Study Physiotherapy

BSc Physiotherapy (or equivalent), 4 years (NQF 8), plus 1 year compulsory community service

Pay in South AfricaR470–540ka year · typical R500k Work abroad4.2 of 5best: Australia, New Zealand AI outlookSteadyAI changes little of the daily work

Getting inVery highcompetition for places · 4 years + 1 year compulsory community service

R52 569 to R84 000 first-year fees 2 bursaries list Physiotherapy

School subjects: Maths requiredPhysical Sciences required at some universitiesLife Sciences required at some universitiesPhysical Sciences or Life Sciences requiredMaths Literacy not accepted

Entry details and typical minimums

English (Home or First Additional) at 65% at UCT; National Benchmark Tests required. Among the universities we cover that offer physiotherapy, Stellenbosch and UP require Physical Sciences, UFS and UKZN list both Physical Sciences and Life Sciences, and UCT and Wits accept Physical Sciences or Life Sciences.

Typical minimums: UCT: Mathematics 60%, Physical Sciences or Life Sciences 65%, English 65%, 60% in the next three subjects, sub-minimum APS 360, only 70 places. Maths Literacy is not accepted.

Sources: UCT 2027 Undergraduate Prospectus, BSc Physiotherapy · UCT Division of Physiotherapy · UKZN Undergraduate Prospectus 2027, p.102 (Bachelor of Physiotherapy: Mathematics, Life Sciences and Physical Sciences at level 4) · Stellenbosch: guidelines for the selection of BSc in Physiotherapy students 2026 for the 2027 intake, p.2 (Physical Sciences 50%)

Pay

Yearly gross pay, turned into rand at the exchange rate. The dot is the typical figure. How pay is measured

USAR1.5–2.2m
NetherlandsR1.1–1.6m
CanadaR1.1–1.3m
New ZealandR820k–1.6m^~
UAER880k–1.4m^~
AustraliaR920k–1.3m
IrelandR920k–1.3m
UKR850k–1.2m
GermanyR710–990k
South AfricaR470–540k

~ limited evidence

Working abroad 4.2 of 5

Score out of 5. Tap a country for steps and visas.

AI outlook

SteadyAI changes little of the daily work

Hands-on treatment, motivation and a licence. Exercise-prescription apps assist rather than replace.

Hands-on In-person care Licensed & accountable

How AI changes each field

Careers

Physiotherapist (hospital or private practice)
Sports physiotherapist
Neurological rehabilitation physiotherapist
Paediatric physiotherapist
Cardiorespiratory / ICU physiotherapist
Occupational health physiotherapist

Where to study 6

First-year tuition, as published. My Matric Map can check your results against each of these. Tap a university for its entry requirements and dates. Compare study costs

Country by country: steps, exams, visas and pay sources

Very hard to get into in South Africa, but outstandingly portable. Australia and New Zealand put South Africa on exam-free fast-track lists, and the UK and Ireland need paperwork rather than exams.

Professional regulator: Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)

Where it can take you

Physiotherapy → United States

Overall 4/5 · Good prospects

A USD 1,340 credential review taking about six months, then the NPTE; the US entry standard is a doctorate.

Recognition: 3/5 · Exams or bridging. Licensing exams, an adaptation period or a conversion course. Typically 6 to 24 months.
Demand: High demand

Sources: FCCPT application fee schedule · FSBPT resources for foreign-educated candidates · US BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook: healthcare

Qualification and licensing guide

Pay, in rand at the exchange rate

Typical gross pay in each country, turned into rand at the exchange rate. Compare salaries switches between the exchange rate, buying power and after tax, and says how each works.

United States R1.5–2.2m3.6× SA

Netherlands R1.1–1.6m^*2.7× SA

Canada R1.1–1.3m^*2.4× SA

New Zealand R820k–1.6m^*2.4× SA

United Arab Emirates R880k–1.4m^*2.3× SA

Australia R920k–1.3m2.2× SA

Ireland R920k–1.3m^*2.2× SA

United Kingdom R850k–1.2m2.0× SA

Germany R710–990k1.7× SA

South Africa R470–540k^*

South Africa · line: the South African figure · pay range · starting pay · hover or tap a bar for details · gross pay a year, low to high estimate; the bar ends at the typical figure · * weaker figure

