Physiotherapists assess and treat people with physical conditions caused by injury, illness, or disability. In South Africa, a BSc Physiotherapy (4 years) is required to register with the HPCSA. Physiotherapists work in hospitals, private clinics, sports teams, and rehabilitation centres. Private practice is common and very lucrative.
A physiotherapist's day involves assessing patients' movement and strength, developing treatment plans, performing manual therapy, designing exercise programmes, and monitoring progress. Sports physios travel with teams.
Life Sciences (Level 5+), Mathematics (Level 4+), Physical Sciences (Level 4+), English (Level 4+)
Use the free Career Helper APS Calculator to calculate your exact score for each SA university.
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Witwatersrand (Wits)
- University of Pretoria (UP)
- Stellenbosch University (SU)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
Programme names and requirements vary by institution. Always verify directly with the university before applying.
Achieve APS 28+ with Life Sciences, Mathematics, and Physical Sciences. Apply to physiotherapy programmes — intake is highly competitive, especially at UCT and Wits.
Complete the 4-year BSc Physiotherapy degree with clinical placements in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, and sports facilities.
Complete 1-year community service, register with HPCSA, and either join a private practice or work in public healthcare. Specialise in sports, neuro, paediatric, or orthopaedic physiotherapy.
What APS do I need for Physiotherapy?
How long does it take to become a physiotherapist?
What do physiotherapists earn in South Africa?
Salary ranges are indicative for South Africa 2026 based on market data. Actual salaries vary by employer, location, and experience.