While closely connected to the Master’s in Human Movement Sciences, this programme sets itself apart through its strong clinical orientation. Real-life health challenges—such as low back pain, osteoarthritis, sports injuries, or neurological conditions—serve as the starting point. You will deepen your scientific understanding with the clear aim of advancing prevention and treatment. In contrast, Human Movement Sciences primarily focuses on the fundamental mechanisms of human movement, which may have societal impact, but not necessarily in a direct clinical context. It offers you the necessary scientific expertise, grounded in an academic attitude and skills, to advance physiotherapy practice.
The Master's programme in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Sciences is a one-year, full-time programme. The programme is taught in English.
Dynamic teaching methods
In this programme, we use various teaching methods such as lectures, practicals, workgroups, seminars and directed self-guided learning. We also apply blended learning by combining on-site and online teaching. This makes the programme and your learning dynamic. The different formats enhance your theoretical knowledge and research skills, and integrate those within the context of practical problems related to physiotherapy.
Programme credits
This Master's programme consists of 60 EC. You will follow compulsory courses (total 30 EC), in which you acquire in-depth knowledge of physiotherapy, develop scientific skills, and apply methodology with regard to data acquisition and analyses. In addition, you carry out an individual research project (30 EC), usually in the second semester.
Individual research project
During the programme, you will conduct a substantial individual research project. This project can be conducted within the labs of our own faculty or in a clinical practice, such as one that is part of the VU Science Network. You can also choose to conduct your research project abroad. Regardless of where you decide to conduct your internship, you will be supervised by an experienced member of our academic staff.
Optional: Become a qualified lecturer in higher education
As part of this master’s programme, you can also choose to obtain the qualifications to become a lecturer in higher education (taught only in Dutch). This additional programme component consists of an additional 30 EC. Se the additional information about this option.
The start date of this programme is September 1st.
