Health Sciences

Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy

The Bachelor of Science in Physical Therapy is a programme that prepares students for careers in rehabilitation and physical therapy. Offered at Alupe University through the School of Health Sciences, the programme equips graduates with skills to assess, diagnose and treat movement disorders, injuries and disabilities using physical methods including exercise, manual therapy and electrotherapy.

The curriculum covers human anatomy, physiology, kinesiology and biomechanics, pathology, pharmacology, exercise therapy, manual therapy, electrotherapy, orthopaedic physical therapy, neurorehabilitation, cardiopulmonary physical therapy, paediatric physical therapy, sports physical therapy, community-based rehabilitation, research methods, healthcare management and professional ethics. Students develop both clinical assessment skills and therapeutic intervention techniques.

Kenya faces a growing burden of non-communicable diseases, road traffic injuries and an ageing population, creating demand for physical therapy services. The programme responds to the need for qualified physiotherapists who can provide rehabilitation in hospitals, clinics, sports facilities and community settings, particularly in western Kenya and surrounding regions.

The programme is delivered through lectures, anatomy dissection sessions, clinical skills laboratory practicals, clinical placements at hospitals and rehabilitation centres, community-based rehabilitation fieldwork and a research project. Students gain hands-on experience in patient assessment, treatment planning and therapeutic interventions through clinical rotations at referral hospitals and health centres.

Graduates pursue careers as physical therapists, rehabilitation officers, sports therapists, orthopaedic physiotherapists, neurorehabilitation specialists and community rehabilitation officers in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, sports clinics, nursing homes, schools for children with disabilities and private practices. They can also pursue postgraduate study in specialised areas of physical therapy or rehabilitation medicine.

Prospective students should have strong science foundations, good interpersonal skills and a commitment to helping patients regain mobility and function. The programme is suitable for students passionate about rehabilitation and improving quality of life for people with disabilities and injuries.

Duration: 4 years
Public, up to: Ksh 324,000
Private, up to: Ksh 220,500
Job market: Moderate

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time
Attachment: 6 months
Average class: 25 students
Award: Bachelor

What you study

10 subjects

Human Anatomy and Physiology
Kinesiology and Biomechanics
Exercise Therapy and Manual Therapy
Electrotherapy and Physical Agents
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Neurorehabilitation
Cardiopulmonary Physical Therapy
Paediatric Physical Therapy
Sports Physical Therapy
Community-Based Rehabilitation

Modules

10 in the programme

Human Anatomy and Physiology
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers the structure and function of the human body including all organ systems, with emphasis on the musculoskeletal, nervous and cardiovascular systems relevant to physical therapy.
Kinesiology and Biomechanics
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers human movement analysis, joint mechanics, muscle function, posture, gait analysis and biomechanical principles applied to physical therapy.
Exercise Therapy and Manual Therapy
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers therapeutic exercise prescription, stretching, strengthening, manual therapy techniques including mobilisation and manipulation, and treatment progression.
Electrotherapy and Physical Agents
Year 2Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers therapeutic modalities including heat, cold, ultrasound, electrical stimulation, TENS, laser therapy and hydrotherapy, with indications and contraindications.
Orthopaedic Physical Therapy
Year 2Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions including fractures, joint disorders, soft tissue injuries, post-surgical rehabilitation and spinal disorders.
Neurorehabilitation
Year 3Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers assessment and treatment of neurological conditions including stroke, spinal cord injury, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's disease and traumatic brain injury.
Cardiopulmonary and Paediatric Physical Therapy
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers cardiopulmonary rehabilitation including post-cardiac surgery, COPD and asthma management, and paediatric physical therapy for developmental disorders and childhood disabilities.
Sports Physical Therapy and Community-Based Rehabilitation
Year 3Semester 23 creditsCore
Covers sports injury assessment and rehabilitation, injury prevention, community-based rehabilitation approaches and disability management in community settings.
Research Methods and Healthcare Management
Year 4Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers research methodology, evidence-based practice, healthcare management, quality assurance, professional ethics and private practice management.
Research Project in Physical Therapy
Year 4Semester 26 creditsCore
An independent research project on a physical therapy or rehabilitation topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral presentation.

Specialisations

Orthopaedic and Musculoskeletal Therapy
Focuses on musculoskeletal assessment and treatment, post-surgical rehabilitation and spinal therapy for careers in orthopaedic settings.
Neurorehabilitation
Specialises in neurological rehabilitation including stroke, spinal cord injury and cerebral palsy management for careers in neurorehabilitation centres.
Sports Physical Therapy
Focuses on sports injury prevention, assessment and rehabilitation for careers with sports teams, athletes and sports clinics.
Paediatric Physical Therapy
Specialises in developmental disorders, childhood disabilities and paediatric rehabilitation for careers in children's hospitals and schools.