Country	Typical gross pay	Range and starting pay	Occupation and source
South Africa	ZAR 504 100 Middle of the pay scale, as gross pay 2026	ZAR 472 000 to 536 200 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix G · Converted to gross like the typical figure. PUBLIC, BASIC NOTCH. Shared allied-health Gr 1 scale (10 notches), confirmed by circular 31/2026. Gr 2 to R550,389, Gr 3 to R683,808. Starting ZAR 334 300 During the compulsory 1-year community service, straight after the BSc Physiotherapy, 2026 · DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026), Appendix G · CS notch R308,556 x 13/12; housing not added (fixed-term). After CS, Gr 1 entry = R472,000 gross.	Physiotherapist Grade 1 (Therapeutic, Diagnostic and other Allied Health Professionals OSD, Appendix G) DPSA Circular 15 of 2026 OSD salary scales (1 Apr 2026) · Gross pay: basic notch midpoint R442,740 x 13/12 (13th cheque) + R24,447 housing allowance; excludes employer pension and medical subsidy. PUBLIC-SECTOR. Scale quoted as basic notches; amounts below are as quoted. Shared Gr 1 scale R413,121-R472,359; Gr 2 to R550,389, Gr 3 to R683,808. Private-sector cross-check: PayScale South Africa (n=17) median R300,900 (crowd-sourced, low confidence).
United Kingdom	GBP 43 532 Median 2025	GBP 35 953 to 50 694 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · SOC 2221 Physiotherapists, full-time, April 2025. Starting GBP 32 073 Newly qualified physiotherapist, NHS Band 5 entry, 2026 · NHS Employers: Agenda for Change pay scales from 1 April 2026 (England) · England, from 1 Apr 2026.	SOC2020 2221 Physiotherapists ONS ASHE 2025 (provisional), Table 14.7a Annual pay - Gross, full-time · Median gross annual pay, full-time employees, April 2025. CV 5.0%.
Ireland	EUR 55 291 Middle of the pay scale 2026	EUR 45 514 to 65 068 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 · Physiotherapist 14-point scale (same as typical). Senior Physiotherapist starts at 65,197. Starting EUR 45 514 Newly qualified Physiotherapist (staff grade) after the degree, 2026 · HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 (point 1) · Point 1, basic pay. CSO HGO15: 2022 physio graduates' median in 2023 EUR790/wk (~41,100).	Physiotherapist (HSE grade 314X) HSE/Dept of Health Consolidated Salary Scales, Health Sector, effective 1 June 2026 · Midpoint of the physiotherapist scale (EUR45,514-65,068, 14 points), basic salary excl. allowances/premiums. Senior Physiotherapist scale starts at EUR65,197.
Netherlands	EUR 67 392 Median 2025	EUR 53 872 to 79 248 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep (p25/p75 gross hourly) · BRC 2014 1013 Fysiotherapeuten, employees, 2025: p25 25.90/h, p75 38.10/h x2080, excl. holiday pay (as typical). Employees only; self-employed physios excluded. Starting EUR 53 934 New hbo-bachelor graduate, 1 year after leaving, 2024 · CBS StatLine 83815NED Uitstromers ho; uurloon na verlaten onderwijs (median, cohort 2022/'23, 1 yr after leaving) · low confidence, not shown on the chart · Hbo-bachelor 'Gezondheidszorg': median 25.93/h x2080, Oct 2024, employees. Whole health field (incl. nursing), not physio alone. Hospital physios are graded FWG 50-55 (entry 3,463-3,903/mo, 36h).	BRC 2014 1013 Fysiotherapeuten CBS StatLine 86355NED Werknemers; uurloon en beroep · Median gross hourly x2080 (40h x52). Hourly excl. holiday pay, NL full-time ~36-38h; errors largely offset. Employees only; many NL physios are self-employed and not covered.
Germany	EUR 41 424 Median 2025	EUR 35 136 to 48 744 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BA Entgeltatlas (Beschaeftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025, Vollzeit, all ages, Germany · KldB 81713, monthly p25-p75 x12. Mostly vocational; degree-level 81714 p25-p75 35,256-48,624. Starting EUR 39 540 Newly state-recognised physiotherapist in public service, TVoeD E7 Stufe 1, 2026 · TVoeD/VKA Entgelttabelle 2026 (valid 1 May 2026-31 Mar 2027); EGO VKA physiotherapists = E7 (per kommunalforum.de) · Grading from a secondary summary of the EGO. Private practices often pay less. Excludes annual Jahressonderzahlung.	KldB 2010 81713 Berufe in der Physiotherapie - komplexe Spezialistentätigkeiten BA Entgeltatlas (Beschäftigungsstatistik), Stichtag 31.12.2025 · Median monthly gross full-time x12. Employees in social insurance only (no self-employed/Beamte); capped at 8,050 EUR/mo. n=62,793; degree-level 81714 is 3,468/mo (n=823).
