MLT vs Physiotherapy: Which is the Best Option After 12th?

Cyril Titus Zachariah

Updated On: May 12, 2023 12:31 PM

Wish to choose between Physiotherapy and Medical Lab Technology? Here are some of the major differences and similarities between the two courses in India. Learn more about the courses on offer after 12th, subjects covered and the career scope of both specialisations.

Differences In MLT and Physiotherapy Courses

Two of the commonly opted paramedical education specialisations in India are Medical Lab Technology (MLT) and Physiotherapy. With a range of degrees such as Bachelors, Master’s, Diploma, PG Diploma and certificate courses, students can find educational training in these fields across paramedical colleges in India . In this article, we shall discuss the differences and similarities between the two specialisations and the various courses on offer at the undergraduate level.

At the undergraduate level, candidates will be able to pursue a host of different courses in both specialisations. Some of the popular courses opted by aspirants of either of the specialisation include Bachelor of Physiotherapy, Bachelor of Medical Lab Technology, B.Sc in Physiotherapy, B.Sc in Medical Lab Technology, B.Sc in Medical Imaging Technology, and many more.

Let us understand at a deeper level what these specialisations bring to the table.

Highlights of MLT and Physiotherapy

Here are all the highlights of MLT and Physiotherapy courses.

Categories

Medical Lab Technology

Physiotherapy

Degrees Available

B.Sc, Bachelors and Diploma

B.Sc, Bachelors and Diploma

Duration of Courses

2 - 4 Years

3 - 4.5 Years

Eligibility Criteria

10+2 in PCB

10+2 in PCB

Minimum Aggregate Score

50% and More

50% and More

Admission and Selection Process

State/University-Level Entrance or Merit-Based

State/University-level Entrance or Merit-Based

Areas of Employment

Govt/Pvt Hospitals, Clinics and Laboratories

Govt/Pvt Hospitals, Sports Clinics or Self-Employment

Average Initial Salary Package

₹1,00,000 - ₹4,00,000

₹1,00,000 - ₹3,50,000

About Medical Lab Technology (MLT)

Part of the Allied Healthcare Industry, Medical Lab Technology graduates are among some of the key players when it comes to diagnosing diseases. Like many paramedical specialisations in India, a Medical Lab Technician carries out a few key diagnostic procedures required prior to carrying out medical operations.

In MLT Colleges of India , the Medical Lab Technology course has been designed to train and qualify the students to a skillful professional who is capable of using modern facilities and infrastructure, clubbed with modern medical practices to provide doctors with information and data that can allow the doctors to come to conclusive solutions to various diseases and illnesses.

Moreover, a Medical Lab Technician will be trained and qualified to detect various diseases through a range of testing and their vast knowledge of diseases. At the undergraduate level, students will learn the methodologies to use the past medical reports of the patients and monitor the progress of the patient’s health with regard to the various procedures that are being undertaken.

At the UG level, candidates will be able to pursue various courses that will result in different levels of qualifications. Of these include Bachelor and Diploma courses in the specialisations. Future prospects include students pursuing higher education in the field or changing their field completely to pursue a different career. Learn more about the options below.

About Physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is one of the unique paramedical courses that trains and qualifies students in the field of rehabilitative medicine. It is the specialisation through which skilled professionals are able to diagnose and treat patients with physical disabilities or motor disabilities. Physiotherapy aims to help patients in treating various injuries and disabilities while also taking steps to prevent such injuries to take place in the future.

Among the many duties of a Physiotherapist is to ensure that the patient is able to recover from their disabilities and injuries with the help of physical treatment processes. While medications are used in Physiotherapy, the dosages and purpose for them are less and secondary to physical treatment processes.

At the undergraduate level, candidates will be able to pursue various courses at different qualifications, i.e. Bachelors's and Diploma. Once graduated from a Physiotherapy College in India , candidates will have plenty of options to pursue, which include higher education or pursuing a career in the industry. Check out the career and future prospects of the course as has been outlined in this article.

