Bachelor Physiotherapy

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Bachelor Physiotherapie

The Bachelor of Science in Physiotherapy trains professionals oriented towards the development, maintenance or restoration of movement and functional abilities of people, or groups of people, during the various stages of life. The training combines a solid scientific background with practical training in acute rehabilitation, long-term care and geriatric settings.

SUPSI Course Overview

Overview

  • Degree awarded

    Bachelor of Science SUPSI in Fisioterapia

  • Credits

    180 ECTS

  • Study modes

    Full Time (TP), from 3 years

  • Applications *

    (TP) November 17th, 2025 - April 15th, 2026

  • Start date

    September 2026

  • Language

    Italian

  • Semester fee

    From CHF 800.-

  • Location

    Manno, stabile Piazzetta

*For further details see the "Admission and registration" section

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The training aims at developing a professionalism capable of making a valuable contribution to the prevention and solution of health problems, adapting to an increasingly complex and changing world of healthcare.
At the end of the study course, the SUPSI physiotherapist is able to assume all the roles described in the competence profile drawn up by the Rectors' Conference of Swiss Universities: he/she is an expert in physiotherapy but also a communicator, is able to assume the role of manager and work in a team, promotes personal health by educating and learning.

The work of the physiotherapist is carried out in contact with people of all age groups with problems (or potential problems) in the fields of:
  • Surgery
  • Intensive care medicine
  • Geriatrics
  • Gynaecology/obstetrics/urology
  • Internal medicine
  • Neurology/neurosurgery
  • Orthopaedics/traumatology/rheumatology
  • Paediatrics
  • Physical medicine and rehabilitation
  • Psychiatry/psychosomatics
  • Sports medicine
  • Prevention
  • Education
SUPSI physiotherapists can work in Switzerland and abroad in the following environments:
Ospedali pubblici e cliniche private
  • Public hospitals and private clinics
  • Social-psychiatric facilities
  • Rehabilitation facilities
  • Day care centres
  • Medical centres
  • Schools
  • Prisons
  • Homes for the elderly
  • International cooperation organisations
  • Private practices
  • Home based care
It is also possible to develop a career in the health management sector as a department head/team leader, in the education sector as a lecturer, coordinator of training programmes or offers, and not least as a researcher.

The SUPSI Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy provides access to Master's programmes in related fields (e.g. Master of Science in Physiotherapy) offered by universities in Switzerland and abroad, or to continuing education programmes at national and international level: 
  • Certificate of Advanced Studies (CAS)
  • Diploma of Advanced Studies (DAS)
  • Master of Advanced Studies (MAS)

  • Internships and practicums

    Four practical internships (8 to 12 weeks) are planned during the training and are carried out in partner facilities and institutions in Ticino, Switzerland and abroad, in differentiated fields including acute rehabilitation, long-stay care and geriatrics. The penultimate or final internship may be carried out abroad in an international cooperation context. In addition to the internships, during the course semesters at SUPSI students undertake clinical practice lessons in a perfect combination of theory and practice.

  • Professional competences and interdisciplinarity

    Continuous relations with students of the nursing and ergotherapy degree courses through the attendance of common modules. The pedagogical and didactic choices not only enable the acquisition of professional competences specific to the profession (through specific modules), but also promote collaboration and openness to other professional worlds by preparing students for interdisciplinary work.

  • Teaching methods

    Use of innovative teaching methods such as seminars, ateliers, problem-based learning (student-centred pedagogical approach using the analysis of a given problem as a starting scenario for the acquisition of new knowledge).

  • Bachelor's thesis

    A qualifying opportunity for the student to apply theoretical concepts to professional contexts through literature reviews, case studies, participation in research projects, documentation of experiences based on the application of models, methods and tools to a specific professional situation.

  • Mobility

    - internships in other regions of Switzerlandinternships in other regions of Switzerland: from the second internship onwards, the possibility of gaining practical experience in other regions of Switzerland
    - internships abroad (in the 5th semester, minimum duration 12 weeks), as part of international cooperation projects with associations in various countries (including Cambodia, Ecuador, the Philippines, Italy, India, Morocco, Mozambique, Nicaragua, Romania, Sudan, Uganda)
    - semester abroad thanks to the SEMP programme (Swiss-European Mobility Programme, formerly Erasmus) in Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, SpainFor further information please consult the SUPSI International Office website.

The Bachelor's degree allows students to acquire 180 ECTS in accordance with the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit corresponds to about 30 hours of study (lectures, individual and group projects, assisted and individual study).
3 years (6 semesters).   One academic year corresponds to 60 ECTS credits (1800 working hours).
The training is structured in modules, with compulsory attendance, and combines a basic scientific and cultural background with specific professional skills also developed during the four training stages (lasting a total of 42 weeks)

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The contents of the published study plans reflect the structure of the modules and/or courses currently planned and may be subject to change over time, based on the evolution of the educational offering.

