Are you driven to make a difference in Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation? From diagnosis, treatment and the prevention of injuries, studying Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation at Kent equips you with the extensive knowledge and skills needed to 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 and at Kent we are dedicated to giving you the best start to a career in this exciting field. Upon graduation you will have acquired the practical experience, scientific knowledge and transferable skills to pursue a career in a range of fields including research and development, within a sports club and sports rehabilitation.
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. You also benefit from our expert careers advice to give you the best possible start to your future.
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.
Your first year 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, 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 degrees are not only designed to give the best possible start to your career, but they are also flexible so that you can do the best degree for you. During the course you complete professional placements to put into practice the skills you learnt and make valuable industry contacts.
Our laboratories are based in the Chipperfield Building in the Canterbury campus. They include the latest equipment, such as our:
Our environmental chamber, which can recreate the atmosphere in the Brazilian jungle or at the top of Everest, is based on the Medway campus.
There is a thriving sports scene for students at the Canterbury campus. Team Kent, funded by the Students' Union, run more than 60 different clubs including; athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, football, cheerleading, lacrosse, caving, taekwondo, rowing, hockey, football, rugby, equestrian, korfball, table tennis, judo and volleyball, plus ultimate frisbee.
You will be part of an international scientific community of physics and astronomy, chemistry and forensic science, bioscience and medical and sport science students, as well as being able to join a range of student-led societies and groups.
As well as inspiring you to realise your potential, we are here to support this with excellent in-house student support to assist with pastoral issues and careers experts with specialist knowledge as well as Academic advisors and peer mentors to help with your studies.
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:
You are encouraged to participate in conferences and professional events to build up your knowledge of the science community and enhance your professional development.
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).
Please also see our general entry requirements.
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.
Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 60% overall average including 60% in Fundamentals of Human Biology and 60% in Life Sciences plus 50% in LZ013 Maths and Statistics.
Please contact the School for more information at study-sports@kent.ac.uk.
International students should visit our International Student website for further specific information. International fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot study part-time due to visa restrictions.
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
If you need to improve your English language standard as a condition of your offer, you can attend one of our pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes before starting your degree programme. 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 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 also be required to understand the risk factors associated with sports injuries.
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.
The module aims to provide students with knowledge of the foundations in research methods in sport sciences. Students will explore different data collection methods in sport sciences and how that information is presented and communicated appropriately. Research and academic study skills will be developed throughout the module.
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.
Principles of Rehabilitation will enable you to recognise and describe the different stages and components of rehabilitation. You will learn how to progress athletes from one stage to the next and also recognise when an athlete needs to regress their rehabilitation programme. You will learn 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.
Applied Rehabilitation will enable you to apply the principles of rehabilitation to different tissues and injuries within the body. You will formulate sports specific rehabilitation programmes for their athletes and clients individually and as part of group based rehabilitation. In this module, you will be required to complete hours at a supervised work placement in addition to the lectures and practical seminars.
In this module, you will be required to complete hours at a supervised work placement in addition to the lectures and practical seminars. This module is an introduction to a variety of treatment modalities including manual therapy techniques, electrophysical modalities, bracing and taping techniques and analysis tools that can be used e.g. for gait assessment. Therapeutic modalities for rehabilitators will enable you, to pursue inquiry into interventions in the treatment of common peripheral and vertebral dysfunction and the theory that underlies practice. This module develops your ability to select and use therapeutic modalities that are commonly used in rehabilitation. You will be required to analyse current issues in the use of therapeutic modalities within a rehabilitation environment. You will learn a range of interventions and skills in the treatment of common joint dysfunctions.
What does psychology have to do with sport, exercise, and rehabilitation? In this module, you will learn how these are closely related. You 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.
Thismodule introduces students to the analysis techniques required for theirdissertation module, as well as how to develop a research idea into a formalstudy proposal.
This module covers:
- Exercise prescription for the asymptomatic older adult
- Physical activity & cardiovascular diseases
- Physical activity & metabolic diseases
- Physical activity & neurological impairment
- Physical activity & orthopaedic diseases
- Physical activity & pulmonary diseases
- Exercise in cardiac rehabilitation
- Exercise psychology
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 athletes 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.
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.
A synopsis of topics included in this module are:
- Deep Tissue Massage
- Soft Tissue Release
- Reciprocal Inhibition
- Trigger Points
- Positional Release
- Taping techniques
The 2021/22 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
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.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Search scholarshipsKent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
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.
You graduate with an excellent grounding in rehabilitation knowledge and extensive hands-on experience. In addition, you also develop the key transferable skills sought by employers, such as:
This means that our graduates are well equipped for careers across a range of fields and have gone on to work for companies such as The King’s School, NHS, and for Oxford United Football Club. You can read their stories, and find out about the range of support and extra opportunities available to further your career potential here.
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 2021/22 academic year. Please visit the current online prospectus for a list of undergraduate courses we offer.
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
Discover Uni is designed to support prospective students in deciding whether, where and what to study. The site replaces Unistats from September 2019.
Discover Uni is jointly owned by the Office for Students, the Department for the Economy Northern Ireland, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Scottish Funding Council.
It includes:
Find out more about the Unistats dataset on the Higher Education Statistics Agency website.
