Western University's two-year Master of Physical Therapy in London, Ontario, welcomes international applicants through its direct application portal or ORPAS. The program combines case-based learning with clinical placements; applicants must meet its academic, prerequisite, Casper and application-component requirements and, if shortlisted, complete an interview.
- Program
- Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)
- Credential
- MPT
- Location
- London, Ontario, Canada
- Casper
- Required
- Interview
- Interview
- Seats
- 20 designated international seats
- Length
- 2 years (6 terms), full-time and in person
Casper Requirement for Western University Physical Therapy
Western University Physical Therapy requires Casper for the 2026-2027 cycle.
- Languages
- English
- Applicant ID to enter
- OUAC/ORPAS reference number for ORPAS applicants; direct applicants should follow the identifier instructions in their Casper registration.
- Other Acuity assessments
- Duet (not required)
Check available Casper test dates in your Acuity Insights account at takecasper.com.
Complete Casper and add Western's School of Physical Therapy to the score-distribution list. Use the same name and email address as on your application; missing or unmatched results can disqualify an application.
Casper format
Casper is an online, open-response situational judgment test run by Acuity Insights. The current format has 11 scenarios (4 video-response and 7 typed-response) with 2 questions each and takes about 65 to 85 minutes, including optional breaks. Typed-response scenarios allow 3.5 minutes to answer both questions.
Practice with Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank, featuring 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert responses.
Western University Physical Therapy Application Deadlines 2026-2027
- Apply through
- Western direct application portal (recommended) or ORPAS
- Applications open
- Direct applications: year-round. The 2027 ORPAS application is expected in mid-October; an exact opening date is not published.
- Application fee
- For ORPAS, the currently posted fees are CAD $190 plus CAD $100 for one Western program or CAD $200 for two or more Western programs; confirm fees when the 2027 application opens. Check the direct portal for its fee.
| What | When |
|---|---|
| Direct international application | Rolling; no deadline |
| 2027 ORPAS application and references | Date not published |
| 2027 ORPAS transcripts | Date not published |
International applicants may use either route, not both. Western accepts direct applications year-round and reviews them on an ongoing basis; submission timing may affect the program start date.
Western University Physical Therapy Admissions Statistics
Period: Current program designation
- Seats / class size: 20 designated international seats
Western does not publish an average admitted GPA for international applicants.
Eligibility Requirements for Western University Physical Therapy
- Degree / credits
A completed four-year bachelor's degree with high academic standing from a recognized degree-granting institution is required. Final-year applicants must provide proof of degree completion by the program's applicable deadline.
- Residency
International applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Canadian citizens or permanent residents must use the domestic Western University Physical Therapy stream.
- Citizenship
Non-citizens and non-permanent residents of Canada.
- Language proficiency
Applicants whose first language is not English need qualifying English-test results unless they completed a four-year degree or at least two years of full-time, in-person graduate study where English was the language of instruction. Results must be from within the preceding 2 years.
A completed degree from outside Canada requires transcript equivalency documentation.
Other requirements
- Transcript equivalency: For an undergraduate degree completed outside Canada or the United States, obtain a WES evaluation and submit it with the original transcript; translated transcripts also require a certified English translation.
- Special consideration: Applicants seeking consideration for extenuating circumstances may submit the form and supporting documents by their application deadline.
- Vulnerable Sector Check: Admitted students must provide a police Vulnerable Sector Check before clinical placements; checks may be needed from countries of residence in the preceding five years.
- Placement preparation: Admitted students must meet immunization and other medical requirements, hold healthcare-provider CPR level C, and complete specified safety and infection-control training.
Selection Factors Western University Considers
Prerequisites
| Course | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Human or vertebrate physiology | 1 half-course Animal, invertebrate and exercise physiology do not qualify. |
| Human anatomy | 1 half-course |
| Science | 1 half-course in biology, chemistry, physics, anatomy, biomechanics or exercise physiology Earth science and health studies do not qualify. |
| Statistics, research methods or research design | 1 half-course |
| Social science or liberal arts | 1 full-course or 2 half-courses |
| Canadian Indigenous history | Certificate or 1 half-course Western accepts the Indigenous Canada course certificate. All prerequisites require 70% or B- and normally must be within 7 years of the ORPAS deadline. |
GPA
- How it is calculated
ORPAS calculates the sub-GPA from the final 20 half-courses (10 full courses or 60 credit hours) completed by the end of the fall term preceding the application deadline. Eligible summer, part-time, distance and additional undergraduate courses count; specified placement, graduate and non-convertible grades do not.
- Minimum
- International applicants with a sub-GPA of 3.4 or higher who meet the application requirements will be considered.
- Competitive
- The sub-GPA cutoff for further review varies with the applicant pool.
Western ranks applicants using sub-GPA, not a combined cumulative-GPA and sub-GPA weighting.
