Diploma in Physiotherapy: Course Details, Admission, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Jobs & Salary

Diploma in Physiotherapy Overview

A Diploma in Physiotherapy is a professional course in the paramedical field that candidates can pursue if they want to work with and treat patients who have physical disabilities or have been injured. The course duration is 2 years and it teaches different rehabilitation techniques to candidates that must be applied to patients so that they can return to a normal lifestyle. 

Candidates can pursue a Diploma in Physiotherapy after completing their 10+2 with a minimum of 50% aggregate score from a recognised board with the science stream. Some colleges and institutions offer admission to DPT courses on the basis of merit or through marks scored at entrance examinations. Some of the top entrance examinations for pursuing a Diploma in Physiotherapy are IPU CET, BCECE, etc. Madras Medical College, Christian Medical College, Aligarh Muslim University, and King George’s Medical University are some colleges in India where students can acquire a Diploma in Physiotherapy. 

The curriculum for the Diploma in Physiotherapy has been designed in such a way that students can acquire scientific knowledge, understand how to solve problems, and develop technical and communication skills. The average course fee for a Diploma in Physiotherapy ranges from INR 10,000 to INR 5,00,000 and it depends on the institution in which one is enrolled. 

After completing a Diploma in Physiotherapy, students can find job opportunities in different health institutions, defence medical organisations, the pharmaceutical industry, and orthopaedic departments. On average, students who complete a Diploma in Physiotherapy usually earn anywhere from INR 2 LPA to INR 5 LPA in the initial years of their career. 

Diploma in Physiotherapy Course Highlights

Here are the course highlights for a Diploma in Physiotherapy:

Who should do a Diploma in Physiotherapy?

Here are some insights into who should do a Diploma in Physiotherapy for students who are not sure whether a Diploma in Physiotherapy is relevant for them:

• Students willing to become physical therapists should study Diploma in Physiotherapy.
• This course is also ideal for candidates who do not want to spend three years studying a Bachelor of Physiotherapy or BPT course.
• A Diploma in Physiotherapy course is also a perfect choice for candidates who want to become a part of the healthcare industry or want to work in a hospital.
• A Diploma in Physiotherapy is also the best course for students who want to become sports rehab specialists.
• Candidates who want to make a change in their career and become a part of the healthcare industry after completing their class 12 exams. 

Why choose Diploma in Physiotherapy?

Many employers are on the lookout for specialists and physiotherapy in itself is a big and important part of medicine and public health. Moreover, the skills learned after studying Diploma in Physiotherapy are transferable skills and the scope of further education (undergraduate to PhD level) is also available. When considering a Diploma in Physiotherapy, here are some points to remember why choosing a Diploma in Physiotherapy is important and worthwhile:

• Physiotherapy is helpful for many people: Once someone studies a Diploma in Physiotherapy and becomes a physiotherapist, there are ample opportunities for a challenging, yet satisfying and rewarding career. Physiotherapists have the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of patients and improve their health by restoring normal functional movements.
• There is a huge requirement for physiotherapists in society: Society considers physiotherapists to be valuable members of society and they are well respected by everyone. With the help of physiotherapy, people who are suffering from chronic pain and sports injuries or are facing any challenges in mobility can find a way back to life with the help of the services offered by a physiotherapist. 
• Diploma in Physiotherapy is a practical course: Students can find ample opportunities to work in the healthcare sector and also become self-employed after completing a Diploma in Physiotherapy. 
• A severe shortage of physiotherapists in India: As per WHO’s mandate, there must be at least 1 physiotherapist for every 10,000 people and in India, the number of qualified individuals is nowhere close to this number. Hence, with this huge gap in the number of professionals, there’s a scope for building a promising career in physiotherapy. 
• Good compensation: With a Diploma in Physiotherapy, candidates will be hired by hospitals, different nursing homes and care centres. On average, the income of a physiotherapist is INR 3-4 LPA in India. The chances of better compensation can also be derived from entrepreneurship where they own a physiotherapy clinic. Charges in such clinics can range from anywhere between INR 200 to INR 1000 for every session.

Diploma in Physiotherapy Courses

Diploma in Physiotherapy is a course which teaches technical skills to students related to human body rehabilitation. There are no separate courses under a Diploma in Physiotherapy. It is a complete course in itself. Here are some of the Diploma in Physiotherapy subjects that are taught during the duration of the course - Physiology, Anatomy, Microbiology, Pathology, First aid and Nursing, Clinical Observation, etc. 

