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Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Health
Designed and delivered collaboratively by the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, Nanyang Technological University and the National Health Group (NHG Health). This programme equips physiotherapists with practice-ready competencies across acute, rehabilitation and community care settings.
Programme Overview
The Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Health programme is a work-study postgraduate pathway designed for practising physiotherapists who wish to deepen their clinical capabilities while continuing in professional practice. It integrates academic learning with structured workplace-based learning to strengthen assessment, clinical reasoning, rehabilitation management and professional practice across acute, rehabilitation and community care settings.
Through a combination of online learning, face-to-face practical sessions, clinical seminars and supervised workplace learning, students apply knowledge to the management of patients with musculoskeletal, neurological, geriatric and medical conditions. Emphasis is placed on interpreting clinical findings, formulating appropriate rehabilitation plans, delivering effective interventions and working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
The programme follows a stackable pathway from Graduate Certificate to FlexiMasters and Master of Science, allowing students to progressively build advanced competencies and, at the MSc level, pursue development in Leadership, Clinical Expert or Advanced Practice.
Unique Features of the Programme
- Work-Study Model
One of the programme's unique features is the twinning of a formal Allied Health Professionals residency programme with stackable academic qualifications (Graduate Certificate, FlexiMasters, Master of Science) from NTU. This "work-study" model, which formally credits workplace-based learning, is the first of its kind in Singapore and directly addresses the barriers of traditional full-time or part-time study.
- Stackable & Flexible Learning Pathway
Structured as a progressive pathway from Graduate Certificate to FlexiMasters and ultimately to a Master of Science degree, the programme allows learners to build competencies in stages. This flexible design supports working professionals, enabling them to upskill at their own pace while balancing clinical responsibilities and studying for their qualifications over time.
- Strong Clinical Integration
Another defining feature of the programme is its emphasis on real-world clinical application through supervised attachments and practice in the healthcare institutions. These attachments provide valuable exposure to a wide range of clinical conditions, allowing students to translate theoretical knowledge into practical diagnostic, management, and patient care skills.
- Future-Focused, Industry-Relevant Curriculum
The curriculum is carefully designed to address evolving healthcare needs, including the those of people living longer lives who require physiotherapy and rehabilitation care in diverse clinical settings. This ensures that graduates remain clinically relevant and well-prepared for the healthcare of today and tomorrow.
Programme Structure
The Master of Science is a 30 academic-unit (AU) degree designed with a stackable framework. This pathway progresses from a Graduate Certificate (8 AU) to a FlexiMasters (7 AU), culminating in the full Master’s qualification. Students enrolled via the stackable route must satisfy the 15 AU requirements in Graduate Certificate and FlexiMasters before advancing to the MSc phase.
Graduate Certificate:
Equips learners with essential skills in patient assessment, including history taking, physical examination, interpretation of investigations, and formulation of differential diagnoses.
| Course Title | No. of AUs | Core / Elective | Duration (Weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Principles of Physiotherapy Assessment and Clinical Reasoning | 3 | Core | 13 |
| Management of Clinical Conditions in Physiotherapy Rehabilitation | 3 | Core | 13 |
| Rehabilitation Practice, Communication and Professionalism | 2 | Core | 13 |
FlexiMasters:
Builds on the GC foundation to train clinical competencies for managing acute and complex medical conditions in hospital and rehabilitation settings.
| Course Title | No. of AU | Core / Elective | Duration (Weeks) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment and Clinical Interpretation in Complex Rehabilitation | 4 | Core | 20 |
| Rehabilitation Management Across Clinical Conditions | 3 | Core | 19 |
Master of Science (MSc):
In the final stack, learners can choose from 3 tracks – Leadership, Clinical Expert or Advanced Practice.
- All learners gain research skills through core modules on research methods and a Capstone Project.
- Those on the Leadership track will complete modules on healthcare leadership and governance, the evolving healthcare landscape in Singapore, the impact of an ageing population on rehabilitation health, technology and digital rehabilitation health etc.
