Bachelor of Physiotherapy

General academic admission

a) Candidates are required to have:
  i. University Entrance (UE) or equivalent is the minimum requirement to enter the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme. To qualify for University Entrance candidates need NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including:
    (1) 14 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects, and
    (2) Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and
    (3) Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above); or
  ii. A relevant level 4 qualification; or
  iii. Equivalent.

b) Candidates who have studied on a Physiotherapy Degree programme at another institution will need to meet the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme entry requirements or equivalent.

c) Applicants who have completed an approved foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme in Health at Level 4, with 65% or higher in all modules will be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme.

UE 2020

Applicants who achieved University Entrance through NCEA in 2020 will be assessed under separate NZQA entry requirements that take into account the impacts of COVID-19. Candidates are required to have:

• University Entrance (UE) or equivalent is the minimum requirement to enter the Bachelor of Physiotherapy programme.  To qualify for University Entrance candidates NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including:
  • 12 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects; and
  • UE Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and
  • UE Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above).

Special admission

Domestic applicants aged 20 years or above who have not met the General Admission or entry requirements for a programme but whose skills, education or work experience indicate that they have a reasonable chance of success may be eligible for Special Admission. Special Admission will be granted at the discretion of the Head of Physiotherapy/Center Director or designated nominee. Such applicants may be required to successfully complete a foundation, bridging or tertiary introductory programme as a condition of entry into higher-level programmes.

Selection criteria

a) Candidates will be required to provide a record of prior qualifications, employment history, work experience, and one written reference (forms provided) and may be required to attend a selection interview/hui.

b) Selection of students into the programme will be determined on the basis of:
  i. Academic ability, as demonstrated in previous education,
  ii. Community engagement (evidenced by support from their community), and
  iii. Commitment to Māori and Pacific health.

Candidates may also be required to provide additional information and/or attend an interview in order for their application to be assessed.

c) All candidates are required to:
  i. Complete the standard Wintec application form,
  ii. Complete a self-declaration of criminal convictions,
  iii. Complete a self-declaration of mental and physical condition.

d) Candidates are required in their application to indicate whether they have been convicted of, or have been prosecuted for, a criminal offence. Candidates should be aware that, under the Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act 2003 (HPCA Act (2003)), some types of criminal conviction may result in the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand refusing to allow a person to register as a Physiotherapist. Similarly, some types of criminal conviction may result in difficulty to obtain a clinical practice placement and therefore meet the requirements to pass the programme.

e) Candidates are required in their application to indicate whether they have had a mental and/or physical condition that may prevent them entering the Bachelor of Physiotherapy. Candidates should be aware that, under the HPCA Act (2003), some types of physical or mental conditions may result in the Physiotherapy Board of New Zealand being unable to register a person as a Physiotherapist.

Clinical practice requirements

a) Before undertaking clinical practice within the programme, candidates will be required to provide a written health and immunity status assessment from their health practitioner.

b) Candidates must hold a current First Aid Certificate prior to undertaking any clinical practice module in the programme.

Safety check requirements

In order to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children’s Act, 2014 and Child Protection Policies for all ‘specified organisations’ providing a ‘regulated service’, all candidates/students will be subjected to safety checks. These will include, but are not limited to;
  (1) Referee Checks,
  (2) A Police Vet Check,
  (3) A Risk Assessment.

Any unsatisfactory result arising from the full safety checking process may result in the candidate/student being precluded/declined entry or withdrawn from the programme of study. Furthermore, students must declare any pending or new convictions arising during any stage throughout the entire enrolment period. A conviction or failure to declare a conviction may also result in the student being immediately withdrawn from the programme. Persons who are convicted of ‘specified offences’ will not be accepted onto any programme that requires that person to work in an organisation providing a regulated service.

English language requirements

a) Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 7.0 with no individual band score lower than 6.5.