List of Popular Diploma in Physiotherapy Specialisations

With a Diploma in Physiotherapy, students get an opportunity to be introduced to the world of physiotherapy. After the completion of a Diploma in Physiotherapy, there is a scope of studying a Bachelor in Physiotherapy or BPT (4 years of course duration followed by 6 months of internship), and Master of Physiotherapy or MPT (2 years of the course duration). Only after reaching this stage in one’s career, a student can opt for specialisations such as:

• Paediatric Physiotherapy
• Obstetrics Physiotherapy
• Sports Physiotherapy
• Orthopaedic Physiotherapy
• Neurology Physiotherapy
• Geriatrics Physiotherapy
• Post Operative Physiotherapy
• Cardiovascular Physiotherapy

Diploma in Physiotherapy Eligibility Criteria

For gaining admission into various Diploma in Physiotherapy programmes, students need to meet certain criteria in general and some that are specified by institutions and universities offering the course. While the admission criteria for different colleges vary, here are the general eligibility criteria that candidates should possess in order to study for a Diploma in Physiotherapy:

• Must be at least 17 years of age
• Must completed their 10+2 exam from a recognised board with at least 50% aggregate marks
• Must have Physics, Chemistry, Biology/ Mathematics as core subjects in 10+2 exams.
• Score good marks in entrance exams wherever required.

Difference between Diploma in Physiotherapy and BSc in Physiotherapy

Diploma in Physiotherapy Admission Process

Admission to a Diploma in Physiotherapy course varies from one institution to another. However, there are some general guidelines that interested students can follow when preparing for Diploma in Physiotherapy admission:

• In order to get admission to a Diploma in Physiotherapy programme, a student must complete his or her 10+2 exam from a recognised board.
• It is also compulsory to have Physics, Chemistry, Biology and/or Mathematics as compulsory subjects in their 10+2 exam.
• An aggregate of 50% marks must be obtained in the class 12 exam. 
• Some colleges also require students to appear for various entrance examinations such as IPU CET, BCECE, LPUNEST, and CPNET. Marks obtained in such examinations are also considered during admission to various colleges offering a Diploma in Physiotherapy course.
• Registration dates are announced by institutions ahead of the days of submission of the application form. Basic details such as date of birth, name, age, and educational qualification along with valid email ID and phone numbers are required.
• Some other important documents required are class 12th mark sheets that need to be scanned and uploaded to the respective institute portals. 
• An application fee must be submitted by candidates after filling out the application form and uploading all scanned documents. 
• The last step in the admission process involves counselling and appearing for admission to the respective colleges and institutions for studying a Diploma in Physiotherapy.

Diploma in Physiotherapy Entrance Exams

For studying Diploma in Physiotherapy, there are many entrance exams that one can appear and get admission in the program:

• IPU CET: IPU CET or Indraprastha University Common Entrance Test is accepted by all Indraprastha University affiliated colleges that offer DPT, BPT and MPT courses.
• LPUNEST: LPUNEST is a National Entrance and Scholarship Test conducted by Lovely Professional University for those candidates who require scholarships in order to study different courses. This exam is conducted online.
• BCECE: Bihar Combined Entrance Competitive Examination or BCECE is a state-level exam which is conducted by Bihar University. 
• CPNET: CPNET is conducted by the Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences. This is a state-level entrance exam for Combined Paramedical, Pharmacy and Nursing Entrance exam and it is conducted in offline mode. 

Popular Diploma in Physiotherapy Colleges in India

Here is a list of colleges offering Diploma in Physiotherapy courses in India:

• King George’s Medical University
• Medical College Kolkata
• Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences
• Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College
• Aligarh Muslim University
• Indian Institute of Health Education and Research, Patna
• Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh
• Nilratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata
• Hind Institute of Medical Sciences
• Regional College of Paramedical Health Science, Guwahati
• Composite Regional Centre, Srinagar
• Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura
• Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur
• Himalayan University, Itanagar
• Eram Unani Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow
• YBN University, Ranchi
• CMJ University, Shillong
• Shobhit University, Gangoh
• Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad
• National Institute of Health Education and Research, Patna
• ADTU Guwahati, Assam DownTown University
• Patna Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Science, Patna
• Gopal Narayan Singh University, Rohtas
• Srinivas College of Physiotherapy and Research Centre, Mangalore
• SCPM College of Nursing and Paramedical Science, Gonda

Top Diploma in Physiotherapy Colleges State-wise

Here is a list of top Diploma in Physiotherapy colleges in various states offering Diploma in Physiotherapy courses:

