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Overview

Graduates of the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) program promote 'Movement and Function for Life'. Using the Lifespan approach, the major areas of study in the 26-month MPT program include: basic sciences, clinical decision making, clinical practice (musculoskeletal, neurological and cardiorespiratory), exercise and movement sciences, and rehabilitation research.

The MPT Program has been accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada, and has a strong relationship with the clinical community. Students experience a total of 1080 'hands-on' clinical hours over six clinical placements in diverse aspects of clinical care. The evidence-based curriculum is structured to promote critical thinking, develop problem solving skills, promote teamwork and collaboration, and empower students to be lifelong learners.

What makes the program unique?

The UBC Master of Physical Therapy program (MPT) is the only fully distributed, entry-to-practice Physical Therapy program in British Columbia. The MPT program offers students the opportunity to study at one of two locations: UBC’s Point Grey Campus or University of Northern British Columbia’s campus in Prince George.

MPT-Vancouver and MPT-North cohorts have the opportunity to learn using state-of-the-art facilities that are equipped with cameras and large screen monitors when observing demonstrations of even the most detailed subjects. Additionally, students have access to break-out rooms designed to help practice their clinical skills.

The Department leads in innovative research and is well known globally for its high standards and excellent faculty. Both academic and external faculty are recipients of prestigious teaching awards, providing an excellent learning environment.

 

 

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Program Enquiries

If you have reviewed the information on this program page and understand the requirements for this program, you may send an enquiry

Admission Information & Requirements

1) Check Eligibility

Minimum Academic Requirements

The Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies establishes the minimum admission requirements common to all applicants, usually a minimum overall average in the B+ range (76% at UBC). The graduate program that you are applying to may have additional requirements. Please review the specific requirements for applicants with credentials from institutions in:

Each program may set higher academic minimum requirements. Please review the program website carefully to understand the program requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee admission as it is a competitive process.

English Language Test

Applicants from a university outside Canada in which English is not the primary language of instruction must provide results of an English language proficiency examination as part of their application. Tests must have been taken within the last 24 months at the time of submission of your application.

Minimum requirements for the two most common English language proficiency tests to apply to this program are listed below:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language - internet-based

Overall score requirement: 100

Reading

22

Writing

21

Speaking

21

Listening

22

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Overall score requirement: 7.5

Reading

7.0

Writing

7.0

Speaking

7.0

Listening

7.0

Other Test Scores

Some programs require additional test scores such as the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Test (GMAT). The requirements for this program are:

The GRE is not required.

Prior degree, course and other requirements

Prior Degree Requirements

Recognized baccalaureate degree in any field (120 credits).

Course Requirements

Prerequisite courses in Physics, English, Anatomy, Psychology, Statistics and Human Physiology.

Other Requirements

Minimum of 70 volunteer hours or work experience with people with disabilities.

2) Meet Deadlines

September 2025 Intake

Application Open Date
01 October 2024
Canadian Applicants
Application Deadline: 05 January 2025
Transcript Deadline: 15 January 2025
Referee Deadline: 15 January 2025
International Applicants
Application Deadline: 15 December 2024
Transcript Deadline: 10 January 2025
Referee Deadline: 10 January 2025

3) Prepare Application

Transcripts

All applicants have to submit transcripts from all past post-secondary study. Document submission requirements depend on whether your institution of study is within Canada or outside of Canada.

Letters of Reference

A minimum of three references are required for application to graduate programs at UBC. References should be requested from individuals who are prepared to provide a report on your academic ability and qualifications.

Statement of Interest

Many programs require a statement of interest, sometimes called a "statement of intent", "description of research interests" or something similar.

Supervision

Course-based programs do not have a thesis component. While they may assign academic advisors to students, they do not require applicants to reach out to individual professors / faculty members to seek commitment as their thesis supervisor. Please do not contact faculty members for the purposes of thesis supervision if you are applying to this program.

Criminal Record Check

This program contains a practicum component for which a criminal record check is required.

Citizenship Verification

Permanent Residents of Canada must provide a clear photocopy of both sides of the Permanent Resident card.

4) Apply Online

All applicants must complete an online application form and pay the application fee to be considered for admission to UBC.

Geographic Restrictions

Primary consideration is given to residents of British Columbia, those out of province students who have completed a Bachelors degree or higher in BC within the last five years, and applicants who are residents of the Yukon, Northwest Territories, or Nunavut. Applicants are considered BC Residents if they hold a currently valid BC CareCard or BC Services Card at the time of application to the program. Residents of the Yukon, Northwest Territories are treated as BC residents and will be required to provide equivalent documentation to the BC residency requirement. By the application deadline, applicants must submit a scanned copy or photocopy of their BC CareCard or BC Services Card. The Admissions Office reserves the right to contact applicants for further information or documentation, if required, to clarify BC residency status. We can currently accept up to 10% of all incoming students from out of Province. Beginning with the September 2016 entrance, the Department of Physical Therapy will accept up to 8 international students per year into the Master of Physical Therapy program.

