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Sports Therapy - BSc (Hons) *

Currently viewing course to start in 2023/24 Entry. Switch to 2024/25 Entry

In order to ensure our courses are contemporary and that we offer a fantastic student experience, this course is currently under review, and there may be some changes to the course and modules on offer. The updated course information should be available on our website by July 2023....

  • School School of Health Sciences
  • Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences

Overview

In order to ensure our courses are contemporary and that we offer a fantastic student experience, this course is currently under review, and there may be some changes to the course and modules on offer. The updated course information should be available on our website by July 2023.

Our innovative, practice-based Sports Therapy course is a chance for you to develop specialist skills in the prevention, treatment, management and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries. Underpinned by sports medicine and sport and exercise science, this course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists. This ensures that the knowledge and competencies you gain during your time on the course are aligned with professional industry standards.

You will learn with a dynamic, expert and research-rich team of sports therapists, health professionals and sports scientists, enabling you to gain a holistic education in sports therapy. Upon successful completion of the programme, you will be fully equipped with the clinical skills to work with professional sports teams, as well as with individual elite performers. Alternatively, you may wish to work in private practice, treating a wide variety of individuals in a musculoskeletal injury clinic.

This course is not open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

You will cover all competencies required by The Society of Sports Therapists, such as examination, assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal injuries, delivery of soft tissue therapies, peripheral and vertebral joint mobilisations, sport and exercise rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and trauma management to name a few.

There will be compulsory work placements built into all three years of your course providing you with invaluable real-life, hands-on learning. These will include both internal and external opportunities with sporting teams and musculoskeletal injury clinics. Additionally, you can opt to complete a 12 month placement (sandwich course), which could either be within the UK or abroad.

By studying this course, you’ll split your time between our recently extended £71 million campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and the world-class Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham which contain our state-of-the-art sport and exercise laboratory, sports therapy rooms, cutting-edge resources and a designated sports area. The Stadium was home to the Commonwealth Games in summer 2022, and the University is investing an additional £5m in areas across both main stands which will be home to our students.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists

  • SST

Why Choose Us?

  • Professional accreditation – this course is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists, the largest governing body of Sports Therapists in the UK, enabling you to become an accredited practitioner upon graduation.
  • 100% of students are satisfied with this course (NSS 2022, 2021, 2020). You will be taught in small practical groups, creating an excellent close sports therapy community, where you will get to know your peer group as well as teaching staff.
  • Experienced staff – teaching staff have clinical experience in professional rugby, cricket, football, basketball and netball, as well as working in and running private injury clinics. Course Leader, Peter Thain has worked at the Commonwealth Games 2018 and 2022 as the lead therapist to Team England’s Basketball Teams. Peter is currently the clinical lead for the Great Britain Senior Women's Basketball Team.
  • Research active – teaching staff are research active and have presented their work at international conferences and within international journals. Read about our current research projects.
  • In-house Work Experience – you will have the opportunity to gain clinical experience in the assessment, treatment and management of musculoskeletal injuries, within our bespoke inhouse sports massage and sports injury clinics, starting in your first year.
  • World-class facilities - You’ll split your time between our campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and - from early 2024 - the world-class Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham. We have a lease for space across the East and West stands of the Stadium and are investing £5 million in developing the space to house our state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge resources, including physiology labs and a sports therapy suite.

Similar Courses

Open Days

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. You'll get the chance to learn about courses in subject talks, chat to students and explore our campus and accommodation. We'll post you a detailed event programme to help plan your day and find your way.

Next Open Day: Saturday 24 June 2023

Book your place

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2023/24.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.

If your Level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff for this course, you may be offered a place on our Sport Foundation Year instead. This course offers an alternative pathway onto our Sports Therapy course. You do not need to submit a separate application but will automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff. Find out more about the Foundation Year.

Essential

112 UCAS tariff points

Candidates who are successfully shortlisted are required to undertake an interview. Interviews are currently online via Microsoft Teams. Find out more about online interviews.

Applicants must normally have evidence of formal study within the last five years. However, we are sometimes able to waive this requirement if a candidate has a significant amount of professional experience in a relevant field, for example healthcare, social care, or education.

Applicants must also obtain a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service report and a satisfactory Occupational Health clearance via the Faculty prior to enrolling onto this course.

Level 2 qualifications

GCSE

GCSE English Language or Literature, GCSE Maths and GCSE Science at grade C/4 or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level)

See level 3 entry requirements under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details

Scottish National 5

English Language or Literature, Maths and Science at grade C or above. If you do not have these or are not undertaking them, we accept other Level 2 equivalents, or we may ask you to pass BCU's GCSE equivalency tests.

Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) qualifications

A level and Advanced VCE

  • BBC / 112 UCAS points
  • Must include Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Applied Sciences, Psychology or Physical Education at A-level Grade C or above
  • Excluding General Studies, Critical Thinking and Extended Project
  • A maximum of 3 subjects are considered. These can be other A-levels or Level 3 equivalents

Access to HE Diploma

  • Science
  • Pass with 60 credits overall. At least 45 credits at Level 3 with 30 credits at Distinction which must be in Biology, Chemistry or a Health related subject
  • If applying with an Access course you only need GCSE Mathematics and English Language at grade C/4 or above or accepted equivalent. You are not required to hold five GCSEs in total and GCSE Science is not required

British Bachelor's Degree

  • Minimum 2.2 at full honours
  • Considered on an individual basis
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma (2016 - present)
  • Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (2002 - 2010)
  • DMM / 112 UCAS points
  • BTEC in Sport and Exercise Science or Applied Science
  • BTEC Sport (RQF 2016) and (QCF) are also accepted but must include a Merit in an Anatomy and Physiology module.
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF)(2010 – 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (2002 – 2010)
  • DMM / 112 UCAS points
  • BTEC in Sport and Exercise or Sport is accepted but must have a Merit in an Anatomy and Physiology. BTEC Diploma in Applied Science is accepted.
  • The BTEC Diploma must be considered alongside another BTEC National (Certificate/Extended Certificate) or an A level.
  • Pearson BTEC National Foundation Diploma (2016 to present)
  • Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • BTEC in Sport and Exercise or Sport is accepted but must have a Merit in an Anatomy and Physiology. BTEC Diploma in Applied Science is accepted.
  • The BTEC Diploma in another subject can be considered if studied alongside an A level listed above.
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate
  • (2016 – present)
  • Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • BTEC Level 3 National Award (2002 - 2010)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Will be accepted towards the points tariff, but only in combination with the above A-Level or BTEC Level 3 National Diploma requirements.
  • Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (2016 - present)
  • BTEC Level 3 Certificate (QCF) (2010 - 2016)
  • 112 UCAS points
  • Will be accepted towards the points tariff, but only in combination with the above A-Level or BTEC Level 3 National Diploma requirements.

Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers)

  • Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 112 tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. This must include Maths and English Language taken at either Ordinary level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3) or Higher level (minimum grade H1-H7 (or A-D/A1-D3)
  • Must include Sport, Health or a Science related subject at Higher level

NCFE Level 3 Extended Diploma

  • Distinction
  • Must be in Sport and Physical Activity (Sport and Exercise Science Pathway)
  • Must include a Merit in 'Principles of Anatomy and Physiology'

OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma

  • 112 UCAS points
  • Must be in Applied Science or Sport and Physical Activity
  • Sport and Physical Activity must include a Merit in 'Body Systems and the Effects of Physical Activity' and 'Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation'

Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher

  • Achieve a minimum of 112 tariff points achieved in either three Advanced Highers or from a combination of two Advanced Highers plus two Highers.
  • Where three Advanced Highers have been taken achieve a minimum of grades CCD.
  • Where a combination of Highers and Advanced Highers have been taken you must achieve (grades of CD in two Advanced Highers plus grades of CC in two Highers).
  • Must include a Sport, Health or Science subject at Higher level or above

T-Levels

  • 112 UCAS points (Merit overall)
  • Must be in Science
Other qualifications

If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table, please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS.

Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website.

Extra information for EU/international students

IELTS

  • Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no subtest below 6
  • If English is studied at GCSE Level but as a second language, IELTS must be completed to qualify for UK L2 requirement

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2023

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key Software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

DBS check

If your course requires a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, the cost is included in your fees.

Uniform

You will be provided with a BCU tracksuit.

Occupational health assessment

You will need to complete an occupational health assessment. The cost for this is included in your course fee.

Memberships

Membership of the relevant professional body is included in the course fees.

Project materials (mandatory)

This course includes project work that requires you to develop and produce a portfolio or collection. You'll be expected to provide the materials for use in your individual major projects; costs will vary depending on the materials selected.

Placement expenses (mandatory)

Placements are a compulsory element of many health and sport science courses. You'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy.

Field trips (optional)

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost.

Memberships (optional)

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course.

Subscriptions (optional)

You may wish to purchase subscriptions to additional journals and websites.