Uttar Pradesh 

• King George’s Medical University
• Uttar Pradesh University of Medical Sciences
• Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College
• Aligarh Muslim University
• Hind Institute of Medical Sciences
• Eram Unani Medical College and Hospital, Lucknow
• Shobhit University
• Teerthanker Mahaveer University, Moradabad
• SCPM College of Nursing and Paramedical Science, Gonda
• Noida International University, Greater Noida
• Rama University, Kanpur
• Era University, Lucknow
• Shri Venkateshwara University, Amroha
• Jyoti College of Management Science and Technology, Bareilly
• Aligarh School of Nursing, Aligarh
• College of Nursing, Azamgarh
• Saint Mary’s College of Nursing and Paramedical Institute, Lucknow
• Mother Teresa Institute of Paramedical Science, Rampur

West Bengal

• Medical College, Kolkata
• Nilratan Sircar Medical College, Kolkata
• Bankura Sammilani Medical College, Bankura
• Dr KR Adhikary College of Optometry and Paramedical Technology, Kalyani
• The George Telegraph Training Institute, Kolkata

Bihar

• Indian Institute of Health Education and Research, Patna
• National Institute of Health Education and Research, Patna
• Patna Institute of Nursing and Paramedical Science, Patna
• Gopal Narayan University, Rohtas
• KK University, Nalanda

Assam

• Assam Medical College, Dibrugarh
• Regional College of Paramedical Health Science, Guwahati
• ADTU Guwahati
• Asian Institute of Paramedical Sciences, Guwahati 

Rajasthan

• Jayoti Vidyapeeth Women’s University, Jaipur
• University of Technology, Jaipur
• OPJS University, Rajgarh

Tamil Nadu

• Royal College of Pharmacy and Paramedical Sciences, Coimbatore
• SAH Community College, Tuticorin

Arunachal Pradesh

• Himalayan University, Itanagar
• North East Frontier Technical University, West Siang

Jammu and Kashmir

• Composite Regional Centre, Srinagar
• JSS Academy of Higher Education and Research, Mysuru
• MCODS Mangalore- Manipal College of Dental Sciences

Jharkhand

• YBN University, Ranchi

Karnataka

• Srinivas College of Physiotherapy and Research Centre, Mangalore

Meghalaya

• CMJ University, Shillong

Nagaland

• Global Open University, Dimapur

Andhra Pradesh

• Institute of Behavioural and Management Sciences, Chittoor

Delhi NCR

• Starex University, Gurugram
• Institute of Public Health and Hygiene, Delhi

Punjab

• Guru Kashi University, Talwandi Sabo

Haryana

• Starex University, Gurugram 

Study Diploma in Physiotherapy Abroad

Physiotherapy is the study of various processes of rehabilitation of people who have suffered from physical trauma with the help of different therapeutic exercises and movements. Physical trauma can occur from sports injuries, accidents, or certain illnesses. As the nature of illness and/ or trauma differ from one patient to another, it is the job of a physiotherapist to develop a treatment plan that will work for a specific patient. So studying physiotherapy involves gaining in-depth knowledge from theory as well as getting hands-on experience from practical classes. 

When it comes to studying physiotherapy abroad, there are no diploma courses available for students willing to pursue a career in physiotherapy. However, there are excellent undergraduate and postgraduate programmes available and they offer the required knowledge and experience for someone to become a professional and certified physiotherapist. 

Here are some advantages of studying a physiotherapy course abroad:

Experience high-quality teaching and training

In most countries abroad offering physiotherapy courses, the quality of education imparted to students is class apart as these countries are exclusively known for their extraordinary healthcare systems and initiatives. Hence, the training received by students who are willing to study physiotherapy courses abroad will also be top-notch. 

Increase in Demand

With each passing year, more and more people are leaning towards the use of physiotherapy and not traditional medication owing to the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the former in comparison to the latter option. It is because of this increase in demand for physiotherapy that the number of certified physiotherapists is also increasing steadily. In such a scenario, holding a degree in physiotherapy from a recognized university will help students take their careers to different heights.

Affordability

If you are someone who is deeply interested in being a part of the medical industry but courses such as MBBS are too expensive and time-consuming for you, getting a degree in physiotherapy will solve the problem. A course in physiotherapy is comparatively less expensive and can be completed within a shorter period of time in comparison to a full-fledged MBBS course. This way, you will be able to work in the healthcare sector and not have to spend a fortune in doing so. 

Top Colleges for Diploma in Physiotherapy Abroad

There are many colleges and universities abroad offering various courses in physiotherapy. Here is a comprehensive list of popular colleges and universities across the globe offering physiotherapy programmes to international students:

• University of Washington
• Harvard University
• University of Michigan
• University of Pittsburgh
• Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science
• University of Toronto
• University of Sydney
• Johns Hopkins University 
• University of Queensland
• Stanford University 
• University of California
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
• Duke University 
• University of British Columbia
• McMaster University 
• Karolinska Institute 
• Northwestern University 
• University of Minnesota
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Alberta
• University of Oxford

What is Diploma in Physiotherapy Course Fees?

