UDSPOTFY - BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy (including foundation year)

This four-year course includes a Foundation Year (level three) which introduces you to the fundamentals of science, enabling you to study Sports Therapy at level four. It makes no assumptions about prior scientific study. You will gain a solid grounding in biology, nutrition , sports science and numeracy relevant to these subject areas. Practical sessions in the Science Centre will help you gain proficiency at experimental work, and are delivered within PR3001 (Scientific Studies). The project module teaches you how to conduct research into a topic relating to Health Sciences, and to report your findings accordingly, thus providing you with fundamental subject-specific knowledge and relevant skills.

You will develop knowledge and understanding of Sports Therapy 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 and Sport and Exercise Science including; anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, research and the application of sports principles. In-depth studies of sports injuries, manual therapy techniques, exercise rehabilitation, applied sports biomechanics, and physiology are the focus of the level 5 programme. At level 6, emphasis is placed on advanced and applied aspects of treating and managing sports injuries. You will have opportunities to explore the ethical dimensions of the discipline at all levels.

The course is accredited by the professional body for Sports Therapists; The Society of Sports Therapists. The Society of Sports Therapists was established in 1990 and today it is the lead organisation for Sports Therapists in the UK. The Society’s Founder Members identified a need to address the growing demands from sport and leisure on all involved in the management and care of injured participants. As a consequence, they sought to create a membership organisation that would standardise and monitor the provision and availability of support services. The spectrum of expertise that a Member of The Society of Sports Therapists must possess is built upon five key areas of competency related to injury and illness in a sport and exercise environment, which are: prevention, recognition and evaluation, management, treatment and referral, rehabilitation and educational and professional practice issues – all of which are covered in this four year course. From level 4 of the course, students will have student membership to the Society of Sports Therapists,

Utilisation of the University’s VLE, Weblearn, is an invaluable tool with which to disseminate information and to support and assess student learning. In addition, you will be using facilities provided within the University’s Science Centre, which include state-of-the-art physiology laboratories, therapy treatment rooms, and an expansive sports hall.

There is an extensive range of support available, both academically and pastorally, via a combination of academic staff, academic mentors and University-wide student services. This support is in place to aid in student satisfaction and academic success.

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 a clinical environment.

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. The students obtain a high level of clinical competence through practice and the problem based learning, meaning that upon completion are considered to be autonomous practitioners. 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 set by the Society of Sports Therapists and upon successful completion of the degree means graduates are eligible to apply for membership.

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 and clinical topics studied

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

1.3 have the capacity to demonstrate the advanced scholarship required to execute and critically evaluate research relevant to exercise science, injury and rehabilitation

2. Cognitive intellectual skills:
On completing the course, students will:
2.1 be able to understand and develop clear and logical arguments in support or criticism of medical and scientific theories with support from primary sources of evidence and scholarly reviews
2.2 demonstrate an ability to solve problems by applying underpinning knowledge to the clinical situation
2.3 be able to analyse medical and patient information to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan 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 devise and sustain arguments, 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 demonstrate strong decision-making skills and work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary sports or 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

3.6 demonstrate an understanding of the need to continually develop professionally

3.7 demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline

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 make informed judgements to competently and safely implement treatment and rehabilitative strategies to a patient with a sports injury
4.3 have an understanding of the main philosophies of practice in the sports rehabilitation area whilst appreciating the limits of knowledge
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

5. Fundamental study skills:
On completing the course, students will:
5.1 Gain an appreciation of fundamental concepts in biology, chemistry, sports science, numeracy, and laboratory skills

There is currently no Benchmark Statement for BSc Sports Therapy, however, the Benchmark Statement for ‘Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism’ were used. Of the study areas specified as characterising sports-related programmes, the present course focuses principally on 6.17 and 6.18. There is also some coverage of 6.19 and 6.20.

A variety of assessment methods are used including; unseen and seen written and practical examinations, essays, literature searches/reviews, practical reports, oral presentations and oral examinations. With the exception of written examinations, most assessments have both formative and summative roles.

The courses main source of assessment method is via practical examination to ensure practical competency and consideration of the professional requirements of a Sports Therapist. These practical examinations will usually entail an oral viva, where students are expected to demonstrate their knowledge on the underlying theory of the topic being assessed practically. Representatives from The Society of Sports Therapists regularly visit to moderate these assessments to ensure parity between institutions. Opportunities for formative assessment of these skills are provided regularly in-class.

The final year project provides the opportunity for an extended piece of formal scientific writing in a student-selected topic of their choice.

The marking process makes sure that marking of assessments is fair and transparent. There is a first marker who has responsibility for providing formal feedback and making an initial assessment of the standard of the submission. Once assessments have been marked by the first marker, it then goes through a process of moderation; internally (by University staff) and externally (by an external examiner from outside the University). The internal moderation refers to a member of University staff looking through a range of submissions. This person is often referred to as the second marker. They will check the marking and the feedback to make sure that the first marker’s assessments is fair. No marks will be signed off until it has been agreed that the assessments have been marked to an appropriate standard. After internal moderation has taken place, a sample of assessed work will also be seen by an external examiner. This process only occurs for work submitted after level 4. An external examiner is a subject specialist recruited from outside the University who is able to take a completely independent view of the work and to confirm that marks at London Met are consistent with those at other universities. The external examiner will look at marking and feedback and reach their own judgement about its quality. Where possible work will be marked anonymously, with no student names being available to any of the markers.

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’s Sports Injury Clinic. The Society of Sports Therapists stipulate that a minimum of 250 hours of supervised work placement take place during the degree programme and in doing so provide medical malpractice and public liability insurance as part of its student membership.