Skills Required - MLT vs Physiotherapy

In order to pursue a career in either of the courses, candidates must have or develop certain skills to help them excel in their fields. With the help of these skills, graduates will be better able to come to conclusions and solutions which can boost their career development opportunities. Check out the skills required for both MLT and Physiotherapy.

Medical Lab Technology

Physiotherapy

  • Discipline

  • Attentiveness

  • Ability To Conduct Research

  • Working Under Pressure

  • Critical and Analytical Thinking Ability

  • Mechanical and Instrumentation Knowledge

  • Interpersonal Skills

  • Good Communication Skills

  • Patience

  • Working Under Pressure

  • Working in a Team

  • Administrative Skills

  • Organisational Skills

Course Syllabus - MLT vs Physiotherapy

Across India, paramedical colleges offer a variety of MLT and Physiotherapy courses, which teach certain common topics and subjects. Check out some of the commonly taught subjects in MLT and Physiotherapy courses in India.

Medical Lab Technology

Physiotherapy

Human Anatomy

Physiology

Pathology

Anatomy

Microbiology

Microbiology

Physiology

Pathology

Introduction to Laboratory-related Medical Terminologies

Exercise Therapy

Analytical Laboratory Testing Process

Rehabilitative Science

Rights and Responsibilities of Patient

Physiotherapy in General Medicine and Surgery

Advanced Technologies and Future Trends

Biochemistry

Orthopedics

Pharmacology

Courses to Pursue - MLT vs Physiotherapy

When it comes to undergraduate courses in the field of Medical Lab Technology and Physiotherapy, candidates will be able to pursue a host of courses. Aspirants will also be able to choose between Bachelors's and Diploma degrees in the field of their choice. Check out the courses to pursue in MLT and Physiotherapy.

Degree

Medical Lab Technology

Physiotherapy

Bachelor

Diploma

  • Diploma in Medical Imaging Technology

  • Diploma in X-Ray/EEG/ECG Technology

  • Diploma in Clinical Analysis

  • Diploma in Physiotherapy

Eligibility Criteria - MLT vs Physiotherapy

In order to enroll in any one of the different undergraduate courses in MLT and Physiotherapy in India, one must first qualify the requisite eligibility criteria. Depending on the degree and the UG paramedical college in India, the eligibility criteria for the courses will differ. However, for the most part, the eligibility criteria are similar for both MLT and Physiotherapy. Check out the eligibility criteria for both, MLT and Physiotherapy courses in India.

  • All Aspirants must have cleared their class 12th board exams from a recognised board of education in the stream of science.

  • Most colleges will accept applications of candidates who have secured a minimum aggregate score of 50% or above in subjects such as Physics, Chemistry, and Biology.

  • Some colleges also require that the applicants have completed 17 years of age as on 31st December of the year of admissions.

  • The admission policy of individual colleges will determine the selection procedure of the candidates. In other words, candidates may be required to sit for an entrance test at the State-level or University-level.

It is advisable to check the eligibility criteria and the admission process as outlined by the college of your choice, prior to applying for admission. This will help in reducing any last-minute hiccups in your admission processes.

MLT vs Physiotherapy: Entrance Exams

In order to get admission in MLT or Physiotherapy degree programmes, candidates have to take entrance exams that are organized at both national and state levels. These admission tests can be attained by the candidates after they have cleared their higher secondary level education, or appeared in the final year of their higher secondary education.

The entrance exams for MLT and Physiotherapy courses are as follows:

MLT Entrance Exams

The entrance examination for admission to MLT courses are:

Physiotherapy Entrance Exams

Some of the popular entrance exams for a Physiotherapy degree course are mentioned below:

Career Prospects and Future Scope - MLT vs Physiotherapy

Paramedical education and industry are one of the most under-rated areas of specialisation, which are also important tool in the healthcare industry. The career scope and future prospects of MLT and Physiotherapy are immense as the number of qualified professionals in the industry is high. Skilled professionals with the critical and analytical skills required in both fields are few in number, which means a range of job profiles are available in the industry, yet to be occupied.

