Study Physiotherapy in Turkey

What is Physiotherapy? 

Physiotherapy is a specialization in the College of Health Sciences and a branch of medicine and health with interdisciplinary subjects. 

The study of physiotherapy at Turkish universities aims to educate health professionals to plan and implement the required physiotherapy interventions and rehabilitation programs developed by the doctor after diagnosis. Students with a bachelor's or master's degree in physiotherapy learn how to help people with physical disabilities, and improve the well-being and full functioning of the human body and its locomotor system. They also learn to perform rehabilitation exercises after injuries, operations, or musculoskeletal, joint, and ligaments problems. This helps the patients restore normal motor functions and regain the strength of the impaired limbs. 

During undergraduate studies, students learn the concepts of psychology and discover how treatment plans can be utilized, modified, and adapted to meet patients' specific needs. Physiotherapy includes many human skills. Therefore, you need a lot of patience and understanding while helping the patients to recover different motor functions.

Diseases Treated by Physiotherapists

• Orthopedic system diseases and injuries: spinal sprain - fracture injuries - orthopedic operations cruciate ligament operations
• Muscular system diseases and injuries: muscle tension - muscle weakness - muscular atrophy
• Nervous system diseases and injuries: paralysis - neuritis - disc problems - spinal injuries
• Respiratory diseases: asthma - bronchitis - fibrosis of the pulmonary alveoli
• Skin diseases and injuries: wounds - burns - psoriasis - some skin disorders caused by bacteria
• Internal and heart diseases: circulatory disorders - high arterial pressure - angina pectoris - after open-heart operations
• Diseases of the genitourinary system: prostate and urinary incontinence
• Joint diseases: rheumatism - erosion of articular cartilage - joint roughness – arthritis

Advantages of Studying Physiotherapy in Turkey

• Turkish universities are among the leading universities in the study of physiotherapy.
• The laboratories at Turkish universities are designed to meet international standards and are equipped with the latest devices and technologies.
• The physiotherapy specialization is available with English and Turkish medium of instruction.
• The fees of studying physiotherapy in Turkey are relatively average and considered to be lower compared to Europe and USA.
• The degree of the Turkish universities is recognized in most countries of the world and by the European Union.
• Turkish universities support scientific research by affording practical laboratories and digital libraries with recent books and research papers that physiotherapy students can access. 
• The faculty at Turkish universities are highly qualified with scientific and practical excellence.
• Turkey is the largest gathering of the most skilled doctors and physiotherapy experts globally. Moreover, it has several medical centers equipped with the latest technologies.
• Turkey is a well-known destination for medical tourism, offering huge opportunities in the field of physiotherapy.
• There are many natural healing sources in Turkey, such as mineral and sulfur springs.
• Many recreational programs and social, cultural, and tourism activities are conducted for the students during their study of physiotherapy.
• Turkish universities provide postgraduate programs in physiotherapy.

Read more about: Advantage and disadvantage of Studying in Turkey

Required Capabilities in Physiotherapy Students

• Knowledge of scientific subjects such as chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
• Mastery in memorization and information analysis skills
• Organized thinking skills, high concentration capability, and quick wit.
• Good communication skills
• Endure study effort for long hours
• Positive interaction with various social influences, professional ethics, and social values.
• Proficiency in the English language.

Practices Offered by Physiotherapy Courses

• Therapeutic practice, accelerating the healing process and relieving pain.
• Inhibiting or stimulating the central nervous system and improving the body and muscular balance.
• Electrotherapy.
• Basic motor skills for children with disabilities.
• Treating pain, relieving injury and functional problems, stimulating muscles, and increasing movement of muscles and joints.
• Medical recovery, improving movement and health and maintaining healthy and muscular fitness to prevent some diseases and disabilities.

Duration of Physiotherapy Study in Turkey

The duration of physiotherapy study at Turkish universities is 4 years (8 semesters). If the student did not pass the language test before joining the university, an additional English or Turkish language preparatory year is added to the total duration.

