Biokinetics

The Bachelor of Health Sciences with Honours in the field of Biokinetics is a 1 year full-time degree which includes the first of 2 years of internship.

Overview

The BHsc (Hons) Biokinetics degree is offered through the Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine in the School of Therapeutic Sciences.

Career Opportunities

The BHSc (Hons) Biokinetics qualification is designed to provide students with a professional qualification in Biokinetics as recognised by the HPCSA: “Registered Biokineticist”. Although there are similarities between Biokinetics and other qualifications, this qualification is unique in that it deals with the following four domains or scope of practice:

  • Wellness, disease prevention and health promotion
  • Final phase orthopaedic rehabilitation
  • Management of chronic disease and disabilities, once the condition has been clinically stabilized, e.g. diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease
  • Physical ability assessment for special groups.

The career opportunities are therefore wide, but may include:

  • Private clinical practice
  • Corporate health and wellness
  • Government services such as SAPS, SANDF, Dept. of Correctional Services
  • Higher education institutions
  • Physical education
  • Medical representatives

Curriculum

The curriculum will be covered in the Honours year at Wits by completing the following academic modules/activities:

  • Clinical experience
  • Research methodology and a research report 
  • Exercise prescription for special populations 
  • Orthopaedic conditions and rehabilitation 
  • Rehabilitation for chronic diseases and disabilities 
  • Health promotion and wellness 
  • Professional internship and practice management 
  • Sports and exercise practicals including fitness testing and conditioning

Compulsory registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa 

 

Entry Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree in exercise science, human movement science or equivalent
  • Successful completion of undergraduate human anatomy and physiology courses (with exercise physiology)
  • Undergraduate course with health content
  • Average undergraduate marks of 65% in relevant subjects
  • The Wits BHSc degree (Biokinetics track) fulfills the undergraduate course content requirements
  • Faculty of Health Sciences admission criteria apply for admission
  • Undergraduate degree must meet minimum requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (each degree is individually assessed) 
  • Interviews may be called for

Note: Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the programme does not guarantee students a place in this programme.

  • Applications must be made before end of September
  • Applications must be accompanied by a CV, academic transcripts, letter of motivation, and two letters of recommendation
  • Applications are made to the university, not the Centre for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine
  • Interviews may be called for 

University Application Process

  • Applications are handled centrally by the Student Enrolment Centre (SEnC). Once your application is complete in terms of requested documentation, your application will be referred to the relevant School for assessment. Click here to see an overview of the Wits applications process.
  • Please apply online. Upload your supporting documents at the time of application, or via the Self Service Portal.
  • Applicants can monitor the progress of their applications via the Self Service Portal.
  • Selections for programmes that have a limited intake but attract a large number of applications may only finalise the application at the end of the application cycle.

Please note that the Entry Requirements are a guide. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee a place. Final selection is made subject to the availability of places, academic results and other entry requirements where applicable.

International students, please check this section.

For more information, contact the Student Call Centre +27 (0)11 717 1888, or log a query at www.wits.ac.za/askwits.

University Fees and Funding

Click here to see the current average tuition fees. The Fees site also provides information about the payment of fees and closing dates for fees payments. Once you have applied you will be able to access the fees estimator on the student self-service portal.

For information about postgraduate funding opportunities, including the postgraduate merit award, click here. Please also check your School website for bursary opportunities. NRF bursaries: The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers a wide range of opportunities in terms of bursaries and fellowships to students pursuing postgraduate studies. External bursaries portal: The Bursaries South Africa website provides a comprehensive list of bursaries in South Africa.