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Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences, Master Degree, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

the Netherlands

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Study options for this course

The award	How you will study	Study duration	Course start	Domestic course fees	International course fees
Master Degree	Full-time	1 year	September	EUR 2694 per year	EUR 34440 per year

About Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Musculoskeletal disorders generally lead to pain and restricted mobility. They are the leading cause for functional disabilities and physiotherapy treatment.

Scientific research on musculoskeletal health and clinical treatment has increased exponentially over the last 15 years. By learning to conduct clinical research yourself, as a clinician or therapist you will better understand and value the possibilities, limitations, and results of scientific evidence from clinical research as well as its translation into clinical practice.

This one-year Master's programme, gives you theoretical education within the context of clinical challenges on musculoskeletal disorders and physiotherapy, as well as skills in clinical experimental data collection, data analyses and research methodology. It is unique in its multidisciplinary focus on both fundamental and clinically applied scientific research which gives you insight into underlying mechanisms like pain and interventions and how to treat patients. We use recent innovations, such as virtual reality and eHealth.

Experience with clinical reasoning is important and no pre-master is required for this master.

Summer School

Apply to VU Amsterdam Summer School and develop your academic skills in a focused and inspiring study abroad experience.

Learn more about Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences, Master Degree - at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

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Entry requirements

1. Academic requirements

Your previous education needs to be deemed equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (wetenschappelijk onderwijs, WO) obtained at a research university (nominal duration 3 years).

In case your previous education is not equivalent to at least a Dutch academic Bachelor’s degree (WO), the Admission board may decide that you are admissible after you have eliminated your deficiency by completion of a GMAT Focus Edition test. For more information see below.

2. Programme specific requirements

First, to gain admission to the programme we require sufficient knowledge and insight on clinical reasoning. Applicants have successfully completed one of the following Bachelor of Science programmes meet this requirement:
- Physiotherapy
- Occupational or exercise therapy (Cesar Mensendieck)
- Medicine
Secondly, to gain admission you should have obtained sufficient analytical skills and basic knowledge of Mathematics. This requirement can be met in either of the following ways:
- By successfully completing an academic Bachelor of Science programme, equivalent to the academic level in the Netherlands.
- By successfully completing courses on mathematical and analytical skills at an academic level. The Admission Board will determine whether the courses taken are of a sufficient level.
- By completing a GMAT Focus Edition test (scroll down for more information). A minimum score of 355 is required to be eligible for admission. Note that successful students of the master’s programme Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences will have a GMAT Focus Edition score of at least 455. If your score is between 355-455, we therefore advise you to follow an additional educational programme to meet the required mathematical and analytical standards. Please note that it takes time to take a GMAT test and to receive the results! On average the process will take you three months. The cost of this test is approximately 350 US Dollar.

3. English-language proficiency requirements

You will have to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency. You can find an overview of relevant information to demonstrate your English language proficiency on the language requirement page.

Although complete applications are preferred, you can begin your application before you have completed the English Language Proficiency test and then submit your passing score once you have been conditionally admitted.

Fees, Funding and Scholarships at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam

Need financial assistance? Read about scholarships: Scholarships for Master's programmes

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Masters Webinar

Each year, we organise an online session for aspiring Master's students that covers everything you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Master's webinar took place on Tuesday, October 15, at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recordings all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Get the latest insights on scholarship opportunities;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.

Bachelors Webinar

Each year we organise an online session for aspiring Bachelor's students that covers all you need to know about the application process and beyond. This year, the International Bachelor's webinar took place on Thursday 24 October at 16:00 (CET). You can watch the recorder version all year.

During the webinar, you will have the opportunity to:

Discover what it is like to study at VU Amsterdam;
Learn everything you need to know about the admission and application process;
Ask all your questions about the housing market in Amsterdam;
Hear first-hand experiences from one of our current international students about being a student in the Netherlands' dynamic capital city.