The BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy is a three-year degree, extendable to four with an optional year in placement or abroad.
You’ll gain the applied knowledge and skills to become a sports therapist with the confidence and competence to thrive in any professional setting.
Why this course
The BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy focuses on providing you with significant practical experience alongside classroom and experiential learning.
You’ll gain 200-250 hours of hands-on experience in our on-campus Sports Therapy Clinic and with our extensive network of sports clubs, teams and clinics. You can also gain more real-world experience at our renowned Human Performance Unit (HPU) where you can work with performance scholars, students, staff and members of the public. Sports Therapy students have access to a £250 bursary for external placement travel expenses.
Add a placement year or study abroad to put your learning further into practice, expand your perspective and build confidence in professional or international settings.
You’ll graduate on the path to a sports therapist career and be ready to work as an independent private practitioner, with a team or in a clinic or club.
Who should apply
Future sports therapists and rehabilitation specialists
Those wanting to support sport professionals and athletes
Students looking to help prevent, manage and rehabilitate sport injuries
Practical learners eager to put new knowledge into practice
What you’ll learn
Injury rehabilitation: Learn how to prevent, assess, treat and manage injuries
Underpinning principles: Physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition
Professional practice: Prepare your clinical reasoning and evidence-based approach
Specialise: Tailor your degree through your choice of optional modules
Your learning experience
Optional study abroad year: Spend a year at one of our partner universities and experience another culture with the Study Abroad programme
Optional placement year: Gain professional experience in a business or organisation with university support from Placements at Essex
Expert teaching: Learn from experienced and expert researchers and practitioners with over 25 years’ experience
Specialist facilities: Access our purpose-built sports therapy clinic, specialist clinical labs, analytical equipment and our centre for brain science
Careers and outcomes
A BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree prepares you for diverse careers in:
Sport teams and clinics: Sports therapy, clinical exercise physiology, rehabilitation
Health: Health promotion, corporate wellness
National bodies: Health improvement, sports development, health and safety
Education: Physical education teaching (primary and secondary)
Fitness: Fitness training, personal training
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists.
"I really enjoyed the structure of my course and loved my practical modules. I was also lucky enough to study abroad at Brock University in Canada during my degree. I was able to experience a new culture and gain insight into how they practice sports therapy. I had the opportunity to work with their basketball team’s sports therapist and I helped treat players during and after their games. I am really grateful for the experience; I had the chance to travel the world and make lifelong friendships."
A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels and a minimum grade C in a science subject or Mathematics. PE and Psychology are acceptable as science A-levels.
BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent including C in one science subject or Mathematics. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
IB: 30 - 29 points in the IB Diploma or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of 2 Higher Level subjects including 5 in a Higher level science subject or Mathematics. Our GCSE Maths requirement can be met with either: 2 in Standard level Maths; 2 in Higher level Maths; or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
T-levels: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points. We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.
Contextual Offers:
We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. We make Contextual Offers, of up to two A-level grades (or equivalent) below our standard conditional offer, to applicants from underrepresented groups residing in the UK. Our Contextual Offers policy outlines the full eligibility criteria.
For further information about what a Contextual Offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk.
Additional requirements:
You are required to have an enhanced Disclosure and Barring System (DBS) Check for this course prior to undertaking any relevant placement or activity. This will be organised by the University. Please contact our DBS team if you have any questions relating to this.
International & EU entry requirements
We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants studying in the EU and other countries. Get in touch with any questions you may have about the qualifications we accept. Remember to tell us about the qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.
Sorry, the entry requirements for the country that you have selected are not available here. Please contact our Undergraduate Admissions team at ugquery@essex.ac.uk to request the entry requirements for this country.
English language requirements
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.
Details of English language requirements, including component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
If we accept the English component of an international qualification it will be included in the academic levels listed above for the relevant countries.
English language shelf-life
Most English language qualifications have a validity period of 5 years. The validity period of Pearson Test of English, TOEFL and CBSE or CISCE English is 2 years.