A day as a student

A typical day begins with a morning lecture on anatomy, biomechanics or orthopaedic physical therapy, followed by a clinical skills laboratory session practising assessment techniques and therapeutic exercises. Afternoon sessions may include a clinical placement at a hospital or rehabilitation centre, observing and assisting qualified physiotherapists in patient care, or a community-based rehabilitation field visit. Students also work on case study analyses and treatment planning exercises.

The trade offs

In its favour

Physical therapy is a growing profession in Kenya with increasing demand driven by non-communicable diseases, sports injuries and road traffic accidents.
The programme combines scientific knowledge with practical clinical skills, providing a rewarding career helping patients regain mobility and quality of life.
Graduates can work in diverse settings including hospitals, sports clinics, rehabilitation centres, schools and private practice.

Against it

Physical therapy requires strong anatomy and biomechanics knowledge, which can be challenging for students without strong science backgrounds.
Public sector positions for physical therapists may be limited, with many graduates needing to create their own opportunities through private practice.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 349 health sciences courses

Public275k to 324k

275k at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology324k at University of Nairobi

Private110k to 221k

110k at AMREF International University221k at Great Lakes University of Kisumu

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public 275.4K (educationnewshub), UoN 324K (uonbi Schedule II). AMREF 109.5K, GLUK 220.5K (KUCCPS).

Students can access HELB loans. Some healthcare organisations offer internship opportunities for physical therapy students.

Funding options

HELB Loan

Scholarships

1 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 60,000Kenyan
Kenyan undergraduate students enrolled in accredited programmes at recognised universities

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: C+
Alternative entry: Diploma in Physical Therapy or related health field from a recognised institution with at least a credit pass.

Biology or Biological Sciences
C+
Chemistry or Physical Sciences
C+
Mathematics or Physics
C
English or Kiswahili
C

How you are assessed

4 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination30% of the mark
Mid-semester and end-of-semester written tests covering anatomy, physiology and kinesiology fundamentals.
Clinical Skills Practicals
Practicum40% of the mark
Assessment of clinical skills laboratory sessions including assessment techniques, exercise therapy and electrotherapy practicals.
Clinical Placement Assessment
Practicum100% of the mark
Assessment of clinical rotations at hospitals and rehabilitation centres, covering patient assessment, treatment planning and therapeutic interventions.
Research Project
Project100% of the mark
A final-year research project on a physical therapy or rehabilitation topic, assessed through a written dissertation and oral presentation.

Accreditation

Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Alupe University's School of Health Sciences.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
Accredited by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme is offered at Alupe University's School of Health Sciences.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

Physical Therapist
Moderate demandKsh 60,000 to Ksh 200,000
Assesses, diagnoses and treats movement disorders and disabilities using exercise, manual therapy and electrotherapy in hospitals, clinics and rehabilitation centres.
Sports Therapist
Moderate demandKsh 55,000 to Ksh 180,000
Specialises in sports injury prevention, assessment and rehabilitation, working with athletes and sports teams in sports clinics and training facilities.
Community Rehabilitation Officer
Moderate demandKsh 45,000 to Ksh 130,000
Provides community-based rehabilitation services for people with disabilities, supporting mobility, independence and social inclusion in community settings.
Orthopaedic Physiotherapist
Moderate demandKsh 65,000 to Ksh 190,000
Specialises in musculoskeletal rehabilitation, treating fractures, joint disorders, post-surgical patients and spinal conditions in orthopaedic settings.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates work as physical therapists and rehabilitation officers in hospitals, rehabilitation centres, sports clinics and private practices across Kenya.

Where these fields lead

8 careers

Certifications

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Physical therapy is just massage and exercise.
Physical therapy is a science-based healthcare profession requiring deep knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, pathology and neuroscience to assess, diagnose and treat movement disorders and disabilities.
Physical therapists only work with sports injuries.
Physical therapists treat a wide range of conditions including stroke, cerebral palsy, post-surgical rehabilitation, cardiopulmonary conditions, workplace injuries and age-related mobility issues across hospitals, clinics and community settings.
Physical therapy is not a real medical profession.
Physical therapy is a recognised allied health profession regulated by professional bodies, with practitioners working alongside doctors and nurses in hospitals and rehabilitation centres.
There are limited job opportunities for physical therapists in Kenya.
Kenya's growing burden of non-communicable diseases, road traffic injuries and sports participation creates increasing demand for physical therapy services in both public and private healthcare settings.