- Those on the Clinical Expert (musculoskeletal-orthopaedic) track will complete modules that emphasise depth and clinical mastery, e.g., expert clinical reasoning, complex musculoskeletal and orthopaedic rehabilitation, specialty physiotherapy interventions and optimisation of function, consultative practice and multidisciplinary management etc.
- Those on the Advanced Practice (musculoskeletal) track will complete modules on advanced physiotherapy care, professional, ethical and legal implications of advanced practice, and modules mapped to the Entrustable Professional Activities published by the MOH Musculoskeletal Workgroup including triage and escalation, radiology, pharmacotherapy and prescribing. An additional Clinical Practicum (108 hours) of which 96 hours are Supervised Practice with a doctor is also mandatory.
Admission
Applicants seeking admission to this programme must possess the following:
Graduate Certificate:
[1] Physiotherapists with full registration from AHPC, Singapore
[2] Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent
[3] Currently employed in a relevant area of practice / work
FlexiMasters:
[1] Physiotherapists with full registration from AHPC, Singapore
[2] Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent
[3] Successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Health whereby the certificate is within the validity period specified by NTU
[4] Currently employed in a relevant area of practice / work
Master of Science:
[1] Physiotherapists with full registration from AHPC, Singapore
[2] Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent
[3] Successful completion of the FlexiMasters in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Health whereby the certificate is within the validity period specified by NTU
[4] Currently employed in a relevant area of practice / work
Programme | Requirements |
Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation Health (Physiotherapy) | Learners must complete all core modules worth 8 AUs to be awarded the Graduate Certificate |
FlexiMasters in Rehabilitation Health (Physiotherapy) | Learners must complete the Graduate Certificate (8 AU), and an additional 7 AUs to be awarded the FlexiMasters |
Master of Science in Rehabilitation Health (Physiotherapy) | Learners must complete the Graduate Certificate (8 AU), the FlexiMasters (7 AU) and an additional 15 AUs to be awarded the Master of Science in Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Health. |
Tuition Fees (By Programme)
Full Programme Course Fees in SGD (fees and funding quoted below are subject to revision) | ||
| Graduate Certificate – 8 AU | ||
| Fees BEFORE funding & GST | Fees AFTER funding & 9% GST | |
Singapore Citizens (aged 21–39) / PR (aged ≥21) Up to 70% SSG Funding | $16,000.00 | $5,232.00 |
Singapore Citizens (aged ≥40) MCES – Up to 90% SSG Funding | $16,000.00 | $1744.00 |
SME-sponsored Singapore Citizens / PR ETSS – Up to 90% SSG Funding | $16,000.00
| $1,744.00 |
Other Residents / International learners No SSG Funding | $16,000.00 | $17,440.00 |
| FlexiMasters – 7 AU | ||
| Fees BEFORE funding & GST | Fees AFTER funding & 9% GST | |
Singapore Citizens (aged 21–39) / PR (aged ≥21) Up to 70% SSG Funding | $14,000.00 | $4,578.00 |
Singapore Citizens (aged ≥40) MCES – Up to 90% SSG Funding | $14,000.00 | $1,526.00 |
SME-sponsored Singapore Citizens / PR ETSS – Up to 90% SSG Funding | $14,000.00 | $1,526.00 |
Other Residents / International learners No SSG Funding | $14,000.00 | $15,260.00 |
| Master of Science: Leadership and Clinical Expert tracks – 15 AU | ||
| Fees BEFORE funding & GST | Fees AFTER funding & 9% GST | |
Singapore Citizens / PR / Other Residents / International learners No SSG Funding | $30,000.00 | $32,700.00 |
| Master of Science: Advanced Practice track – 15 AU plus Clinical Practicum | ||
| Fees BEFORE funding & GST | Fees AFTER funding & 9% GST | |
Singapore Citizens / PR / Other Residents / International learners No SSG Funding | $30,000.00 plus Clinical Practicum fee | $32,700.00 plus Clinical Practicum fee |
MCES refers to the Mid-Career Enhanced Subsidy Scheme. | ||
Refund Policy
Students who apply for deferment or leave LKCMedicine, either through withdrawal of their own accord or end of candidature by LKCMedicine, after two weeks from commencement of each course will be liable to pay fees for the entire term. Requests for refund will not be considered.
