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First university-level physiotherapy programme in the Netherlands receives accreditation

Joint initiative by UM and SOMT to start in September 2015

The first university programme in physiotherapy was accredited by the Accreditation Organisation of the Netherlands and Flanders (NVAO). The programme, a joint initiative by Maastricht University and SOMT educational institute, will start in September 2015 at SOMT University Campus in Amersfoort. 

Compared to existing higher vocational physiotherapy programmes available in the Netherlands, the new academic programme will focus on both clinical and academic skills. In this way, the three-year physiotherapy bachelor’s is comparable to a medical programme with a specialisation in the musculoskeletal system. 

The NVAO accreditation committee visited SOMT University Campus in May and issued a positive assessment of all standards for the new curriculum. The managing director of SOMT University Campus, Willy Smeets and the programme director of Maastricht University, Rob de Bie, are pleased with the results. ‘Both organisations worked hard to achieve this milestone for the future of physiotherapy.’

The university-level physiotherapy programme at SOMT University Campus is a private programme with small classes, highly qualified professors, personal supervision and excellent facilities. Prospective students can register via www.somtuniversity.nl. The follow-up physiotherapy master’s programme is offered by Maastricht University. It is also possible for students to follow other university-level health master’s.

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