SOMT University of Physiotherapy

Amersfoort, Netherlands

SOMT University of Physiotherapy is a specialized higher-education institution in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, focused exclusively on physiotherapy, human movement, rehabilitation, and related healthcare education and research.
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Tuition Fees, Cost of Living & Accommodation at SOMT University of Physiotherapy

Bachelors

  • € 13386

Masters

  • € 23745

SOMT University of Physiotherapy Departments

  • Department of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Sciences
  • Department of Manual Therapy
  • Department of Sports Physical Therapy
  • Department of Pelvic Physical Therapy
  • Department of Physiotherapy in Geriatrics
  • Department of Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
  • Department of Orofacial Physical Therapy
  • Department of Research & Innovation
  • Department of Continuing Professional Education

Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of SOMT University of Physiotherapy

The Unique Selling Proposition (USP) of SOMT University of Physiotherapy is its highly specialized focus on physiotherapy and rehabilitation, combined with university-level scientific education and intensive practical training. SOMT offers the only university-level Bachelor’s programme in Physiotherapy in the Netherlands, providing students with both academic research skills and professional physiotherapy competencies.

A key strength is its small-scale, personalized learning environment, where students receive close guidance from experienced physiotherapists, researchers, and clinical specialists. Teaching integrates evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning, research, movement science, and hands-on skills training through skills laboratories, research facilities, and a digital 3D dissection table.

Another distinctive feature is the connection with Maastricht University: graduates of the Bachelor's programme have direct progression to the Master of Human Movement Sciences, Physiotherapy specialization, at Maastricht University. SOMT also offers specialized Master's programmes in areas such as manual therapy, sports physiotherapy, pelvic physiotherapy, geriatrics, musculoskeletal ultrasound, and orofacial physiotherapy, allowing professionals to develop advanced clinical expertise. 

 

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Infrastructure & Facilities at SOMT University of Physiotherapy

SOMT University of Physiotherapy has a modern, specialized infrastructure designed specifically for physiotherapy education, clinical skills training, and applied research. Its main campus is located at Softwareweg 5 in Amersfoort, close to Amersfoort Schothorst railway station. The campus provides modern classrooms, practical teaching spaces, skills laboratories, research facilities, study areas, free Wi-Fi, and a dedicated training room for developing physiotherapy skills. Students also have access to a digital 3D dissection table, which supports detailed and lifelike anatomy education.

The campus infrastructure is designed around SOMT's small-scale, practice-oriented learning model, allowing students to combine lectures and tutorials with hands-on training, research projects, and clinical placements. The skills labs support motor learning and clinical practice, while the research facilities are used for biomechanical and evidence-based research. SOMT's infrastructure also supports postgraduate specialist training, with dedicated practical spaces for areas such as pelvic physiotherapy. 

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SOMT University of Physiotherapy Student Life

Student life at SOMT University of Physiotherapy is characterized by a small-scale, international, and practice-oriented environment where students interact closely with lecturers and classmates. The university's Bachelor programme combines lectures, tutorials, practical skills sessions, research, and project-based learning, with students typically spending around three fixed days per week on campus.

Outside academics, students can enjoy life in Amersfoort, a compact and historic Dutch city with cafés, restaurants, shops, festivals, cinemas, sports facilities, and cultural events. The city centre is easily accessible by bicycle, while larger cities such as Utrecht and Amsterdam can be reached conveniently by train.

SOMT also promotes an international student experience. Students can undertake a three-month internship abroad during the third year, with previous placements including hospitals and physiotherapy clinics in England, Switzerland, France, and Tanzania. This provides opportunities for cultural exchange, professional development, and experience with different healthcare systems. 

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SOMT University of Physiotherapy Career support

SOMT University of Physiotherapy has a strong practice- and career-oriented approach to employment, particularly because students gain clinical experience through internships and placements with healthcare practices and other professional organisations. The university supports students in finding suitable internship placements, and its Bachelor’s programme includes supervised clinical placements where students work with real patients under experienced physiotherapists.

SOMT also maintains a dedicated job board featuring vacancies from its network of students and collaborative partners, including opportunities for physiotherapists, pelvic physiotherapists, and manual therapists. Students and graduates can apply directly to the relevant partner practices or organisations.

The university's close links with clinical practice are another advantage for recruitment. Many SOMT lecturers themselves work in professional practice, research, or both, allowing students to build connections with the healthcare sector while studying. 

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Step-by-Step Guide to Admission Requirements at SOMT University of Physiotherapy

1. International students applying for the Bachelor of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Sciences at SOMT University of Physiotherapy must hold a secondary school qualification equivalent to the Dutch VWO diploma and normally need to have studied Biology and Mathematics A or B.

2. International qualifications are assessed for equivalence to the Dutch admission standard. Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient English-language proficiency according to SOMT's requirements.

3. Students who do not meet the required diploma or subject combination may be required to take CCVX entrance examinations, while applicants with an HBO or university propaedeutic certificate may be considered subject to approval by the Examination Board.

4. The application process includes submitting academic documents and completing a mandatory matching interview, which assesses the applicant's motivation, expectations, and suitability for the programme.

5. The Bachelor is a three year, full time programme worth 180 ECTS, taught primarily in English. International students may additionally need to arrange appropriate health insurance, visa or residence permits, and accommodation depending on their nationality and circumstances.