Admissions tests
- English proficiency: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, CAEL or Duolingo (required for some applicants): If required: TOEFL overall 5.5; IELTS Academic/Online overall and writing 7.5; PTE 72; CAEL 80; or Duolingo 135. Send scores directly to the program and upload a copy; use Western TOEFL ID 0984 for TOEFL.
Experience and volunteer hours
Required.
List up to 4 paid or unpaid PT-related activities and up to 4 other activities or community-service experiences. Give total hours, your role and the people served. Western sets no minimum or maximum number of experience hours.
Supplementary application
Submit an applicant statement of up to 4,700 characters, an academic reference from qualifying university faculty, and a professional reference from an accepted healthcare professional. List qualifying PT-related and other activities, with total hours. Submit required transcripts and prerequisite information through the chosen application route.
How applicants are ranked
Applicants with the highest sub-GPAs advance to a completeness, prerequisite and Casper review. Applicants substantially below average on Casper do not advance; exceptionally high Casper scorers may be added to external review. Three reviewers score the statement, references and PT and community experience. Their average score determines offer and wait-list ranking.
Interview Format at Western University
Format: Interview
An interview is required and takes place by video conference, such as Zoom. Applicants can meet the admissions committee and ask about the program.
- Who is invited
- Applicants being considered for admission
- When
- Interview dates are provided to invited applicants.
Practice under timed, realistic conditions with Bright Doctor's AI Interview Simulator.
Prepare for Casper and Your Interview
Access Bright Doctor's Casper Question Bank with 100+ scenarios and 300+ expert-crafted responses, AI Interview Simulator with realistic practice conditions, and personalized mentorship from current medical students, all on one web-based platform.
Start Practicing FreeCurriculum at Western University Physical Therapy
- Program length
- 2 years (6 terms), full-time and in person
- Structure
Collaborative, experiential and case-based learning with 4 clinical placements totalling 30 weeks.
Clinical learning spans hospital, rehabilitation, paediatric and community settings and prepares graduates to pursue physiotherapy licensure.
Campus and facilities
Located in London, Ontario, the program uses Western University's health sciences infrastructure. Fowler Kennedy Clinic provides specialized physiotherapy services. International students adapt to Canada's multicultural campus environment, with resources for housing and integration. Clinical affiliations through university partnerships support rotations.
Tuition and Funding at Western University
Students who accept an offer through the international stream pay international fees throughout the program. Consult Western's Registrar fee schedules for the applicable tuition and ancillary fees.
Western University's Mission and Values
The program admits students who have the preparation and capacity to be successful in the MPT program and physiotherapy profession.
The Western MPT Program admits students who have the preparation and capacity to be successful in the MPT program and physiotherapy profession.
What Applicants Are Saying
Matriculated students describe a culture that values readiness for clinical demands from day one. Students report that cGPA, sGPA, and Casper scores drive most decisions, with experience providing marginal support, and that strong academics outweigh extensive hours. Current students note Fowler Kennedy Clinic for hands-on recovery experiences such as arthroscopic surgery rehab, and praise it for effective post-surgical care. A group of MPT students shared experiences of relocating to Canada, highlighting supportive networks for newcomers. Recent applicants report that sustained GPA improvement efforts pay off. Students report clinics like Fowler Kennedy as ideal for relevant shadowing.
Shared by applicants and students on forums and communities. It is anecdotal, not official program information.
How to Prepare Your Western University Physical Therapy Application
- Choose either the year-round direct portal or ORPAS, not both.
- Check your sub-GPA and each prerequisite, including Canadian Indigenous history.
- Arrange qualifying academic and healthcare-professional references and document total experience hours.
- Complete Casper and select Western Physical Therapy for score distribution.
- If invited, prepare for the required video interview.
- If applicable, arrange WES evaluation and English-proficiency results.
Frequently Asked Questions About Western University Physical Therapy
Is Casper required?
Yes. Select Western's School of Physical Therapy for score distribution; Duet is not required.
What GPA do international applicants need?
Western considers applicants with a sub-GPA of 3.4 or higher who meet the other requirements; the cutoff for further review varies.
How do I apply?
Use either Western's year-round direct portal (recommended) or ORPAS, not both.
What is the Casper format?
Casper includes video and typed responses; consult Acuity Insights for the current format.
Is there an interview?
Yes. Applicants being considered for admission are invited to a required video interview.
How much experience is required?
List relevant PT and other activities and their total hours; Western sets no minimum number of hours.
When is the international application deadline?
Direct applications are accepted year-round. The next ORPAS deadline has not been published.
Can Canadians apply through the international stream?
The international stream entails paying international fees throughout the program; contact Western about the appropriate route for your status.
Sources
- Western MPT: International Applicants
- Western MPT: Admissions & Application
- Western MPT: FAQ
- Western MPT: Program Overview
- OUAC: ORPAS Key Dates
- OUAC: ORPAS Fees
- Acuity Insights: Test Dates
Last updated: September 26, 2026