Program Overview

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Physiotherapy (PhD, 3 Years)

Duration

3 years

Qualification Awarded

Doctor of Philosophy in Physiotherapy

Level of Qualification

Doctorate Degree (3rd Cycle)

Language of Instruction

English

Mode of Study

Full-time or Part-time

Minimum ECTS Credits

180

Profile of the Programme

The Physiotherapy programme at the University of Nicosia offers a Doctoral Degree in Physiotherapy, which is designed for students who wish to specialize in research areas of modern Physiotherapy, including Clinical Biomechanics.

General Objectives

The programme aims to provide students with theoretical and practical strategies for experimental research in the fields of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, and Clinical Biomechanics. Students will have the opportunity to develop the necessary skills to conduct independent innovative research related to their field of choice.

The programme is structured to provide students with in-depth academic and practical knowledge in modern research equipment in Rehabilitation and Clinical Biomechanics. The programme guides students in the methodical understanding of research design, methodology, and execution, as well as its modification based on results. By the end of the programme, students will be able to convey their specialized knowledge and conclusions acquired through their research to fellow Physiotherapists, other health professionals, and experts related to Rehabilitation and Clinical Biomechanics (biologists, engineers, etc.).

The specific objectives of the programme are:

• To provide students with theoretical and practical knowledge and skills for specialized clinical research
• To offer doctoral-level education in the rapid scientific and technological developments in the fields of Physiotherapy, Rehabilitation, and Clinical Biomechanics
• To create a research hub that promotes interdisciplinary collaboration
• To strengthen the Republic of Cyprus with researchers having specialized knowledge in the field of Physiotherapy and Clinical Biomechanics

Career Prospects

The programme is designed for:

• Graduates of the University of Nicosia's Master's programme in Orthopedic Science and Rehabilitation
• Physiotherapy graduates holding a Master's degree (MSc) as well as graduates of related specialties with Physiotherapy or Clinical Biomechanics holding a Master's degree (MSc)

Admission

The minimum duration of study is three (3) years and the maximum is eight (8). For the award of the Doctoral title, students must collect 180 ECTS credits.

In more detail, the credits are:

• Writing and successful presentation of a research proposal: 50 credits
• Successful completion of three compulsory courses: 30 credits
• Writing and successful presentation of a doctoral dissertation: 100 credits

The three compulsory courses are:

1. Advanced Research Methodology
2. Special Topics in Physiotherapy
3. Advanced Biostatistics

Assessment

Stages of the Doctoral programme:

1. Attendance and completion of the three doctoral courses
2. Writing of the research protocol
3. Presentation of the research protocol to a special three-member committee
4. Research work in the field of interest throughout the programme under the supervision of the supervising professor
5. Writing of the doctoral dissertation
6. Presentation and defense of the doctoral dissertation

At the end of each academic year, students are required to submit an annual progress report co-signed by the supervising professor.

Additionally, for the successful completion of the programme, students are required to present at least 2 publications in scientific journals that appear in international databases.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the programme, students are expected to be able to:

1. Demonstrate in-depth knowledge of modern literature and technical equipment related to their doctoral dissertation field
2. Demonstrate the ability to design and execute the necessary research protocols in the fields of Rehabilitation, Physiotherapy, and Clinical Biomechanics
3. Justify the choice of their research protocol in a scientific manner, recognizing its limitations
4. Develop synthetic ability, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills
5. Produce new knowledge through original research
6. Recognize and manage professionally the ethical dilemmas in clinical research
7. Understand the possibilities of applying their research and simultaneously recognize the limitations of its generalization
8. Propose relevant applications of their research in Physiotherapy clinical practice

Academic Path

Section: A – Courses

Min. ECTS Credits: 180 Max. ECTS Credits: 180

Course Code | Course Title | ECTS Credits
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PHDF-100 | Doctoral Course – Fall semester | 30
PHDS-100 | Doctoral Course – Spring semester | 30
PTHE-701 | Advanced Biostatistics | 10
PTHE-702 | Advanced Research Methodology | 10
PTHE-703 | Topics in Physiotherapy | 10

Semester Breakdown

Semester 0

Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits
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PTHE-701 | Advanced Biostatistics | 10
PTHE-702 | Advanced Research Methodology | 10
PTHE-703 | Topics in Physiotherapy | 10

Semester 1

Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits
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PHDF-100 | Doctoral Course – Fall semester | 30

Semester 2

Course ID | Course Title | ECTS Credits
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PHDS-100 | Doctoral Course – Spring semester | 30

The above semester breakdown is an indicative one. A few of the courses are electives and can be substituted by others. Students may contact their academic advisor and consult their academic pathway found on this website under “Schools & Programmes”.

Faculty

• Dr Christina Michailidou

Dr Christina Michailidou

Assistant Professor
Programme Coordinator
School of Life and Health Sciences
Department of Health Sciences

• Dr Christoforos Giannaki

Dr Christoforos Giannaki

Associate Head of Department
Associate Professor
School of Life and Health Sciences
Department of Life Sciences
Director of the Research Centre for Exercise and Nutrition (RECEN)

• Dr Manos Stefanakis

Dr Manos Stefanakis

Associate Professor
School of Life and Health Sciences
Department of Health Sciences

Adjunct Faculty

• Dr Sofia Xergia

Dr Sofia Xergia

Adjunct Faculty

• Dr Vasileios Korakakis

Dr Vasileios Korakakis

Adjunct Faculty

• Mr Markianos Kokkinos

Mr Markianos Kokkinos

Adjunct Faculty