Program Overview

Adolescent Sports Medicine, PGCert

Overview

This postgraduate certificate program is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to become leaders in Adolescent Sports Medicine. The program focuses on evidence-based practice, delivering safe and effective care to young athletes engaging in sports.

Why Study with Us

• Our course has been developed with feedback from clinical partners and alumni.
• You'll be taught by applied and research-leading industry experts who currently work in the field of Sports Medicine from grass roots sports to National team youth level.
• Study this program part-time with options to complete within 12-36 months. You can discuss these flexible options with our course leader.

What You'll Do

• Learn from lecturers from Medicine, Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy, and Sport, Exercise, and Nutritional Sciences who work concurrently to deliver our modules.
• You'll have access to facilities from the School of Medicine, the divisions of Sports and Health Sciences, as well as the Sir Tom Finney Sports Centre and the UCLan Sports Arena.
• Have the opportunity to study optional modules including Work-Based Learning or Trauma & Emergency Medical Management in Sport (TEMMiS); two modules particular to our Postgraduate Sports Medicine courses which will allow you to develop specialist skills suited for your needs.

Modules

Compulsory Modules

• Management of the Young Athlete
  • This module will allow you to explore and critically analyze the effects of growth and maturation on athletic performance with young athletes.
  • You will identify key monitoring strategies that can identify peak height velocity and maturity status within young athletes.
  • You will explore and critically analyze long-term development models utilized within sport for young athletes and how principles of fitness and exercise fit within these models.
  • You will consolidate the ethical and legal requirements when working with pre-adolescents, adolescents, and young adults and identify and distinguish Interdisciplinary team (IDT) roles when working with young athletes and how collaborative working can maximize development and safety.
  • Module code: MB4517
• Young Athlete Injuries
  • This module aims to allow you to identify key injuries that may present within the youth athlete population.
  • You will also explore and critically analyze overuse injury onset linking to young athlete presentations.
  • You will critically analyze pathways of investigation and interventions in relation to young athletes and how these differ from adult athletes.
  • You will identify and critique effective rehabilitation strategies to combat common young athletic injuries.
  • In addition, you will explore communication strategies between parent/guardian, athlete, coach, and medical personnel.
  • Identifying a holistic approach towards injury in the young athlete and how these differ from adult approaches.
  • Module code: MB4518

Optional Modules

• Trauma and Emergency Medical Management in Sport (TEMMiS)
  • This module will give you the opportunity to undertake and develop the required decision-making process and practical skills necessary to deal with both minor and life-threatening sport and exercise-related injuries and illnesses.
  • You will also be able to apply acute management strategies of sporting injuries on and off the field of play and you will understand the roles and responsibilities of the MDT in the immediate care of the injured athlete.
  • Module code: MB4007
• Work-Based Learning
  • The module provides a period of professional experience in a ‘Health’ related setting and is intended to offer an opportunity for critical reflection of the Post Grad Professional’s (PGP’s) sphere of practice with specific focus to an area of interest.
  • Module code: MB4048

Entry Requirements

• Minimum first degree at 2:2 or above in a relevant subject area such as Physiotherapy, Sports Therapy, Sports Rehabilitation, or Strength & Conditioning, or have completed year 3 of MBChB (MBBS) qualification
• Be willing to become actively engaged in or have access to clinical experience in a Sports and Exercise Medicine practice in order to support learning within the program
• Have sufficient competency in English language (IELTS Level 6.0 or equivalent)
• All suitable applicants will be interviewed. Interview procedures and decisions regarding applications will be conducted within the University’s policies on equal opportunities and admissions
• Please note a satisfactory In Country Police Check and Enhanced DBS check will be required at enrollment.

Fees and Funding

• UK: Part-time £1,050 per 20 credits
• Additional costs: As part of your course, there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs.

Scholarships and Bursaries

• We offer many scholarships, bursaries, and funds to support you during your studies. Select your country or region to see if you are eligible and how to apply.

Learning and Assessment

• Many of our modules have classroom sessions supported with online learning material.
• Your module tutors will guide you as to the preparation required for teaching sessions and whilst they will sometimes give specific guidance, at postgraduate Level 7 it’s expected that you take some initiative to read around the session topic, so that you can contribute to classroom discussions.
• The emphasis will be on problem-based learning. You’ll use our virtual learning environment to assist with your studies.
• Our staff are experienced clinicians and have many years of experience in education. Each staff member is delivering modules within their area of expertise, and they are at the forefront of their field.
• In some modules, we also bring in experienced, practicing clinicians with current expertise in an aspect of the module; this enables us to blend academic expertise, clinical knowledge, and current clinical experience and to give you access to people who know about the demands of the current clinical environment.
• A variety of assessment methods are used within the program to support learning and understanding within a universal design.

Pathway Opportunities

• For postgraduate courses only: You’ll be able to consider further educational opportunities such as undertaking a full MSc degree in a related field such as the MSc Sports Medicine, or progress on to a PhD or Professional Doctorate pathway.

Further Opportunities

• Studying Adolescent Sports Medicine, you’ll learn essential skills for designing and implementing safe and appropriate long-term athletic development programs and be able to recognize common young athletic injuries. Young adolescent athletes are not mini adults and require specialist knowledge and skills to maximize physical development and return from injury.