Courses of Physiotherapy in Turkey 

First semester

• Anatomy
• Introduction to Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
• Introduction to Nutrition
• Psychology
• Fundamentals of Physics

Second Semester

• Advanced Anatomy
• Advanced Physiology
• Heat treatment and Hydrolight
• Pathology
• Normal Motor Development and Developmental Stages of Body Systems
• Ethics of Physiotherapy

Third semester 

• Muscular Therapy
• Electrotherapy
• Measurement and Evaluation in Physiotherapy
• Inner Sciences
• Functional Neuroanatomy
• Biomechanics and Kinesiology

Fourth semester

• Manual Therapy
• Electrotherapy
• Therapeutic Exercises
• Physiological Exercises
• Surgical Sciences
• Biomechanics and Kinesiology
• An elective course

Fifth semester

• Neurophysiology Approaches
• Orthopedic Rehabilitation
• Children Rehabilitation 
• Occupational Therapy
• Pulmonary Rehabilitation
• Orthotics and Rehabilitation
• Optional area
• Practical Training

Sixth semester

• Neurophysiology Approaches
• Nervous System Rehabilitation
• Physiotherapy in sports
• Pharmacology
• Prosthetics
• Rehabilitation
• Biostatistics

Seventh semester

• Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
• Clinical Practice in Neurological and Cardiac Rehabilitation
• Research Methods in Health Sciences

Eighth semester

• Public Health
• Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
• Clinical Practice in Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation
• Graduation Project

Important Turkish Universities to Study Physiotherapy

First: Study Physiotherapy with English Medium of Instruction

• Bahçeşehir University
• Medipol University
• Istanbul Gelişim University
• Istinye University
• Istanbul Okan University
• Haliç University
• Yeditepe University

Second: Study Physiotherapy with Turkish Medium of Instruction

• Medipol University
• Istanbul Aydin University
• Üsküdar University
• Istanbul Okan University

Best Turkish Universities to Study Physiotherapy 

• Gazi University
• Hacettepe University
• Marmara University
• Medipol University
• Bahçeşehir University
• Başkent University

Expenses of Physiotherapy Study at Turkish Universities 

Expenses of Physiotherapy Study at Turkish Private Universities

Jobs for Physiotherapy Graduates in Turkey 

Graduates of the physiotherapy and rehabilitation program are awarded the title of "Physiotherapist". Graduates of the program may continue their higher studies (master's or PhD) and become a "Physiotherapist " or "doctor of physiotherapy", respectively. Physiotherapy graduates from Turkish universities can work in the following areas:

• Physiotherapist
• Athletic Therapist
• Acupuncture Practitioner
• Manual Therapist
• Exercise Physiologist
• Work in hospitals and private clinics
• Work in private schools or community centers
• Work in elderly care centers
• Work in sports clubs.
• Work in academic fields

Courses of Physiotherapy in Turkey 

• Turkish universities do not require any exams to study physiotherapy
• A High School Diploma is sufficient to study physiotherapy at Turkish universities
• The students have the option to study physiotherapy in both English and Turkish
• Theoretical and practical courses, internal and external training are conducted at Turkish hospitals and medical centers.

Postgraduate Programmes of Physiotherapy at Turkish Universities

Master's Programme:

• The duration of the master's program in physiotherapy is two years with a master's Thesis.
• There is a master's program in Sports Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation.
• A master's program in physiotherapy specialization is not common at Turkish universities. Moreover, the same program is rare with an English medium of instruction.

A Master's program in physiotherapy specialization with an English medium of instruction is available at one university only (Yeditepe University at 6000$ for a program with a Thesis, and 4000$ for a Non-Thesis program).

A Master's program in physiotherapy specialization with a Turkish medium of instruction is available at many universities, namely:

Read more about: Your Guide for Master's in Turkey 2023

Ph.D. Program: 

PhD programs are available in the Turkish medium of instruction only. The duration of the program is 4 years at the following universities:

• Bahçeşehir University, 40,000$.
• Haliç University,10000$.
• Istanbul Aydin University, 10000$.

Documents and Admission Requirements to Study Physiotherapy in Turkey

• Passport copy
• Personal Photograph.
• General Certificate of Secondary Education (Baccalaureate - Tawjihi) translated into English or Turkish and certified.

If you have not completed secondary school, the certificate of the last semester translated and certified should be submitted.

• Secondary school graduation certificate, if any, translated and certified.
• It is preferable to submit any additional documents and certificates, if any, that may help you obtain a fee waiver of tuition.
• English proficiency certificate, if any, (if the student prefers to study in English).
• It is preferable to submit any additional documents and certificates, if any, that may help you obtain a fee waiver of tuition.

It is not compulsory; however, applicants who wish to study in English may appear for the SAT and obtain the minimum required scores at universities that accept the SAT.

Know more about: Application Requirements to Study in Turkey

 

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