Tuition & Financial Support

Tuition

FeesCanadian Citizen / Permanent Resident / Refugee / DiplomatInternational
Application Fee$116.25$168.25
Tuition *
Installments per year33
Tuition per installment$2,381.72$16,419.76
Program Fee$16,672.04$114,938.32
Int. Tuition Award (ITA) per year (if eligible) Not applicable
Other Fees and Costs
Supplementary fees (once)$1586.81 $130.25 Supplemental application fee, $1456.56 program fee
Student Fees (yearly)$1,116.60 (approx.)
Costs of livingEstimate your costs of living with our interactive tool in order to start developing a financial plan for your graduate studies.
Deposit to accept offer (if admitted)
Deposit requirement$1000.00$1000.00
* Regular, full-time tuition. For on-leave, extension, continuing or part time (if applicable) fees see UBC Calendar.
All fees for the year are subject to adjustment and UBC reserves the right to change any fees without notice at any time, including tuition and student fees. Tuition fees are reviewed annually by the UBC Board of Governors. In recent years, tuition increases have been 2% for continuing domestic students and between 2% and 5% for continuing international students. New students may see higher increases in tuition. Admitted students who defer their admission are subject to the potentially higher tuition fees for incoming students effective at the later program start date. In case of a discrepancy between this webpage and the UBC Calendar, the UBC Calendar entry will be held to be correct.

Financial Support

Applicants to UBC have access to a variety of funding options.

Employer support

Organizations may provide their employees with tuition benefits as part of an employment package to support lifelong learning of their workforce.

Scholarships & awards (merit-based funding)

Professional / course-based programs usually do not provide merit-based funding. Some programs may offer bursaries.

Financial aid (need-based funding)

Canadian and US applicants may qualify for governmental loans to finance their studies. Please review eligibility and types of loans.

All students may be able to access private sector or bank loans.

Foreign government scholarships

Many foreign governments provide support to their citizens in pursuing education abroad. International applicants should check the various governmental resources in their home country, such as the Department of Education, for available scholarships.

Working while studying

The possibility to pursue work to supplement income may depend on the demands the program has on students. It should be carefully weighed if work leads to prolonged program durations or whether work placements can be meaningfully embedded into a program.

International students enrolled as full-time students with a valid study permit can work on campus for unlimited hours and work off-campus for no more than 20 hours a week.

A good starting point to explore student jobs is the UBC Work Learn program or a Co-Op placement.

Tax credits and RRSP withdrawals

Students with taxable income in Canada may be able to claim federal or provincial tax credits.

Canadian residents with RRSP accounts may be able to use the Lifelong Learning Plan (LLP) which allows students to withdraw amounts from their registered retirement savings plan (RRSPs) to finance full-time training or education for themselves or their partner.

Please review Filing taxes in Canada on the student services website for more information.

Cost Estimator

Applicants have access to the cost estimator to develop a financial plan that takes into account various income sources and expenses.

Career Options

The Master of Physical Therapy program in the Department of Physical Therapy graduates excellent practitioners and scientists. The combination of a solid evidence-based education, clinical placements, and interaction with outstanding faculty and clinical faculty ensures that graduates consistently score above average on national licensure exams, and become knowledgeable and effective practitioners and/or scientists in the private and public sectors.

Enrolment, Duration & Other Stats

These statistics show data for the Master of Physical Therapy (MPT). Data are separated for each degree program combination. You may view data for other degree options in the respective program profile.

ENROLMENT DATA

 20232022202120202019
Applications436402385306330
Offers13413511111893
New Registrations1181199910080
Total Enrolment338318279257237

Completion Rates & Times

This program has a graduation rate of 98% based on 318 students admitted between 2015 - 2018. Based on 350 graduations between 2020 - 2023 the minimum time to completion is 0.21 years and the maximum time is 3.29 years with an average of 2.26 years of study. All calculations exclude leave times.
Disclaimer
Admissions data refer to all UBC Vancouver applications, offers, new registrants for each registration year, May to April, e.g. data for 2022 refers to programs starting in 2022 Summer and 2022 Winter session, i.e. May 1, 2022 to April 30, 2023. Data on total enrolment reflects enrolment in Winter Session Term 1 and are based on snapshots taken on November 1 of each registration year. Program completion data are only provided for datasets comprised of more than 4 individuals. Graduation rates exclude students who transfer out of their programs. Rates and times of completion depend on a number of variables (e.g. curriculum requirements, student funding), some of which may have changed in recent years for some programs.

Further Information

Specialization

Physical therapists specialize in the assessment and treatment related to movement. Common movement disorders result from impairment of the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Following assessment of their clients, physical therapists often use physical agents such as therapeutic exercise, heat, cold, and electrical stimulation to increase muscle strength and function, reduce pain, promote general health and fitness, and prevent disability. As specialists in movement dysfunction, physical therapists also provide expertise in human mobility, carefully analyzing gait patterns and prescribing treatment regimens or devices (such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs) to enable clients to move independently through their environments.

Faculty Overview

Program Identifier

VGMMPT

Classification

 

Apply Now

If you don't have a UBC Campus-Wide Login (CWL) please create an account first.
 

September 2025 Intake

Application Open Date
01 October 2024
Canadian Applicant Deadline
05 January 2025
International Applicant Deadline
15 December 2024
Program Enquiries
If you have reviewed the information on this program page and understand the requirements for this program, you may send an enquiry
 
 

Departments/Programs may update graduate degree program details through the Faculty & Staff portal. To update contact details for application inquiries, please use this form.

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