If you require a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
Pre-sessional English courses
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Pending English language qualifications
You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.
If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please email ugquery@essex.ac.uk
.
Requirements for second and final year entry
Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here
Additional Notes
If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College
Structure
Course structure
Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website and in line with your contract with us. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.
Components and modules explained
Components
Components are the blocks of study that make up your course. A component may have a set module which you must study, or a number of modules from which you can choose.
Each component has a status and carries a certain number of credits towards your qualification.
Status
What this means
Core
You must take the set module for this component and you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component but you must pass. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory
You must take the set module for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Compulsory with Options
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
Optional
You can choose which module to study from the available options for this component. There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the qualification if you fail.
The modules that are available for you to choose for each component will depend on several factors, including which modules you have chosen for other components, which modules you have completed in previous years of your course, and which term the module is taught in.
Modules
Modules are the individual units of study for your course. Each module has its own set of learning outcomes and assessment criteria and also carries a certain number of credits.
In most cases you will study one module per component, but in some cases you may need to study more than one module. For example, a 30-credit component may comprise of either one 30-credit module, or two 15-credit modules, depending on the options available.
Modules may be taught at different times of the year and by a different department or school to the one your course is primarily based in. You can find this information from the module code. For example, the module code HR100-4-FY means:
HR
100
4
FY
The department or school the module will be taught by.
In this example, the module would be taught by the Department of History.
The aim of this module is to develop your academic, scientific and professional abilities relevant to the study of and professions related to sport, rehabilitation and exercise sciences. There are four key focuses of this module: professional skills; research design and ethics; data analysis, presentation and interpretation; and employability.
This module will help you to understand the physical and mechanical principles that determine how we, and the objects with which we interact during exercise and in sporting events, move. You will learn the meaning of concepts such as force, mass, speed, velocity, acceleration, momentum and we will explore how they enable us to describe and understand movement in sport and exercise.
Is it all in the mind? The margin between victory and defeat is thin, but can an athlete’s psychology really give them an edge? Why do some people find exercise difficult and other find exercise essential? Understanding how involvement in sport, exercise and physical activity affects a person's health and wellbeing is important in creating better interventions. The aim of this module is to introduce you to the fundamental principles underpinning the psychology of sport and exercise.
What is sports therapy? Explore the ethics and obligations behind the practice and the fundamental skills required to be a sports therapist in this fast-growing profession. You will also be introduced to remedial sports massage techniques and the concept of reflective practice.
Students will gain a basic knowledge of nutrition and metabolism underpinning Sports Science. On completion of the module, students will be able to describe the flow of nutrient intake and energy production supporting not only training and performance but optimal health. This module will give students a firm foundation from which to study exercise physiology and the specific nutritional requirements of athletes including legal and illegal substances, in later modules.
The aim of this module is to provide you with knowledge on the fundamental concepts of human anatomy and physiology which underpin the biological sciences. The module will provide you with a sound knowledge of the mechanisms associated with the control and regulation of the major systems of the body. This module will enable you to complete an accredited Certificate in Fitness Instruction (GYM) and is at level 2 on the Qualifications and Credit Framework.
Building on knowledge gained in the anatomy module, this module teaches you skills in assessment, evaluation and diagnosis of musculoskeletal injuries and conditions relating to peripheral and spinal joints. This module also includes 20 hours of first aid where you will support the University BUC’s teams.
Investigate the role of functional rehabilitation within the practice of sports therapy. Exercise is an essential component of injury management, and you pay close attention to injury prevention and performance enhancement. You develop your abilities to prescribe and deliver progressive exercise programmes, and learn to make reasoned decisions in the selection of exercise, basing choices on factors such as flexibility, endurance, strength, skill and co-ordination. You also explore the topics of return to sport, warm-up and cool down, the participation of specific populations in exercise and sport, and the role of exercise and mental health.
