The Master Manual Therapy at SOMT University of Physiotherapy is a postgraduate master’s programme for physiotherapists who aim to develop into specialists in the treatment of complex conditions of the spine and extremities.
In this programme, you combine clinical expertise, scientific evidence, and intensive skills training — always directly connected to your daily clinical practice.
The programme is designed for professionals who want to go beyond protocols and guidelines, deepen their clinical reasoning at master’s level, and apply manual therapy techniques in a well-considered manner based on current scientific insights.
Combine this master’s with a second specialisation
Did you know that you can combine this master’s programme with a second master’s degree at SOMT? Within four years, you can obtain two Master of Science degrees and develop into a clinical expert with both broad and in-depth expertise in treating complex musculoskeletal conditions.
Interested in the possibilities? Learn more about the double master’s degree in Physiotherapy at SOMT.
The Master Manual Therapy prepares you for independent and responsible clinical practice in complex and less predictable situations. You will develop into a specialist who can make well-founded clinical decisions and take on a substantive role within the professional field.
Curious what the Master Manual Therapy looks like in practice? Watch the video in which lecturers and participants share their experiences with the programme.
The Master Manual Therapy is practice-oriented and designed to deepen your expertise. You learn through realistic case studies from daily clinical practice and develop advanced manual therapy skills, supported by knowledge of functional anatomy, pathology, and clinical biomechanics.
Skills training, intensive feedback, and workplace learning form the core of the programme. In addition, you develop academic competencies, including conducting and justifying practice-based research.
Assessment and clinical placements focus on professional performance in complex clinical situations, where you demonstrate not only what you do, but also how and why you make specific clinical decisions.
You will be taught by experienced manual therapists, researchers, and academically trained lecturers who are actively involved in clinical practice. They guide you in further developing your clinical expertise and bring current challenges from the professional field directly into the classroom.
Would you like to follow a programme but are no longer eligible for regular student finance? You may be able to apply for the Lifelong Learning Credit via Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO).
This loan allows you to finance your tuition fees, making it possible to continue your professional development later in your career. The amount depends on the tuition fees of the programme.
For more information and to apply, visit: duo.nl/levenlanglerenkrediet
Full-time students may be eligible for student finance via Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO). This may include a basic grant, supplementary grant, student loan, and a public transport card.
Eligibility depends on your personal situation, such as your age and previous education.
For more information about the conditions and how to apply, please visit the DUO website.
After completing the Master Manual Therapy, you will be prepared for a specialist role within physiotherapy, focusing on complex conditions, evidence-based clinical decision-making, and professional responsibility.
Would you like to get to know the programme better or receive personal advice? Visit an open day or get in touch.
