Sports therapy is a specialist healthcare discipline that concerns itself with the prevention and treatment of injuries or conditions related to sporting activity. It brings together sports and exercise science with medical fields such as physiology to treat professional and amateur athletes, as well as those with chronic musculoskeletal conditions.
Graduates of this field could expect to go on to work in areas such as hospital rehabilitation, professional sporting medical teams and physicians, or as private sports therapists for individual clients.
Postgraduate students of sports therapy can explore more than 10 postgraduate programmes at over eight universities including taught MSc degree or research qualifications, such as a PhD.
What to expect
A bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as sports science, physiotherapy, or a related discipline is often required to apply for a postgraduate sports therapy course. Some universities may accept applicants with degrees in other subjects if they can demonstrate relevant experience or additional qualifications.
Postgraduate courses in sports therapy are designed to provide advanced knowledge and skills in the assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation of sports-related injuries. The specific topics covered will vary but common themes include advanced anatomy and physiology, biomechanics, injury assessment and diagnosis, rehabilitation strategies, manual therapy techniques and sports medicine among others.
Graduates could use their postgraduate qualification to launch or develop their career. Common roles in this area include a sports therapist, a sports rehabilitation specialist, a sports massage therapist, a strength and conditioning coach or a sports performance analyst for example.