Sports therapists work to diagnose, treat and prevent injuries by implementing rehabilitation programmes to restore full fitness in the field of sports, exercise and health. You can work in a range of environments, from treating elite athletes to teaching specialist exercise groups and setting up your own business as an independent Graduate Sports Therapist and Rehabilitator.
Sports therapy is one of the fastest-growing careers in the sports and healthcare sector. At Kent, we have world-leading experts who can pass on the latest techniques. Our experience includes working with Olympians and Paralympians, as well as the local community, including the elderly and frail.
This programme is currently accredited by the British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT). Graduates can apply for accreditation and full membership of BASRaT, the UK regulator for sport rehabilitation graduates.
We will be relocating the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences to the Canterbury campus from September 2021. If you are due to start your course in September 2020, the first year of your degree will be taught in Medway. This exciting move will allow us to provide enhanced facilities, study and social space for you as well as helping you become part of a broader academic community.
Your first year in Medway covers topics such as functional anatomy and biomechanics, sports and remedial massage, sports injuries, peripheral joint assessment, and introductory modules on fitness testing, professional skills and human physiology.
In your second and final years in Canterbury, you study a range of subjects including sports rehabilitation, exercise prescription, therapeutic modalities, injury prevention, return to sports fitness training and soft tissue methods. You can also complete a research project and dissertation, and take part in clinical practice and clinical rehabilitation, both on external placement and in the University's specialised sports injury clinic.
You gain the academic, clinical and professional skills required of a sports therapist, whose role it is to diagnose, treat and prevent sporting injuries. You also learn how to create exercise and training programmes tailored to individual clients.
Our laboratories are based in the £11 million Medway Park development, a regional centre of sporting excellence. They include the latest equipment, such as:
There is a thriving sports scene for students. Sports clubs at the Medway campus include athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, football, kickboxing, rowing, taekwondo, Thai boxing and volleyball, plus women’s netball and men’s futsal and rugby.
With our free shuttle bus, it’s also easy to join the sports clubs on the Canterbury campus. These include American football, archery, boxing, caving, canoeing, cycling, equestrian, cheerleading, fencing, floorball, golf, gymnastics, hockey, judo, karate, kendo, korfball, kung fu, lacrosse, mountaineering, sailing and windsurfing, skydiving, snooker and pool, snowsports, squash, swimming, surfing, tennis, trampolining, ultimate frisbee and women’s rugby.
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences has links to many sporting bodies. It works with companies such as Science in Sport and Team Sky, and with organisations such as:
If you are already competing at county level or equivalent, you can apply for a sports scholarship from the University. One of our best-known graduates is Olympic gold medallist Susannah Townsend. During her time at Kent she had a sports scholarship and played for Canterbury Hockey Club (where she continues to play midfield).
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. Typical requirements are listed below. Students offering alternative qualifications should contact us for further advice.
Please note that meeting this typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee an offer being made.Please also see our general entry requirements.
If you’ve taken exams under the new GCSE grading system, please see our conversion table to convert your GCSE grades.
BCC including B in an appropriate subject (eg Biology, Chemistry, Sport, Physical Education, Physics, Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Science)
Mathematics grade C
The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis.
If we make you an offer, you will need to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above.
Distinction, Merit, Merit in a sport or science subject
34 points overall or 15 at HL including Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics, Sports, Exercise and Health Science 5 at HL or 6 at SL and Mathematics 4 at HL or SL.
The University welcomes applications from international students. Our international recruitment team can guide you on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country.
However, please note that international fee-paying students cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.
If you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes.
For more advice about applying to Kent, you can meet our staff at a range of international events.
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time
The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.
Students will cover the biomechanics of movement, movement patterns of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk; bones and surface markings of the lower limb, upper limb and spine; joints of the lower limb, upper limb and spine; muscles (origin, insertion and actions) of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk; soft tissue structures of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk; and nerves of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk.
The main aims of this module are to explore and gain knowledge of human physiology. Students will study the major systems of the human body including the musculoskeletal system, the cardiovascular system and the nervous system. Students will gain an understanding of their structure and function.
