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Can I get accepted into university to study physiotherapy with maths lit ?
I am in grade 11 and I recently switched from pure maths to maths lit and I just got interested in physiotherapy, but was disappointed that it needs pure maths and I'm so confused now.
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Karin’s Answer
Hi Mamello,
To become a Physiotherapist in South Africa you need to complete a bachelors degree (4 years). You then need 12 months of community service and gather practical experience. To practice as a Physiotherapist, you need to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
You are correct, that most universities require pure math in matric if you want to study Physiotherapy. However, the admission requirements are different for each university. Some might accept math literacy (usually at a higher level). You can also take a bridging course to "upgrade" your matric or enroll in a foundation program.
One university that does accept math literacy in matric for Physiotherapy is University of the Western Cape (UWC)
(https://physio.uwc.ac.za/curriculum).
At the University of Johannesburg you can study Biokinetics (which is similar to Physiotherapy) with math literacy (https://www.uj.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/uj-undergraduate-prospectus-2024.pdf).
Please make sure you look up each university and their requirements as they might change so you have the correct information for the year you need. You can also contact the department or the Admissions Office directly if the information is not clear.
Keep in mind that admission to a medical degree is usually competitive and requires a high number of "points". Often, a national benchmarking test is also required.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
https://www.saphysio.co.za/about-us/become-a-physiotherapist/
To become a Physiotherapist in South Africa you need to complete a bachelors degree (4 years). You then need 12 months of community service and gather practical experience. To practice as a Physiotherapist, you need to register with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
You are correct, that most universities require pure math in matric if you want to study Physiotherapy. However, the admission requirements are different for each university. Some might accept math literacy (usually at a higher level). You can also take a bridging course to "upgrade" your matric or enroll in a foundation program.
One university that does accept math literacy in matric for Physiotherapy is University of the Western Cape (UWC)
(https://physio.uwc.ac.za/curriculum).
At the University of Johannesburg you can study Biokinetics (which is similar to Physiotherapy) with math literacy (https://www.uj.ac.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/uj-undergraduate-prospectus-2024.pdf).
Please make sure you look up each university and their requirements as they might change so you have the correct information for the year you need. You can also contact the department or the Admissions Office directly if the information is not clear.
Keep in mind that admission to a medical degree is usually competitive and requires a high number of "points". Often, a national benchmarking test is also required.
I hope this helps! All the best to you!
KP
Karin recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Sara’s Answer
Hi! Have you talked to consulars about this career change path? They might be able to provide the best knowledge and steps moving forward as schools sometimes have unique paths for certain degrees.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Mamello !
It's great that you have already looked into the requirements to major in Physiotherapy at a South African University and now know that you'd need Math and not Math Literacy from your current classes.
You will have to take the courses that are required for Physiotherapy and Universities in your country require Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences for your National Senior Certificate. Mathematical Literacy doesn't prepare you for a career level study, it's a math course that teaches how to use numbers in daily life.
Try not to be confused - see if you can add a Mathematics class this time or next year. Find out from your school the way to drop and add a class. It's not too late. I don't know if they offer classes in summer at your school, but ask about that and try to take Mathematics. There is a solution for this, so do not worry. Go to the academic advisory office at your school and explain the situation. You could always take the Mathematics next year or that summer if they offer it.
Now that you know one requirement, you should explore all the requirements at the specific University that you plan to major in physiology at. Visit that University's website and then go visit them in person to get the specific information from that college. Universities vary in what they expect your scores to be in the required subjects.
When you are ready to apply, remember that you apply through the Central Applications Office, and only those who list Physiotherapy as their first, second, or third choice of Major are considered. So this may be a good time to situate all the information you will need. Remember, there is time to take the Mathematics class and if you can't drop the Mathematics Literacy class right now, that will benefit you in daily life, so all is good !
To be accepted to the University you would have to submit your application and the University would decide that. No one here can tell you if you'd actually be accepted but I think if you find out all of the requirements now, it is in your favor to be accepted.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
It's great that you have already looked into the requirements to major in Physiotherapy at a South African University and now know that you'd need Math and not Math Literacy from your current classes.
You will have to take the courses that are required for Physiotherapy and Universities in your country require Mathematics, Physical Sciences, and Life Sciences for your National Senior Certificate. Mathematical Literacy doesn't prepare you for a career level study, it's a math course that teaches how to use numbers in daily life.
Try not to be confused - see if you can add a Mathematics class this time or next year. Find out from your school the way to drop and add a class. It's not too late. I don't know if they offer classes in summer at your school, but ask about that and try to take Mathematics. There is a solution for this, so do not worry. Go to the academic advisory office at your school and explain the situation. You could always take the Mathematics next year or that summer if they offer it.
Now that you know one requirement, you should explore all the requirements at the specific University that you plan to major in physiology at. Visit that University's website and then go visit them in person to get the specific information from that college. Universities vary in what they expect your scores to be in the required subjects.
When you are ready to apply, remember that you apply through the Central Applications Office, and only those who list Physiotherapy as their first, second, or third choice of Major are considered. So this may be a good time to situate all the information you will need. Remember, there is time to take the Mathematics class and if you can't drop the Mathematics Literacy class right now, that will benefit you in daily life, so all is good !
To be accepted to the University you would have to submit your application and the University would decide that. No one here can tell you if you'd actually be accepted but I think if you find out all of the requirements now, it is in your favor to be accepted.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you, Michelle for the advice.
Mamello
You are welcome for the advice !
Michelle M.
James Constantine Frangos
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James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Marmello!
SEE https://wikisouthafrica.co.za/universities-offering-physiotherapy-south-africa/
University of Cape Town
University of the Free State
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU)
University of Pretoria
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Western Cape
University of the Witwatersrand
SEE https://southafricalists.com/physiotherapy-requirements-at-uj/
ALSO https://wikisouthafrica.co.za/universities-offering-physiotherapy-south-africa/ ALSO https://courseguide.co.za/what-subjects-are-needed-to-study-physiotherapy-in-south-african-universities/ ALSO https://www.sun.ac.za/english/maties/Documents/Physiotherapy.pdf ALSO https://southafricalists.com/physiotherapy-requirements-at-uj/
Mathematics: A minimum score of 60% in Mathematics is required.
Physical Sciences: A minimum score of 60% in Physical Sciences is essential.
Life Sciences: A minimum score of 60% in Life Sciences is necessary.
English: A minimum score of 60% in English is required as the medium of instruction is English.
JC
SEE https://wikisouthafrica.co.za/universities-offering-physiotherapy-south-africa/
University of Cape Town
University of the Free State
University of KwaZulu-Natal
Sefako Makgatho Health Science University (SMU)
University of Pretoria
University of Stellenbosch
University of the Western Cape
University of the Witwatersrand
SEE https://southafricalists.com/physiotherapy-requirements-at-uj/
ALSO https://wikisouthafrica.co.za/universities-offering-physiotherapy-south-africa/ ALSO https://courseguide.co.za/what-subjects-are-needed-to-study-physiotherapy-in-south-african-universities/ ALSO https://www.sun.ac.za/english/maties/Documents/Physiotherapy.pdf ALSO https://southafricalists.com/physiotherapy-requirements-at-uj/
Mathematics: A minimum score of 60% in Mathematics is required.
Physical Sciences: A minimum score of 60% in Physical Sciences is essential.
Life Sciences: A minimum score of 60% in Life Sciences is necessary.
English: A minimum score of 60% in English is required as the medium of instruction is English.
JC