Why you should study this course
Sports and Exercise Therapists work with clients through rehabilitation to achieve maximum performance. Currently accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists (SST), this course aims to examine the musculoskeletal system, exercise physiology, treatment and rehabilitation skills with an emphasis on performance underpinned by sports science principles.
With access to a dedicated Sports Therapy Clinic, where you will have the chance to engage with public clients from year two onwards (subject to availability), you’ll be taught in fully equipped sports therapy suites, and physiology and biomechanics labs. These feature gold-standard equipment such as Alter G treadmill, Isokinetic Dynamometry, bod-pod and Vicon 3D motion analysis.
Our current team of expert practitioners - who continue to work in the industry, engage in active research and clinical practice - will support you and aim to help you to develop the skills needed to become an accredited Sports and Exercise Therapist* upon graduation.
You will explore the structure and function of the human body and how to employ a variety of therapy techniques including massage, soft tissue manipulation and exercise programmes. This will be expanded to include joint mobilisation techniques and management of acute emergency situations. In addition, you will have the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills in the application of scientific disciplines such as psychology and nutrition to your clients.
You will have the opportunity to complete incremental placements throughout your studies and apply for a placement year nationally or study abroad year internationally*. You will also have the opportunity to volunteer to support a wide range of events throughout the community during your time with us*. Previous students have provided support at events such as the World and British Transplant Games and have worked with a variety of elite sports teams including Wasps RFC, Southampton Football Club and Coventry Blaze Ice Hockey Team.
There are a number of opportunities for you to engage in independent research projects to give you the chance to further develop your employability skills as well as opportunity for assessments to obtain industry-related qualifications. This includes the first aid certificate (following successful completion of the Preparation for Practice module), which should enable you to undertake first responder work experience with our sports teams (subject to availability).
What you'll study
Year one
Modules studied in year one aim to provide the scientific knowledge underpinning therapeutic techniques. This includes the chance to gain a sound understanding of human anatomy, covering the bones, joints, muscles, tendons and ligaments of the body’s core (trunk) and peripheral regions (limbs), and the involvement of these complex structures in understanding the body’s movement. You will also be taught and be given the opportunity to practice therapeutic massage as well as covering the science of exercise and its applications within exercise therapy programmes.
Modules
-
Core Anatomy - 20 credits
-
Peripheral Anatomy - 20 credits
-
Soft Tissue Therapy - 20 credits
-
Exercise Therapy - 20 credits
-
Preparation for Practice - 10 credits
-
Science of Therapeutic Exercise - 20 credits
-
Add+vantage module - 10 credits
Year two
In year two you will have the opportunity to utilise your skills in the on-site massage clinic, open to the public, and will be taught joint manipulation techniques. You will be taught how to assess and manage injury, and how to employ rehabilitation programmes. In addition, exercise physiology is taught, which is focused on sporting performance and how Sports and Exercise Therapists can support and enhance athletic function. Preparation for the final year project begins with a focus on designing and analysing research investigations.
Modules
-
Applied Vertebral Manual Therapy - 20 credits
-
Applied Peripheral Manual Therapy - 20 credits
-
Science of Performance - 20 credits
-
Rehabilitation - 20 credits
-
Trauma Management - 10 credits
-
Data Collection and Analysis in Sport and Exercise - 10 credits
-
Project Proposal - 10 credits
-
Add+vantage module - 10 credits
Final year
In the final year, you will have the chance to work within the university’s Sports and Exercise Therapy clinic and/or in an external clinic or sporting situations, whereby you should build a portfolio of evidence of clinical competency to fulfil post-graduation requirements for potential registration with the SST*. You are encouraged to develop your understanding of the roles of a Sports and Exercise Therapist and will have the chance to design and undertake a research project.
*Please see the Accreditation and Professional recognition section and the SST website for further information on requirements.
Modules
-
Clinical Experience - 30 credits
-
Clinical Practice - 30 credits
-
Performance Management - 10 credits
-
Project Proposal and Performance Review - 10 credits
-
Research Project - 20 credits
-
Injury Recovery - 10 credits
-
Add+vantage module - 10 credits
