Sports Therapy students in uniform attending to a fellow student laying on a bed

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BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy

UCAS CODE: 67V9 (Full-time) or 67V0 (Foundation Year)

TARIFF: 104 - 128 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

Overview
Course Details
Entry Requirements
Modules
Fees
Employability
Teaching Team

Study Mode: Full Time
Location: High Wycombe
Duration: Three or Four Years
Start Date: September 2024

If you want to start your career as a sports therapist, our sports therapy degree can give you the skills and experience you need to thrive. Accredited by the society of sport therapists (SST) we take your learning experience further with our in house sport and wellbeing clinic, so you can understand what the role will be like when you leave university.

We look forward to welcoming you onto our course as you become a sport therapist with BNU. Our course gives you skills dealing with potential clients so you'll be ready to take your expertise to wherever you need it.

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy 96% student satisfaction*

*Measured by % of positivity average of Q1-24 (NSS 2023)

No. 1 in England for Student Satisfaction*

*Measured by % of positivity across all questions within the larger providers only: taught or registered population (NSS 2023)

No. 1 Students' Union in the UK*

*As ranked among taught students at non-specialist HEIs (NSS 2023)

Top for our response to the cost-of-living-crisis*

*Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

5th for learning opportunities*

*NSS 2023

Top 10 for student support*

*Whatuni Student Choice Award 2023

The three years on the course have been an amazing journey - the best part has been the hands-on practice you’re constantly exposed to throughout practical lessons and placements.

Monique Nobrega

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University?

Work experience is becoming more and more essential to getting a job, so as part of our multi million pound investment into our human performance, exercise and wellbeing centre, we created our very own working sports therapy clinic here at BNU. This facility is open to the public and available to you to gain valuable experience.

Two Sports Therapy students assessing the shoulders of a fellow student.

A woman lifting her leg onto a step as she undergoes fitness testing from a member of BNU staff.

A Sports Therapy student tests the heart rate of a fellow student through their wrist.

A Sports Therapy student pulling on resistance bands

A Sports Therapy class looking towards the teacher.

A Sports Therapy student doing a press up on the floor as four other students watch on.

We have links with local sports organisations like the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey (home to several governing bodies of sport) and Stoke Mandeville Hospital (the birthplace of the Paralympics). Our placement opportunities are a great way for you to learn and network.

We also have close relationships with Wycombe Wanderers FC, Wycombe Hospital, Norwich City FC, Reading Ladies Football Club, and The FA. You could have the opportunity to attend national events like The London Marathon and provide hands-on care for athletes.

With a thriving competitive sport scene there is plenty of opportunity to get involved with our university sports clubs and competitions. Our student union was voted first in the UK by our students* *(NSS 2023). Thanks to our big deal you can meet new people, take part in sports and make friends for life.

The placements were a platform to apply my learning in real-life situations, whether that was with sporting professionals or on the public in clinics. The lecturers and practicals were highly informative and constantly challenging, which helped me develop as a therapist.

Luke Robertson

A group of Sports Therapy students watching a demo being given by a fellow student.

A Sports Therapy student on a treadmill as another student monitors performance on a computer.

Sports Therapy students watching a demonstration and smiling

Two Sports Therapy students in uniform looking and smiling at one another

A Sports Therapy student lying down as a demonstration is given to the rest of the class.

Our Human Performance Lab is our facility designed to test and research the human body. It has been designed to enhance athletes performance through data analysis and can be used to develop the most effective strength and conditioning regime for different body types. Our gateway gym is where you can get personalised help and advice from trainers and use a range of fitness equipment, heavily discounted for students.

In addition, our library is open 24/7 and packed with all the information you need for your assessments – you’ll have access to hundreds of specialist books, scientific research, articles and online journals to increase your knowledge on many different subjects. Not to mention there’s plenty of room to knuckle down for some quiet study time.

We’ll also sign you up to our Virtual Learning Environment which means you’ll have access to lots of online resources wherever you are. This is not a replacement for your course content which is taught primarily in person due to the nature of the sport therapy role.

