Physiotherapy is a healthcare profession that contributes to the prevention, maintenance, and optimal functional recovery of an individual's many physical capacities related to their circulatory, pulmonary, musculoskeletal, and neurological systems. A physiotherapist is in charge of determining the kind, cause, and severity of the patient's physical impairments and disabilities, setting rehabilitation goals, organising the course of treatment, and providing suggestions.
Physical therapy programs develop a collaborative learning community that produces adaptive, reflective physical therapists with good clinical reasoning abilities. To benefit human health, the programs seek to enhance health care through educational and clinical practice and improve social accountability.
Physiotherapists work in various places, including hospitals, rehab facilities, private clinics, and patients' homes. The discipline offers research, education, consultation, and administration opportunities in addition to clinical practice. After completing a professional physical therapy degree, you can choose from several specialisations. Physiotherapists in Canada make an average of $70,000 a year.
Global ranking of some of the top universities in Canada for Physiotherapy courses
Physical therapy courses are available at several reputable universities in Canada. The top physiotherapy universities are listed below based on “Best Physical Therapy schools in Canada” by Edu rank.
Ranking |
University |
Location |
6 |
University of Toronto |
Ontario, Toronto |
12 |
University of British Columbia |
British Columbia, Vancouver |
16 |
McMaster University |
Ontario, Hamilton |
21 |
University of Alberta |
Alberta, Edmonton |
25 |
McGill University |
Quebec State, Montreal |
27 |
Western University |
Ontario, London |
52 |
University of Montreal |
Quebec State, Montreal |
69 |
Queen's University |
Ontario, Kingston |
77 |
University of Ottawa |
Ontario, Ottawa |
115 |
Dalhousie University |
Nova Scotia, Halifax |
165 |
University of Manitoba |
Manitoba, Winnipeg |
283 |
University of Sherbrooke |
Quebec State, Sherbrook |
Programs for Bachelors in Physiotherapy with tuition fees in Canada
Undergraduate Studies in Physiotherapy in Canada is a 4-year program. The table below lists some universities and the tuition fees for international students offering a bachelor's program in physiotherapy or a related field.
University |
Courses |
Duration |
Tuition fees per annum |
McGill University |
B.Sc. Rehabilitation Science in Physical Therapy |
4 years |
$26,430 |
Queen's University |
Bachelor of Health Sciences with a career specialisation in physical therapy |
4 years |
$25,770 $2,577/3 units*10 |
Academic Requirements
- A secondary school diploma or state equivalent.
- A score of at least 65 %.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum score of 6.5 and a minimum score of 5.5 in each band.
- PTE: A minimum score of 58 overall and a minimum result of 50 in each band.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum result of 74 to 82 overall.
Programs for Masters in Physiotherapy with tuition fees in Canada
The following table lists some universities and the tuition fees for overseas students offering a master’s program in physical therapy or a closely related field.
University |
Courses |
Duration |
Tuition fees per annum |
University of Toronto |
M.Sc. in Physical Therapy |
2 years |
$10,550 |
University of British Columbia |
Master of Physical Therapy |
26 months |
$44,679 |
McMaster University |
Master of Science in Physiotherapy |
24 months |
$25,920 $12,960*2 |
University of Alberta |
M.Sc. in Physical Therapy |
28 months |
$10,956 |
McGill University |
Master of Science (Applied) in Physical Therapy |
1.5 years |
$19,154 $9,577*2 |
Western University |
Master of Physical Therapy |
2 years |
$35,973 |
University of Montreal |
Master of Physical Therapy |
2 years |
$32,486(Total course fee) $721.92*45 |
Queen's University |
Master of Science in Physical Therapy |
2 years |
$30,600 |
University of Ottawa |
Master of Health Sciences Physiotherapy |
2 years |
$18,346 $9,173*2 |
Dalhousie University |
M.Sc. Physiotherapy |
28 months |
$31,947 $16,860+$15,087 |
Academic Requirements
- A 4-year undergraduate degree or its academic equivalent from an accredited institution is required in any field of study. Some universities require a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy or related courses.