General Questions
Q. What is the objective of this programme?
A. The programme aims to equip physiotherapists with knowledge and practical skills to effectively assess, diagnose, and manage patients with physical therapy and rehabilitation health needs, in a variety of care settings.
Q. Who is this programme designed for?
A. The programme is designed for registered physiotherapists who have full registration from the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), Singapore. The MSc musculoskeletal advanced practice track is specifically designed to enable graduates to be eligible for an expanded scope of practice, including x-ray ordering and interpretation, and prescribing, subject to national frameworks which MOH is rolling out in early 2027.
Q. Is this programme recognised?
A. Yes, it is a postgraduate qualification awarded by Nanyang Technological University, ensuring academic rigour and industry relevance.
Programme Structure & Learning
Q. What is meant by a “stackable programme”?
A. A stackable programme allows learners to progressively earn qualifications—starting from a Graduate Certificate, advancing to a FlexiMasters, and ultimately completing a Master of Science degree.
Q. How long does it take to complete the programme?
A. The programme typically takes approximately 3.5-4 years on a part-time basis, with a maximum candidature period of up to 6 years.
Q. Is the programme fully online?
A. No. The programme adopts a blended learning approach that combines online learning with in-person clinical attachments, practical sessions and supervised practice.
Q. Are there hands-on components in the programme?
A. Yes. Learners will undergo supervised clinical attachments at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and other healthcare institutions, allowing them to apply knowledge in real clinical settings.
Curriculum & Content
Q. What topics are covered in the programme?
A. The curriculum covers a wide range of topics in physiotherapy practice across key rehabilitation domains, including musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory, neurological and geriatric care.
Q. Does the programme include emerging technologies such as AI?
A. Yes. The programme incorporates AI-enabled chatbot simulations and the role of AI and technology in rehabilitation health.
Admission & Eligibility
Q. What are the entry requirements?
A. Applicants must be practicing 1) physiotherapists with full registration from AHPC, Singapore; 2) hold a Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy or equivalent; and 3) be currently employed in a relevant area of practice / work
Q. Can I apply directly to the MSc programme?
A. No. Currently, all applicants begin with the Graduate Certificate, then progress to the FlexiMasters after successful completion of the Graduate Certificate and all workplace-based learning requirements. Those who complete the FlexiMasters and workplace-based requirements, will progress to the MSc.
Assessment & Certification
Q. How will I be assessed throughout the programme?
A. Assessment methods include quizzes, case-based assignments, mini-clinical examinations, OSCEs, and a capstone project.
Q. Is there a research component in the programme?
A. Yes. Learners will complete a research module and a capstone project, which may involve clinical research, innovation, or other relevant areas of scholarship.
Career Impact
Q. How will this programme benefit my career?
A. The Leadership Track will enable the graduate to progress towards leadership positions and roles in the healthcare institution, cluster and nationally. The Clinical Expert Track will enable the graduate to provide expert physiotherapy care. The Advanced Practice Track will enable the graduate to undertake an advanced scope of practice, including x-ray ordering and interpretation, and prescribing.
Practical Considerations
Q. Can I pursue this programme while working full-time?
A. Yes. The programme is designed with working physiotherapists in mind, offering flexible and blended learning options.
Q. Where are the clinical attachments conducted?
A. Clinical attachments are conducted at Tan Tock Seng Hospital and other healthcare institutions.
Q. When will the programme commence?
A. The Graduate Certificate is will commence in September 2026, with the MSc component expected to start in 2029.
Deferment & Withdrawal
Course Deferment
Any request for course deferment for successfully-admitted applicants is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Each deferment is for a period of one Academic Year (i.e. one intake).
Course Withdrawal Policy
Matriculated students must write in to the School to formally withdraw from the programme, however there will be no refund for the Tuition Fee and Student Services Fee.