Program Overview

Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

Course Description

This dynamic course will set you apart as an industry-ready graduate Sports Therapist. You'll develop high-level professional knowledge at a University accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists. You'll complete over 200 hours of clinical placements to gain hands-on experience of the profession and apply theory to practice. You'll build a thorough understanding of the rehabilitation process, including manual therapy techniques, exercise therapy, and sports massage.

Study Options

• Full-time: 4 years

UK Fee

• £9,535 per year (2025/26)

International Fee

• £16,900 per year (2025/26)

UCAS Points

• 72 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS Code

• C633

Start Date

• September

Location

• Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Course Details

Foundation Year

The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge, and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree.

Year 1

• Research Methods and Data Handling
• Academic and Practical Skills
• Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology
• Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Science

Year 2

• Core modules:
  • Research Methods and Data Handling
  • Academic and Practical Skills
  • Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Science
• Optional modules:
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Fundamentals of Human Behaviour
  • Foundations in Physics

Optional Placement Year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We'll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry.

Year 3

• Core modules:
  • Research Methods and Data Handling
  • Academic and Practical Skills
  • Fundamentals of Human Anatomy and Physiology
  • Fundamentals of Sport and Exercise Science
• Optional modules:
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Fundamentals of Human Behaviour
  • Foundations in Physics

Assessment

The course assesses the professional, academic, and scientific skills considered key to becoming a research-savvy, industry-ready sports therapist and rehabilitator. Assessments will include oral presentations, structured clinical examinations, written projects, problem-solving exercises, laboratory reports, professional development work, exercise prescription tasks, essays, practical viva voce, and case studies.

Careers

Because this course is aligned to the professional guidelines set out by The Society of Sports Therapists, you'll be fully prepared to go into practice as an injury and exercise-based rehabilitation and fitness specialist. You can also progress to roles working in multi-disciplinary or inter-disciplinary healthcare teams.

Entry Requirements

• UCAS points: 72
• A Level: DDD
• T Level: Pass
• BTEC: MMP
• GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

Fees and Funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International: £16,900 per year (2025/26)

Additional Costs and Optional Extras

• Included in your fees:
  • To welcome you to our team, you'll receive a University of Derby, Sport and Exercise Science t-shirt
  • Annual membership of the Society of Sport Therapists for the duration of your studies
  • A hydrotherapy and cryotherapy trip
  • Pitchside First Aid Qualification (we will contribute to or pay the full cost of additional qualifications which are arranged by us. For other additional qualifications you're interested in, we may contribute to or fund these but this is at the Sport department's discretion)
  • If a DBS check is needed for the purposes of a module or programme related work placement, this is included in your fee if done via the University
• Mandatory costs not included in your fees:
  • If not already owned, appropriate clothing for practical sessions such as tracksuit bottoms and trainers - approximate cost is £50-£100
  • Travel to placements - cost varies depending on your placement venue of choice
• Optional costs not included in your fees:
  • You may wish to purchase optional textbooks or e-books to support your studies - costs for these are dependent on your choice
  • To support your studies, you may want to invest in additional qualifications such as a Sports Massage Qualification, Kinesiotaping or Safeguarding - costs will vary depending on your choice