Programme Structure

Study Plan

During the three years of the programme, students will learn basic sciences, clinical sciences, and the main approaches used in all areas of physiotherapy interventions necessary to achieve professional independence (functional assessment, definition and measurement of treatment objectives and definition of the physiotherapy programme). Particular attention will be given to approaches supported by scientific studies and modern technologies used in physiotherapy, such as robotics and virtual reality.

• First
• Second
• Third
• Propaedeutics prerequisites

Teaching and assessment methods

The professor in charge of each integrated course selects the assessment method (oral, written and practical examination). For each learning activity, students will receive a certain number of university credits and a grade based on a 30-point scale.

At the end of each academic year the student will have to sit the annual practical training exam, which, if successful, will allow the student to continue to the next course year. The grade of the practical placement is based on a 30-point scale.

ECTS (European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System)

ECTS is the unit of measurement used to determine the study workload, including self-studying, required from the student to perform the learning activities. Each unit corresponds to the standard workload of 25 hours, divided as follows:

1. 10 hours devoted to lectures or equivalent leaning activities; the remaining 15 hours to self-study
2. 15 hours of seminars; the remaining 10 hours dedicated to self-study
3. 15 hours of tutorials and exercises and the remaining 10 hours dedicated to self-study
4. 20 hours of practical placement in care units, outpatient clinics, day hospitals, external rehabilitation services and centres, and national or foreign accredited laboratories, with the remaining 5 hours dedicated to self-study

Core courses

The core courses or teaching activities may be spread over one or more semesters and may include, in addition to lectures and/or seminars, informal teaching situations.

Core courses, even if spread over several semesters and/or taught by several lecturers, will have a single examination with a single grade based on a 30-point scale.

Active learning

The physiotherapy degree programme uses active learning, which integrates lectures with alternative methods that involves the student in his or her own learning process.

These are interactive activities, in small groups of students and coordinated by a tutor, with the aim of facilitating students’ acquisition of knowledge, and technical and behavioural skills.

Learning takes place mainly by analysing problems and developing methodological skills necessary for solving them, in the context of practical exercises and/or by attending clinical departments, outpatient clinics and regional facilities.

Tutor

• Teaching tutors: 2
• Clinical tutors: 43

Exercises

In pairs or small groups, students try out manual techniques for assessing the locomotor system and treating musculoskeletal disorders.

Journal Club

In turns, students present a scientific article in the classroom in the form of a conference-like oral presentation, which answers a question that the students have asked themselves during their clinical placement.

Scientific Activities

As part of their thesis preparation, students will have the opportunity to participate in the scientific work that the movement analysis laboratory conducts independently or in collaboration with the hospital’s units.

Professional Training

The professional training includes workshops dedicated to acquiring professional skills in simulated situations, as well as clinical placements aimed at achieving specific objectives for each course year and carried out under the guidance of experienced physiotherapists.

The practical placement

With an early start, the practical placement begins at the end of the first semester of the first year. It continues over the 3 years of the course with a progressive increase in hours and responsibilities.

At the end of the course, the physiotherapy student will discuss with his/her tutor the results of physiotherapy treatments in the neurological, musculoskeletal and cardiorespiratory fields carried out independently through:

• functional assessment, defining objectives,
• administration of outcome measures,
• setting up the rehabilitation programme.

Workshop

In the movement analysis laboratory, the mechanical and electromyographic variables of motor function are analysed in both healthy subjects and in those with motor pathologies.

1. Scope

This analysis can evaluate biomechanical aspects of movement as well as the effectiveness of certain rehabilitation approaches.

1. Activities

The research conducted at the movement analysis laboratory is also carried out in collaboration with the hospital’s orthopaedic and neurology units.

Elective courses

Electives are educational activities chosen by the student within a range of options. They may be independent or linked to a “homogeneous educational path”, and consist of lectures, conferences, seminars and other international training programmes, interactive courses in small groups, practical placements in research facilities or in particular clinical contexts, summer internships abroad.

Over the three years the student must acquire a total of 6 credits from elective courses.

The assessment of elective courses is not expressed in a numerical grade, but only through the recognition of the corresponding number of credits, subject to verification of course attendance.

Final examination

The final examination, which is a state-qualifying exam for the right to practice as a physiotherapist, consists of:

• drafting a written thesis and its dissertation;
• a demonstration test of practical skills.

In order to be admitted to the final examination, it is necessary to have obtained all the credits from the courses included in the study plan, including those relating to practical placements and seminar activities.

The preparation of the thesis – to be written under the guidance of a supervisor – is awarded 6 ECTS.