Since 2009, ETK has been collaborating with the University of Lugano in Switzerland on the Physiotherapy BSc program, which held its opening and graduation ceremonies on September 30, 2025. Professor Dr. Zoltán Balogh, Vice-Dean of ETK, who represented Semmelweis University at the ceremonies, told our website that 23 students who began their studies four years ago received their diplomas after successfully passing their final exams this summer. He added that, similarly to Hungarian students, those studying at international campuses have the opportunity to take their final exams at three different times during the year. Thus, a total of nearly one hundred students took or will take their final exams in 2025.
This academic year, close to 130 students have been admitted to Italian and French-language programs in physiotherapy. This is a significant increase, reflecting the high level of interest in the physiotherapy profession in this region and the switch from English to Italian and French as the languages of training, as recommended by the Swiss training partner.
In addition to the language of training and geographical location, another factor contributing to the increase in enrollment may be that the physiotherapy program at Semmelweis University has been accredited by the education committee of the international organization of physical therapy for the second time, meaning that degrees awarded by Semmelweis are recognized globally. – Dr. Zoltán Balogh
As he explained, the goal is to have the qualifications of Hungarian physiotherapists automatically accepted by all European Union member states, similar to the qualifications of nurses and midwives, without the need for separate accreditation. The vice-dean addressed the audience as a representative of the university alongside the leaders of the Swiss university at both the graduation and opening ceremonies. In keeping with local tradition, the program directors welcomed the freshmen and bid farewell to the graduating students. After the speeches and the oath, the students greeted their classmates in French and Italian. This year, a privately funded scholarship was awarded for the first time to support a physiotherapist student.
Dr. Zoltán Balogh emphasized that the curriculum of the Physiotherapy BSc program in Lugano was identical to that of the program offered by the Faculty of Health Sciences in Hungary. He added that over the past five years, the number of students completing English-language training at ETK had also increased significantly. This year, more than 150 students were accepted into the physical therapy program. Currently, 60 students are enrolled in nursing training, which is four to five times more than five years ago. In total, around a thousand first-year students began their studies at ETK in the new academic year.
Gallery
Speaking of the possibility of improving the program in Switzerland, the vice-dean mentioned that a Master of Science in Physiotherapy is also under consideration for the near future due to high demand in Western Europe. “The MSc in Sports Physiotherapy can be a career advancement option for our Physiotherapy BSc alumni. With our Swiss training program now in its 16th year, many of our students may be interested in this future training opportunity,” summarized Dr. Zoltán Balogh.
Melinda Katalin Kiss, Róbert Tasnádi
Translation: Judit Szabados-Dőtsch
Image credit: Faculty of Health Sciences; Campus Ludes Lugano
