Physiotherapy is a much-overlooked branch of healthcare in India, with all the hype going to MBBS and the competition it brings along. But did you know that a physiotherapist is respected as much as doctors in foreign countries? Physiotherapists can be of several types, and they often work alongside doctors and other health professionals to restore function to body parts or organs that have lost normal levels of function due to disease or trauma.
To become a physiotherapist in India, all you need to do is enrol in any of the BPT colleges in Mumbai or any other city in India and complete the Bachelor of Physiotherapy course. But what can I do after that? In this blog, we’ll tell you all about your options in terms of career or higher studies after BPT, so stick around till the end.
Table of Contents
What is the BPT Course?
The BPT course goes on for four years and six months, training students to understand the human body and how it moves and functions. The last six months of this undergraduate course are reserved for internships, where students of BPT colleges in Mumbaiget practical experience in assessing, diagnosing and treating patients, under the care of experienced physiotherapists.
The eligibility criteria for admission vary between Bachelor of Physiotherapy colleges in Mumbai and elsewhere but generally require a minimum of 50% marks in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry, and Biology as compulsory subjects. Some institutions, like Terna Physiotherapy College, also take admission based on an entrance exam.
To get an overview of the course at the best physiotherapy colleges in Maharashtra and other cities of India, check out the table below.
| Course Name | Bachelor of Physiotherapy (BPT) |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| Duration | 4.5 years |
| Eligibility Criteria | 50% in 10+2 with PCB |
| Admission Process | Merit or Entrance test |
Higher Studies Options After BPT
For most students, after completing their BPT, usually, the most common and logical choice is to pursue a master’s degree in physiotherapy (MPT). This two-year postgraduate course allows you to specialise in a specific branch of physiotherapy, gain advanced knowledge and skills in your chosen field, and enhance your career prospects as a physiotherapist. Some of the common specialisation options that you can find in MPT colleges in Mumbai include:
- Kinesiotherapy
- Electrotherapy
- Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy
- Neuro Physiotherapy
- Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiotherapy
- Community Physiotherapy
After completing your MPT from BPT colleges in Mumbai, you could even pursue a PhD in physiotherapy or related disciplines, such as:
- Biomechanics,
- Exercise physiology,
- Rehabilitation science, etc.
A PhD in Physiotherapy usually takes three years or more to complete at BPT colleges in Mumbai. Depending on your research topic, a PhD can open up opportunities for you to work as an academician, researcher, or consultant in:
- Universities and physiotherapy colleges in Mumbai or elsewhere,
- Research institutes, or
- Private organisations.
Other higher studies options after BPT which can help you diversify your career or explore new avenues include postgraduate diplomas or certificate courses in fields such as:
- Sports Medicine
- Gerontology
- Disability Studies
- Public Health
- Health Administration
- Health Informatics, etc.
Career Scope After BPT
Suppose you are not interested in higher studies or want to gain some work experience before pursuing further education from BPT colleges in Navi Mumbai or elsewhere. In that case, you can start working as a physiotherapist after completing your BPT degree:
- Assessing the physical condition and functional abilities of the patients
- Planning and implementing individualised treatment programs based on the diagnosis and goals of the patients
- Applying various therapeutic interventions such as exercises, massage, heat therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy etc.
- Educating the patients and their families about the prevention and management of their conditions
- Evaluating the progress and outcomes of the treatment
- Maintaining records and reports of the patients
- Collaborating with other health professionals such as doctors, nurses, occupational therapists, psychologists etc.
Some of the common job roles that you can apply for after graduating from BPT colleges in Mumbai or elsewhere are:
| Job Role | Function | Average Salary |
| Physiotherapist | Assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing various mobility problems or disorders using exercises, massages, heat therapy, electrical stimulation, ultrasound therapy, etc. | INR 3.4 LPA |
| Rehabilitation Specialist | Design and implement customised rehabilitation programs to help patients recover from injuries or illnesses that affect their mobility and function. | INR 3.8 LPA |
| Sports Physiotherapist | Work with sports teams or individual players to provide them with advice on training, nutrition, injury prevention, recovery, etc. | INR 6 LPA |
| Paediatric Physiotherapist | Use playful and fun activities to treat children with developmental delays or disabilities helping them improve their motor skills, balance, strength, flexibility, and confidence. | INR 3 LPA |
| Neurological Physiotherapist | Treating patients with neurological disorders such as brain injury, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, etc, helping them improve their cognitive, sensory, and motor functions. | INR 3.8 LPA |
| Cardiovascular and Respiratory Physiotherapist | Treating patients with cardiovascular or respiratory diseases such as heart attack, angina, asthma, COPD, bronchiectasis, etc, helping them improve their blood circulation, lung function, or endurance. | INR 4.5 LPA |
Conclusion
Physiotherapy can be as versatile a field as traditional medicine, while still being an integral part of healthcare services. In India, by pursuing a degree from BPT colleges in Mumbai or anywhere else, one can unlock their career in this noble profession that enables people to improve their quality of life. Physiotherapists are important because they bring back hope to people after debilitating accidents, injuries, or diseases, whereas doctors only treat symptoms.
And if you’re worried that you may not earn as much as an MBBS graduate after BPT, you need not worry either. After getting your undergraduate degree from BPT colleges in Mumbai, you not only have the option to join the workforce immediately but also have a range of higher education options that you can pursue. These will allow you to specialise, which will in turn increase your pay range, so it’s a win-win any way you go.
Also Read: BDS Degree Admission Process- All You Need to Know
FAQs
1. What are higher study options after BPT?
Most BPT graduates usually go for an MPT after completing their BPT, however, you can choose to go for various postgraduate diplomas or certificate courses in similar subjects too.
2. Can I pursue PhD after BPT?
Yes, you can pursue a PhD after BPT as long as you also have a master’s degree qualification like an MPT.
3. Do BPT graduates have scope abroad?
Yes, BPT graduates have scope abroad as well as in our country. Depending on the country though, they may have to obtain additional licence or certification to practice.
4. Can I freelance after graduation from BPT?
Yes, physiotherapists have the greatest flexibility among healthcare providers, with many choosing to freelance or work part-time.
