Program Overview

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SPORTS THERAPY

BSc (Hons) Top-up

This course is subject to validation and approval.

Award

BSc (Hons)

Duration

1 year FT

UCAS Code

C600

Placement

Included in course

Entry

September

Fees

View Fees

Department of Sports

Overview

Qualified sports therapists are in high demand, from treating professional footballers to working in a sports injury clinic. If you already have a background within this field, our specialist Sports Therapy top-up degree will enable you to further develop your practical therapy skills and open up a range of career options across the sports, health and leisure industries.

Our sports therapy top-up course is designed for anyone who has previously studied a relevant subject (up to Level 5), thereby giving you the chance to expand upon your existing academic understanding and practical abilities to an advanced level. You will also have the chance to put this training to the test in the real world, both by working with clients in our clinics on campus as well as through a range of sports events and work experience opportunities.

You will be able to drive the direction of your studies by choosing from a range of optional modules as well as undertaking a research project on a subject of your choice. Once you have completed our sports therapy course, you will also be qualified to join the industry’s professional body, The Society of Sports Therapists.

Why should I choose to study Sports Therapy BSc (Hons) Top-up?

• PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Put your therapy skills into practice by working in our sports injury/massage clinics and at major sporting events
• SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – Tailor your learning to suit your interests through a range of optional modules, including areas such as sports coaching and nutrition
• IN-DEPTH RESEARCH– Deepen your knowledge of a specialist area of the industry by carrying out an independent research project on a topic that interests you
• AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the highest-ranking university in the region according to student choice (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023)

Our facilities

Students on our sports therapy and massage courses have access to outstanding training facilities at University College Birmingham, with two purpose-built sports injury/massage clinics on campus where you can hone your practical skills. We also have a variety of other state-of-the-art sports facilities, including our new gym and Human Performance Centre and Laboratory.

• The impressive £3m Avery Fields complex – which we share with Bournville RFC – boasts an all-weather pitch, two grass pitches and a clubhouse with function room and modern changing facilities
• You will be able to train and work in our sports injury and massage clinics, which provide a variety of services to professional athletes, students and members of the public
• Our clinics offer a full range of professional equipment including ultrasound/electrotherapy equipment, a rehabilitation area and fully-equipped gym
• Our new Human Performance Centre and Laboratory features the latest equipment including a 35m sprint track, eight lifting platforms, an anti-gravity treadmill and much more

Course breakdown

Modules

Core Modules

Exercise as Medicine

The module aims to promote health and wellness through the increased use of physical activity and exercise in the prevention and treatment of disease. Students will be able to provide brief interventions on physical activity advice whilst protecting and promoting the health of patients.

Multidisciplinary Practices in Sport

A common employment destination for Graduate Sports Therapists is sports teams. The focus of this module is to develop knowledge and understanding of how a Graduate Sports Therapist would operate in a sports team environment.

Professional Clinical Practice

This module will allow the development of the clinical skills required of a sports therapist via exposure of working in a supervised sports injury clinic. In support of the practical component, lectures and seminars will develop the use of evidence-based practice, clinical reasoning and personal critical analysis skills, by means of reflection and assessment of learning needs.

Sport and Nutrition Project

You are required to select a research question or topic aligned to your profession, formulate the best way to answer the question, and present your written findings in both a written and presentation format (poster presentation).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Academic : A relevant HND or a foundation degree in the area of Sports Therapy with 240 credits.

If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application.

International students

Academic : European and International qualifications studied in a relevant subject matter will also be considered. Applicants will need to have achieved 120 ECTS or equivalent (European Credit Transfer).

If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application.

Key information

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Example of a typical teaching week (up to 15 contact hours):

• Large group teaching – 3 hours
• Smaller group teaching – 9 hours
• Tutorials – 3 hours
• Field trips and sports events
• Work experience

You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.

Assessment

Estimated breakdown of assessment for this top-up degree course:

• Coursework – 38%
• Practical assessment – 42%
• Written examinations – 20%

Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships

University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.

Work experience

Work experience is vital for learning how to apply your training in the real world and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and it may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our Hired team can help you find suitable work experience.

We encourage students on our BSc Sports Therapy top-up course to gain work experience throughout your studies. The 'Work-Based Learning for Sport' module incorporates a work placement, while opportunities are available for you to provide sports therapy/massage to athletes at events such as the London Marathon and Ride Across Britain.

Work alongside experts in your sector

A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:

• Scotland Rugby team
• Aston Villa FC
• Leicester Tigers RFC
• West Bromwich Albion Ladies FC
• West Midlands Fire Service
• Royal Papworth Hospital, Cambridge (physiotherapy department)

Career opportunities

• Sports therapist : Average salary: £17,000 – £37,000
• Occupational therapist : Average salary: £24,907 – £62,001
• Sports physiotherapist : Average salary: £23,000 – £45,000
• Health promotion specialist : Average salary: £24,907 – £44,503
• Personal trainer : Average salary: £14,000 – £35,000+
• Higher education lecturer : Average salary: £35,211 – £43,367

Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the BSc (Hons) degree will enable you to move onto our postgraduate courses such as Strength, Conditioning and Performance MSc or Enterprise Management MSc/PGDip.

Meet your lecturers

• Mark Godwin : Director of Strategic Partnership Projects
• Gareth Bate : Senior Lecturer and Programme Lead
• Ed Benskin : Lecturer
• Holly Mills : Lecturer
• Matt Greasley : Lecturer
• Stephen Walker : Lecturer