Physiotherapy Schools and Programs in Singapore

Physiotherapy Studies in Singapore

Are you a physiotherapy student thinking about participating in a study abroad program?  Have you considered Singapore as a potential study abroad destination?  The many different study abroad programs in Singapore give students the unique opportunity to gain a fresh educational perspective in the field of physiotherapy, while simultaneously soaking up all the sites and diversity this sovereign island city-state has to offer.
 
The smallest country in Southeast Asia, Singapore, officially known as the Republic of Singapore, lies off the southern tip of the Malay Peninsula, just 85 miles (137 km) north of the equator.  The country consists of the main island, Pulau Ujong (referred to in English as Singapore Island), and over 60 much smaller islets.  Singapore, which is separated from Peninsular Malaysia by the Straits of Johor to the north and from Indonesia's Riau Islands by the Singapore Strait to the south, is highly urbanized, with very little primary rainforest remaining, as its territory has time and again expanded through land reclamation.
 
One of the world’s leading commercial capitals, Singapore boasts the fourth-largest financial center on the globe and one of the world’s five busiest ports. With a very diversified and globalized economy, Singapore depends heavily on trade, particularly in the manufacturing sector, which accounts for 26 percent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).   Singapore has the third-highest per capita income in the world, and consistently ranks high in international polls concerning healthcare, government transparency, economic competitiveness and, most notably, education, with some of the finest tertiary educational institutions in Southeast Asia.
 
Physiotherapy Education in Singapore
 
Degree programs in Physiotherapy, also known as Physical Therapy, are offered by many of the major universities in Singapore at both the undergraduate and graduate level, leading to Bachelor and Master’s degrees, respectively.  At the undergraduate level, programs generally span 4 years in duration for full time students, while the time required to complete a Master’s Degree in Physiotherapy is usually 1-2 additional years following the baccalaureate. 
 
The courses involved in Singapore’s Physiotherapy degree programs are designed to educate and train students in all aspects of physical therapy—a field that relies on movement, manual muscle manipulation and other mediums in the treatment of a wide range of physical and physiological conditions.  Some of the classes students are likely to encounter while studying for a Physiotherapy degree include:
 

• Medical Terminology
• Occupational Therapy
• The Role of Physical Therapists in Patient Recovery
• Physical Therapy Modalities and Treatment Methods
• Patient Communication
• Physical Disorders
• Medical Records and Bookkeeping
• Working with Children and Families
• And many more…

 
The prerequisites for being admitted into a Physiotherapy degree program depend largely on the university and the type of program.  Undergraduate degree programs are generally open to all students who possess a high school diploma or its equivalent, although in many cases students will need to take and pass an entrance examination prior to being enrolled.  At the Master’s degree level, students must possess a bachelor degree in physiotherapy or a related discipline, with at least a 3.0 grade point average in all discipline-related subject matter.  In some cases, clinical experience may also be a prerequisite for graduate-level admittance.

Why Study Abroad in Singapore
 
Studying in Singapore can be the educational and cultural experience of a lifetime.  Home to approximately five million people (with 1 in 5 hailing from other countries), Singapore is home to four official languages, and scores of different ethnicities and religions.  The various sections of this 275 square mile country reveal its vast ethnic, cultural and social diversity, from the Neo-classical buildings that underscore the country’s British colonial roots, to ethnic neighborhoods such as Arab Street, Little India, and Chinatown. When not busy studying in the classroom, students will have plenty of time to explore this fascinating country, while visiting some of its more popular destinations and sampling some of the world-renowned local and international fare.  According to past study abroad participants, a few of the more popular destinations to visit in Singapore include:
 
The Singapore Flyer

The Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest observation wheel, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the island both day and night.  A unique attraction to say the least, the Flyer, which is constructed over a three-story terminal building, is a whopping 150 meters in diameter, and stands 165 meters in height (some 30 meters higher than the famous London Eye attraction in England).  During the ride, passengers are treated to a number of interesting sights below, including the Singapore River, Raffles Place, Marina Bay, Empress Place and the Padang.

Marina Bay Sands Sky Park

For those looking for some knee-rattling fun and great views of the city-state below, the Marina Bay Sands Sky Park is definitely the place to go.  Part of the mega $5.5 billion resort project—the Marina Bay Sands Resort & Casino—the Sky Park is one of Singapore’s must-see landmarks. The 200-meter-high boat-shaped Sky Park sits atop three 55-storey towers, offering 360-degree views of the city and beyond. The most talked-about facility at the park is the 150-meter-long infinity pool which is currently the largest outdoor pool in the world at that height. Sky Park has various chic restaurants, bars, spas, gardens and even a jogging path.

Universal Studios (Sentosa)

Located on the popular island resort of Sentosa, the Universal Studios of Singapore brings a taste of Hollywood to the Far East and is the first theme park of its kind to open in Southeast Asia. Though not all rides and attractions are complete and open for service, the park currently has more than 20 attractions, divided between five themed zones, that include the Lost World, Ancient Egypt, New York, Hollywood, Madagascar and Far, Far Away, the latter based on the popular movie Shrek. The park features a number of thrilling rides as well, including two wet and wild water rides, five screaming roller coasters, two of which hold the distinction as the world's tallest “dueling” roller coasters, themed after the hit television series Battlestar Galactica. The perfect place to blow off some steam after a long week of studying, Universal Studios Singapore has everything you can possibly imagine in a weekend getaway.