What will I study?

The aim of this course is to help you graduate with the skills and experience needed to be a successful sports therapist. Accredited by the society of sports therapists (SST)

Our course will take you through the processes of injury prevention, assessment, therapeutic treatment, and exercise rehabilitation in order to return the patient back to work, full muscular functionality and then back to previous performance levels.

Throughout the course you will be taking part in many practical classes with the emphasis on hands-on skills and experience. In order to truly develop skills to make you the very best therapist by the time you graduate.

explore the biomechanics of human movement, physiology and functional anatomy
modules will range from core scientific principles of exercise to injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation
learn about human anatomy, health and exercise physiology, therapeutic interventions and new and exclusive scientific research
learn the skills to become a confident and proficient self-employed sports therapist should you choose to go freelance

I chose Buckinghamshire New University because it is a pioneer in sports related studies. It’s strong reputation in the field gave confidence that I would develop the crucial skills to successfully start my career.

Henne Magalhaes

What facilities can I use?

As part of your course you are required to complete increasing hours of placement activities within a sports therapy setting, building levels of responsibility and applying your knowledge of theory to your practice. To enable this, we invested in a professional range of state-of-the-art clinical facilities.

As part of your studies, you’ll use the Sports and Wellbeing Clinic which is a real working clinic within the university and puts you directly in your workplace from day one. Members of the public have appointments in this clinic as well as professional athletes and sports teams, which gives you the opportunity to experience working in a clinic first hand, alongside a close community of course mates and with the support of our lecturers who are always around to give you one to one support and answer any questions.

A student on a treadmill whilst two Sports Therapy students monitor his heart rate

The staff on this course are what drew me to BNU. Their passion for the subject really shows and it’s comforting to know that the course modules are all relevant and carefully selected.

Katy Wiltshire

How will I be taught and assessed?

Your course adopts a varied method of assessment. You will have the opportunity to access a variety of electronic resources including journal articles, on-line books, electronic databases, internet sources and material from the library. While there is a varied diet of assessment at all three levels, it is predominantly based on coursework and practical assessments and, where possible, is designed to mirror ‘real world’ being more authentic in nature to that of Sports Therapy practice.

Assessments will include some of the following:

practical assessments
presentations
vivas
reports/essays
case studies
work-related assessments with evidence of achievements in practice

BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy Programme Specification

What are the course entry requirements?

A typical offer will require a UCAS tariff score of: 104 - 128 (Full-time) or 32 - 56 (Foundation Year)

UCAS points can be obtained through qualifications such as A levels, T levels, BTEC or an Access to Higher Education course in a relevant subject. Please list all your qualifications on the application form as you will be asked to provide copies when we receive your application.

You will also need GCSE Maths and English at grade C/4 or above and a minimum of two full A-levels (or equivalent) is required. Every application is considered on an individual basis.

For further details of our international English entry requirements, please visit our international pages.

If your application is successful we will contact you to invite you for an interview. The interview is mandatory as part of your application as well as to ascertain your suitability for the course you have chosen, your individual motivation and interests and whether BNU is right for you.

Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements for the three-year undergraduate programme, or those who do not feel fully prepared for a degree course, can apply for a four-year programme including a Foundation Year; find out more.

Modules

This provides a guide of the modules that make up your course. You can find more information about how your course is structured on our Academic Advice section.

This course has Opportunity modules.

Opportunity modules are a key part of the BNU curriculum. You’ll choose modules in both your first and second year from a broad selection in areas such as sustainability, entrepreneurship, creativity, digital skills, personal growth, civic engagement, health & wellbeing and employment. Opportunity modules are designed to enable you to develop outside the traditional boundaries of your discipline and help you to further stand out from the crowd to future employers. Find out more.

Foundation Year

Core Modules

Preparing for Success Knowledge and Creativity

The module will prepare you for successful progression into academic study while allowing you to learn about and prepare yourself for employment in the twenty-first century through inquiry-based learning, problem solving and critical and creative thinking.

