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Why choose the School of Sport Science and Physical Activity
The University of Bedfordshire ranks 3rd in the UK for overall taught-postgraduate student satisfaction; 1st for student engagement and learning community (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, 2024).
Work with professional athletes, members of the public, University staff and fellow students at our sports rehabilitation centre, improving quality of life and return to normal physical function.
Complete 400 hours of practice placement, provided by the University, in a range of settings from elite sports teams and private clinics to our own sports rehabilitation centre and community exercise clinic.
About the course
This industry-accredited course is designed to give you the high-quality, profession-specific training needed to prevent, assess, diagnose and treat sport and physical activity-related injuries. The qualification focuses on developing practical skills while teaching how to use theory to underpin clinical reasoning. Putting theory into practice is a key focus so you develop your skills via case scenarios; at our on-site Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic and Community Exercise Clinics. You will also undertake work-based placement with industry experts working with professional athletes, members of the public and clinical populations.
Course accreditation / industry endorsement
The course is accredited by the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT), allowing you to apply for graduate membership and use the professional title of Graduate Sport Rehabilitator (GSR).
The course is endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), allowing you to gain additional qualifications as a Strength & Conditioning trainer.
You also have the option to take a further subsidised Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 2 qualification.
Facilities and specialist equipment
- Gain experience through our fully supervised, on-site sports therapy and rehabilitation centre with a sports injury clinic, open to staff, students and external athletes/clients
- Sport massage rooms/Clinic therapy rooms
- Six BASES-accredited laboratories including molecular and cellular labs, and biomechanics labs with 3D camera system
- Human Performance Centre
- New strength and conditioning facility
- Put learning into practice via real-life opportunities in our Community Exercise Clinic
Industry links
Benefit from supervised placement opportunities including Luton Town FC, MK Dons FC, Ampthill & District RUFC, Bedford Blues RUFC, Bedfordshire County Cricket, Oaklands College Sports Academies, Samuel Whitbread School and many others.
We are official partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations.
Your student experience
This course is unique in that it’s taught over four semesters, allowing you to study the theory and practical skills required to be a sports rehabilitation specialist, before you apply them through our integrated work placement and dissertation units.
In the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey 2024, our sport sciences and biosciences courses rank 6th in their subject field for sense of community.
While you study, take up the opportunity to undertake an additional qualification: the Pre-Hospital Immediate Care in Sport (PHICIS) Level 2 course.
Gain experience through our fully supervised, on-site Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation Centre, open to staff, students and external athletes/clients.
Benefit from industry links that include schools and colleges; borough councils; Bedfordshire Police; Luton Town FC; MK Dons; Ampthill Rugby Club; Bedford Blues; Northampton Saints; and Bedfordshire County Cricket, Bedfordshire Police, Bedfordshire Fire & Rescue, Bedford Borough Council.
Attend our ISPAR seminar series and gain work-related insights from visiting industry speakers. Past speakers include Jack Wells (PGA); Akash Modhwadia (Strength and conditioning coach at MK Dons); Marsha Brierley (behaviour change practitioner at Buckinghamshire Public Health); Mark Finney (former head of S&C at Northampton Saints); and Phil Pask (former head of physio for England Rugby).
Field trips include St George’s Park, Burton-on-Trent, the home of England Football; King’s College, London; Luton Town FC; and Northampton Saints physio centre, National Rehabilitation Centre, MoD Rehabilitation Centre.
Course Leader - Mick Dwyer
I have been a Lecturer in Sports Therapy within a number of educational settings since 2006, having qualified with a degree in Sports & Exercise Science with History from the University of Liverpool and a BSc in Sports Therapy from the, then named, University of Luton. Since gaining a PGCE, and MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine, I have developed a keen interest in the Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and its beneficial adaptation to athlete recovery through rehabilitation. I became a full-time Lecturer in Sports Therapy at the University of Bedfordshire in 2018. I love teaching, delivering practical manual therapy sessions; and the community morale; which I strive to develop with my students to achieve high levels of engagement across the course. I find a creative and innovative approach to teaching is the most beneficial way of motivating and driving my students to achieve highly in a very competitive industry.
Course Leader - Mick Dwyer
I have been a Lecturer in Sports Therapy within a number of educational settings since 2006, having qualified with a degree in Sports & Exercise Science with History from the University of Liverpool and a BSc in Sports Therapy from the, then named, University of Luton. Since gaining a PGCE, and MSc in Sports and Exercise Medicine, I have developed a keen interest in the Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training and its beneficial adaptation to athlete recovery through rehabilitation. I became a full-time Lecturer in Sports Therapy at the University of Bedfordshire in 2018. I love teaching, delivering practical manual therapy sessions; and the community morale; which I strive to develop with my students to achieve high levels of engagement across the course. I find a creative and innovative approach to teaching is the most beneficial way of motivating and driving my students to achieve highly in a very competitive industry.
What will you study?
In the first semester you will study the founding principles of Sports Rehabilitation with units such as Principles of Exercise & Rehabilitation and Sport Injuries, as well as Research Methods (fundamental to your ability to critically look at injury related research). In semester 2 you will be able to start to apply your knowledge in units such as Injury Treatment Modalities, Manual Therapy and Musculoskeletal Assessment, as well as studying the Principles of Strength and Conditioning (vital for return to play protocols for sports performers). Throughout the course you will have work experience embedded, with you becoming a more independent practitioner in the latter work experience units in the last 2 semesters of the course. Finally you will integrate much of this knowledge in a Dissertation unit studied in the later part of the course.
How will you be assessed?
For MSc Sports Rehabilitation & Therapy students, a diverse range of assessment formats will be utilised throughout the course, including laboratory reports, case studies, portfolios, practical exams, and presentations. The assessments will progress from foundational scientific principles to a more independent, hands-on application of research, directly informing the practical skills necessary for careers in sport rehabilitation. This will be supported by original research and athlete assessments, generating data for analysis in reports and research dissertations. High-level practical competencies, including problem-solving, will be evaluated according to BASRaT & governing body standards, preparing students for BASRaT accreditation and enhance future employment opportunities.
Careers
Upon graduation, you will be prepared to take on a rewarding and challenging role in sports therapy and rehabilitation as an injury and exercise-based rehabilitation and fitness specialist. You will be capable of working in multi-disciplinary healthcare teams in both the public (NHS) and private sectors within the sport, exercise and physical activity industry. You may also look into opportunities within the armed services or work as athletic trainers in the Republic of Ireland, USA and Canada due to BASRaT’s international arrangement with the Athletic Training & Therapy Profession.
Entry Requirements
Entry Requirements
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
Fees for this course
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £10,000 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International 2024/25
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2025/26 is £16,900
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
