Physiotherapist BSc

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Gothenburg

Program Overview

The 3-year, 180-credit Physiotherapy Programme at the University of Gothenburg’s Sahlgrenska Academy is designed for students who want to understand human movement, health and rehabilitation and learn how physical activity can prevent and treat illness or injury. The programme combines medical sciences, practical physiotherapy skills, person-centred care and scientific thinking, preparing graduates for professional physiotherapy practice as well as advanced study and research. The programme is taught in Swedish.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Foundations of the Human Body and Physiotherapy
Students begin with the scientific foundations of physiotherapy while developing an understanding of movement, health and person-centred care. Courses include Physiotherapy – Introductory Course: Body, Movement and Health (15 credits), Anatomy (10.5 credits), Physiology (7.5 credits) and later Applied Psychology, the Movement System and Exercise Physiology, helping students connect how the body works with movement, exercise and health promotion.

Year 2 – Clinical Reasoning and Rehabilitation
The second year moves toward more complex assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, with Physiotherapy – Intermediate Course I (18 credits), Medical Subjects (13.5 credits) and Physiotherapy – Intermediate Course II (16.5 credits). Students integrate physiotherapy with orthopaedics, neurology, rehabilitation medicine, internal medicine, surgery, rheumatology and geriatrics, while clinical placement education begins from Semester 3.

Year 3 – Advanced Practice and Research
In the final year, students become increasingly independent in clinical decision-making through courses such as Scientific Methods in Physiotherapy (7.5 credits), Clinical Placement in Physiotherapy (9 credits) and Degree Project in Physiotherapy (15 credits). Students also study professional development, communication and interprofessional teamwork while continuing clinical placements and completing an independent scientific research project.

Focus areas: Human movement and function; rehabilitation; exercise and physical activity; orthopaedics; neurology; sports medicine; cardiovascular and respiratory health; pain; mental health; women’s health; rheumatology; ageing; person-centred care; health promotion; clinical reasoning.

Learning outcomes: Assess human movement and function; plan and deliver evidence-based physiotherapy interventions; promote health and prevent disability; communicate with and educate patients; work effectively in multidisciplinary healthcare teams; critically evaluate scientific evidence; and provide professional, ethical and person-centred care.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The programme leads to both a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy and a Degree of Bachelor of Medical Science with a major in Physiotherapy. The qualification provides the academic basis for graduates to apply to the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) for the professional licence required to practise as a physiotherapist in Sweden.

Reputation: The programme is delivered by Sahlgrenska Academy, within a university with a strong international research profile. In the University of Gothenburg’s current official ranking summary, the university is #202 in the QS World University Rankings 2026, #208 in THE World University Rankings 2026, and #50 in the QS Sustainability Rankings 2026.

Official programme: University of Gothenburg – Physiotherapy Programme

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Practical learning is a major part of this degree, with students moving from classroom-based skills training into real healthcare environments. Clinical placement education (VFU) begins in Semester 3 and continues through Semester 6, giving students more than 20 weeks of clinical experience in settings where physiotherapists work. Students can work with their own patients under the supervision of licensed physiotherapists while developing clinical reasoning, treatment planning and teamwork skills.

Students also learn through lectures, seminars, group assignments, practical workshops, skills groups, online learning and portfolio activities, creating a strong link between scientific theory and professional practice:

Clinical placements (VFU): More than 20 weeks of practical education across hospitals, primary healthcare, rehabilitation services and municipal healthcare in Västra Götaland and Halland.
Real patient experience: During VFU, students undertake patient-related work under the supervision of licensed physiotherapists.
Clinical Skills Centre (CSC): Students have access to a simulated healthcare environment containing physiotherapy rooms, care rooms, an emergency room, CPR room and dedicated self-training rooms for practical skills development.
Interprofessional learning: Students train alongside future nurses, occupational therapists, social workers and dietitians, developing the teamwork skills required in modern healthcare.
Group and practical learning: Teaching includes skills groups, seminars, group assignments and workshops, rather than relying only on lectures.
Digital learning: The official programme plan includes online/network-based learning and portfolio work; some courses may include online teaching requiring a computer, webcam and internet connection.
International clinical experience: Students may complete part of their clinical placement abroad when placements are available through partner agreements; the programme currently lists Vrije Universiteit Brussel in Belgium as a partner.
Research environment: The Department of Health and Rehabilitation combines physiotherapy education with active research in rehabilitation, movement, health and participation, giving students exposure to an academic environment that also supports postgraduate research.

Facilities: Sahlgrenska Academy – Clinical Skills Centre

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates are prepared to work with health promotion, treatment and rehabilitation across healthcare and related settings. The university states that qualified physiotherapists are highly sought after in the labour market, with opportunities both in Sweden and internationally because Swedish physiotherapy is internationally recognised.

Typical roles can include Hospital Physiotherapist, Primary-Care Physiotherapist, Rehabilitation Physiotherapist, and Occupational Health/Wellness Physiotherapist:

Strong clinical preparation: More than 20 weeks of VFU gives students direct experience in hospitals, primary care and municipal healthcare before graduation.
Healthcare partnerships: Clinical education is delivered across healthcare organisations within Västra Götaland Region and Region Halland, under the supervision of practising physiotherapists.
Employment support: University of Gothenburg students can use the university’s Ad Portal, where companies, organisations and public-sector employers advertise part-time jobs, placements, degree projects and thesis opportunities.
Professional licence pathway: After completing the degree, graduates can apply for Swedish professional physiotherapist licensure, giving the qualification clear long-term professional value.
Career settings: Graduates can work in healthcare as well as occupational healthcare, wellness/health promotion and educational settings.
International opportunities: The programme states that Swedish physiotherapy is internationally recognised and can provide opportunities to work abroad, subject to the licensing requirements of the destination country.
Employment/salary data: The university describes demand for physiotherapists as very strong, but does not publish a specific graduate employment percentage or starting-salary figure for this programme, so no unofficial figures have been added.

Further Academic Progression: After the bachelor’s degree, students can continue to advanced-level physiotherapy studies leading toward a one-year Magister or Master’s degree, and potentially progress into specialist or doctoral-level education. The University of Gothenburg also offers second-cycle physiotherapy study and research opportunities; the programme notes that a Magister degree is required when applying for specialist qualification in physiotherapy and for entry to doctoral education.

Official programme: University of Gothenburg – Physiotherapy Programme