Physiotherapy education in Sweden
Physiotherapy programs are given at eight Swedish Universities. The Swedish Association for Registered Physiotherapist has a formal process for specialisation.
Entry level education
The duration of the basic education is three years, equals 180 ECTS and corresponds to the 1st Bologna cycle.
The education leads to a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy. In Sweden, physiotherapist is a protected professional title that may be used only by those who hold a license to practice. After finishing the entry level program students apply for a license to practice at the National Board of Health and Welfare.
Master’s Degree
Physiotherapists with a Degree of Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy are qualified to enter a master program of one or two years. The master programs correspond to the 2st Bologna cycle.
Doctor’s Degree
Physiotherapists with a Degree of Master can enter a Doctoral program. The Doctoral programs correspond to the 3rd cycle of the Bologna process. More than 300 Swedish physiotherapists have obtained a PhD.
Specialisation
The Swedish Association for Registered Physiotherapist has a formal process for specialisation and is responsible for assessment and evaluation.
The requirements to enter the specialist program are a license to practice as a physiotherapist, BSc, two years of clinical experience and ongoing practice within the field of the specialisation. The theoretical requirements for specialisation are MSc and relevant, documented courses within the area of specialisation. The clinical requirement is three years of supervised practice within the field of specialisation.
Specialisation can be obtained within 16 areas.