Program Overview

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There is a growing demand for sports therapists in the UK. Our MSc Sports Therapy builds on your sports-related first degree (eg BSc Sport and Exercise Science, BSc Sports Performance and Coaching, or similar). With our state-of-the-art facilities and science-based approach, you will gain the knowledge and skills to become a sports therapist who can practice in various professional settings. You will develop an exceptional understanding of the science and research that underpins the practice of sports therapy and cultivate the technical skills to deliver high-quality sports therapy support. Through learning environments with an applied focus, you will have a platform to hone your practical skills, participate in small group discussions and share expertise and knowledge with your peers. Alongside your timetabled classes, you will complete between 200 and 250 hours of placement as part of the course. Some of these hours will be in our Sports Therapy Clinic, where you will consult with performance scholars, students, staff, and members of the public, under the guidance and supervision of our experienced sports therapy staff. You’ll also be given the opportunity to work with a variety of sports clubs and teams, ranging from recreational to elite levels. This course is also available to study on a part-time basis.

Sport scholarships

Our Performance Sport Scholarship programme has been created for talented athletes playing at regional, national or international level, and offers a range of benefits. We want students competing in our focus sports (basketball, volleyball, tennis, football and rugby 7s), as well as other team sports and individual athletes, to contribute to our performance sport programme. Our scholarships can include fee discounts of up to 100%, offered to athletes who demonstrate sporting excellence. Athletes who are awarded the scholarship will receive a host of other benefits, including free kit, access to state-of-the-art facilities, performance coaching, the option to live in our Athlete Village (accommodation fees may vary) and a support package valued up to £1,500. These benefits are designed to help athletes focus on their training, and development, and to enable them to reach their full potential alongside their studies. Why we're great.

• Gain the practical skill set and theoretical knowledge to become a Graduate Sports Therapist.
• Work in our purpose-built and well-equipped Sports Therapy Clinic under the supervision of a Practice Educator, as well as with a variety of sports clubs and teams.
• We are 23rd in the UK for research power in sport and exercise sciences Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021).

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Our expert staff

This course offers research-led study and high-quality teaching from lecturers with experience working in elite sport and across a diverse range of athletes and the general population. We are 23rd in the UK for research power in sport and exercise sciences (Times Higher Education research power measure, Research Excellence Framework 2021). As part of our vibrant sports science community, you will learn from and work alongside internationally recognised academic researchers with industry links to professional organisations such as AFC Wimbledon, Saracens Rugby, Ipswich Town FC, and Southend United FC. Key academic staff for this course includes:

• Dr Sally Waterworth – a Graduate Sports Therapist with over 20 years' experience of working with recreational to professional athletes from a variety of sports. Sally’s research focuses on the impact of interactions between training and nutrition on performance and health.
• Tracy Lewis – a physiotherapist with 25 years’ experience working in the public and private sector and specialising in elite sport. Tracy worked for The Football Association for 12 years where she was Head of Physiotherapy for Women for 9 years, working with English International players from youth to senior level. Tracy’s research interests include injury surveillance in female sport with a particular interest in football.
• Dr Louis Howe - a UKSCA-accredited strength and conditioning coach with over a decade of experience working with international athletes from a variety of sports. Louis’ research focuses on resistance training and its impact on health and performance.

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Specialist facilities

Our specialist facilities include our on-campus Sports Therapy Clinic, Sport Arena, strength and conditioning facility, specialist sport and physiology laboratories, and dedicated sports therapy laboratories. You will also:

• Have access to a wide range of specialist sports therapy equipment for training and testing purposes within our state-of-the-art Human Movement Laboratory.
• Have opportunities to gain valuable experience working with elite athletes in our Human Performance Unit and with performance scholars, students and staff in our Sports Therapy Clinic.
• Be able to use our dedicated research facilities, from an isokinetic dynamometer to 12-camera 3D motion analysis system, to gas and blood analysis systems.
• Have the chance to conduct your dissertation research alongside academics and PhD students in dedicated research facilities.

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Your future

Upon graduation, you’ll be well equipped for a career as a sports therapist and to be able to work with athletes at any level and across a variety of sports. Typical career destinations include sports therapy or multidisciplinary clinics, professional sport, youth sport academies, the health and fitness industry, teaching, and academic research. We have great industry links and work closely with the University’s Careers Services to help you find out about further work experience, internships, placements, and voluntary opportunities.