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

Students will develop the knowledge, understanding and ability to assess, treat and rehabilitate a patient presenting with an injury through an integrated programme of teacher-led lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory based practical sessions and supervised work placement, all of which utilise student centered learning activities such as problem-based learning.

The foundation year (level three) introduces students to the fundamentals of science, enabling them to study Sports Therapy at level four. The course makes no assumptions about prior scientific study. Students will gain a grounding in biology, nutrition, sports science and numeracy relevant to these subject areas.

Level 4 provides a foundation of general subjects underpinning Sports Therapy and Sport and Exercise Science including; musculoskeletal anatomy, human physiology, biomechanics, evidence-based practice and the application of sports training principles. Hands-on clinical specific skills are also studied at this stage of the degree and include the application of sports massage, basic life support, and the basics of injury examination. In-depth studies of; musculoskeletal and neurological injury examination, sports injuries, treatment techniques for injury management, exercise rehabilitation, applied sports biomechanics and exercise physiology are the focus of the level 5 programme. At level 6, the emphasis is placed on advanced and applied aspects of treating and managing musculoskeletal injuries through clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice, as well as accumulation of placement experience, and the implementation of research skills. The course is designed with the intention of not only preparing students for practice, but to also nurture key skills, behaviours and values that will enhance employability and career-long practice and progression.

The course is accredited by the professional body for graduate Sports Therapists; The Society of Sports Therapists. The Society of Sports Therapists was established in 1990 and today it is the lead organisation for graduate Sports Therapists in the UK. The spectrum of expertise that a Member of The Society of Sports Therapists must possess is built upon six 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; educational and professional practice issues and emergency casualty management in a prehospital setting – all of which are covered in this course. Throughout the course, student membership to The Society of Sports Therapists is provided.

Utilisation of the University’s virtual learning platform is an invaluable tool with which to disseminate information and to support and assess student learning. In addition to this, students will be using facilities provided within the University’s Science Centre, which include exercise physiology laboratories, a 3D motion capture laboratory, therapy treatment rooms, an in-house injury rehabilitation clinic and an expansive sports hall.
There is a wide range of support available, academically and pastorally, via academic staff, academic mentors and University-wide student services. This support is in place to aid in student satisfaction and academic success.

The main aim for this course pathway is to develop students from a diverse variety of backgrounds, academically and practically, to achieve clinical competence and graduate ability. Students will develop 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, therefore, 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 effective injury evaluation and treatment plan formulation. The course aims to develop these critical and analytical skills to ensure that practice remains current but supported by scientific knowledge and evidence base. The ultimate aim is to provide a contemporary course that reflects current clinical practice in Sports Therapy. Students have the opportunity to obtain a high level of clinical competence through practice and problem-based learning, meaning that upon completion they are considered to be autonomous, inclusive and holistic practitioners who can assess and treat individuals presenting with musculoskeletal disorders from a diverse array of backgrounds. Practical demonstrations ensure that students achieve the benchmarks set by The Society of Sports Therapists, so that upon successful completion of the degree, 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 (2024), as well as The Society of Sports Therapists core competencies.
On completing the course, students will be able to evidence the following learning outcomes:
UL0 Demonstrate confidence, resilience, ambition and creativity and will act as inclusive, collaborative and socially responsible practitioners/professionals in their discipline
LO1 Identify and assess musculoskeletal injury/illness and risk factors associated with participation in exercise and competitive and/or recreational sport
LO2 Formulate and deliver evidence-based plans and strategies for meeting sport and exercise injury prevention, management and rehabilitation needs, whilst appreciating limits of knowledge in relation to the need to refer on for specialist advice and/or intervention
LO3 Critically evaluate and reflect on the impact of a graduate Sports Therapist’s actions
LO4 Provide the immediate care of injury/illness and basic/advanced life support in a recreational, training, occupational and competitive environment
LO5 Demonstrate an understanding of practical skills relating to sport and exercise science, including competence in collecting data from a range of physiological testing equipment and from psychological inventories, and in implementing appropriate interventions
LO6 Utilise sports and exercise principles to optimise performance, preparation and injury prevention programmes
LO7 Be able to demonstrate strong decision-making skills and to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary sports and/or medical team
LO8 Assume obligations and responsibilities to act in accordance with the ideals and standards of the Sports Therapy profession, inclusive of those set out by The Society of Sports Therapists, including;
o legal, moral and ethical parameters
o professional limitations
o the importance of maintaining professional standards pertaining to:
o conduct, performance and ethics,
o proficiency, and,
o scope of practice
o the requirements for continuing professional education and development
o developing and maintaining appropriate, professional relationships and communications between graduate Sports Therapists and other stakeholders
o the standards and procedures to help safeguard and protect children and vulnerable adults in a sport and exercise related environment, as well as protecting the graduate Sports Therapist from potential problems and accusations
o the ethical and legal requirements of maintaining a medical records system and the reporting of incidents, illness and injuries
LO9 Demonstrate the advanced scholarship skils required to execute and critically evaluate research relevant to the discipline via the use of primary evidence sources
LO10 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

