DE Inhalt
- Which university is the best for physiotherapy studies?
- Study vs. training: dual study in Physiotherapy
- Distance learning: B.Sc. Physiotherapy in just 3 semesters at IU from home
- Studying Osteopathy: All study programmes at a glance
- Physiotherapy from Hamburg to Cologne: The best study cities at a glance
Physiotherapy degree programmes leading to Bachelor's and Master's degrees are designed to improve the salary situation of physiotherapists and to supplement practical knowledge with scientific work, scientific thinking and theoretical knowledge.
A number of private universities offer full-time and dual study programmes in Physiotherapy and Osteopathy in all major cities in Germany. I present all the universities and the degree programmes here.
Overview of all Courses
We have a total of 25 courses in the field of Physiotherapy. The first 20 top courses are displayed. Use the filter function or our search to discover more courses in the field.
- On-campus program
- Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
- 8 Semester
- Idstein, Munich, Frankfurt or Cologne
- German
- Development principles, Body - Corpus I, Diagnostics I, Models of Perception, Scientific Method Competence I, Body - Corpus II, Diagnostics II, Vitality, Pathophysiology and Diagnosis/Therapy, Diagnos…
With this bachelor's degree programme, you will systematically train in the exciting field of osteopathy. Topics of study include, for example, anatomy, physiology, biology, perception, scientific work, clinical reasoning, psychology, and communication skills. The 6th semester is a practical semester where students apply their acquired knowledge in the professional field.
- Distance learning program
- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- 6 Semester
- online
- German
- Foundations of Anatomy I, Foundations of Physiology, General Foundations of Physiotherapeutic Practice, Physiotherapeutic Examination, Assessment, Physical Therapy and Massage Techniques, Legal and So…
The Bachelor's degree program in Physiotherapy at IU International University provides comprehensive knowledge in anatomy, physiology, pathology, and physiotherapy to prepare future physiotherapists optimally for the challenges in the profession. The program includes both theoretical and practical content, with practical projects and internships. Graduates of the program acquire not only a solid academic knowledge but also important practical skills to treat patients effectively and support them in rehabilitation.
Which university is the best for physiotherapy studies?
Physiotherapy is offered as both a Bachelor's degree and a Master's degree at a comparatively large number of private universities. Unfortunately, I cannot answer the question of which university is the best for you at this point, but I will give you some hints on factors that should influence your decision for or against a particular university:
- Where is the location of the university or in which cities are the degree programmes offered? Big cities like Berlin are exciting, but in small towns like Idstein or Gera you can study in a more focused way. Some universities also offer their degree programmes at several locations, such as the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences.
- What does it cost to study? The price naturally plays an important role in the choice of study programme. Financing is easier with dual studies, where the practice partner may pay all or part of the tuition fees.
- What are the contents of study? Get an exact overview of the respective study contents and specialisation options of individual study programmes. If possible, request the module handbook for your degree programme.
Here is a brief profile of the most important universities with Physiotherapy study programmes:
Fresenius University of Applied Sciences: Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences located in Idstein near Wiesbaden in Hesse. The history of the university dates back to 1848. With 12,991 enrolled students in the winter semester 2019/2020, Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is the largest private attendance university in Germany. The university offers Physiotherapy study programmes both as campus study programmes in several cities in Germany and as part-time and dual study programmes. In addition, Osteopathy can also be studied at the university.
SRH University of Applied Health Sciences: The SRH University of Applied Health Sciences is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences located in Gera/Thuringia. The university was founded in 2007, and a total of 1,241 students were enrolled at SRH Gera in the winter semester 2019/2020. In addition to Bachelor's programmes in Ergotherapy and Speech Therapy, the university offers a B.Sc. in Physiotherapy. Special feature: the Bachelor's degree is offered both as a training-integrated and training-accompanying degree programme, as well as full-time.
