BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy

Core units

• Foundations of Sports Therapy: This includes  building on your  foundational knowledge of anatomy and physiology and relating it to, common sports injuries, the process of tissue healing and practical sports massage therapy.
• Athlete Welfare: This unit will enable you to identify risk factors associated with participation in competitive and recreational sport and exercise, specifically the interaction between the athlete, their environment and their own responsibilities concerning the maintenance of optimal health and wellbeing.  
• Exercise Prescription in Sports Therapy: This unit involves learning to apply the principles of exercise theory to plan and implement comprehensive exercise programmes. You will learn about physical fitness tests, contemporary testing equipment as well as accepted test protocols and measurements.
• Assessment of Sports Injuries 1: Gaining an understanding of current knowledge and best practice in identifying and managing  acute sports injuries and illness. As well as acquiring skills in carrying out initial assessments and primary surveys in the acute sports injury setting. This unit involves the opportunity to observe practice in a sporting environment.
• Beginning Research: You will be introduced to the concepts, principals and skills of social and scientific research enquiry and to the role of research more widely in a variety of rehabilitation, nutrition, sport and exercise related contexts.
• Early Career Professionalism: This unit  sets the foundations for you to develop into an effective, compassionate, robust, resilient and responsible professional with excellent communication skills.

Core units

• Soft-Tissue and Therapeutic Modalities: l Learning about advanced soft tissue and therapeutic techniques within the context of sports injury management.   
• Assessment of Sports Injuries 2: This unit  covers the principles and rationale of clinical assessment and evaluation of the peripheral joints. Enabling you  to  apply your skills relating to subjective and objective assessment, to plan treatments, monitor and evaluate different  clinical presentations.
• Applied Physiology:  Developing your theoretical and applied understanding of the physiological changes that occur as a result of training and exercise.  Learning about physiological assessment within a laboratory setting and the application to the individual for example in relation to  exercise/rehabilitation programme design.
• Manual Therapy 1 – Peripheral Joints: This unit  develops your understanding and practical application of the principles and practices of manual therapy techniques for the peripheral joints.
• Rehabilitation in Sports Therapy: This unit  enables you to combine your pathophysiological knowledge and injury rehabilitation theory in order to  plan, implement and monitor comprehensive rehabilitation programmes that progress a client from injury to full functional fitness.
• Conducting Research: Prepare for independent research and develop your knowledge and critical understanding of social and scientific research applied to a range of nutrition, rehabilitation and sport and exercise science related contexts. You’ll learn how to critically evaluate research problems, and apply coherent ethical research designs and appropriate analysis.

You'll have the option to complete a 30-week work placement (minimum) during the course, working in a professional environment. The placement provides you with an opportunity to enhance your personal development and future employability.

Core units

• Manual Therapy – The Spine: Developing understanding and practical application of the principles and practices of manual therapy techniques to the spine.
• Innovation in Sports Therapy: Exploring innovation in research, education and/or professional practice.  Integrating evidence informed practice and the appreciation of wider health care issues to produce a  justified innovation.
• Sports Therapy Practice: This unit builds on and  further develops your skills to plan, implement and monitor injury prevention strategies and return to play programmes that involve a comprehensive understanding of components of sport and exercise science. You’ll gain an understanding of the relationship between the sports therapist, other organisations and agencies and reflect upon experiences in sports therapy practice.
• Service Improvement Project: The purpose of this unit is to provide an opportunity to undertake  interprofessional project work with a variety of health practitioners and develop your skills in team working. Collaborative working is considered an essential skill for sports therapy  practice.
• Research Project: You will carry out a programme of independent research involving either the gathering  primary data or being involved in  analysis of existing data. This will enable you to evaluate findings in the context of a critical review of published literature and present the results and conclusions of a substantive piece of research.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

You will be assessed by coursework culminating in your final year research project, and you will also undertake group work and written exams. The assessment methods for each unit can be found on the programme profile in the programme specification for your course. 

