Duration of DPT in Pakistan: 5 Years, 10 Semesters and the Full HEC Syllabus (2026)
DPT is a 5-year, 10-semester degree, and graduates then complete a 1-year house job. That makes 6 years before independent practice. HEC's template needs 175 credit hours, though some universities run more (Punjab University lists 188, Riphah 193). Year by year, students move from anatomy and physiology, through pathology and electrotherapy, to medicine, neurology and a research project.
How long is DPT in Pakistan?
The Doctor of Physical Therapy takes five years, or ten semesters, and HEC treats it as equal to 17 years of education. A semester is not five months of lectures. Duow's published curriculum breaks each one into 18 weeks of teaching, 2 of revision and examination, and a 2-week break, and requires 75% attendance.
The house job: what changed in 2026
After the five academic years there is a mandatory clinical year. In July 2026 the Allied Health Professionals Council (AHPC) confirmed that five-year degree holders must complete a one-year internship, while four-year graduates do six months, and that trainees are titled "House Officers." So the true timeline is 5 years of study + 1 year house job = 6 years.
DPT scheme of studies: credit hours
HEC's national template for the five-year DPT requires 175 credit hours across ten semesters. Credits are counted differently by type of work: one theory credit is an hour a week, one lab credit two hours, and one clinical credit three hours. That's why "3(2+1)" on a course means 2 theory credits plus 1 practical credit.
Universities differ. Punjab University's outline shows 188 credit hours, and Riphah lists 193. The subjects are largely the same, but electives and added courses change the total. Always check your own university's scheme.
DPT syllabus 2026, year by year
The subject lists below follow the HEC template, and credits are in brackets as theory+practical.
First professional year: basic sciences
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Semester 1: Anatomy-I 4(3+1), Physiology-I 3(2+1), Kinesiology-I 3(2+1), English-I (Functional English) 3, Pakistan Studies 2, Biostatistics-I 3.
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Semester 2: Anatomy-II, Physiology-II, Kinesiology-II, English-II (Communication Skills), Islamic Studies/Ethics, and Biostatistics-II, listed as optional
Second professional year: movement science
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Semester 3: English-III (Technical Writing), Introduction to Computer, Anatomy-III, Physiology-III, Biomechanics & Ergonomics-I, Biochemistry & Genetics-I.
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Semester 4: Anatomy-IV, Biomechanics & Ergonomics-II, Behavioral Sciences, Biochemistry & Genetics-II, Exercise Physiology, Medical Physics.
Third professional year: therapy foundations
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Semester 5: Pathology & Microbiology-I, Pharmacology-I, Physical Agents & Electrotherapy-I, Therapeutic Exercise & Techniques, Sociology, Health & Wellness, Supervised Clinical Practice-I.
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Semester 6: Pathology & Microbiology-II, Pharmacology-II, Electrotherapy-II, Manual Therapy, Teaching Methodology & Community Medicine, Clinical Practice-II.
Fourth professional year: clinical medicine
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Semester 7: Medicine-I, Surgery-I, Radiology & Diagnostic Imaging, Musculoskeletal PT, Human Growth & Community-Based Rehabilitation, Clinical Practice-III.
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Semester 8: Medicine-II, Surgery-II, Neurological PT, Evidence-Based Practice, Prosthetics & Orthotics, Clinical Practice-IV.
Fifth professional year: specialisation and research
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Semester 9: Cardiopulmonary PT, Emergency Procedures, Clinical Decision-Making & Differential Diagnosis, Research Methodology, Professional Practice, Integumentary PT, Clinical Practice-V.
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Semester 10: Obstetric & Gynecological PT, Pediatric PT, Geriatric PT, Sports PT, Clinical Practice-VI (4 credits) and the Research Project (6 credits). HEC lists Sports PT at 2 credits, Clinical Practice-VI at 4 and the research project at 6.
Download the official curriculum
Read the primary source rather than a copy:
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Revised 2016 HEC curriculum, as hosted by SZABMU. The 2016 revision also recommended a one-year paid house job.
DPT entry test syllabus 2026
Which test you sit depends on the institute.
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MDCAT-based admissions (KEMU includes MDCAT in its aggregate). The PMDC syllabus for 2026 is unchanged from 2025: 180 MCQs, Biology 81, Chemistry 45, Physics 36, English 9 and Logical Reasoning 9. Every topic comes from the FSc pre-medical course. Download the master PDF from pmdc.pk, and treat coaching-site summaries as secondary. They disagree on details such as whether the paper is computer- or paper-based.
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University-run tests (Dow uses its own test with a 10/40/50 aggregate). I couldn't find a published Dow syllabus, so read the prospectus. Most such tests draw on the same FSc pre-medical topics, but confirm.
FAQs
How many years is DPT in Pakistan?
Five years, or ten semesters, followed by a one-year house job.
How many credit hours is DPT?
HEC's template requires 175. Some universities exceed it: Punjab University lists 188 and Riphah 193.
Is a house job compulsory after DPT?
Yes. AHPC requires one year for five-year degrees, and trainees are titled House Officers.
What subjects are taught in first-year DPT?
Anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, English, Pakistan Studies and biostatistics, with Islamic Studies/Ethics in semester 2.
What is in the final year?
Cardiopulmonary, obstetric, paediatric, geriatric and sports physical therapy, clinical decision-making, supervised practice and a research project.
Is the DPT syllabus the same at every university?
The HEC template is the base, but universities add electives and change credit totals. Check your university's own scheme.