SUPSI Course Responsibles

Annanora Huber Bassetti

Docente professionista senior / Co-Responsabile corso di laurea - Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care

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In view of the limited number of places available (32), all candidates for the Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy must take a ranking examination (written and second aptitude test).
For the purpose of federal and cantonal funding, a limited number of candidates who are not residents of Switzerland are admitted to each Bachelor's degree program with a DEASS ranking examination. For the Bachelor's degrees in the Health area, in principle this quota amounts to 10 percent; exceptions are considered legitimate when compliance with the 10 percent non-resident quota would not allow the needs (in terms of graduates) of the Ticino labor market to be met, in view of the available places offered by the degree programs.
The application for admission is submitted exclusively by following the online procedure available on the Student Portal.
 
After a few days, once the application has been assessed, an e-mail communication containing the invitation to the written ranking examination will follow. 
Candidates who pass the written examination will receive an invitation to the aptitude tests (second oral part) by e-mail.  After passing the latter, a final confirmation will follow, informing them of their direct admission to the Bachelor's degree or admission after completion of the complementary modules (see section "Admission requirements").

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For admission to the degree course, there is a graded examination divided into two parts:
  1. Written part aimed at probing skills in text analysis and comprehension, logic, general knowledge, interpretation and reading of data
  2. Attitude part consisting of an interview and a practical test aimed at testing personal aptitude, motivation and perception of the implications of future training and professional activity The candidates with the best results in the written examination are invited to the aptitude test.

The written ranking exam will take place on Tuesday, May 5, 2026.

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Candidates with one of the following qualifications are admitted to the Bachelor's degree programme in Physiotherapy (subject to passing the ranking examination)​​​​​​​:
  • Vocational Baccalaureate in health and social care (MPSS)
  • Specialised health or social Baccalaureate
  • Diploma of Technical Education in the fields of economy and services (MPES); technology, architecture and life sciences (MPT); creation and art (MPA) or nature, landscape and food (MPN)
  • Baccalaureate or equivalent
  • Foreign diploma or equivalent 

Admission to the Bachelor's degree
  • Baccalaureate in health and social care: students in possession of a health and social care Baccalaureate gain direct access to the Bachelor's degree 
  • Other Baccalaureates: candidates who do not have a health and social care baccalaureate begin their training after completing one year of "additional modules" consisting of weeks of training at school and practical training in socio-healthcare institutions. The Department recognises HCA (OSS) (Healthcare Assistant) training of 1,000 hours, carried out in Italy, as equivalent to the additional modules. For all information on the additional modules (purpose, training structure, school calendar, certification, etc.) please consult the sidebar in the programme document.

Applications on dossier
Candidates over the age of 25 may be admitted to the Bachelor's degree course without the required qualifications, but considered by the Management to have significant training and experience . In this case, there is a preliminary examination aimed at testing basic elements of general culture, as well as knowledge of the Italian language, argumentative and synthesis skills. Successful completion of the general culture exam will allow the ranking exam to be held.

The general knowledge exam will take place on Tuesday, April 28, 2026.

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The application for admission must be submitted by the deadline (see overview).

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Fee
The fee is CHF 1600 per semester, respectively CHF 800 for students benefiting from the application of the Intercantonal Agreement on Universities of Applied Sciences and Arts (Swiss nationality or tax domicile in Switzerland or Liechtenstein). Specific agreements apply for students resident in Campione d’Italia.
Administrative and logistical costs
A flat fee of CHF 160 per semester is also required as a contribution to administrative and logistical costs.
Application fee
A fee of CHF 200 must be paid online when applying for admission. This fee is neither refundable nor deductible from the semester fee.
Scolarship
​​​​​​​Various public and private institutions offer support to students in need. More information on scholarships available here.

Following the Cantonal Parliament's approval of the PRO SAN 2021-2024 communication, starting from the 2022-23 academic year, SUPSI Bachelor's degree nursing students will receive a fixed monthly allowance paid by the Canton starting from the first month of enrolment, even outside internship periods. The State Council has defined the following allowances:
​​​​​​​Academic Year 2024-25 and 2025-26

  • 1st year: CHF 850.–
  • 2nd year: CHF 950.–
  • 3rd year: CHF 1'050.–

Academic Year 2024-25

  • 1st year: CHF 900.–
  • 2nd year: CHF 1'000.–
  • 3rd year: CHF 1'100.–

In addition, a new tertiary training allowance has been introduced that will also provide Bachelor's degree nursing students with minimum subsistence coverage during training, should there be an unmet need despite the monthly salary.  The allowance can be granted up to the coverage of overhead and training costs.

More information on applications for study support is available on the website of the Department of Education, Culture and Sport (DECS) of the Canton of Ticino.

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The health area of the Department of Business Administration, Health care and Social work regularly offers refresher courses that are valid for the recognition of foreign degrees in Switzerland.