IU International University of Applied Sciences: IU is a state-recognised, private university of applied sciences based in Erfurt with further campuses in numerous German cities. The university was founded in 1998, and in SS 2023 over 100,000 students were enrolled at IU, predominantly in one of the over 100 distance learning programmes. This makes IU the largest university in Germany. In the field of health & social sciences, IU offers a fast-track Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy, which can be completed in only 3 semesters full-time as a distance or online study programme.
Dresden International University: DIU is an affiliated institute of Dresden University, i.e. a spin-off of Dresden State University. The private university was founded in 2003 as a continuing education university. In the winter semester 2019/2020, a total of 2,189 students were enrolled at DIU. The university offers a dual Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy as well as Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Osteopathy and in Chiropractic.
MSH Medical School Hamburg: MSH is a private, state-recognised university located in Hamburg. It is a university of its own type - the Faculty of Health Sciences and the Faculty of Art, Health and Social Science have the status of a university of applied sciences, while the Faculty of Medicine and the Faculty of Human Sciences have the same status as a university. The university was founded in 2009, and a total of 3,023 students were enrolled at the university in WS 2019/2020. The MSH offers a dual Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy.
University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management Potsdam: The University of Applied Sciences for Sport and Management Potsdam is a private, state-recognised university located in Potsdam near Berlin. The university was founded in 2009, and a total of 272 students were enrolled in the 2019/2020 winter semester. In addition to a degree programme in Health Sports & Prevention, the university also offers a dual Bachelor's degree in Physical Therapy & Health Sports with a specialisation in physiotherapy.
IB University of Health and Social Sciences: The IB University of Applied Sciences is a private, state-recognised university of applied sciences based in Berlin. The university was founded in 2006; in WS 2019/2020, a total of 762 students were enrolled. In addition to degree programmes in Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy, the university also offers a full-time degree programme in Physiotherapy.
Study vs. training: dual study in Physiotherapy
What is actually better: training to become a state-certified physiotherapist or studying at a university? Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage of training is therapeutic practice, which cannot be learned in a degree course. Nevertheless, there are narrow limits to the usual salary of trained physiotherapists.
Advantage of studying: Studying at a university offers the possibility to improve the salary situation. Bachelor's and Master's degree programmes also enrich therapists' practical experience and systematically teach students how to work and think scientifically.
A dual degree offers the best of both worlds: Practical & theoretical knowledge at an academic level. Dual degree programmes in Physiotherapy lead to a dual degree: students earn both state licensure in physiotherapy and a Bachelor's degree.
Here is the range of dual degree programmes in Physiotherapy at a glance:
| Course | University | Study site | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | FHM University of Applied Sciences | Waldshut, Bamberg | 42 Months | ||
| Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | Frankfurt am Main or Munich | 8 Semester | from 26352 € total from 549 € monthly | |
| Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | Dresden International University | Dresden | 8 Semester | from 12720 € total from 265 € monthly from 1590 € Semester fee | |
| Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | Medical School Hamburg | Hamburg | 8 Semester | from 12600 € total from 200 € monthly from 1200 € Semester fee | |
| Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | European University of Applied Sciences | Rostock | 7 Semester | from 16758 € total from 399 € monthly from 2394 € Semester fee | |
| Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | RH Cologne – University of Applied Science | Neuss | 7 Semester | from 10500 € total from 250 € monthly from 1500 € Semester fee | |
| Physical Therapy, Bachelor of Science Dual studies | hochschule 21 - University of Applied Sciences | Buxtehude | 7 Semester | from 18360 € total from 430 € monthly from 2580 € Semester fee |
Distance learning: B.Sc. Physiotherapy in just 3 semesters at IU from home
For some time now, IU International University of Applied Sciences has been offering the Bachelor's distance learning programme in Physiotherapy, which is designed to lead to a Bachelor's degree in just 3 semesters. The study programme is aimed at trained physiotherapists. Through the recognition of the training, you shorten the study time to half the time, i.e. to 3 semesters. Optionally, the study programme can also be completed part-time in 4-6 semesters.
The prerequisite for admission is a higher education entrance qualification such as the Abitur and a completed training as a physiotherapist in accordance with the PhysTh-APrV.