Sports Therapy, as an award title, falls under the benchmark statement for ‘Events, Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism’. Within this benchmark statement from 2019, the present course focuses principally on; 6.16, 6.17, 6.18 and 6.19.

A variety of assessment methods are used including; unseen and seen written and practical examinations, scientific essays, practical reports, oral presentations and oral examinations. These assessments' complexity and requirements are progressed throughout the course, and the range of assessment methods is designed to accommodate different learning styles.

The courses’ main source of assessment method is via practical examination to ensure authentic assessment. This assessment method assesses the practical competencies expected of a graduate Sports Therapist and reflects the real-world demands of the profession so that when students complete their degree, they are confident and autonomous practitioners. This realism approach aims to achieve a higher order of thinking and integrate problem-based learning with clinical decision making. The Society of Sports Therapists routinely moderate these assessments to ensure satisfactory competency is achieved, as well as confirming parity between accredited institutions. Opportunities for formative assessment of these skills are provided regularly in-class. The design of feedback opportunities are built into assessment processes to offer a united and coordinated approach to improving student learning outcomes.

Most of the assessments have specific documents detailing; the brief, marking criteria and grading rubric so to ensure transparency, inform assessment literacy and facilitate feedback. Feedback interventions such as discussions and/or practice of exemplar work, as well as access to mock or previous assessment papers are often utilised to help build students’ understanding of assessment standards. This is done both in-class and online via the University’s virtual learning environment.

The final year research project provides the opportunity for an extended piece of scientific research in a student-selected topic of their choice, which aims to increase professional skills, expand awareness of the importance of research within the profession and gain knowledge into how researchers work and think. Critical and analytical appraisal skills are also developed within this module.

Articulation of the transparent processes included in the marking of assessments is provided throughout the course via statements, accessible material on the University’s virtual learning environment, and verbally in scheduled teaching.

Students can complete observational placement and professional development opportunities in levels 4 and 5 and can be assisted in doing so, if desired. These could include volunteering at events, such as the London Marathon, or completing Personal Training qualifications which are run at the University. Students will be able to choose individual work placements during level 6, as well as completing placement hours in the University’s dedicated sports injury clinic, which is supervised by academic staff. The Society of Sports Therapists stipulate that a minimum of 250 hours of supervised placement takes place during the degree programme and in doing so provide medical malpractice and public liability insurance as part of its student membership. Completing placements is not only a requirement to graduate with the eligibility to practice as a graduate Sports Therapist, but it also provides the students with opportunity to build a professional skills profile and network that could support their future employability.

To qualify for the award of BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy (including foundation year), with eligibility for graduate membership with The Society of Sports Therapists, students must:

1. Satisfy the requirements for BSc with Honours (see University Academic Regulations)
2. Complete all core modules
3. Pass the modules detailed in the course structure

The University has an obligation to ensure that graduates from the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy (including foundation year) course are fit to practice and meet the criteria set out in The Society of Sports Therapists ‘Standards of Proficiency’ and ‘Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics’ documents. This means that a person has the skills, knowledge, character, and health to undertake their professional role safely and effectively, as well as act in accordance with the ideals and standards of the profession. If the University becomes aware of an issue regarding a students’ professional capacity, it may initiate Fitness to Practice (FtP) proceedings. FtP procedures recognise that students may need support in understanding the ethics, conduct, and performance and their obligation to comply with these. FtP procedures will provide support to assist students in developing skills in professional behaviour, and will identify those who give cause for concern.