Check out the career prospects and future scope for graduates in the field of MLT and Physiotherapy.

Category

Medical Lab Technology

Physiotherapy

Job Profiles/Specialisations

  • Radiology Technicians

  • X-Ray Technicians

  • Optical Lab Technician

  • Lab Technician

  • Lab Analyst

  • Assistant Lab Manager

  • Laboratory Supervisor

  • Physiotherapist

  • Post-Operative Physiotherapist

  • Sports Physiotherapist

  • Neurology Physiotherapist

  • Assistant Physiotherapist

  • Self-Employed Physiotherapist

Areas of Employment

  • Government & Private Hospitals

  • Clinical Laboratories

  • Government and Private Laboratories

  • Government & Private Hospitals

  • Self-Employed Business

  • Rehabilitation Centres

  • Sports and Fitness Clinics

Annual Packages

  • The annual package for a fresher in the field may range between ₹1,00,000 - ₹4,00,000 LPA.

  • With experience, the annual packages and the job profiles will see improvement as well.

  • The degree qualification of the candidate and the area of employment are certain factors that may affect the packages offered.

  • The annual package for a fresher in the field may range between ₹1,00,000 - ₹3,50,000 LPA.

  • After candidates gain enough experience and skills in the field, the annual packages will also improve.

  • Candidate’s academic qualification and area of specialisation will determine the package and job profile.

MLT vs Physiotherapy: Salary Scale

There are several job profiles with high salary packages and other additional benefits that are associated with both of these degree programmes. The comparison of the average salary scale after completion of MLT and Physiotherapy courses is listed below:

MLT Salary Scale

The salary scale for MLT is captured below:

Career Profile

Average Salary Range (Annual)

Anaesthesia Technician

INR 4,00,000 to 7,00,000

Operation Theatre Technician

INR 2,50,000 to INR 6,00,000

CT Scan Technician

INR 3,00,000 to INR 5,50,000

MRI Technician

INR 5,00,000 to 7,50,000

Pathology Technician

INR 3,50,000 to INR 5,00,000

X-Ray Technician

INR 2,00,000 to INR 5,00,000

Physiotherapy Salary Scale

Here is the salary scale after Physiotherapy:

Career Profile

Average Salary Range (Annual)

Physiotherapist

INR 3,00,000 to INR 8,00,000

Sports physio rehabilitator

INR 4,00,000 to INR 8,00,000

Medical coding analyst

INR 3,50,000 to INR 7,65,000

Researcher

INR 2,00,000 to INR 5,00,000

Home care Physiotherapist

INR 2,00,000 to INR 6,50,000


Higher Education Prospects - MLT vs Physiotherapy

Apart from career paths that can be chosen by graduates in the field, one of the best methods of improving one’s career opportunities is to pursue higher education. Under both specialisations, the candidates will be able to pursue a range of courses after graduating from one of the UG courses in MLT or Physiotherapy. Check out the higher education prospects of MLT and Physiotherapy in India.

Qualifying Degree

Medical Lab Technology

Physiotherapy

Bachelors or B.Sc

  • M.Sc Medical Lab Technology

  • Master of Medical Lab Technology

  • M.Sc in Medical Imaging Technology

  • MBA / PGDM

Diploma

  • B.Sc Medical Lab Technology

  • Bachelor of Medical Lab Technology

  • B.Sc Medical Imaging Technology

  • B.Sc Clinical Imaging Technology

  • B.Sc Physiotherapy

  • Bachelor of Physiotherapy

Pursuing any one of the courses in the field of Medical Laboratory Technology would offer an aspirant of the course with lucrative job offers and career prospects. Candidates may also choose to pursue higher education and research in the relevant areas of specialization as well.

Related Articles

Click on the links given below to know more:

Which is Better? Optometry or Physiotherapy

Difference Between Diploma in Physiotherapy and Bachelors of Physiotherapy

Differences Between Veterinary Sciences and Paramedical Courses After 12th

See Which is Better - AYUSH vs Paramedical Courses

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