Accommodation and living costs

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UCAS

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS
 Register with UCAS
 Login to UCAS
 Complete your details
 Select your course
 Write a personal statement
 Get a reference
 Pay your application fee
 Send UCAS your application

Our advice for applying to a health care course

Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.

More guidance

Personal statement

Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice

Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?

Career plans

If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.

Work experience

Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.

School or college experience

Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.

Non-accredited skills or achievement

eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Get more information on writing personal statements.

Course in Depth

Year One

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Year Two

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Year Three

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Download course specification

Download now

How you'll learn

Right from the start you will 'learn by doing' as you work pitch-side as the appointed first aider with the university sports teams. This practice-led approach is evident throughout the whole course as you will have scheduled time working in the internal sports therapy injury clinic, under the guidance of experienced teaching staff.

The course will be a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical study, and you’ll be supported throughout by a personal tutor. As a Sports Therapy student, you will spend a large proportion of your time in the sports therapy suites as the theoretical content is delivered in a practical room, enabling you to immediately apply your knowledge to practice. You will learn exercise rehabilitation in the new sports centre, whilst sports and exercise science modules such as nutrition and physiology will be delivered in laboratories with the very latest sports science equipment. You’ll also work on live injury case studies linked to professional sports teams we have collaboration with, to ensure you can solve problems and develop new skills. As well as contact time with staff in sessions, you will be supported in each module by online activities (such as quizzes and multiple choice questions) to help you learn and gauge your knowledge and understanding.

As part of the Society of Sports Therapists requirements, you will have to complete a series of placements. We will provide internal placement hours within our internal sports injury clinic, but you will also be undertaking external placements. These may be with professional sports teams or private sports injury clinics. External placements are completed in your own time, allowing the flexibility to gain experience during usual working hours, at evenings or weekends, and during University vacations if preferred.

You'll have the option of taking a sandwich year between Year 2 and Year 3 of study. 

SST
The Society of Sports Therapists

This course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists

Employability

Placements

You’ll have placements built into all three years of your course. Starting with pitch-side first aid in year one, you will progress throughout your time studying with us until you are working in our on-site sports injury clinic, treating and managing complex sporting injuries. Additionally, you’ll have the opportunity to take a sandwich placement year, which could either be within the UK or abroad, working with professional sports teams or in private sports injury clinics.

More about our placement opportunities

Facilities & Staff

Teaching for our Sports courses is split between our £71 million campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and the world-class Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham. Our cutting-edge facilities for sports students include a state-of-the-art sport and exercise lab, sports therapy suite, biomechanics lab and physiology labs.

The Stadium was home to the Commonwealth Games in summer 2022, and the University is investing an additional £5m to develop space in the East and West stands as a home for our students.

Our new home at Alexander Stadium

Our staff

Dr Peter Thain

Associate Professor and Course Leader for BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy

As a Chartered Physiotherapist and Sports Therapist, Peter has over a decade of experience working in basketball, football and netball. Peter successfully designed and validated the initial BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy, and after three consecutive 100% student satisfaction scores in the National Student Survey, continues to lead the sports...

More about Peter

Chelsea Papworth

Lecturer for BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy

Chelsea is a member of The Society of Sports Therapist and has a range of clinical and sporting experience spanning the past 10 years. She has worked in basketball, volleyball, ice hockey, athletics and rugby, within the UK and Canada. Her primary roles included; lead Sports Therapist within a non-league football club, Sports Therapist for an...

More about Chelsea

Katie Mitchell

Admissions Tutor / Lecturer in Sports Therapy

Kate has experience working for Rugby Union with Northampton Saints RFC, Racing92 and the Uruguay 2015 Rugby World Cup Team. She has worked in a private Physiotherapy clinic, alongside her role as first XV Sports Therapist at the women’s premiership team Worcester Valkyries RFC, and completing her Master's degree in Sports and...

More about Katie

Tim Leary

Senior Lecturer in Sports Therapy

Tim has experience working as the Team Physiotherapist to a County Cricket Club, as well as basketball, private practice and the NHS. Tim is a practising musculoskeletal physiotherapist with extensive clinical experience in the assessment, treatment, rehabilitation and management of sports and exercise related injuries. 

More about Tim

Joseph Matthews

Lecturer in Sports Therapy

Joe is a Lecturer in Sports Therapy at Birmingham City University with an interest in sports nutrition and muscle physiology. Joe has experience working across a range of professional sports teams and organisations including Wasps RFC, Coventry United Women’s FC, Luton Town FC, Movement Therapy Clinics, and The Fire Fighters Charity.

More about Joseph