This module looks at the systematic processes involved in testing fitness. Consideration is given to the evaluation of fitness in both the field and in the laboratory. A range of fitness tests for a variety of parameters of fitness are covered. Students are taught to consider the reliability and validity of the tests as well as the specificity of the test to the population they are working with.
A synopsis of topics included in this module are:
- Health screening
- Fitness assessment & evaluation
- Principles of sport & exercise training
This module will cover topics including, but not limited to: Introduction to referencing and plagiarism, Introduction to academic writing style, Introduction to history of science, Introduction to critical thinking, Introduction to research methods, Introduction to statistical concept and research ethics.
This module will enable students to interpret the pathophysiology of a range of sports injuries by mechanism of injury, anatomical region and tissue type. The module develops the students' ability to relate the mechanism of injury to the pathology of sports injuries. Students will cover basic the management of injuries, this will include when to refer and the initial treatment.
This module will introduce skills in problem solving and clinical reasoning including subjective and objective assessment and the relation to presenting signs and symptoms. The module develops your ability to examine and clinically assess your client, focusing on the upper and lower limbs. You will learn how to assess range of movement, muscle length and strength, ligamentous stability as well as how and when to apply a number of special tests.
This module will enable students to acquire an understanding of sports massage, in order to practically demonstrate a range of sports massage skills effectively and safely. The module also develops the students' ability to record and review their own sports massage sessions with clients.
Content will include all skills required in order to carry out a full body sports massage. Basic sports massage strokes such as effleurage, petrissage, tapotement and frictions will be included. These strokes will be applied on the back, shoulders, gluteals, legs, feet, arms, hands, chest, neck and abdomen.
Underpinning knowledge will include record keeping, professional ethics and code of practice, as well as health and safety regulations.
This module will provide students with a grounding in training theory and application, specifically looking at programme design and implementation in health and athletic performance. It includes: Principles of sport and exercise training; Training methodology; Programme design and organisation; Adaptations to training.
This module will cover the following topics:
Introduction to staff research areas in the CSS
The process of forming a research question and hypothesis
Writing an introduction
Writing a literature review
Writing a methodology
Writing a discussion
Justification of resources
Ethics in research
Writing clinics
Supervisor contact
Presentation of current dissertation projects
This module introduces students to the analysis techniques required for their dissertation module. The analysis techniques to be covered are as follows:
Independent and paired t-tests
Overview of Regression and Correlation
Qualitative analysis techniques
One way ANOVA
Factorial ANOVA
Repeated measures ANOVA
Non-parametric tests
The module will enable students to recognise and describe the different stages and components of rehabilitation. Students will learn how to progress athletes from one stage to the next; to recognise when an athlete needs to regress their rehabilitation programme; how to adapt exercises according to your clients' needs. The different stages of healing and recovery of a range of sports injuries will be taken into account.
Therapeutic modalities for rehabilitators will enable students, to pursue inquiry into interventions in the treatment of common peripheral and vertebral dysfunction and the theory that underlies practice. The module develops the students' ability to select and use therapeutic modalities that are commonly used in rehabilitation. Students will be required to analyse current issues in the use of therapeutic modalities within a rehabilitation environment.
Indicative content includes:
Introduction to the selection and differentiation between a variety of treatment modalities including manual therapy techniques, electrophysical modalities, common bracing and taping modalities and analysis tools that can be used e.g. for gait assessment.
Introduction to the application of selected therapeutic modalities.
Current issues in the use of therapeutic modalities in rehabilitation.
Applied Rehabilitation will enable students to apply the principles of rehabilitation to different tissues and injuries within the body. Students will formulate sports specific rehabilitation programmes for their athletes and clients individually and as part of group-based rehabilitation.
Students will be required to undertake a supervised work placement in addition to the lectures and practical seminars.
What does psychology have to do with sport, exercise, and rehabilitation? In this module, students will learn how these are closely related. Students will also learn about psychological and emotional responses to sports injuries and chronic conditions.
