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BSc (Hons) - Sport and Exercise Therapy (Top Up)

Advance your skills and step confidently into a professional sports therapy career with our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy Top‑Up course. This one‑year programme deepens your expertise in athlete care, injury screening and prevention, and the psychological and physical factors influencing rehabilitation.

Alongside hands‑on learning in our Clinic and Human Performance Laboratory, you’ll complete a range of courses and qualifications to enhance your CV, including Rocktape, Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport, and a CIMSPA endorsed Strength & Conditioning Trainer qualification, meaning you'll graduate career-ready with the knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed.

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Accredited by:

British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers & CIMSPA

Sport and Exercise Therapy (Top Up) cover image

Course Overview

You’ll learn to prevent, examine and treat sports-related injuries whilst developing the skills to become an independent learner and practitioner. You’ll receive knowledge and insight from industry-sourced professionals and have access to facilities including our rehabilitation clinic, strength and conditioning room, and biomechanics and physiology laboratories. You can also pursue your interests with our support. Industry links and work experience, including top-flight football teams and the opportunity to support runners taking part in the Brathay 10 marathons in 10 days event and work in our sports injury clinics. These experiences will help fast-track your job hunt and employment opportunities.

On this course you will...

Help people recover from sports, and physical activity-related injuries and conditions. You will positively contribute to sporting performance and public health.
Develop hands-on techniques, learning skills such as sports massage, musculoskeletal injury assessment, and joint mobilisations and manipulations.
Become creative in your ability to devise and implement functional and sport-specific exercise rehabilitation to restore athletes, from recreational up to elite levels of performance.
Put theory into practice by completing placements early on in your studies. Past students have worked with professional sports teams, sports rehabilitation clinics, fitness centres, and the NHS.
Complete a range of courses and qualifications to enhance your CV, including Rocktape, Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport, and a CIMSPA endorsed Strength & Conditioning Trainer qualification.
Have the opportunity to take part in a 10-day residential placement working with ultra-endurance runners in the Lake District.

Apply via UCAS

Book an Open Day

Lancaster All

Key Details

Recruiting toUK / RoI / Settled in UK
EU / EEA / International
Course LocationLancaster
Institute Institute of Health
UCAS CodeC615
Mode of DeliveryFace to face
Course DurationFull-time: 1 Year
Part-time: 2 Years
Course Start PointSeptember
AwardBSc (Hons)
More informationProgramme Specification
Prospectus
Open DaysLancaster
All

Minimum entry requirements

Foundation degree or HND.

Honours degree

UK Tuition fees

£9,535

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790

Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900

Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000

Entry in academic year 2026/27

Tuition Fees Policy

Course Structure

What you will learn

The modules on this course will deliver high-quality profession-specific training, including:

Detailed knowledge and understanding of human anatomy
Physiology and relevant pathophysiology of neuromusculoskeletal conditions
Competence in manual/therapeutic techniques
Skills in exercise prescription
Rehabilitation
Conditioning and screening
Highly developed communication and inter-professional skills.

Year one

During this year, you will have the opportunity to lead discussion groups during advanced problem-solving scenarios to enhance the critical thinking and reasoning skills needed as independent practitioners.

Alongside continued, advanced educational content related to Sport Rehabilitation, you will study a module in Professional Development and Employment. This module is designed to develop critical self-reflection, careers, and goal planning. In this time, you will develop your CV, personal statement, and interview techniques.

You will conduct an advanced investigative project, which will allow further specialisation in your chosen discipline.

Neurodynamics in Sport
Learn the underpinning knowledge and manual therapeutic skills to assess, treat and evaluate common neurodynamic conditions.
Professional Development & Employment
Critically self-reflect and evaluate on own clinical and academic performance to promote future goal planning and professional development to prepare for employment, including how to develop a curriculum vitae, personal statement and interview skills.
Advanced Athlete Care
Gain an understanding of psychological aspects of sports injuries and rehabilitation, as well as consider risk factors and influences of more complex illnesses and conditions on rehabilitation.
Screening & Pre-habilitation
Develop a more advanced understanding of injury mechanisms, including screening for muscle and postural imbalances, and learn how to implement preventative strategies for injury prevention.
Independent Investigative Project
Conduct an original research investigation of your own choice, supported by a dissertation supervisor, and communicate your findings.

Overview

Successful completion of a related foundation degree or higher national diploma (HND).

Qualifications

Entry Requirements

Other experience: BTEC Higher National Diploma in Sport & Exercise Therapy or Sport Rehabilitation or to Level 5 or equivalent. Diploma in Higher Education in Sport Rehabilitation or Sport & Exercise Therapy or similar. Applicants from courses based at institutions other than the University of Cumbria will be assessed on their suitability depending upon the modules they have studied.

