Course specification and structure
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UDSPDTHE - BSc Sports and Dance Therapy

Course Specification


Validation status Validated
Highest award Bachelor of Science Level Honours
Possible interim awards Bachelor of Science, Diploma of Higher Education, Certificate of Higher Education, Bachelor of Science
Total credits for course 360
Awarding institution London Metropolitan University
Teaching institutions London Metropolitan University
School School of Human Sciences
Subject Area Health Sciences
Attendance options
Option Minimum duration Maximum duration
Full-time 3 YEARS  
Part-time 4 YEARS  
Course leader  

About the course and its strategy towards teaching and learning and towards blended learning/e-learning

Knowledge and understanding of Sports and Dance Therapy is developed through an integrated programme of teacher-led lectures, tutorials, seminars and laboratory based practical sessions, and through the guided use of student centred learning activities such as problem solving exercises, case studies, directed reading and e-learning. Level 4 provides a solid foundation of general subjects underpinning Sports Therapy, Sports and Dance Therapy and Sports Science including anatomy, physiology, psychology, research and sports principles and applications. In-depth studies of Sports and Dance injuries, manual therapy techniques, sports and dance biomechanics, and physiology are the focus of the level 5 programme and at level 6 emphasis is placed on advanced and applied aspects of treating and managing sports and dance injuries. Opportunities to explore the ethical dimensions of the discipline are available at all levels.

The North campus library has recently undergone a successful refurbishment offering specialised group study areas as well as access to a comprehensive range of textbooks, journals and online learning resources. Open areas have also been provided on the ground floor of the Tower building and the green lounge at Benwell Road. All these areas have comfortable seating and access to IT and wireless facilities. Utilisation of the University’s VLE, WebLearn has become an invaluable tool with which to disseminate information and to support and assess student learning. In addition students will be using facilities provided within the Universities New Science Centre, which include state of the art physiology laboratories; therapy treatment rooms; and, the expansive sports hall.

Course aims

The principal aim for this pathway is to develop students, from a wide variety of backgrounds, both academically and practically, so as to achieve both clinical competence and graduate ability. The student will develop the subject-specific knowledge and the ability to relate it to the clinical situation.

To understand the evidence-based nature of the therapies, it is essential that a level of understanding of science be achieved. Thus there is a substantial component of human and exercise science in the course. As the Society of Sports Therapists set the competency benchmarks for membership, these are reflected in the topics studied throughout the degree.

It is essential that the students develop an ability to problem solve and clinically reason. These skills are the foundations for accurate diagnosis and treatment formulation. The course aims to develop these critical and analytical skills to ensure that practice remains current but supported by a body of scientific knowledge.

The ultimate aim is to produce a contemporary course that reflects current clinical practice in sports therapy and dance rehabilitation. The students obtain a high level of clinical competence through practice and the problem based learning. The course develops these skills by directing the students to the resources that help them find solutions. Practical demonstrations and presentations ensure that they achieve the benchmarks for society membership.

The course encourages student interaction and contribution by developing their ability to work independently, in proposing and developing solutions to problems in a systematic and effective manner, and in communicating confidently and clearly both in writing and verbally. It enables the demonstration of the graduate attributes of self-awareness; performance in a variety of idioms and contexts; and ethical and creative considerations.

Students will be encouraged to engage meaningfully with personal development planning (PDP) through the curriculum, to enable them to reflect on, plan and review their own personal and academic skills. PDP will enable students to develop well supported claims to achievements and be able to articulate these to others and the University will enable students to recognise and record their achievements.

Course learning outcomes

The course learning outcomes listed below have been developed in-line with the Level 6 descriptors for Bachelor’s degree with honours as stated in the QAA’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)

1. Knowledge and understanding:
On completing the course, students will:
1.1 Have a thorough systematic knowledge of the various scientific topics studied
1.2 Show an ability to apply knowledge in practical settings involving dance, sport, exercise and the rehabilitation from injury
1.3 Have the capacity to execute and critically evaluate arguments within current research relevant to exercise science, injury and rehabilitation

2. Cognitive intellectual skills:
On completing the course, students will:
2.1 Be able to devise and sustain clear and logical arguments in support or criticism of medical and scientific theories with support from scholarly reviews
2.2 Demonstrate an ability to solve problems and reason in the application of knowledge to the clinical situation
2.3 Be able to analyse medical and patient information to make informed judgements based on current evidence
2.4 Show fluency with appropriate quantitative and numerical skills, involving relevant mathematical and statistical methods
2.5 Demonstrate academic and scientific literacy at graduate level

3. Transferable skills including those of employability and professional practice:
On completing the course, students will:
3.1 Have the ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, in a concise, clear and professional manner
3.2 Have an understanding of: ethical, equal opportunity and professional issues and work within the professional code of conduct
3.3 Be able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary sports or dance medical team to prevent injury and diagnose and rehabilitate post injury
3.4 Demonstrate a range of other key transferable skills including active involvement in learning, exercise of initiative and judgement, use of appropriate resources and technology including IT, the ability to work both independently and with others, and the capacity for self-awareness and self-reflection
3.5 Appreciate the skills necessary to secure and retain employment, including: punctuality, professionalism, communication, consideration for others, creativity, and commitment

