The Faculty of Physiotherapy at the University of Valencia is committed to excellence in teaching, research and knowledge transfer in the field of physiotherapy. Its mission is to train highly qualified professionals capable of meeting society’s healthcare needs through clinical practice based on scientific evidence, innovation and ethical principles.
The Faculty remains firmly committed to the continuous improvement of teaching quality, internationalisation, research and collaboration with healthcare institutions, fostering a learning environment that integrates academic training, clinical practice and professional development.
The Faculty of Physiotherapy at the University of Valencia was established as the University School of Physiotherapy under “Real Decreto 2965/1980”, which transformed the former specialisation courses for Healthcare Technicians in Physiotherapy into a new degree programme, in response to the growing recognition of the profession within the field of Health Sciences. The Faculty of Physiotherapy at the University of Valencia was the first to incorporate the Diploma in Physiotherapy into a curriculum (Official State Gazette (BOE) no. 223, 19 January 1981). The University School of Physiotherapy was, therefore, the first university school of physiotherapy in Spain, commencing classes in the 1983/1984 academic year.
The BOE of 23 December 1986 published the creation and approval by the Academic Commission of the Council of Universities of the Field of Knowledge in Physiotherapy, thereby completing its integration into the University.
Subsequently, on 24 April 1989, the Academic Commission of the Council of Universities agreed that the field of Physiotherapy should be recognised as a specific field of study. This allowed holders of a Diploma in Physiotherapy to be appointed as teaching staff at University Schools of Physiotherapy.
On 29 January 2008, the Minister of Health and Consumer Affairs granted the then School of Physiotherapy at the University of Valencia the title of membership of the Civil Order of Health, in the category of Commander, in recognition of the services rendered and the merits thereby acquired, pursuant to the provisions of “Real Decreto 1270”/1983 of 30 March (BOE No. 213 of 6 September 1983).
Subsequently, the transition to the European Higher Education Area led to the introduction of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy, establishing a four-year university programme focused on the development of clinical, scientific and professional skills. In 2011, the name was changed from “Escola Universitària de Fisioteràpia” to “Facultat de Fisioteràpia” (Decree 116/2011, of 9 September). The publication of this change in the DOGV, issue 6606, dated 12 September 2011, marked the entry into force of the aforementioned Decree.
The creation of the Faculty of Physiotherapy represented a decisive step in the institutional strengthening of the discipline, providing it with its own space for the development of teaching, research and innovation. Currently, the Faculty of Physiotherapy is a responsible for the administrative management and organisation of university courses leading to the award of the Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy and the Official Master’s Degree in Functional Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy.
The Faculty of Physiotherapy is a leading institution in the training of physiotherapists, committed to high-quality teaching, competitive research and close links with the needs of society.
The current Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy was established as a result of the process of adapting the former Diploma programme to the European Higher Education Area, enabling a broader course of study that is aligned with European standards. This change strengthened the scientific focus of the degree and incorporated greater development of clinical, methodological and research skills.
The Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy provides the knowledge, skills and competences necessary for the assessment, physiotherapy diagnosis, planning, delivery and evaluation of treatments aimed at the prevention, recovery and maintenance of people’s functionality and quality of life. The curriculum combines a solid theoretical foundation with a significant amount of clinical practice in hospitals, healthcare centres and affiliated clinics, enabling students to engage with the professional world from an early stage.
Full details regarding the curriculum, modules, external practices, mobility schemes, credit recognition and admission requirements can be found at the specific website for the Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy.
The Master’s Degree in Functional Rehabilitation in Physiotherapy offers specialised training aimed at physiotherapists who wish to gain a deeper understanding of advanced assessment, clinical reasoning and the application of evidence-based therapeutic interventions for the treatment of complex functional disorders.
The programme incorporates content relating to applied research, innovation in physiotherapy, functional assessment and an interdisciplinary approach to patients with different conditions, preparing students both for highly specialised professional practice and for a career in research or academia.
The programme promotes the acquisition of advanced skills through active teaching methodologies, specialised practical placements and the completion of a Master’s Thesis focused on research or clinical innovation.
Detailed information on the curriculum, admissions, teaching staff, academic calendar and organisation of the Master’s programme can be found on its specific website.
