Bachelors in Physiotherapy

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Florence

Program Overview

The Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy at the University of Florence is a three-year, 180-CFU programme designed for students who want to understand how the human body moves and how physiotherapy can help people recover after injury, illness or disability. The course combines biomedical sciences with hands-on rehabilitation training, giving students experience across areas such as musculoskeletal, neurological, cardiorespiratory and age-related physiotherapy.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
The first year focuses on building a strong understanding of the human body and the foundations of physiotherapy. Students study subjects such as Human Anatomy and Histology, Human Physiology and Science of Movement, while also developing communication, safety and basic clinical skills. Students begin practical training early, completing around 400 hours of professional activities during the year.

Year 2:
In the second year, students move into more specialised clinical and rehabilitation topics. Modules such as Disorders of the Locomotor System, Neurologic and Psychiatric Sciences, and Physiotherapy Sciences and Techniques help students understand how different conditions affect movement and function. Students also study Research Methodology and complete around 524 hours of clinical training, gaining experience with rehabilitation approaches such as Bobath, PNF, McKenzie and Maitland techniques.

Year 3:
The final year prepares students to manage more complex rehabilitation needs and take greater responsibility in clinical settings. Students study areas such as Neurological Rehabilitation, Cardiological and Respiratory Rehabilitation, and Geriatric and Orthopaedic Rehabilitation and Physiotherapy. They also complete around 675 hours of internship training, applying their knowledge to real rehabilitation cases before completing the final examination.

Focus areas: Musculoskeletal rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation, cardiorespiratory rehabilitation, orthopaedic and geriatric physiotherapy, therapeutic exercise, functional assessment, manual therapy, prevention and evidence-based practice.

Learning outcomes: Students learn how to assess movement and functional problems, identify rehabilitation needs, develop personalised treatment plans, monitor patient progress and use scientific evidence to support clinical decisions.

Professional alignment: The programme belongs to the Italian L/SNT2 Health Professions in Rehabilitation degree class and qualifies graduates to work professionally as physiotherapists in Italy.

Reputation: The University of Florence is a well-established public university with a strong international academic profile. In the QS World University Rankings 2027, it was ranked 409th globally, with improving performance in employer reputation and graduate employment outcomes.

Official programme link:
https://www.fisioterapia.unifi.it/index.php?module=CMpro&func=viewpage&pageid=140&newlang=eng

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Practical learning is a major part of the Physiotherapy programme at the University of Florence. Students start developing hands-on skills from the first year and gradually move into more complex clinical situations, working with patients who have neurological, musculoskeletal, respiratory, cardiovascular and developmental conditions.

Clinical training becomes more intensive each year, with around 400 hours in Year 1, 524 hours in Year 2 and 675 hours in Year 3. Students develop their practical skills through a range of experiences:

Clinical placements: Students complete placements in healthcare organisations connected with the programme, allowing them to experience real physiotherapy practice.
Hospital and community rehabilitation: Placements can include both hospital-based and community physiotherapy services, helping students understand different types of patient care.
Simulation and practical training: Students practise assessment and rehabilitation techniques before applying them in clinical environments.
Manual therapy techniques: Training includes approaches such as Bobath, PNF, McKenzie and Maitland, alongside other physiotherapy techniques.
Patient assessment: Students learn to assess joint movement, muscle strength, posture, balance, gait and overall physical function.
Specialist rehabilitation: Final-year training includes neurological, orthopaedic, cardiovascular, respiratory and developmental rehabilitation.
Hands-on clinical skills: Students practise patient positioning, transfers, monitoring vital signs and other practical rehabilitation procedures.
Research skills: Students learn how to use resources such as PubMed and other evidence-based databases to find and evaluate scientific research.
Group projects: Students work together on physiotherapy-related topics, analyse research and present their findings.
Teaching locations: The programme has teaching and training activities across Florence, Empoli and Pistoia.
International opportunities: Students may also take part in Erasmus+ study or traineeship opportunities abroad, subject to university arrangements.

Facilities and teaching locations:
https://www.fisioterapia.unifi.it/vp-143-teaching-sites-and-learning-facilities.html

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to work as qualified physiotherapists in a wide range of healthcare and rehabilitation environments. By the end of the programme, students have developed the clinical, communication and decision-making skills needed to work independently while also collaborating with doctors and other healthcare professionals.

Typical career options include Physiotherapist, Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Neurological Rehabilitation Physiotherapist and Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapist. Graduates may work in:

Hospitals and rehabilitation centres
Private physiotherapy clinics
Community healthcare services
Sports and rehabilitation facilities
Residential and elderly-care settings
Independent/private practice

The University of Florence also supports students as they move into employment:

Career support: The university's Career Guidance and Placement Service offers help with CVs, cover letters, interview preparation and career planning.
Employer events: Students and graduates can attend career fairs, workshops and employer networking activities.
Job opportunities: The university shares vacancies from companies, healthcare organisations, institutions and professional bodies.
Strong clinical preparation: Students graduate with substantial practical experience, including a 675-hour final-year internship.
Professional qualification: The degree qualifies graduates to enter the physiotherapy profession in Italy, subject to the relevant professional registration requirements.
Graduate reputation: The University of Florence performs strongly in employer-reputation and employment-outcome indicators within international rankings.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the bachelor’s degree, students can continue into postgraduate study in rehabilitation sciences, healthcare or related specialist areas. The University of Florence also offers master's programmes, advanced professional courses, continuing education and research pathways for graduates who want to deepen their expertise or move into teaching, research or specialist clinical practice.

Official programme link:
https://www.fisioterapia.unifi.it/index.php?module=CMpro&func=viewpage&pageid=140&newlang=eng