4. Subject-specific practical skills:
On completing the course, students will:
4.1 Be able to analyse patient information and derive a diagnosis and treatment plan supported by current scientific and medical evidence
4.2 Be able to competently and safely implement treatment and rehabilitative strategies to a patient with a sports and/or dance injury/ problem
4.3 Have an understanding of the main philosophies of practice in the sporting and/or dancing rehabilitation arena
4.4 Demonstrate an ability to lead and motivate others with an awareness of the different needs of patients
4.5 Demonstrate an understanding of practical skills relating to sport and exercise science, including competence in collecting data from a range of test equipment and from psychological inventories, and in implementing appropriate interventions.
4.6 Be able to suggest appropriate methodologies for a variety of measurements in sports and exercise science

Course learning outcomes / Module cross reference

Course learning outcome (list all)

Met by module aim/learning outcome (list all relevant module titles)

1.1 Have a thorough systematic knowledge of the various scientific topics studied

All modules

1.2 Show an ability to apply knowledge in practical settings involving dance, sport, exercise and the rehabilitation from injury

ST5005 ST5012 ST5011 ST5003 ST6005 ST6W10 ST6012

1.3 Have the capacity to execute and critically evaluate arguments within current research relevant to exercise science, injury and rehabilitation

ST5012 ST6W10 ST6011 SP6P01

2.1 Be able to devise and sustain clear and logical arguments in support or criticism of medical and scientific theories with support from scholarly reviews

ST6012 ST6P01 ST6W10 ST6063

2.2 Demonstrate an ability to solve problems and reason in the application of knowledge to the clinical situation

ST6W10 ST6012

2.3 Be able to analyse medical and patient information to make informed judgements based on current evidence

ST6W10 ST6012

2.4 Show fluency with appropriate quantitative and numerical skills, involving relevant mathematical and statistical methods

ST4004 ST5060 ST6P01

2.5 Demonstrate academic and scientific literacy at graduate level

All modules

3.1 Have the ability to communicate, both orally and in writing, in a concise, clear and professional manner

All modules

3.2 Have an understanding of: ethical, equal opportunity and professional issues and work within the professional code of conduct

ST4004 ST5060 ST6P01

3.3 Be able to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary sports or dance medical team to prevent injury and diagnose and rehabilitate post injury

ST4004 ST5012 ST5011 ST5003 ST6W10 ST6012

3.4 Demonstrate a range of other key transferable skills including active involvement in learning, exercise of initiative and judgement, use of appropriate resources and technology including IT, the ability to work both independently and with others, and the capacity for self-awareness and self-reflection

All modules

3.5 Appreciate the skills necessary to secure and retain employment, including: punctuality, professionalism, communication, consideration for others, creativity, and commitment

ST4004 ST5012 ST5011 ST5073 ST6W10 ST6012 ST6063

4.1 Be able to analyse patient information and derive a diagnosis and treatment plan supported by current scientific and medical evidence

ST6W10 ST6012

4.2 Be able to competently and safely implement treatment and rehabilitative strategies to a patient with a sports and/or dance injury/ problem

ST5012 ST6W10 ST6012

4.3 Have an understanding of the main philosophies of practice in the sporting and/or dancing rehabilitation arena

ST5012 ST6W10 ST6012

4.4 Demonstrate an ability to lead and motivate others with an awareness of the different needs of patients

ST5012 ST6W10

4.5 Demonstrate an understanding of practical skills relating to sport and exercise science, including competence in collecting data from a range of test equipment and from psychological inventories, and in implementing appropriate interventions

ST4001 ST4002 ST4003 ST4004 ST5005 ST5073 ST6005 ST6P01

4.6 Be able to suggest appropriate methodologies for a variety of measurements in sports and exercise science

ST5060 ST6P01 ST6W10 ST6012

Principle QAA benchmark statements

Hospitality, Leisure, Sport & Tourism

Of the study areas specified as characterising sports-related programmes (p21), the present course focuses principally on 6.17 and 6.18. There is also some coverage of 6.19, 6.20 and 6.21.

Organised work experience, work based learning, sandwich year or year abroad

Students will be assisted with securing massage placement opportunities in level 4. Students will be able to choose individual work placements during level 6 as well as completing placement hours in the university clinic.

Course specific regulations

To qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Sports and Dance Therapy with eligibility for membership with The Society of Sports Therapists, the student must:

i) Satisfy the requirements for BSc with Honours (see University Undergraduate Scheme)
ii) Take all core modules* and pass the components as detailed in section 29

* All modules on the programme are core modules to ensure that graduates meet the professional requirements for eligibility to become members of The Society of Sports Therapists.

In order to be eligible to undertake ST6W10 Sports Therapy Placement, students must have:

i) Passed ST4004 - Science, Research and Application
ii) Passed ST5012 – Sports and Dance Rehabilitation
iii) Passed ST5011 – Sports Therapy

If attendance falls below 75% on a module, reassessment opportunities will not be available and instead the module will have to be retaken the following year with attendance and payment of fees. Mitigating circumstances cannot be claimed for missed classes; however Module Leaders will take account of absences that are a consequence of recorded disability or otherwise recorded as 'Authorised Absence' when applying the 75% threshold.

