The programme has close connections with the Master’s programme in Human Movement Sciences, but differs mainly in its focus and approach of addressing musculoskeletal problems from a clinical and applied perspective.
It offers you the necessary scientific expertise, grounded in an academic attitude and skills, to advance physiotherapy practice.
The Master's programme in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences is a one-year, full-time programme. It is also possible to do the programme part-time. The programme is taught in English.
Dynamic teaching methods
In this programme, we use various teaching methods such as lectures, practicals, workgroups, seminars and directed self-guided learning. We also apply blended learning by combining on-site and online teaching. This makes the programme and your learning dynamic. The different formats enhance your theoretical knowledge and research skills, and integrate those within the context of practical problems related to physiotherapy.
Programme credits
This Master's programme consists of 60 EC. You will follow 5 compulsory courses (total 27 EC), in which you acquire in-depth knowledge of physiotherapy, develop scientific skills, and apply methodology with regard to data acquisition and analyses. In addition, you take a number of electives (9 EC in total) and carry out an individual research project (24 EC), usually in the second semester. Most courses are 6 EC, a few 3 EC.
Individual research project
During the programme, you will conduct a five-month substantial individual research project. This project can be conducted within the labs of our own faculty or in a clinical practice, such as one that is part of the VU Science Network. You can also choose to conduct your research project abroad. Regardless of where you decide to conduct your internship, you will be supervised by an experienced member of our academic staff.
Optional: Become a qualified lecturer in higher education
As part of this master’s programme, you can also choose to obtain the qualifications to become a lecturer in higher education (taught only in Dutch). This additional programme component consists of an additional 30 EC. Additional information about this option can be found here.
Studying part-time
The Master's programme can also be followed part-time. The courses are scheduled in such a way that you can divide the study over 2 years, for example. Please contact the academic advisors to discuss the possibilities of adapting this part-time option to your individual situation.
The start date of this programme is September 1st.