Topics covered in this module include: adherence to rehabilitation programmes, the importance of motivation, dangerous behaviours in sport, and applied psychological interventions for the injured athlete.
Exercise prescription for the asymptomatic older adult
Physical activity and cardiovascular diseases
Physical activity and metabolic diseases
Physical activity and neurological impairment
Physical activity and orthopedic diseases
Physical activity and pulmonary diseases
Exercise in clinical rehabilitation settings
Exercise psychology
Soft Tissue Techniques will enable students to pursue inquiry into the treatment of selected soft tissue injuries, using a variety of soft tissue techniques. This module develops the students' ability to use critical analysis and clinical reasoning skills in the application of soft tissue techniques. Students will be required to analyse current issues in the use of soft tissue techniques within the field of Sport and Exercise Therapy.
Topics include:
Deep Tissue Massage
Soft Tissue Release
Reciprocal Inhibition
Trigger Points
Positional Release
Taping techniques
The module takes the form of an individual research study. There are taught lectures covering the management of a research project. The research projects are then conducted with the supervision of a tutor who will advise the student on issues such as methodology, analysis and presentation. It is the student's responsibility to organise, conduct, analyse and present the research as required. The research project may comprise an experimental laboratory based dissertation, or a systematic review of the literature.
This module will enable students to apply the principles of rehabilitation to different tissues and injuries within the body using specialised equipment and techniques and build on their knowledge from previous modules. Students will be able to apply their prior knowledge to different rehabilitation equipment, pre and post operation and specialist areas and formulate sports specific rehabilitation sessions and programmes for their athletes and clients. Students will learn how to screen athletes and how to formulate group based exercise sessions and programmes. Students will study how rehabilitation progresses and how outcomes are measured and assessed.
This module will allow students to develop knowledge in epidemiological analysis of common injuries in different sports and exercise activities and risk factors for injury in specific populations. Students will develop an understanding of an athlete's needs analysis and profiles of specific sports and athletic populations. Students will apply this knowledge to design and implement screening and prevention programmes. Students will evaluate injury prevention and return to play programmes by using outcome measures. Students will learn about return to sport criteria for different components of fitness and rehabilitation. These will include strength, proprioception, speed, agility, Range of Movement (ROM), flexibility, cardiovascular. A range of both clinical/lab and field-based tests will be covered during the module. Specialised issues relating to specific sports and body regions will also be covered.
The 2020/21 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
Full-time tuition fees for Home and EU undergraduates are £9,250.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
The programme involves taking part in practical therapy sessions, clinical practice, designing training, small group seminars and private study. You are taught by a combination of lectures, practical sessions and seminars each week. You also spend additional time developing your clinical skills and experience through placements and in the student clinic.
The methods of assessment vary and predominately involve coursework, observed assessment, practical tests and clinical assessments. Some modules also feature written examinations.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
The programme aims to:
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
You gain intellectual skills in the following areas:
You gain subject-specific skills in how to:
You gain transferable skills in:
Sports Science at Kent scored 93% overall in The Complete University Guide 2021.
Over 95% of Sports Science graduates who responded to the most recent national survey of graduate destinations were in work or further study within six months (DLHE, 2017).
Our graduates have gone on to work in:
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences has an excellent reputation and many links to professional bodies. This network is very useful to students when looking for employment.
The University also has a friendly Careers and Employability Service which can give you advice on how to:
Our Sports Therapy graduates are qualified to start work as professionally accredited sports therapists with an excellent range of skills. To help you to appeal to employers across a range of careers, you also develop transferable skills in:
You can also enhance your degree studies by signing up for one of our Kent Extra activities, such as learning a language or volunteering.
This programme is currently accredited by the British Association of Sports Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT). Graduates can apply for accreditation and full membership of BASRaT, the UK regulator for sport rehabilitation graduates.
This course page is for the 2020/21 academic year. Please visit the current online prospectus for a list of undergraduate courses we offer.
Enquire online for full-time study
Enquire online for part-time study
T: +44 (0)1227 768896
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
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