Modules required for interim awards

Core modules required to gain BSc (Sports and Dance Therapy):

Level 4:
Essential Principles in Sports Science
Sports Anatomy and Physiology *(Pass Anatomy Written and Practical Exam on aggregate)
Practical Sport Experience
Science, Research and Application†* (Massage Practical and Massage Written Exam)

Level 5:
Sports and Dance Physiology†
Sports and Dance Rehabilitation†* (Pass All)
Sports Therapy†* (Pass All)
Biomechanics of Human Movement and Dance Technique†
Sports Science Research Methods†

Level 6:
Project†*(Pass on Aggregate)
Advanced Sports and Dance Therapy†* (Pass All)
Work Placement and Electrotherapy†* (Pass All)
Business Developments in Sport

All † modules include dance specific content


Unless all * components of these specific modules are passed then a student will obtain an exit title of Sports Health Studies (at all exit levels) and will not be able to gain membership to The Society of Sports Therapists. There are alternative exit awards at levels 5 and 6; Dip HE Sports Health and Dance Studies, BSc Sports Health and Dance Studies-non Hons.

Arrangements for promoting reflective learning and personal development

Students are encouraged to reflect throughout the course by teaching staff, who, during practical lessons and feedback opportunities, ask students to consider their own strengths and weaknesses. Self-reflection is considered a useful method for personal development. This is also achieved during the Level 4 Science, Research and Application module, that assesses a students personal and professional development plan.

By way of modules: ST4004 Science, Research and Application ST5060 Sports Science Research Methods and ST6P01 Sports Science and Therapy Dissertation students will progressively develop their PDP which will culminate in a CV and graduation statement. Students will take part in tutorials at all levels designed to facilitate discussion on what has been learnt in order that reflective learning will contribute to identifying objectives, success criteria, and action plans that can be included in PDPs.

Arrangements on the course for careers education, information and guidance

The course benefits from careers education, information and guidance at every level. Level 4 introduces professional studies, which requires students to develop a PDP, a plan that is further developed throughout the course. Level 6 includes a module dedicated to business skills, which is specifically tailored to benefit graduates in their chosen workplace.

The Faculty will develop its own employability Web pages on which will be provided model CVs, covering letters, graduation statements, job adverts, job descriptions and person specifications for use by PAAs and students. A number of employer and alumni led career events will be organised by the Faculty and each Cluster Group.

Other external links providing expertise and experience

Students will become student members of The Society of Sports Therapists. Throughout the course, students will benefit from visiting lecturers to gain knowledge in other specialist areas.

Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) accreditations & exemptions

This course is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists.

Career opportunities

This course opens up a number of career options in the rapidly developing area of dance science. By combining dance and sports therapy, this course gives you the skills needed to pursue roles such as dance company therapist (in-situ or touring), injury prevention officer for dance schools and companies, or pre- and post-performance masseuse.

You could also choose to set up your own clinic or work as a consultant, providing screening, choreography advice, prehabilitation and rehabilitation.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

  • English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C or above (or equivalent)
  • 220 or more UCAS points from at least two A levels, including Dance, Physical Education, Human Biology, Biology, Sports Science or Sports Studies at grade C or above (or equivalent, eg BTEC Extended Diploma in Science or Sports with MMM)

Entry from appropriate foundation and access courses will also be considered.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

If you don't have traditional qualifications or can't meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Sciences BSc Extended Degree.

You should have some current or extensive past experience in dance. If you don't have the standard entry requirements, you may be interviewed to assess your dance background and suitability for the course.

Official use and codes

Approved to run from 2013/14 Specification version 1 Specification status Validated
Original validation date 01 Sep 2013 Last validation date 01 Sep 2013  
Sources of funding HE FUNDING COUNCIL FOR ENGLAND
JACS codes C600 (Sport and Exercise Science): 50% , B160 (Physiotherapy): 50%
Route code SPDTHE

Course Structure

Stage 1 Level 04 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
ST4001 Essential Principles in Sports Science Core 30        
ST4002 Sports Anatomy and Physiology Core 30        
ST4003 Practical Sport Experience Core 30        
ST4004 Science, Research and Application Core 30        

Stage 2 Level 05 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
ST5005 Sports and Dance Physiology Core 30        
ST5011 Sport Therapy Core 30        
ST5012 Sports and Dance Rehabilitation Core 30        
ST5060 Sports Science Research Methods Core 15        
ST5073 Biomechanics of Human Movement and Dance Technique Core 15        

Stage 3 Level 06 September start Offered

Code Module title Info Type Credits Location Period Day Time
ST6053 Business Developments in Health Sciences Core 15        
ST6P01 Sports Science and Therapy Dissertation Core 30        
ST6054 Advanced Biomechanics Option 15        
ST6064 Clinical Exercise Physiology Option 15