have a well-respected program that fitted in well with the semester I missed back home, and the university had been highly recommended to me by Melbourne University staff members.  I would definitely recommend it (Study Abroad) to all physio students.  Travelling really makes you reflect on your experiences and gives you a greater drive towards achieving your goals.

Ben Gold
Study Abroad to Canada

I had been studying in Melbourne for 5 years and really needed a change of scenery. Every day was an experience for me - new challenges, meeting interesting people and seeing beautiful scenery.  I would definitely recommend this to other physio students.  The whole experience taught me to really value what we have at home - the quality of life, food, places to go out and the people we interact with every day. It taught me to become more independent. It taught me that getting back to nature is an unbelievable experience that most of us take for granted.

Hanna Sistek
Exchange Student from Sweden

I've always wanted to go abroad, I love to experience new things and I wanted to improve my English.  I'm also interested in working abroad eventually, so this was a great way of learning all the medical terms I needed for physio work.

Generally it is a bit more expensive to study abroad but this is well invested money. You'll get an experience that will last you for life, and meet great people as well as a different culture and language.

At Melbourne Uni I learned plenty of new assessment and treatment methods that we don't use in Sweden. I got a broader perspective of how things can be done differently. I will have more experience than my fellow students at home, and this will help me a great deal in my work. I will be a better physio than if I didn't go abroad.

Jenny Harryson
Exchange Student from Uppsala University, Sweden

I wanted to see what the education was like in Australia because I would like to work in Australia as a physiotherapist. Also, I have heard it is one of the best physiotherapy educations in the world.

I would advise any students interested in studying Physiotherapy abroad to prepare themselves, before commencing. Ask the physiotherapy staff for some schooling material, manuals etc. that they are going to use. (It is good to know what year they will commence) Make sure they get over there in time to get organized with accommodation and stuff.

From my experience I learnt how different the physiotherapy education can be between countries and how physiotherapists in Australia work.


 

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