This module develops the students’ knowledge, understanding and skills in treatments available to sports therapists in their practice including soft tissue techniques and other manual techniques such as spinal and peripheral mobilisations.
A good strength and conditioning (S&C) coach can take someone from where they are to where they want to be. This module aims to develop your understanding and application of how strength and conditioning can be used in the development process. You will explore different approaches to planning training over a season, look at how to vary and monitor training volume, as well as the indicators of and consequences of overtraining. In addition, you will explore the concept of High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT), administer and take part in a variety of hands on practical sessions.
This module will build upon your knowledge and skills to understand, appraise and plan research in sport and exercise. You will develop your understanding of different methodologies, research designs, and data analytical techniques, including their strengths, limitations and applications.
You will develop your skills in using library and online resources for scientific research, and your ability to critically appraise published work and how it can be used to inform applied practice in sport and exercise. You will also gain practical experience in participating in research, planning your own study, and analysing and interpreting data. Overall, the module will equip you with knowledge and skills required for your final year research project.
This module offers you the opportunity to undertake an in-depth piece of work focused on a Sports Therapy topic of your choice. The Research Project may take various forms of empirical research, employing different kinds of methods and methodologies such as testing, surveys, interviewing or processing secondary data. The project provides an opportunity to apply the research methods covered during your course. You will be allocated a supervisor from the Sports Therapy team to provide support and guidance for your project.
This module provides you with the opportunity to integrate your sports therapy skills and knowledge, learn how to use various electrotherapy modalities (including shockwave, ultrasound, interferential and TENS), consolidate your clinical reasoning abilities and develop your ability to assess and treat more complex cases.
Using an evidence-based approach, you will explore contemporary issues in sports therapy and evaluate the evidence behind commonly used assessment and management strategies. You will also further expand your rehabilitation skills, building on previous knowledge and learning to develop long-term rehabilitation strategies for various sports with appropriate exit and return to play criteria.
This module builds on the knowledge you'll have developed throughout your course. Clinical supervision is provided to enable you to gain your 200 hours of clinical practice. This clinical supervision takes the form of lectures and teaching support as well as work in the University clinic and any external placement that you secure. This module allows you to explore more complex cases and supports you with the tools that you will need when you graduate in this field.
On a placement year you gain relevant work experience within an external business or organisation, giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market and providing you with key contacts within the industry. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.
Year abroad
On your year abroad, you have the opportunity to experience other cultures and languages, to broaden your degree socially and academically, and to demonstrate to employers that you are mature, adaptable, and organised. The rest of your course remains identical to the three-year degree.
Teaching
Undergraduate students in the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences typically attend a one-hour lecture and a one-hour seminar for each module every week. Vocational programmes such as Sports Therapy focus on practical sessions.
This course combines University learning, e-learning and work-based learning to help you enhance your practice skills.
Modules have their own accompanying webpages on Moodle where you can download relevant readings, PowerPoint presentations, podcasts and YouTube clips, and contribute to online discussions.
We also work closely in partnership with the NHS and the independent health sector to provide placement opportunities.
Assessment
Degrees are awarded on the results of your written coursework and end-of-year examinations.
Fees and funding
Home/UK fee
£9,790 per year
International fee
£22,600 per year
Fees will increase for each academic year of study.
If your course has the option to include a placement year or study abroad, and you choose to do so, you will pay the following:
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You can find further information on how to apply, including information on transferring from another university, applying if you are not currently at a school or college, and applying for readmission on our How to apply and entry requirements page.
If you receive an undergraduate offer to study with us in October 2026 and live in the UK, you will receive an email invitation to book onto one of our Open Days. These events provide the opportunity to meet your department, join interesting taster sessions, tour our campus and accommodation, and chat to current students. You can visit our Open Days event page for more information, including terms and conditions.
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Chat to us
Got a question about this course? Chat with Dr Chris McManus from the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences.
Meet the lecturers, discover our alumni’s achievements, and learn about undergraduate study life in the School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences.
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