While Diploma in Physiotherapy fee differs from one institution to another, here is a list of some of the top colleges in India offering Diploma in Physiotherapy along with their average course fees:

Required Skill Set for Diploma in Physiotherapy

In order to successfully complete a Diploma in Physiotherapy, here are some essential skills that one needs to acquire:

• Communication 
• Listening Skills
• Reading comprehension
• Giving healthcare instructions
• Operating Medical diagnostic equipment
• Planning health care treatments
• Treating a wide variety of physical problems
• Strength and coordination
• Technological skills
• Honing interpersonal skills
• Being updated on field research

Diploma in Physiotherapy Syllabus and Subjects

The course duration for a Diploma in Physiotherapy is two years. Here is a tabular format of the Diploma in Physiotherapy syllabus pdf and subjects:

Diploma in Physiotherapy First Year Subjects:

Diploma in Physiotherapy Second Year Subjects:

Diploma in Physiotherapy Scope in India

After completing a Diploma in Physiotherapy, there are immense job opportunities in the field of physical therapy in India. For example, one can operate at community health centres, mental health care centres, rehabilitation facilities, various nursing and private care centres, hospitals, and sports clinics, 

There are also options of opting for undergraduate and postgraduate courses in physiotherapy after completing a Diploma in Physiotherapy. Apart from these options, candidates can also choose Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and MSc in Occupational Therapy as a further course of education. 

Various other career options for a Diploma in Physiotherapy include:

Physiotherapist: A physiotherapist’s job is to help and promote movement and exercise with the help of manual treatment, education and counselling for those who have suffered from any trauma or have been suffering from illnesses and disability.  Physiotherapists are also instrumental in keeping people of all ages healthy by helping them manage pain and prevent diseases. 

Sports Physiotherapist: When people suffer from injuries due to the practice of any sport or during any exercise session, a sports physiotherapist comes into play. It is the job of the sports physiotherapist to offer assistance due to such injuries and also provide recommendations for playing safely. Athletes in general benefit greatly from the assistance provided by a sports physiotherapist.

Occupational Therapist: An occupational therapist is a skilled healthcare professional whose responsibility is to provide help to patients who are suffering from temporary or permanent disabilities. With the help of an occupational therapist, such patients can perform day to day tasks independently or with/without the help of assistive technology. Occupational therapists are also recruited by hospitals and different healthcare settings where they work with patients suffering from various chronic illnesses like diabetes or people who have undergone surgical procedures such as organ transplants.  

What is a Diploma in Physiotherapy Salary?

The salary of a candidate with a diploma in physiotherapy is greatly determined by a number of factors such as college/ institute/ university from where one has acquired the degree, skills possessed by the candidate, and years of experience. However, on average, a physiotherapist has the scope of earning anywhere between INR 3-7 LPA during the first few years of his or her career. With further specialisation and experience, the per annum income can go up to IN5 15,00,000. 

Skills that Make You the Best Physical Therapist

Just like any other occupation, physical therapists need some skills to excel in their fields. 

Motor Skills

The main objective of a physiotherapist is to work with patients so that they can achieve or regain their motor skills, movements and different actions of the muscle. Every therapy session involves concentrated work on the development of gross or fine motor skills. Thus it is important for a physiotherapist to have good motor skills with the best precision and yet minimal energy consumption. Hence, it is ideal for a physiotherapist to be physically active and fit and have good stamina. 

Communication skills

Although physical therapy inherently involves working with bodies, communication plays a crucial part in physical therapy sessions. A good physiotherapist needs to convey to patients what they need to do and how they are going to correct errors. They also need to communicate with their patients and talk to them about various physical exercises they must do before their next appointment. 

At this stage, written communication in the form of clear instructions, tips, etc. is also necessary so that patients can continue to heal even in the absence of a physiotherapist. 

Interpersonal skills

A physiotherapist is required to work with all kinds of patients and hence they must be aware of different strategies to interact with people effectively and efficiently. 

Here are a few examples of interpersonal skills that a physiotherapy practitioner should possess:

• Responsibility
• Dependability
• Leadership
• Motivation
• Active listening

Observational skills

Patients need to be observed carefully in order to gain important and valuable information. Hence, as a physiotherapist, one needs to put together different evaluations of attitude, movement and other issues about the patient that would be helpful in charting out a treatment plan.