Physiotherapist
Help people recover movement after injury, surgery or illness, in hospitals, sports settings and private practice.
What the job involves
- Assess movement problems and design rehabilitation programmes.
- Treat patients with exercise, manual therapy and education.
- Work with doctors, sports teams and occupational therapists.
School subjects you need
Pure Mathematics required. If you take Mathematical Literacy in Grade 10, this career is normally closed to you at degree level.
- Mathematics
- Physical Sciences
- Life Sciences
- English
- Life Orientation
Marks you normally need
- Minimum NSC pass
- Bachelor's pass
- Indicative APS
- Roughly 32–38
- Subject percentages institutions look for
- Mathematics: 55–65%+
- Physical Sciences: 55–65%+
- Life Sciences: 55–65%+
These are indicative ranges for guidance only. Every university, university of technology and TVET college sets its own admission requirements — check the current prospectus of the institution you are applying to.
Study routes
- BSc Physiotherapy4 years
Followed by one year community service and HPCSA registration.
What you could earn
- Entry level
- R25 000 – R35 000 per month
- Mid-career
- R35 000 – R55 000 per month
- Senior
- R60 000+ per month (private practice varies with patient volume)
Indicative gross monthly ranges from public South African salary sources. They vary by employer, province and experience, and are not guarantees. Compare all careers.
Where you can study this
Public institutions that commonly offer this field. Confirm the exact programme, its minimum APS and the closing date on the institution's own admissions page.
- University of Cape TownUCT · Cape Town
- University of the WitwatersrandWits · Johannesburg
- Stellenbosch UniversitySU · Stellenbosch
- University of PretoriaUP · Pretoria
- University of KwaZulu-NatalUKZN · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- University of JohannesburgUJ · Johannesburg
- North-West UniversityNWU · Potchefstroom, Mahikeng and Vanderbijlpark
- University of the Free StateUFS · Bloemfontein
- University of the Western CapeUWC · Bellville, Cape Town
- Rhodes UniversityRhodes · Makhanda
- Nelson Mandela UniversityNMU · Gqeberha
- University of Fort HareUFH · Alice and East London
- University of LimpopoUL · Mankweng, Polokwane
- University of VendaUniven · Thohoyandou
- University of ZululandUniZulu · KwaDlangezwa, Richards Bay
- Walter Sisulu UniversityWSU · Mthatha, East London, Butterworth, Komani
- Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences UniversitySMU · Ga-Rankuwa, Pretoria
- University of South AfricaUnisa · Distance learning, head office in Pretoria
- Cape Peninsula University of TechnologyCPUT · Cape Town and Bellville
- Durban University of TechnologyDUT · Durban and Pietermaritzburg
- Tshwane University of TechnologyTUT · Pretoria and surrounding campuses
- Central University of TechnologyCUT · Bloemfontein and Welkom
Official sources
Questions learners ask
Isifinyezo / Opsomming
isiZulu: Usiza abantu ukuthi babuyele ekuhambeni ngemva kokulimala. Kudinga izifundo zesayensi.
Afrikaans: Help mense herstel na beserings. Wiskunde en die wetenskapvakke is nodig.