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Campus
Recruitment By top Companies

SOMT University of Physiotherapy has a strong practice- and career-oriented approach to employment, particularly because students gain clinical experience through internships and placements with healthcare practices and other professional organisations. The university supports students in finding suitable internship placements, and its Bachelor’s programme includes supervised clinical placements where students work with real patients under experienced physiotherapists.

SOMT also maintains a dedicated job board featuring vacancies from its network of students and collaborative partners, including opportunities for physiotherapists, pelvic physiotherapists, and manual therapists. Students and graduates can apply directly to the relevant partner practices or organisations.

The university's close links with clinical practice are another advantage for recruitment. Many SOMT lecturers themselves work in professional practice, research, or both, allowing students to build connections with the healthcare sector while studying. 

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    SOMT University of Physiotherapy Corporate Partnership

    • Philips Healthcare : Philips has been a regular partner of SOMT University of Physiotherapy for decades. It provides the programmes with high-tech equipment required for teaching and research.
    • Enraf-Nonius : Enraf-Nonius is a long-established company in the physical therapy industry, developing innovative products and training for modern movement specialists. SOMT lists Enraf-Nonius among its collaborations.
    • Johnson & Johnson : SOMT identifies Johnson & Johnson as a potential/early-stage knowledge-alliance partner. The cooperation is connected to SOMT's strategic goals around advancing clinical practice and developing technology in physical therapy.
    • Microsoft : Microsoft is listed as a potential/early-stage knowledge-alliance partner, particularly in relation to technology, innovation and the development of physical therapy through strategic knowledge partnerships.
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    Notable Achievements of SOMT University of Physiotherapy

    SOMT University of Physiotherapy has achieved recognition for its contributions to physiotherapy education, sports rehabilitation, clinical research, and human movement sciences. In 2013, SOMT researcher Dr. Inne Aerts and colleagues received the Kenneth L. Knight Award for Outstanding Research Manuscript from the Journal of Athletic Training for research examining jump-landing training and injury prevention in basketball players. In 2015, Dr. Aerts completed her PhD research on injury prevention and jump sports, strengthening SOMT's research profile in sports physiotherapy. SOMT's degree programmes have also achieved NVAO accreditation, demonstrating compliance with Dutch and European higher-education quality standards. During the 2020s, SOMT further strengthened its distinctive position by developing the Bachelor of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Sciences, described by the institution as the Netherlands' only university-level Bachelor's programme in physiotherapy. The university has also developed into a Centre of Expertise combining education, scientific research, clinical practice, and continuing professional development, while expanding collaborations with universities, healthcare institutions, researchers, and industry partners in areas including musculoskeletal health, healthy ageing, sports rehabilitation, and evidence-based physiotherapy.

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    Achievements

    01.
    Kenneth L. Knight Award for Outstanding Research Manuscript

    In 2013, SOMT researcher Dr. Inne Aerts and colleagues received the Kenneth L. Knight Award for Outstanding Research Manuscript from the Journal of Athletic Training for research examining jump-landing training and injury prevention in basketball players.

    Year
    2013

    Notable Innovation, Research & Development SOMT University of Physiotherapy

    SOMT University of Physiotherapy has developed a strong research profile in physiotherapy, musculoskeletal health, sports rehabilitation, healthy ageing, and health technology. Between 2013 and 2015, SOMT researcher Dr. Inne Aerts contributed to research on jump-landing injury prevention, including a randomized controlled trial involving basketball players; the earlier feasibility research received the Kenneth L. Knight Award for Outstanding Research Manuscript in 2013. In 2019–2020, SOMT researchers advanced research into manual therapy, musculoskeletal and neck pain, examining its effectiveness, safety, and clinical application. During the 2020s, SOMT established its Health Technology Platform, integrating physiotherapy with medical engineering, ICT, imaging, data analysis, and human-technology interaction. The university also developed the Amersfoort Cohort Study (AMCOHF) to investigate functional decline, mental and cognitive health, and healthy ageing using advanced measurements such as DEXA scanning, OptoGait, and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. In the 2020s, SOMT further expanded research into intrinsic capacity, functional decline, return-to-sport, and return-to-performance, working with academic and clinical partners including Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, TU Delft, Maastricht University, and Meander Medical Center. Overall, SOMT's research and development approach emphasizes translating scientific findings into evidence-based physiotherapy education and clinical practice.

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    Notable Innovation

    01.
    Health Technology Platform

    SOMT developed a Health Technology Platform combining physiotherapy with medical engineering, ICT and technology. The initiative produced educational modules covering musculoskeletal imaging, data analysis, human-technology interaction and health-technology entrepreneurship, together with an e-learning course and a European network connecting clinicians, patients and technology companies.

    Year
    2020
    02.
    Amersfoort Cohort Study

    SOMT established the Amersfoort Cohort Study (AMCOHF) to investigate factors associated with functional decline, mental and cognitive health, and healthy ageing. The project uses measurements such as DEXA scanning, OptoGait and cardiopulmonary exercise testing. It involves researchers from VUB, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, TU Delft and Maastricht University, as well as Meander Medical Center and technology partners including Microsoft.

    Year
    2020
    03.
    Intrinsic Capacity and Functional Decline Research

    In collaboration with Vrije Universiteit Brussel, SOMT has developed research around intrinsic capacity and functional decline, focusing on maintaining functional health and preventing deterioration. This forms part of SOMT's broader research emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, intervention and healthy human functioning.

    Year
    2020

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