Part-time study usually involves studying 60 credits per academic year. Pre-requisite modules must be taken, as priority, to enable progression.

Although other options are available, the default programme for a part-time student is listed below:

o Year one: Scientific Studies and Biology
o Year two: Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise, Foundation Year Project (Health Sciences), Foundations of Sports and Exercise Science and Foundations of Human Nutrition
o Year three: Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Anatomy, Sports Massage, Introduction to Biomechanics and Fundamentals of Sports Injuries
o Year four: Human Physiology, Professional and Core Skills, Fundamentals of Strength and Conditioning and Applied Sports Science
o Year five: Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation: Early and Intermediate, Peripheral Joint Examination and Injuries, Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation: Late and Pre-Discharge and Therapeutic Interventions for Injury Management
o Year six: Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics of Human Movement, Sports Science Research Methods and Spinal Examination and Injury Management
o Year seven: Trauma Medical Management in Sport, Human Movement Analysis or Clinical Exercise Physiology, Clinical Skills in Sports Therapy and Professional Development in Sport
o Year eight: Sports Science and Therapy Dissertation and Sports Therapy Placement

To be awarded a BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy (including foundation year) and be eligible for graduate membership to The Society of Sports Therapists, students must pass the following modules:
o Sports Massage
o Fundamentals of Sports Injuries
o Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation: Early and Intermediate
o Peripheral Joint Examination and Injuries
o Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation: Late and Pre-Discharge
o Therapeutic Interventions for Injury Management
o Spinal Examination and Injury Management
o Trauma Medical Management in Sport
o Sports Therapy Placement
Satisfactory attendance (a minimum of 80% of the practical teaching of each Sports Therapy specific module) must be achieved for the module to be awarded. 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 graduate membership to The Society of Sports Therapists.

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, but the principles will be applied more clinically. Personal development and reflection opportunities will also be included in the sports science research module at level 5, where students decide the approach to their research proposal. At level 6, both the research module and the placement module will offer the opportunity for extensive personal development, along with assessments which are 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, as the course encourages students to demonstrate an ability to solve problems by applying underpinning knowledge to clinical situations.

The course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists and, as a result, their Standards of Proficiency and Codes of Conduct documents have been referenced. The University’s Education for Social Justice framework has also been referenced throughout.

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.

Given the course's vocational nature, on graduating, students will be able to pursue a career as a graduate Sports Therapist. Currently, most of the 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. Large private companies and schools often offer sports injury facilities 'in house' which graduate Sports Therapists would be suited to work within. There is also a growing number of roles within the NHS and other multi-disciplinary healthcare providers. At all levels, the course embeds authentic teaching, learning and assessment to ensure that students on the course are prepared for employment.

This course is excellent preparation for postgraduate study.
Signposting towards London Metropolitan University’s enterprise services is also integrated within the course so that students who have business and entrepreneurial ambitions can be supported.

On graduating, you’ll be equipped to pursue a career as a graduate Sports Therapist. 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, schools and hotels frequently offer sports and leisure facilities 'in house' and recruit Sports Therapists to run injury clinics.

This course is also excellent preparation for postgraduate study.

London Metropolitan University’s enterprise services is also integrated within the course so that students who have business and entrepreneurial ambitions can be supported. This is in addition to advice from the careers service.

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.

Please note that this course may include working with children and vulnerable adults. As a result, you will be asked to declare any criminal convictions on your application. Having a criminal conviction may not exclude you from joining the course, but we may not be able to facilitate placements for students who have criminal convictions for violent offences or offences against children or vulnerable adults. A criminal conviction may also mean that full professional membership to The Society of Sports Therapists is not possible. If you have any concerns regarding a criminal record, please contact the course leader (see ‘Meet the team’ section below) before applying for the course.