Physiotherapy Licensure Guide for UK Graduates ( Singapore )
Thinking about studying physiotherapy in the UK and working in Singapore later on? This guide explains what you’ll need after graduation to become a fully licensed physiotherapist in Singapore.
Regulatory Authority:
In Singapore, physiotherapy is a regulated profession under the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), a statutory board overseen by the Ministry of Health. The Allied Health Professions Act (effective since 2013) requires that any person practicing physiotherapy be registered with the AHPC and hold a valid Practising Certificate. The AHPC is the licensing authority for physiotherapists, responsible for evaluating qualifications and granting registration status.
Recognition of UK Credentials:
The AHPC maintains an official List of Recognised Qualifications for each allied health profession, including physiotherapy. UK physiotherapy degrees (BSc or integrated MSci) from many universities are recognized. Holding a degree on this list means the qualification is accepted as meeting Singapore’s education standards. In such cases, a UK-educated applicant (with an HCPC registration) can proceed with the registration process without needing to take any entry exam, subject to other requirements.
If an applicant’s UK credential is not on the recognised list (for instance, a newer program), the AHPC will require the person to pass a Qualifying Examination (QE) in Singapore to demonstrate equivalent competency. All foreign-trained applicants must also provide detailed documentation for credential verification – this includes academic transcripts and a Certificate of Good Standing from the relevant regulatory body (for a UK candidate, a letter from the HCPC confirming good standing is required).
Note: UK pre-registration Master’s degrees (MSc Physiotherapy programs for graduates) are also considered. The AHPC updated its recognition list to include certain Graduate-Entry Masters in 2016, but holders of those qualifications are generally subject to a longer supervised practice period before full licensure.
LIST OF RECOGNISED UK QUALIFICATIONS (Last updated 7 May 2025):
Cardiff University - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Glasgow Caledonian University - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
King’s College London - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Manchester Metropolitan University - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Queen Margaret University - BSc (Hons) in Physiotherapy
Teesside University - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
University of Nottingham - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
University of Birmingham - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy ( Birmingham is now offering 4-year integrated Master’s degree only )
University of Brighton - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
University of East London - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
University of London, St George’s Hospital Medical School - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
University of Manchester - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy ( Manchester is no longer offering physiotherapy degree )
University of Salford - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
University of Southampton - BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy
Exams or Additional Requirements:
Qualifying Examination:
A UK-trained physiotherapist whose degree is recognized (on the list) is not required to sit for the QE and can skip this step. If the UK degree is not pre-approved by the AHPC, the applicant must take and pass the Physiotherapy Qualifying Examination. The QE is typically administered by Singapore Institute of Technology on behalf of AHPC and assesses core physiotherapy knowledge and clinical skills. Candidates are allowed up to three attempts to pass this exam.
Supervised Practice (Conditional Registration):
All foreign-trained physiotherapists, including UK graduates, initially receive Conditional Registration when approved by the AHPC. This means they must practice under supervision for a mandatory period before attaining full, unsupervised licensure. The standard supervised practice period for a foreign-trained physiotherapist in Singapore is 18 months of full-time work under an approved supervisor. During this time, the physiotherapist’s performance and integration into the local healthcare setting are monitored through reports by the supervisor. (If the individual holds a graduate-entry MSc qualification, the AHPC may extend the supervised practice to 24 months, with the final year under a slightly lower level of supervision intensity.)
After completing the required period of supervised practice satisfactorily – meaning no adverse reports or patient safety issues – the physiotherapist becomes eligible for Full Registration. Full registration confers the right to practice independently without supervision.)
Language Requirements:
English is the primary working language in Singapore’s healthcare system, and proficiency in English is mandatory for safe practice. The AHPC requires evidence of English language proficiency only from applicants whose basic qualification was obtained in a non-English medium country. Graduates who earned their physiotherapy degree in the UK are exempt from English testing requirements.