Blending science and practice, our course offers inspiring placements with therapy clinics and sports teams so that you gain practical experience as an injury, rehabilitation and fitness specialist.
As demand for skilled sports therapists continues to grow, this new degree will help you develop high-level professional knowledge and skills so that you can go into practice after graduation.
Complete over 200 hours of clinical placements to gain hands-on experience of the profession and apply theory to practice
Build a thorough understanding of the rehabilitation process, including manual therapy techniques, exercise therapy and sports massage
Undertake fieldtrips to sporting events
Make the most of our specialise facilities in our sports centre
Be inspired by our enthusiastic and expert staff who boast a wealth of professional experience working with elite athletes
This is a dynamic course which will set you apart as an industry-ready sports therapist and rehabilitator.
Sport and Exercise Science - your questions answered
In the below video, Head of Discipline for Sport and Exercise Science, Andy Hooton, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Sport and Exercise Science at the University of Derby.
This accredited degree will equip you with the professional, academic and scientific skills to become a research-savvy, industry-ready sports therapist and rehabilitator - all set to go straight into practice after graduation.
As a sports therapist, you will take the lead in directing patients back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports-specific fitness. You’ll use sport and exercise principles to help boost performance, devise injury prevention and rehabilitation programmes, and provide assessments and treatments in recreational, training and competitive settings.
Offering a blend of science and practice, this course prepares you for the challenges of the role. You’ll gain a detailed understanding of the human body in terms of anatomy and movement. You’ll also cover all aspects of the rehabilitation process, including manual therapy techniques, exercise therapy, and sports massage.
Expert teaching
Our teaching team has vast professional experience in sports therapy and rehabilitation. Staff have forged extensive links with sports clubs and provide expert consultancy to elite track and field athletes, golfers and professional footballers.
These strong professional networks will open doors for you, with guest lectures, demonstrations and employer-led projects adding an extra dimension to your studies.
Real world learning in action
Work placements are a key feature of this course. You’ll gain hands-on experience with private therapy clinics and University sports teams to improve your employability. By working with clients under expert supervision, you’ll be ready to practice effectively once you graduate. As well as gaining hands-on experience in our Sports Therapy Clinic, you can participate in our 'Telehealth' services which provide support to staff and students who require injury advice and management guidance digitally through Microsoft Teams.
Fieldtrips will also broaden your outlook. There are opportunities to visit sporting events such as 10 kilometre runs, half marathons and golf tournaments to see the work of the sports therapist at first hand.
Your learning will be varied and inspirational, with real case studies, laboratory work and problem-solving exercises. You’ll also evaluate the latest research so that you can use it to underpin your practice as a therapist.
Professional Accreditation
Our degree has been designed in partnership with The Society of Sports Therapists to ensure you graduate with a nationally recognised qualification and a professional standing within the world of sports therapy. The Society is the lead organisation for sports therapists in the UK and approves degrees which set high professional standards.
On this course, you will have the opportunity to become a member of the society and upon graduation, you will be eligible to apply for full membership as a graduate sports therapist. Many jobs within the sports therapy and rehabilitation arena require applicants to be registered with the Society of Sport Therapists, so this will help you to stand out to employers.
Our Sport Therapy and Rehabilitation students supported competitors at Britain's Strongest Man event as part of their work placement.
Outstanding facilities
Our £10.8m Sports Centre includes sport therapy clinical teaching rooms, a main hall, fitness gym with strength and conditioning area, studios, squash and badminton courts, an internal climbing wall, sprint track, changing rooms, treatment rooms and a café. It complements our existing facilities such as floodlit all-weather pitches and tennis courts.
Sports Scholarships
The University of Derby is a sporting hub for talented athletes and coaches. We have a track record of improving the performance of our University sports clubs and we have created an infrastructure to provide support for talented athletes. We offer a Sports Scholarship programme that aims to help talented student-athletes realise their sporting potential while supporting them through their academic studies. We offer scholarships of up to £6,000 and provide tailored athlete-support packages delivered by an experienced multi-disciplinary Performance Sport team. Two of the Universities most recent successful sports scholars are Charlie Tanfield (World Champion and Commonwealth Cycling gold medallist) and Jack Burnell (European Open Water silver medallist 2016 and Olympian 2016).