There is a strong emphasis on the understanding and application of practical skills.In your final year, there will be a requirement to undertake a minimum of 200 hours of supervised sports therapy experience

Your final year placement will be interwoven throughout the course, you also have the option of taking a further minimum 30-week placement at the end of your second year of study. The placements may be with a Physiotherapist, Sports Therapist or Sports Rehabilitator, and each placement provider has to be recognised by an appropriate professional body.

For 2024 entry: This course requires 120–136 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of two A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject. We are happy to consider a combination of qualifications and grades to meet the overall tariff, for example A-levels A*A*C, AAA, A*BC or ABB, BTECs DDD or DDM in a required subject. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

Calculate your UCAS tariff points

2024 entry

Numeracy and literacy requirements (e.g. GCSEs)
GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all of the equivalencies.

Required subjects

• A-level: Biology, Human Biology, Applied Human Biology, Applied Science, Health Science, Health & Social Care, Physical Education, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science, Science
• BTEC Nationals: Applied Human Biology (Extended Certificate or higher), Sport & Exercise Science (Extended Certificate or higher), Sport (Extended Certificate or higher), Health & Social Care: Health Studies Pathway (Extended Diploma), Sport and Outdoor Activities (Extended Diploma), Sport, Fitness and Personal Training (Extended Diploma), Sporting Excellence and Performance (Extended Diploma), Sports Coaching and Development (Extended Diploma), Sports Science and Therapy (Extended Certificate or higher), Applied Science (Biomedical Science/Medical Science) (Extended Diploma - with anatomy, biology, or physiology units). 
• Cambridge Technicals: Health & Social Care (Extended Certificate or higher), Sport and Physical Activity (Extended Diploma)

Excluded subjects
General Studies (unless accompanied by 2 A-levels or equivalent in appropriate subjects)

A-level and AS levels

120–136 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject.

AS levels are accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject.

Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate
Accepted as part of the overall tariff but it must be accompanied by an A-level or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject.

Access to HE Diploma
120–136 tariff points from any combination of Distinction, Merit and Pass grades. This must include 15 level 3 graded credits in one of our required subjects: Applied Human Biology, Biology, Human Biology, Applied Science, Health Science, Health & Social Care, Physical Education, Sport, Sport & Exercise Science. An Access to HE Diploma contains 60 credits overall, with 45 graded credits and 15 ungraded credits.

BTEC National

• Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Merit (120 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject
• Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff
• Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff
• Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.

Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma
120–136 UCAS tariff points, to include a minimum of 2 Principal Subjects including 40 points in a required subject.

Cambridge Technical

• Extended Diploma: Distinction, Distinction, Merit (120 UCAS tariff points) in a required subject
• Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
• Foundation Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.
• Extended Certificate/Introductory Diploma: Accepted as part of the overall tariff.

Extended Project Qualification
Accepted as part of the overall tariff, but it must be accompanied by 2 A-levels or equivalent, including 40 points in a required subject.

International Baccalaureate Certificates
120–136 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.

International Baccalaureate (Diploma)

31-33 points including grade H5 in a required subject.

Scottish Highers
120–136 tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers including 40 points in a required subject.

Scottish Advanced Highers
120–136 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.

T Levels

Merit (120 UCAS tariff points) in Health, Healthcare or Science.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2024 entry:

• Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 71-76%. Grade depends on the course

• France: Baccalaureate with 12.5–13 overall or 11.5-12 (international option) 

• Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma (4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course
• All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 70-75%
• Spain: Titulo de Bachillerato with 7 to 7.5. Grade depends on course 
• Turkey: Devlet Lise Diplomasi/Lise Bitirme Diplomasi 3.5/5.0 or 70% to 4.0/5.0 or 80% 

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2024 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (previously known as CRB)

All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barred List check; this will be a condition of offer and will need to be completed prior to commencing the course. Please see the Government website for the most up to date information.