Preparing for Success Self-development and Responsibility

This module enables you to begin developing the Bucks Graduate Attributes associated with leadership and self-development and social and ethical awareness and responsibility, which are essential for success in higher education and in the world of work.

Inquiry Based Learning

Delivery of this module is based on ‘confirmation inquiry’ – a foundational level of inquiry geared for developing your understanding of key concepts and themes as well as basic methodologies and approaches to academic work, relevant to your discipline. You’ll then have the opportunity to analyse a problem or question that relates to your subject a...

Introduction to Sport Therapy

This module introduces you to the basic principles of anatomy and physiology of the human body. The module will also introduce the concept of being a Graduate Sports Therapist, principles of taping as well as the foundation knowledge of health and fitness which underpins the profession.

Year 1

Core Modules

Credits

Human Anatomy and Movement Analysis

Credits: 20

This module will provide a detailed review of the musculoskeletal architecture of the human body. Identifying the roles and functions of the main bones, ligaments, tendons and muscles. You’ll align this knowledge to consider and analyse the anatomical functions of movements in the cardinal planes, axis and basic sporting techniques.

Health and Human Physiology

Credits: 20

This module will begin by providing an overview of the anatomy and physiology of multiple physiological systems both at rest, and during exercise. You’ll study how they interact to preserve homeostasis and be assessed on their understanding of how physiology can affect health and wellbeing in the general population.

Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning

Credits: 20

This module is designed to give you an insight into the fundamentals of strength and conditioning (S&C) and will cover the key concepts, theories and techniques which underpin effective S&C practice. In addition, you’ll also gain an overview of the core competencies, knowledge, and professional standard requirements of the contemporary S&C practiti...

Foundations of Sports Therapy

Credits: 20

This module will introduce you to the foundations of Sports Therapy. It will combine the development of interpersonal and professional skills related to the working within a dynamic Professional Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) through applied practice. These include; soft tissue massage, assessment and examination of peripheral limbs, first aid an...

Introduction to Research in Sport

Credits: 20

The module is designed to introduce the principles and practices of academic practice and academic research in the sports domain. You’ll review the key components of empirical research before gathering hands on experience of planning and conducting simple field-based case studies.

Opportunity Modules

You must choose 2 x 10 credit Level 4 Opportunity modules from the Opportunity module catalogue.

Year 2

Core Modules

Credits

Research Methods

Credits: 20

This module aims to provide you with the knowledge needed to produce research of sufficient quality to make a valuable contribution to the sport industry. You’ll study the conceptual issues and practical considerations through the entire process of research, including the underlying philosophical debates about the nature of knowledge.

Applied Exercise Physiology

Credits: 20

Exercise physiology is the study of the body's metabolic response to short-term and adaptations to long-term physical activity. This module covers the basics of structured exercise training, physiological testing/monitoring for a range of sports, and how individual bodies are affected by exposure to extreme environments when training within them.

Principles and Applications of Biomechanics in Sport

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with a grounding in how motion can interact to influence overall performance. Consider the mechanical factors which impact both linear and angular movement within sport, reviewing the methods for calculating distance/displacement and subsequent kinematic parameters, before assessing the role of forces in the produc...

Exercise Instruction and Special Populations

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with the knowledge and practical skills to safely and effectively deliver exercise in a gym-based environment to the general population including those with non-communicable diseases. The module is aligned to CIMSPA and will provide you with the chance to gain nationally recognised qualifications in gym instruction.

Principles of Sports Therapy 1

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with the clinical reasoning and application skills to assess, manage and treat a range of lower limb injuries and conditions. From gaining knowledge in pathophysiology, epidemiology and aetiological, you’ll develop critical decision-making skills to plan and implement an effective assessment and treatment plan from a se...

