BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy

Why Sport and Exercise Therapy at ARU?

• Study on a leading Sports Science course - ranked second in the UK and 17th in the World (Shanghai Rankings 2023) and ranked fourth in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2021-2023).
• Learn from highly skilled lecturers with hands-on practice experience working as sport therapists.
• Develop essential hands-on skills and experience in our specialist public-facing Sport and Exercise Therapy Clinic.
• Engage in ‘Live Briefs’, designed, developed, and run in cooperation with local industry employers, giving you exposure to ‘real life’ problem-solving within your course.
• Learn with experts - 100% of our Sport Science research is recognised as internationally significant in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
• Study on an industry approved course – accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists, the leading professional body for sports therapists in the UK.

All sportspeople need support, and that’s where sport therapists come in.

Accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists, our course covers injury identification and management, the principles of rehabilitation techniques and exercise science, so you’ll graduate ready to work as a professional sports therapist.

We're proud to be ranked fourth in the country for sports science courses in the Guardian League Table 2023.

Join us, and train to work safely and ethically as a sport and exercise therapist in our specialist clinic space and sports science labs, accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). You’ll be learning a range of skills including; providing pitch-side first-aid, dealing with spinal injuries, delivering sport massage, diagnosing and rehabilitating injuries, planning and delivering strength and conditioning training, and more. Find out more about our approved and accredited courses.

You'll also gain an understanding of the range of populations you may be working with (e.g. young, older, minority groups etc). You'll additionally develop an in-depth understanding of exercise physiology, giving you an additional skill set to take forward into your career. No two days are ever the same.

You'll graduate as a healthcare professional from a course accredited by The Society of Sport Therapists.

Sports therapy professionals are increasingly in demand. They can work for sports teams or organisations or be self-employed, with an increasing number of graduates taking positions within the NHS supporting physiotherapists.

You could pursue a career in a sports medicine team, supporting professional players back from injury. Or you might choose to work with the increasing number of 'weekend warriors' and recreational athletes, who also need support to recover from injury. Alternatively, you could focus on working with the wider community – perhaps those who are inactive or older and need assistance to get back to functional fitness.

While you're studying at ARU, we'll encourage you to make connections with industry. We have links with a range of sporting organisations, such as:

• Living Sport (Cambridge and Peterborough Sports Development)
• Addenbrooke's Hospital
• British Paralympic Association
• Local sports clubs
• British Cycling
• England & Wales Cricket Board

When you first register as a student, you'll become a student member of The Society of Sports Therapists, which provides guidance and advice for the profession. Our course will also signpost opportunities to gain wider qualifications, such as CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activit) courses, to strengthen your CV.

Graduation doesn’t need to be the end of your time with us, of course. You might decide to stay at ARU and study a postgraduate degree such as our MSc Sport and Exercise Science. Take advantage of our Alumni Scholarship and get 20% off your fees.

Employability and personal career development

Informed by the Society of Sports Therapists, our course supports an integrated approach to employability. You’ll have opportunities to develop the skills and abilities employers are looking for and gain a deeper understanding of how your academic learning relates to the world of work through Live Briefs and Ruskin Modules.

To amplify your career ambition, you will need to actively dedicate time outside of your studies, whether you choose to explore placements, internships or volunteering. Or you could make a social impact by collaborating with our partner organisations through our volunteer scheme Students at the Heart of Knowledge Exchange (SHoKE). These all give you an edge, providing you with experience that you will be able to evidence on your CV and talk about in interviews.

Our Employability and Careers Service offers a range of expert advice and support to build your unique professional profile, including tailored career appointments, advice on writing your CV, and help to complete job applications. You’ll have 24/7 access to the Careers Centre, our comprehensive online digital resource, which empowers you to start building a Personal Career Development Plan from the very start. Design your future at ARU.