Physiotherapy Schools and Programs in Sweden

Physiotherapy Studies in Sweden

Do you enjoy helping others and are currently in search of a degree program that will allow you to truly make a difference in other people’s lives?  Have you considered the field of Physiotherapy as a potential career choice, a field with degree options available throughout the world, including the beautiful and very progressive country of Sweden?  Sweden is an ideal study-abroad destination and a great place in which to earn a portion of your educational credentials in the field of Physiotherapy.
 
Sweden, officially the Kingdom of Sweden, is a Norse or Scandinavian country in Northern Europe, the third-largest country in the European Union by area, encompassing nearly 174,000 square miles (450,000 sq. km).  The sovereign nation shares borders with Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark via a bridge-tunnel spanning the Øresund.
 
With a population of only 9.6 million, Sweden is one of the least densely populated countries on the planet, with only about 54 people per every square mile (21 per square km).  Most of the population is concentrated towards the southern half of the country, where temperatures are generally more moderate.  Currently, about 85 percent of the Swedish population lives in the country’s urban areas, including Stockholm, Sweden’s capital and largest city.  
 
Sweden’s government is organized as a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary democracy form of government and a highly developed economy. Sweden has the world's eighth-highest per capita income.  In 2013, it ranked second in the world on the Democracy Index, seventh (tied with Ireland) on the 2013 United Nations' Human Development Index (third on the inequality-adjusted HDI), second on the 2013 OECD Better Life Index and fourth on the 2013 Legatum Prosperity Index. In 2012, the World Economic Forum ranked Sweden as the fourth-most competitive country in the world.  Part of the reason for Sweden’s success as a country can be attributed to its excellent system of education, including its higher education system, which boasts some of the finest universities in the world according to recent rankings.
 
Physiotherapy Education in Sweden
 
As a field of study, Physiotherapy is offered as a degree program at many of Sweden’s high-performing universities.  The program is offered at both the undergraduate and graduate degree level, leading to Bachelor of Science degrees and Masters of Science degrees, respectively. 
 
As a member of the European Union, Sweden, or more precisely, the higher education system in Sweden, has recently changed its credit and degree structure, standardizing it with that of other European nations as a way to facilitate transfers between European Union universities.  As a result of those changes, the Bachelor of Science degree program in Physiology now takes approximately 3 years to complete, while the Master of Science degree program typically spans an additional two years following the baccalaureate.  Each year of full-time study in Swedish universities is now equivalent to 60 credits.
 
Students pursuing a degree in Physiology, often referred to as Physical Therapy, will need to take both general education classes and discipline-specific coursework that focuses on the evaluation, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of diseases, disorders and disabilities using physical means.   Students will learn how to diagnose a patient’s condition using laboratory technology and other means, and develop a treatment plan that can best address the issue.  These treatments can range from massage, to applications of heat or electricity, to prescribing a mobility device, such as crutches, a walker or wheelchair.
 
Why Study Abroad in Sweden
 
Sweden is a vast and beautiful country and its system of higher education is consistently ranked among the world’s best.  Students who opt to study in Sweden will not only receive a superb education, taught by knowledgeable faculty that are trained to work with international students, they will also be exposed to the culture, language and delicious cuisine of the country, and have countless opportunities to explore the country at their own pace.  Some of the more popular sites and attractions in Sweden include:

Östermalms Saluhall

If you find yourself in Stockholm during your Swedish adventure, just behind the majestic, red-bricked façade that looms over the Östermalmtorg Square you’ll no doubt notice the vibrant colors and infectious buzz of Östermalms Saluhall, the city’s oldest market hall. Serving locals since the 1880s, Östermalms Saluhall is now a cultural institution as much as it is a shopping haven, a place where you can browse the stalls while simultaneously getting a lesson in the local traditions of the city and its fine cuisine.

Stockholm Bus Tours

For those students who are limited on time or simply looking for a fast and easy way to explore Stockholm’s many sights, the city’s tourist buses are a popular option for sightseeing around the Swedish capital.  Stockholm’s “Hop-on Hop-off” Bus Tours combine the flexibility of a self-guided walking tour with the added bonus of audio commentary and impressive views from the open-roofed double-decker tour buses.

Skansen Zoo and Open Air Museum

Although Sweden might be better known for its vast snow-dusted landscapes and lively cities than it is for its wildlife, the country’s unique climate and rugged rural areas support a wide variety of beautiful creatures, many of which can be seen up-close-and-personal at Stockholm’s Skansen Zoo and Open Air Museum.  The zoo is home to hundreds of species of animals, including bears, wolves, golden eagles, native ponies and lynx, and with several on-site restaurants and refreshment stands it makes for a perfect getaway when the weather warms up.