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 on the 4-point grading system or an equivalent is required.
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum score of 6.5 to 7.0 overall and a minimum score of 6.0 in each band.
- PTE: A minimum score of 68 overall and a minimum result of 60 in each band.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum result of 90 to 100 overall, including 20 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 22 in Writing.
Programs for Doctorate in Physiotherapy with tuition fees in Canada
The table below lists the top universities in Canada that offer the doctor of physical therapy programs. A doctoral program's course duration can be between 3 and 5 years.
University |
Courses |
Duration |
Tuition fees per annum |
University of British Columbia |
PhD in Rehabilitation Sciences |
5 years |
$9,500 |
Western University |
Doctor of Physical Therapy |
3 years |
$42,670 |
University of Ottawa |
Doctorate in Philosophy Rehabilitation Sciences |
4 years |
$4,673 $2,336.75*2 |
Academic Requirements
- Completion of a four-year undergraduate degree from an accredited institution
- A master’s degree in a rehabilitation profession (Audiology, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech-Language Pathology) or a related discipline with a minimum score of 75%
- Volunteer or paid work experience in physical therapy or related discipline
- Previous research experience in either a research-based Masters's degree before commencing the program or a formal experience in a research setting in physical therapy
English Test Scores
- IELTS: A minimum score of 7.0 overall and a minimum score of 6.0 in each band.
- PTE: A minimum score of 68 overall and a minimum result of 60 in each band.
- TOEFL iBT: A minimum of 100 overall, including a minimum result of 23 in Writing.
Top Physiotherapy University in Canada: Specialization
Universities in Canada offer many specialisations in Physiotherapy, some of which are listed below.
- Orthopedics
- Paediatrics
- Cardiorespiratory physiotherapy
- Rheumatology
- Gerontology
- Women’s Health
- Sports physiotherapy
- Neurosciences
- Health promotion
- Manual therapy
- Healthcare management and more
Top Physiotherapy University in Canada: Scholarships
Some of the scholarships offered to international students at different universities in Canada are listed below.
University |
Scholarships |
Amount |
University of Toronto |
The Lester B. Pearson International Scholarships |
Full tuition fees |
University of British Columbia |
J.A. Campbell Research Award |
Up to $25,000 |
Rio Tinto Graduate Scholarship Program |
$18,000 |
|
McMaster University |
The Myra Baillie Academic Grant |
$1,000 |
Alan Nolet Physiotherapy Academic Grant |
Up to $2,500 |
|
University of Alberta |
University of Alberta Graduate Entrance Scholarship |
$17,500 |
Western University |
John and Catherine Kelly Bursary |
$10,000 |
Western Graduate Research Scholarship |
Varies |
Top Physiotherapy University in Canada: Scope
To practice physiotherapy in Canada, graduates of a Master of Physiotherapy degree must take the licensure exam. Because the programs offered in Canada are accredited, graduates are entitled to sit for the professional qualification licensure exam.
Jobs are available in hospitals, sports clubs, and rehabilitation institutions, among other places. A few counsellors start their private practices. Physical therapists with additional education and experience may advance to become administrators of physical therapy departments.
Job opportunities for physiotherapists are expected to rise in the foreseeable future. While physiotherapists are in short supply across Canada, the deficit is worse in smaller cities. Hospitals and physiotherapy offices frequently have trouble filling positions with qualified candidates. Furthermore, these regions might provide you with better work opportunities.
Job Title |
Range |
Average |
Physiotherapist |
C$53k - C$88k |
C$69,385 |
Physical Therapist (PT) |
C$39k - C$79k |
C$57,261 |
Disability Case Manager |
C$45k - C$63k |
C$54,522 |
Registered Physical Therapist |
C$49k - C$83k |
C$65,047 |
Clinical Manager |
C$60k - C$96k |
C$78,775 |
Compliance Officer |
C$54k - C$91k |
C$70,215 |
Postdoctoral Research Associate |
C$38k - C$70k |
C$51,358 |