Fair Admissions

When you apply, our Admissions specialists will review your whole application. We are looking for your potential to succeed so will assess your qualifications, any relevant work experience, your personal statement, and references.

Where you have received a conditional offer subject to achieving particular grades/UCAS tariff scores, and do not quite meet these scores, please try not to worry, where vacancies exist our Admissions specialists will review your whole application again and take account of any mitigating circumstances and reassess your suitability for the course.

Selection Criteria

As part of the application and selection process, we are looking for your commitment to this programme. In your personal statement, you should demonstrate your motivation for choosing this course and reflect upon any experience you have gained.

Contextual Admissions

Going to higher education can transform a person’s life. We use contextual admissions to make sure that we are accessible to everyone who has the potential to succeed. Qualifications and grades are important, but they are considered alongside other information that helps universities to identify potential and widen access to university level study. For some individuals, the disadvantages they have experienced in their life mean that they have not been able to demonstrate their full academic potential. Where a person lives and their personal circumstances can all affect their educational attainment.

We take this context into account and look for an applicant’s potential when making admission decisions. The University of Cumbria will make offers to applicants that live in postal code regions with the lowest participation in Higher Education (Polar 4 quintile 1 – you can check your postcode here) and care leavers, offers will be made at the bottom of any UCAS Tariff range. Attendance at our Masterclasses and Summer Schools will also allow applicants to receive an offer lower within the tariff range. (T&Cs apply)

Contact ugadmissions@cumbria.ac.uk for more information.

For 2023 entry, our contextual data and information we use in our offer making will be broadened to include applicants that are estranged from their parents, have caring responsibilities or are in receipt of or received free school meals during their secondary education. Successful participation and completion of our Future Teachers Scheme will also receive an offer lower within the tariff range.

Returning to Education

If you are over 21 and returning to study after being in relevant employment for a minimum of 3 years and do not meet the published entry requirements for Year 1 of our degree courses, please do not assume you are not qualified to join us. Our experienced Admissions and Academic staff will review your prior qualifications and professional experience to support your application.

Language requirements

Please follow the link to check language requirements for this programme here.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

UK Tuition fees

£9,535
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£9,790
Entry in academic year 2026/27

International Tuition fees

£14,900
Entry in academic year 2025/26

£16,000
Entry in academic year 2026/27

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs.

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible.

International Finance

At the University of Cumbria, we offer affordable tuition fees for international and EU students looking to study at one of our main four campuses. No matter your choice of course or career path, our International Team is here to support you.

More Information

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries, grants and funds available to support you throughout your studies with us. This includes the Cumbria Bursary - a non-repayable bursary designed to support first year students with a household income of less than £25,000..

Student Finance

Additional Costs

Stationery, printing and digital storage

Approximately £30 to £40 per year

RequiredPer yearStationery

You should budget for stationery and consumables for personal use. These may include notebooks, pens and pencils, digital storage devices, printing and photocopying. The amount you spend will depend on your study preferences.

Books and journals

Approximately £50 to £300 over the course of your studies

OptionalThroughout the courseBooks and journals

Most core textbooks and journals are available through the University library. You may choose to purchase personal copies of books or other resources used to support your studies.

Some courses recommend particular books or provide an estimated annual budget for purchasing personal copies. Search for your course below for details.

Technology requirements

Cost depends on the equipment and internet service you choose

RequiredThroughout the courseDigital learning and IT

You will need regular access to a laptop or computer capable of accessing the internet and running software such as a word processor and Microsoft Teams. Microsoft 365 is provided as part of your studies. You will also need a reliable internet connection. The amount you spend will depend on the equipment and internet service you choose.

Information on borrowing university laptops

University sports kit and specialist clothing

Approximately £120 to £300, depending on your course

RequiredOne-offClothing and uniform

You will need appropriate trainers and University sports kit for practical sessions and placement. Kit includes a polo shirt, Dri-FIT t-shirt, long-sleeve top, shorts and straight or slim-fit tracksuit bottoms. You will receive information about buying it before your course starts. On some courses this budget also covers equipment such as a model skeleton or portable massage plinth.

Conference attendance

Approximately £50 to £150, including fees, travel and accommodation

OptionalVariableOther

You may choose to attend conferences that are not part of your course. Costs depend on the length of the event, the venue and the accommodation you choose. Many conferences are free for students.

Stay Focused. Go Far.

Sport Rehabilitation clinic at Salt Ayre Leisure Centre

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Location
Lancaster Campus
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BSc (Hons) - Sport and Exercise Therapy (Top Up)