Join Team Derby
If you enjoy a challenge and would like to make the most of your own sporting passion and prowess, you could become involved with Team Derby which is the focal point for the University’s sporting community. It encompasses all aspects of sport, including courses, numerous sports clubs, the Athletics Union and sport development activities. You can also take part in the national BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) competitions.
Our Performance Suite allows Sport and Exercise Science students to learn about performance analysis, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, and injury prevention. As well as elite athletes outside of the University, you'll also be working with our Team Derby athletes to help them improve their performance and successfully compete. Take a look at the Performance Suite and Vicon cameras in action:
When Mark Faghy first arrived in Derby as a teenage undergraduate, he stated proudly that his goal was to become manager of the England football team. Now he is a respected research academic leading an international collaboration in the fight against Covid. And his students are helping.
Work placement confirms Olivia's passion for the future
Work placements during your degree can help show you a path to your future. Olivia Brown’s work placement confirmed that a future in sport therapy is where her passion lies.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Undergraduate Open Days
The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.
You’ll learn through a combination of clinics, lectures, practical sessions, seminars, laboratories, workshops, tutorials, and guided self-study. During your study, you will complete a number of work placements in our real world learning labs and, using the knowledge, skills, and understanding you acquire, you’ll learn to evaluate research and use it to develop your clinical decision making skills and inform your practice as a therapist.
Assessment
The course assesses the professional, academic, and scientific skills considered key to becoming a research savvy, industry-ready sports therapist and rehabilitator. Assessments will include oral presentations, structured clinical examinations, written projects, problem solving exercises, laboratory reports, professional development work, exercise prescription tasks, essays, practical viva voce, and case studies.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.
Requirement
What we're looking for
UCAS points
120-128
A Level
ABB-BBB (At least a grade C (or equivalent) from a Science subject, including Biology or Physical Education)
T Level
Merit - Distinction in Science
BTEC
DDM
GCSE
GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HE
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
2024 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.
Requirement
What we're looking for
UCAS points
120-128
A Level
ABB-BBB (At least a grade C (or equivalent) from a Science subject, including Biology or Physical Education)
T Level
Merit in Science
BTEC
DDM
GCSE
GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HE
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 21, Merit: 24, Pass: 0. Must include passes in compulsory Level 3 subjects
English language requirements
IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
After graduation, you’ll be equipped for a rewarding and challenging role in sports therapy and rehabilitation. Because our course is aligned to the professional guidelines set out by The Society of Sports Therapists, you’ll be fully prepared to operate as an injury and exercise-based rehabilitation and fitness specialist. You’ll also be capable of working in multi/inter-disciplinary healthcare teams.
If you want to take your knowledge of sport to the next level, this degree also acts as a gateway to postgraduate education, with opportunities for you to progress to masters level courses such as our innovative MSc Clinical Exercise Science and MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Science - which has a psychology pathway.
Through our Professional Development Package, you'll gain valuable transferable skills, including:
Written and verbal communication
Research and analytical
Personal motivation, organisation and self-reflection
Numeracy
IT literacy
Critical awareness
Careers and Employment Service
To boost your employment skills, you can access the University's Careers and Employment Service. The team can connect you with employers to help find opportunities for work placements, part-time jobs, and volunteering. Our careers consultants are also on hand to guide you through the career options for your degree, CV writing, or starting your own business - and we commit to helping you for three years after you graduate to find a job.
Contact us
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
To welcome you to our team, you’ll receive a University of Derby, Sport and Exercise Science t-shirt
Annual membership of the Society of Sport Therapists for the duration of your studies
A hydrotherapy and cryotherapy trip
Pitchside First Aid Qualification (we will contribute to or pay the full cost of additional qualifications which are arranged by us. For other additional qualifications you’re interested in, we may contribute to or fund these but this is at the Sport department’s discretion)
If a DBS check is needed for the purposes of a module or programme related work placement, this is included in your fee if done via the University
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
If not already owned, appropriate clothing for practical sessions such as tracksuit bottoms and trainers - approximate cost is £50-£100
Two bound copies of Independent Study (dissertation) - approximate cost is £12
Travel to placements - cost varies depending on your placement venue of choice
Optional costs not included in your fees
You may wish to purchase optional textbooks or e-books to support your studies - costs for these are dependent on your choice
To support your studies, you may want to invest in additional qualifications such as a Sports Massage Qualification, Kinesiotaping or Safeguarding - costs will vary depending on your choice
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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