United States	USD 102 760 Median 2025	USD 86 160 to 121 160 25th to 75th percentile, 2025 · BLS OEWS May 2025 national (via BLS Public Data API) · OEWS May 2025 national annual 25th/75th percentile for SOC 29-1123; p10 $77,140, p90 $135,140; not top-coded. Starting USD 74 900 1 year after a doctoral degree in CIP 51.23 (mostly DPT), newly licensed, 2022 · College Scorecard field-of-study data (Jun 2026 release), EARN_MDN_1YR · low confidence, not shown on the chart · Grad-weighted median of program medians, earnings 1 yr after completion (2018-20 grads, CY2020-21, 2022 $; working & not enrolled, incl. part-time). CIP 51.23 mixes PT with other rehab professions (incl. OTD); doctoral level used as proxy for DPT.	29-1123 Physical Therapists BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 national · OEWS national median annual wage, May 2025.
Canada	CAD 95 992 Median 2024	CAD 82 992 to 104 811 25th to 75th percentile, 2024 · Job Bank wage data 2025 release (LFS 2023-2024), national quartiles · Job Bank Q1/Q3 hourly C$39.9/C$50.39 x2080, NOC 31202, LFS 2023-24. Low/high (~p10/p90): C$62,400/C$116,917. Starting CAD 88 380 Newly registered physiotherapist, first year (step 1) of entry structure P1, British Columbia health authorities, 2026 · HSPBA Provincial Agreement 2025-2029, Wage Schedule J, effective 1st pay period after 1 Apr 2026 (British Columbia) · P1 1st-year C$7,365/month x12. BC public health-sector scale only; private-sector pay differs. Requires an MPT. Graduate survey (master's, health n.e.c., pooled): C$81,200.	31202 Physiotherapists Job Bank wage data (open data), Labour Force Survey · National median hourly wage C$46.15 x 2080 h. Job Bank/LFS reference period 2023-2024, published 19 Nov 2025.
Australia	AUD 98 176 Median 2025	AUD 79 419 to 113 301 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2026 · NSW Health Service Health Professionals (State) Award 2025 (IRC, 14 Oct 2025), rates from 1 Jul 2026 · NSW Health Professional Level 1 yr 1 to Level 2 yr 4 (clinician grades). Senior/advanced levels 3-6 run to ~150,000+. Starting AUD 82 262 Newly qualified physiotherapist with a 4-year degree, NSW Health Level 1 year 2, 2026 · NSW Health Service Health Professionals (State) Award 2025 (IRC, 14 Oct 2025), rates from 1 Jul 2026: Level 1 Year 2 (award cl. 5.2.2: degrees over 3 years start at Year 2) · NSW public health. 3-year degree starts Year 1 (79,419); a master's-entry graduate Year 3 (87,090). GOS 2025 physio median 73,800.	Physiotherapists (ANZSCO 2525) ABS Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2025 (customised report), via JSA Occupation Profiles · Median $1888/wk x52; FT non-managerial adult-rate employees, before tax.
New Zealand	NZD 114 248 Middle of the advertised range 2026	NZD 79 014 to 155 195 lowest and highest point of the pay scale, 2025 · Health NZ / PSA Allied, Public Health, Scientific & Technical Collective Agreement 2025-2027 (rates from 1 Dec 2025), degree-based core + designated scales · Core step 1 (79,014) to designated grade F top (core tops at 119,300). Typical 114,248 = midpoint of same scales at 2024 rates. Private practice differs. Starting NZD 79 014 Newly registered physiotherapist, core scale step 1 (Health NZ), 2025 · Health NZ / PSA Allied, Public Health, Scientific & Technical Collective Agreement 2025-2027 (rates from 1 Dec 2025), cl. 5.2 commencing salaries · Rises to 80,594 from 7 Dec 2026. Tahatu physiotherapy bachelor's year-1 median income 62k (incl. private practice).	Physiotherapist Tahatu Career Navigator (Ministry of Education / Tertiary Education Commission careers service) · Published range $77,087-$151,410, most common $95,667-$132,829. Same published range as pharmacist; this is the middle of the published range.
United Arab Emirates	AED 234 000 Middle of the advertised range 2026	AED 180 000 to 288 000 salary survey range, 2026 · SearchPlus HR UAE Healthcare Salary Guide 2026 (medical recruiter) · low confidence · Same row as typical: specialist physio 3-7 yrs, AED 15k-24k/mth base x12. Range is for specialists; no new-graduate figure published.	Physiotherapist (Specialist - Sports/Neuro), 3-7 years SearchPlus HR UAE Healthcare Salary Guide 2026 (medical recruiter) · Small recruiter guide, not official. AED 15,000-24,000/month base x12. Row is for specialist physios, so a general physio may earn less.

General information, not immigration or legal advice. Researched 2026-10-07.