Principles of Sports Therapy 2

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with the understanding, knowledge, clinical reasoning and application skills to assess, manage and treat a range of upper limb and spinal injuries and conditions. From gaining knowledge in pathophysiology, epidemiology and aetiological, you’ll develop critical decision-making skills to plan and implement an effective as...

Year 3

Core Modules

Credits

Extended Independent Work

Credits: 40

This module provides you with an exciting opportunity to conduct a substantial independent project, under the guidance of a supervisor, that addresses an issue of relevance to your professional interest. The topic must be appropriate to the course as negotiated with the course team and show relevance to real world issues.

Professional Practice

Credits: 40

This module aims to give you the opportunity to develop practice through experiential learning in a sport, exercise and health environment via work placements and/or the University’s Centre. You will be required to complete a minimum of 200 hours of supervised clinical sports therapy practice to meet the requirements of the professional body.

Advanced Sports Therapy

Credits: 20

This module aims to give you the opportunity to develop your abilities in the care of an injured person. It will require you to discriminate between different management approaches to the treatment of injury based on literature. Special interest will be given to the domains of special populations, illness, disease, health and wellbeing.

Optional Modules

Credits

Skills Acquisition

Credits: 20

This module will provide you with a theoretical framework for understanding how performers progress from novice to expert performers. During the module, key psychological concepts of learning will be reviewed, following which the biomechanical philosophies that determine, constrain and regulate movement will also be discussed.

Sports Nutrition

Credits: 20

The module is designed to provide you with an in-depth explanation of the scientific principles of sports nutrition and an understanding of nutrition as it relates to sport, performance, training and recovery. You’ll consider the macro and micronutrient content of the diets of sports performers and what constitutes a healthy diet.

Approaches to Applied Sport and Performance Psychology

Credits: 20

Analyse the key concepts and dominant models of practice within applied sport and performance psychology as well as explore the philosophical, theoretical, and methodological approaches informing the discipline. You’ll be presented with 'applied' problem-based scenarios to challenge your understanding.

Skills in Leadership, Enterprise and Small Business

Credits: 20

With the graduate employment market becoming increasingly congested many students will consider becoming self-employed within the sector. This module will help prepare you for small business start-up, by developing principles of entrepreneurship, business development and marketing skills.

Applied Strength and Conditioning

Credits: 20

On this module you’ll bridge the gap between key Strength and Conditioning (S&C) concepts and theories and applied training modalities. This module will develop your competence in the safe and effective coaching of the weightlifting lifts and plyometric, agility, and speed training methods.

Performance Analysis

Credits: 20

The module will provide a framework where sports coaches can apply the coaching process and develop techniques to evaluate sports performance, particularly technical and tactical analysis. This will include a review of pertinent scientific elements of training/performance.

What are the tuition fees

Home

Home, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £9,250 per year

International

Overseas/International, Academic Year 2024 - 2025: £15,150 per year

Additional course costs and financial support

Most courses will involve some additional costs that are not covered by your fees.
You could benefit from financial support through a bursary or scholarship during your time as a student. For more details visit our financial support, bursaries and scholarships section.

What are my career prospects?

Throughout your time with us we’ll support you on the route to your chosen career. We’ll help you to develop crucial skills, encouraging you to become enterprising, employable and good leaders. We also help you find employment after graduation. Have a look at our Careers and Employability pages to find out more.

After graduation you’ll be qualified to work as a sports therapist for professional teams, clubs and private clinics. You’ll be well placed to pursue a career in exercise management and rehabilitation, or as a physiotherapy assistant.

Studying our course gives you the training you need to work in professional sport therapy context within football and rugby. Alternatively, you may choose to further your studies at postgraduate level in an area like sports medicine, sports science and physiotherapy.

We will help you gain the skills and experience to help you get established in a competitive industry and have the confidence that you need to succeed. We have been helping graduates gain high level careers in Sports Therapy for many years, and we can offer you a tried and tested path for getting into the profession.

BNU graduates might be interested in our postgraduate courses such as MSc Sports Performance or MSc Physiotherapy.