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There are no specific texts to study on in order to sit the ranking exams. A good general culture and a good knowledge of the Italian language are undoubtedly important elements for successfully taking the exams.

Candidates who hold a high school diploma in a non-social/health-related field, who have passed the ranking exams, and who meet the following conditions may be exempted from the complementary modules:

  • Enrollment and attendance for at least one full university semester with 30 certified ECTS credits in a humanities subject (sociology, psychology, anthropology, education sciences) or a medical-scientific subject (medicine, biology, pharmacy, food sciences), together with a practical internship of at least four months in a healthcare facility. For the practical internship, you must contact the personnel manager of the healthcare facility and express your interest in completing a SUPSI pre-training internship of at least 4 months.
  • Civil service in the healthcare sector lasting more than 9 months
  • Continuing recruit school (1 year) in the healthcare sector
  • 120-hour Swiss Red Cross (SRC) training course combined with a practical internship of at least 6 months in a healthcare facility

Dopo aver superato gli esami di graduatoria, lo studente discuterà con il Responsabile del proprio corso di Laurea e con il Responsabile delle formazioni Bachelor in merito ad eventuali riconoscimenti di crediti/moduli già acquisiti ed affini al piano di studi. Per procedere a questo lavoro occorre disporre di un CV dettagliato supportato da tutta la documentazione di corsi e/o di moduli certificati. Sulla valutazione del background formativo è possibile definire un percorso di studi personalizzato che scaturirà in un “accordo di formazione” che illustra le condizioni di formazione e di certificazione.
Nel caso del riconoscimento di moduli/crediti non è possibile l’ammissione diretta al 2° o 3° anno di studi. Consultando i piani di studi si può constatare che, soprattutto per quanto attiene ai moduli specialistici, la formazione del DEASS prevede contributi fondamentali già nel primo e secondo semestre così come uno stage con obiettivi centrati sullo sviluppo delle competenze del singolo professionista (fisioterapista, ergoterapista, infermiere).
Per ottenere informazioni preliminari sul riconoscimento di formazioni pregresse si invita ad inoltrare la documentazione citata precedentemente al Segretariato del Dipartimento.

L'inizio degli studi è previsto l'anno accademico in cui si sono svolti gli esami di graduatoria o l'anno successivo per coloro che devono frequentare i moduli complementari. Non è possibile posticipare l'inizio della formazione nel caso di superamento dell'esame di graduatoria ma di non ottenimento della maturità (in questo caso va ripetuto l'iter di selezione, non è infatti possibile "congelare" l'ammissione nell'attesa dell'ottenimento della maturità).
L'unica eccezione che consente di posticipare l'inizio della formazione di un anno è lo svolgimento della scuola reclute/servizio civile.

Chi ha conseguito una Laurea in Scienze motorie è esentato dallo svolgimento della parte teorica dei moduli complementari; è necessario invece sostenere la formazione pratica in istituzioni socio-sanitarie (stage pre-formativo di almeno 4 mesi). La valutazione specifica del percorso di formazione svolto (piano di studi) permetterà di individuare eventuali riconoscimenti di moduli/crediti già conseguiti.

Di norma lo svolgimento di queste formazioni non dà diritto ad alcun riconoscimento che porta alla riduzione del periodo di formazione. Nel caso in cui la formazione sia accompagnata da un periodo di pratica è possibile essere esonerati dallo svolgimento dei moduli complementari. L’ammissione definitiva ai corsi di Bachelor è comunque subordinata al possesso del titolo di maturità o alle condizioni previste per l’ammissione su dossier per i candidati di età superiore ai 25 anni.

Open days/evenings are held between January and March each year, during which, for example, the content of the course, professional outlets and the admission procedure are presented. It is also possible to visit the campus and meet directly with students and lecturers.

SUPSI qualifications are valid both in Switzerland and worldwide. In regulated professions, SUPSI qualifications also qualify for the profession in Switzerland, while in other countries it is necessary to check with the relevant body for recognition.

You can take a semester an maximum one year at another university in Switzerland or abroad through related agreements. Find more information and reference contacts on the dedicated page.

They are a contribution to the costs of teaching (school materials, charges for visits, general administrative and secretarial costs, teaching and IT support, etc.).

Following the Bologna Reform, study courses have been structured into modules and each module is allocated a number of study credits according to the European Credit Transfer System (ECTS). One ECTS credit is equivalent to a workload of 25 to 30 hours. 60 credits represent the annual workload in the case of full-time education. A Bachelor's degree requires 180 ECTS and a Master's degree 90 to 120 ECTS.

Visualizzatore contatto

  • Department of Business Economics, Health and Social Care

    Bachelor in Nursing, Occupational Therapy and Physioterapy and Master in Nursing

  • Stabile Piazzetta, Via Violino 11
    CH-6928 Manno

  •  

  • T +41 (0)58 666 64 00

    deass.sanita@supsi.ch

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