We are looking for applicants that demonstrate insight into the profession through work experience (paid or voluntary) or clear insight in the field of work being applied for. Examples of the sort of experience that candidates have are:

• In health, fitness, sport and/or rehabilitation settings.
• Experience in a ‘person-facing’ role such as a Fitness Instructor, Sports Coach or Lifeguard may be beneficial.

We'll use this information to shortlist applicants so it must be evidenced clearly on your UCAS application form in the employment history section and in your personal statement. 

In the healthcare sector IT is now a vital tool for accessing and maintaining patient records, accessing literature to client care and conducting clinically-related research. As a student you will receive an introduction to IT near the beginning of your course and you will be provided with computer access and your own email address.

During the course, you will be expected to use your developing IT skills to produce assignments,  conduct literature searches, and to use client-related record systems in the clinical setting. Following instruction some of your study will be undertaken through web-based learning tools, for example by participating in online discussions.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU.
 
For our health and social care courses our admissions team use the DRIVE criteria to assess your application and evidence of this must be show in your personal statement. You can also find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

There are a variety of career options for students once you’ve graduated from this course. These include:

• Working in a sports therapy clinic, either by setting up your own practice or working for others
• Working with all levels of sports teams for both injury prevention and injury rehabilitation
• Researching musculoskeletal function and performance in relation to sports injuries and sports therapy
• Working in the health and fitness industry.

You will also develop transferable skills such as time management, managing data, project management, enhanced communication skills and critical thinking skills.

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master’s degrees.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course, including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and field-based teaching activity
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
• Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) scheme
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team
• Professional body accreditation of the course
• Jacket, T shirt and shorts for practical sessions and pitch side run-on-bag
• BU-branded short, T-shirts and jacket
• Use of SportBU facilities during the relevant periods of study

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds.
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
• You will need to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as a condition of enrolment, including any Post Office verification charges. You will be required to pay the fee of £54.22 in full at the Post Office when they are verifying your ID./li>
• Accommodation and living costs. Please visit our website for more information
• Travel costs to and from the University campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately
• All students, including International students, must pay for travel costs to and from their placement, including car parking charges and car insurance. Where possible, travel distance and time are minimsed as part of the placement allocation process
• SportsTherapy branded clothing (optional)
• Additional course costs in first aid work, sports massage, or fitness instrction (optional)
• SportBU membership..

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

In 2016, I wrote the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree within the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences at Bournemouth University. Prior to this, I had a strong teaching portfolio both at the University of Bath and here at Bournemouth University, within the Department of Sport and Physical Activity.

Having received a number of student-nominated teaching awards since joining BU, I was one of only six staff selected as a Learning and Teaching Fellows at BU in 2014 for my excellence in Fusion-based learning and teaching approaches.

I am currently completing my PhD, which explores the experience of living with pre-menopausal osteoporosis using a reflective topical autobiographical method.

My professional background in sport rehabilitation and movement analysis for performance enhancement meant I was fortunate to have some amazing professional experiences, from working with Dr Dave Alred in Performance Coaching to massaging Justin Timberlake. With Dave in professional football, I have carried out consultancy work at Bolton Wanderers and with players at Chelsea.

Dr Samuel (Sam) Hills is a Lecturer in Sports Science, having joined Bournemouth University from Leeds Trinity University in June 2021. Sam was awarded his PhD from the University of Leeds/Leeds Trinity University in 2020, with a thesis entitled “The performance and physiological responses of soccer substitutes on match-day” and has contributed to >20 peer reviewed publications since 2018.

Sam’s research to date has largely focused on monitoring and improving the practices of team sports players, as well as externally funded public health related research examining drowning and associated risk factors. This research has involved engaging with and working in close collaboration with academic and practice-based partners worldwide, and Sam has presented to academic and applied audiences within the UK and internationally. Several other collaborations and projects are ongoing across a spectrum of topics.

Sam has taught and undergraduate and postgraduate students on a broad range of Sport, Health, and related programmes, including unit leadership and postgraduate research supervision.