Orthopaedic Technology - Major in Orthotics
Major of the bachelor of Orthopaedic Technology
Push the boundaries of performance!
- Are you fascinated by technology and the human body?
- Get the knowledge and skills to make a difference to people’s lives. Apply the latest technologies to boost athletic performance, accelerate injury recovery and help people cope with disability.
- Develop a solid theoretical grounding in human anatomy and pathology while learning both traditional and contemporary techniques.
- Design, develop and install technological aids including advanced footwear.
- Apply state-of-the-art technologies and innovative materials to push the boundaries of the industry.
- Attend practical and clinical workshops in our state of the art orthopaedic laboratories, or experience research in our research facility.
- Explore the cutting edge of orthopaedic technology during company visits.
- Apply your skills to real-life projects and customer cases during your internship and Bachelors' thesis.
- Launch your career in a rapidly-growing industry as a qualified orthopaedic technician.
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in short
Mon - Fri: 9.00-15.00 (BXL Time)
Eyecatchers
Ready for the field
From day one, you can practice the techniques in one of three special and well-equipped workshops, each of which can accomodate up to twenty students at a time. You can practice clinical work in our brand-new clinical area, all under the supervision of lecturers who have years of experience as a CPO (and many of whom are also practitioners).
Internationally accredited
We are accredited by the International Society of Prosthetists and Orthotists. As a student you will receive an extra certificate upon graduation, which makes it much easier to work internationally. Only a handful of programmes worldwide hold this category 1 accreditation, also known as the ‘prosthetist/orthotist’ accreditation.
Highly specialised and highly flexible
This programme is highly specialised in orthotics. However, we want you to consider all of the options that profession has to offer. Optional courses and coaching will guide you in the right direction and give you an idea of the career prospects early on. Our on-site research facility shows you first-hand how scientific research in our field comes about.
Programme
- Structure
- Courses
- In practice
- Personal coaching
- Go international
- Short programme
Structure
- Phase 1 | In this phase you will develop a broad set of basic skills on which the rest of your professional competences will be based. In the skills lab you will practice the basic techniques used to develop assistive devices and the traditional and high-tech methods used to measure patients.
- Phase 2 | In this phase you will work on specific skills and knowledge for your future as an orthotist. You will learn the correct way to use various off-the-shelf orthotics, and you will learn how and when to design custom-made devices.
- Phase 3 | Now is your time to shine by showing off your competences in your bachelor’s thesis! You will learn more about specialised orthotics and practice clinical skills in a longer internship.
- Phase 1 | In this phase you will develop a broad set of basic skills on which the rest of your professional competences will be based. In the skills lab you will practice the basic techniques used to develop assistive devices and the traditional and high-tech methods used to measure patients.
Courses
Below you can find an overview of the courses (under reservation of changes), with the number of credits per phase. Credits express how many hours you need on average to process the subject matter (incl. lessons). Count about 25 to 30 hours for 1 study credit.
- We have explained the most important courses in a blue tooltip.
- Would you like to know the detailed content of each subject? Check the programme guide.
Phase 1 2 3 Ortholab i 12 10 9 Work Placement i 15 Project Weeks i 6 Orthopaedic Technological Design i 8 8 6 Orthopaedic Cases i 3 3 9 Anatomy 9 7 Phase 1 2 3 Pathology & development 4 8 Communication Skills, Ethics i 3 4 3 Biomechanics, Movement Analysis i 9 8 Scientific Skills i 3 3 Bachelors Thesis i 12 Electives i 9 9 0 Phase 1 2 3 Ortholab i 12 10 9 Work Placement i 15 Project Weeks i 6 Orthopaedic Technological Design i 8 8 6 Orthopaedic Cases i 3 3 9 Anatomy 9 7 Pathology & development 4 8 Communication Skills, Ethics i 3 4 3 Biomechanics, Movement Analysis i 9 8 Scientific Skills i 3 3 Bachelors Thesis i 12 Electives i 9 9 0 Timetable
Check out an example timetable for phase 1.
In practice
Getting acquainted with the field and your future patients is a vital part of our programme. In phase 2 you will do a four-week internship at an orthopaedics company, where you can practice your lab skills in a real-life setting. In phase 3 your eight-week internship will be geared towards clinical work and patient care. In the English programme, all internships are international. With our support, you can find a company in your home country or any place that interests you!
Personal coaching
During your training you will receive personal coaching from our lecturers. This may be in the form of class coaching, smaller group meetings, or personalised feedback. After every exam you can ask for personal feedback from your lecturer and advice on your academic and professional career. Remember, most of us are also practitioners in the field you wish to work in soon.
Go international
Our profession is inherently international. In the English programme, all internships are international. We will also organise at least one international conference and one international company visit.
Short programme
If you have a master’s degree in rehabilitation sciences, physiotherapy or pharmacy or a bachelor’s degree in occupational therapy or podiatry you can are entitled to exemptions. With many hours of practicals and internships, we can’t offer an expedited programme. We can, however, schedule practicals on the same day and offer blended or hybrid solutions that make it easier to combine studying with a job, a family or a sports career.
If you have other diplomas or academic credits, we can grant exemptions and create a flexible programme for you.
Relevant work experience in orthopaedics can also lead to exemptions through an EVC procedure.
For more information, click here.
If you are not entitled to exemptions but want to combine your study with a sports career, a family or a job, you can spread out your courses over a longer period. Your study coach can help you develop the ideal programme!
After Graduation
- The job of your life
- Additional Studies
- Working in Belgium
The job of your life
- As a certified orthotist: for an orthopaedics company, for a humanitarian organisation, in your own company
- As an advisor, representative or product trainer: for manufacturers of materials, components and off-the-shelf products
- As a teacher: new programmes are being created around the world
- As a researcher: a complementary MSc is a great asset!
- As a CAD cam operator or a 3D printing operator: for various medical applications
Additional Studies
Master (via switching programme)
MSc programmes in orthopaedics are very rare. While they do exist, they are spread out across different countries and entry requirements can vary greatly.
The Thomas More BSc in orthopaedics is a proud member of the new PROMOTE consortium. In this European Key Action project, we are joining forces with other education experts to develop an English-language academic programme in orthopaedics, with bridging programmes between our BSc, the MSc in orthobionics at PFH Göttingen, Germany, and the PHd at Sant’Anna in Pisa, Italy.
Working in Belgium
Search Year
International students can apply for a new residence permit status upon graduation and extend their stay in Belgium up to 12 months to find work! Eager to launch your career in Belgium after your studies? No worries! We’re here to help you navigate the Search Year application process.