Sports Therapy [with Foundation Year]

Train to become a sports therapist, using evidence-based practice to bring people back to optimal levels of fitness and performance.

Our highly practical, Society of Sports Therapists accredited course covers injury identification, rehabilitation techniques and exercise science. It will give you the skills to work with a range of individuals, from professional athletes to the general public, and graduate ready to work as a professional sports therapist.

Based in our specialist clinic and CASES accredited labs, you’ll learn about pitch-side first-aid, sport massage, injury rehabilitation, exercise physiology, strength and conditioning training, and more.

We welcome talented athletes and offer financial support through our Sport Scholarship.

Why ARU?

• Study on a leading Sports Science course – ranked 17th in the World (Shanghai Rankings 2023) and fourth in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2022-24).

• Learn from highly skilled lecturers with hands-on experience working as sport therapists.

• Develop essential skills and experience in our public-facing Sport Therapy Clinic.

• Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs, developed with employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.

• Learn with experts – 100% of our Sport Science research is recognised as internationally significant in the Research Excellence Framework 2021.

• We’re Cambridge United Football Club’s Official Education Partner, which supports opportunities such as work experience at the club or volunteering with the Cambridge United Foundation.

Year 1:
Foundation in Sports Science

Year 2:
Multidisciplinary Sport and Exercise Science 1 (30 credits)
Foundation Skills in Sport and Exercise Therapy (30 credits)
Anatomy and Joint Assessment for Sports Therapists (30 credits)
Multidisciplinary Sport and Exercise Science 2 (30 credits)
Professional Development - Level 4
Into ARU
CIMSPA Level 2 Gym Instructor (0 credits)

Year 3:
Physiological Profiling for Strength and Power (15 credits)
Functional Rehabilitation - SST (15 credits)
Applied Sports Therapy (30 credits)
Applied Research Skills (15 credits)
Physiological Profiling for Endurance (15 credits)
Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)
Professional Development - Level 5
Ruskin Module (15 credits)
CIMSPA Level 3 Personal Trainer (0 credits)

Year 4:
Rehabilitation for Performance - SST (15 credits)
Contemporary Issues for Sport and Exercise Therapy Practice (30 credits)
Professional Practice in Sport Therapy (30 credits)
Undergraduate Research Project (30 credits)
Advanced Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)

Through lectures and practical sessions, you’ll gain skills in assessment, recognition, diagnosis, treatment, management and rehabilitation; and learn to create sport-specific exercise programmes.

You’ll also look at data collection and interpretation; sports coaching; strength and conditioning; and the considerations involved when working with different populations – whether that’s professional athletes, or other groups such as older or younger people.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• The Society of Sports Therapists