The full-time study programme is structured as follows:
- Semester 1: Health economics, introduction to scientific work, framework conditions of the health market, social history, philosophy, ethics, qualitative research methods, neuro- and pathophysiology in therapy - basics
- Semester 2: Evidence-based practice, Clinical Reasoning, Collaborative working, Law in health care, Neuro- and pathophysiology in therapy - pain, Quality management in health care
- Semester 3: Seminar: Special diseases, Leadership 4.0, Elective subject, Bachelor thesis
During the distance learning programme, students delve into a subject according to their interests. The following modules are available for selection: The therapeutic settlement, Didactics for therapists, Rehabilitation in physiotherapy, Prevention and health in physiotherapy.
Distance learning at IU means that students gain access to IU's online campus upon enrolment and can take their first modules there. There is no compulsory attendance, you work through the learning material using the study scripts, online tutorials and numerous other learning materials. Examinations can be taken at one of the many IU examination centres throughout Germany, or from home in the form of online examinations.
Studying Osteopathy: All study programmes at a glance
Osteopathy is an exciting field of therapy based in particular on the examination of the body through palpation. Study programmes in osteopathy are currently offered by 2 private universities: the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences in Idstein, Munich and Cologne, and the Dresden International University in Berlin and Hamburg.
Here is an example of the study plan for the B.Sc. Osteopathy at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences:
- Semester 1: Developmental principles, body - body I, diagnostics I, models of perception
- Semester 2: Scientific method competence I, body - body II, diagnostics II, vitality
- Semester 3: Pathophysiology and diagnostics/therapy, diagnostics and therapy, palpatory dimension of osteopathic action, findings-oriented action in osteopathy
- Semester 4: Medical integration, models of regulation, visceral osteopathy
- Semester 5: Psychiatric neurology, emergency management, palpatory integration, scientific methodological competence II
- Semester 6: Osteopathic identity and professionalism, framework of professional action, differential diagnostics I, elective area
- Semester 7: Practical clinical training
- Semester 8: Differential Diagnostics II, Therapeutic Process, Bachelor's examination
The sixth semester is a practical semester in which students apply their acquired knowledge in the professional field. The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences works together with various cooperation partners here.
Here are all osteopathy study programmes at private universities at a glance:
| Course | University | Study site | Duration | Fees | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Osteopathy, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | Dresden International University | Berlin, Hamburg | 8 Semester | from 29280 € total from 610 € monthly | |
| Osteopathy, Master of Science On-campus program | Dresden International University | Berlin | 2 Semester | from 5976 € total from 498 € monthly | |
| Osteopathy, Bachelor of Science On-campus program | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | Idstein, Munich, Frankfurt or Cologne | 8 Semester | from 21204 € total from 589 € monthly | |
| Osteopathy, Master of Science Part-time program | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences | Idstein, Cologne, Munich | 3 Semester | from 8550 € total from 475 € monthly |
Physiotherapy from Hamburg to Cologne: The best study cities at a glance
Physiotherapy degree programmes are offered in particular by the larger private universities in all major cities in Germany, but also in smaller towns such as Idstein, Neuss, Buxtehude, Bielefeld, Bamberg and Gera.
Here are the most interesting study cities for Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Physiotherapy at a glance:
| City | Livingcosts | Livingquality | Populationdensity | Universities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Munich | 66.53 | 176.16 | 4,736 | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences |
| Frankfurt/Main | 59.05 | 172.67 | 3,067 | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences |
| Hamburg | 56.32 | 162.48 | 2,447 | MSH Medical School Hamburg |
| Heidelberg | 55.11 | - | 1,484 | SRH University Heidelberg |
| Berlin | 54.18 | 160.49 | 4,115 | IB University of Health and Social Sciences |
| Cologne | 52.94 | 158.48 | 2,686 | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences |
| Dresden | 47.30 | - | 1,695 | Dresden International University |
| Idstein | - | - | 314 | Fresenius University of Applied Sciences |
About the Author Christian Wolf
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