Business Developments in Health Studies is a new work-related-learning module which is core for level 6 students.

Part-time students will be programme planned on an individual basis.

Part-time study involves completion of a maximum of 90 credits per year to maintain their part-time study status. There is, however, flexibility to move to full-time status if personal circumstances change.

Pre-requisite modules for each level must be taken as priority to enable progression. A sample of a 4 year part-time study programme would be:

Year One (Autumn or Spring entry): PR3002 and PR3054, PR3052
Year Two: PR3001, PR3053 and PR3P54
Year Three: Up to 90 credits of Level 4 modules
Year Four: Up to 30 credits of Level 4 modules and up to 60 credits of Level 5 modules
Year Five: 60 credits of Level 5 modules and 30 credits of Level 6 modules
Year Six: Up to 90 credits of Level 6 modules

Course specific regulations:

To qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Sports 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 24

*All modules on the programme which are core modules 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 SX6W01 – Sports Therapy Work Placement, students must have passed:
i) SX4059 – Sports Trauma Management and Soft Tissue Therapy
ii) SX4069 – Fundamentals of Sports Therapy
iii) SX5058 – Sports Rehabilitation: Early and Intermediate
iv) SX5059 – Clinical Examination and Assessment in Sports Therapy
v) SX5068 – Sports Rehabilitation: Late and Pre-Discharge
vi) SX5069 – Peripheral Manual Therapy

Core modules required to gain BSc Sports Therapy:
Level 3:
PR3001 – Scientific Studies
PR3002 – Biology
PR3054 – Practical Approaches to Current Issues in Sport
PR3052 – Foundations of Nutrition
PR3053 – Foundations of Sports Science
PR3P54 – Foundation Year Project (Health Sciences)

Level 4:
SX4059 – Sports Trauma Management and Soft Tissue Therapy*
SP4053 – Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Anatomy
SP4051 – Human Physiology
SP4055 – Professional Studies
SP4063 – Introduction to Biomechanics
SX4069 – Fundamentals of Sports Therapy*
SP4061 – Physiological Principles of Training
SP4065 – Applied Sports Science

Level 5:
SP5051 – Exercise Physiology
SX5058 – Sports Rehabilitation: Early and Intermediate*
SX5059 – Clinical Examination and Assessment in Sports Therapy*
SX5068 – Sports Rehabilitation: Late and Pre-Discharge*
SX5069 – Peripheral Manual Therapy*
SP5061 – Environmental Exercise Physiology
SP5065 – Sports Science Research Methods

Level 6:
SP6P01 – Sports Science and Therapy Dissertation* (Pass on aggregate)
SX6W10 – Sports Therapy Work Placement*
SX6051 – Spinal Manual Therapy*
SX6061 – Electrotherapy*
SP6065 – Business Developments in Sport

*Students must pass this module (all components, unless otherwise specified)

Satisfactory attendance (minimum 80% of practical teaching) must be achieved for progression from the module to be awarded. An attendance requirement applies to all practical elements of classes. Failure to meet this requirement will require the attendance component of the module to be re-sat at the earliest opportunity.

Failure to meet the above criteria means the 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.

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.

Students on the course will first learn the basic concepts, values and application of reflective practice. This will be delivered within the subject-specific modules and the professional studies module. Here reflective learning will be built into the material delivered and cemented by emphasis in assessment completion.

At level 5, the subject-specific modules will again include reflection as a key component, with in-depth theoretical knowledge and practical application central to delivery. Personal development and reflection opportunities will also be included in the sports science research module, where students decide the approach to their research.

At level 6, both the research module and work placement module will offer the opportunity for extensive personal development along with assessment partly based on reflection of experiences.
Over the length of the course there will be a clearly defined thread which will explore and progress both personal development and reflective practice.

The course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists.

Employment opportunities for graduates in sports therapy are diverse. Future state registration has been approved for members of The Society of Sports Therapists, meaning that opportunities in the NHS may also be possible. Currently, most of our graduates’ work in private clinics or with sports clubs/ teams either individually or as part of a multi-disciplinary medical team. Private sector employment is offered by health and fitness organisations, including those operating leisure and fitness centres. Larger private companies and hotels, frequently offer sports and leisure facilities 'in house' and recruit Sports Therapists to run injury clinics.

This degree is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists (SST). The SST provides student insurance throughout the degree and graduates will qualify to become members and purchase their public liability insurance from the SST.

Completion of this four-year course will open doors for a career within a public, commercial or scientific setting.

Our health science graduates have gone into various health care professions including acute, community, obesity and HIV specialist dieticans, health advisers, sports coaches and PE teachers in organisations including King's College Hosptial, Bupa, Buckinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust, Guys and St Thomas' Hospital, various other NHS organisations, The Food Chain, Arsenal FC, Chelsea FC and high-profile private clinics.

There is also the option of further study at postgraduate level with our Sports Therapy MSc course.

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

• at least one A level (or a minimum of 32 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC Subsidiary/National/BTEC Extended Diploma) but may not have achieved the appropriate grades to immediately join a BSc programme
• English Language and Mathematics GCSEs at grade C (grade 4) or above (or equivalent). Applicants who meet the UCAS points criteria but who obtained a D (grade 3) in English and/or Maths at GCSE may be offered a University test in these areas

Other applicants may have Level 3 qualifications such as A level, BTEC Extended Diploma or Access to Higher education qualifications with high UCAS points and grades, but not in the relevant subject areas eg Biology and Chemistry, which are required to study for BSc programmes in the School of Human Sciences.