Sports Therapy

Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? In today’s world, work experience is becoming more and more essential to getting a job, so as part of our multi million pound investment into our human performance, exercise and wellbeing centre, we created our very own working sports therapy clinic here at BNU. This facility is open to the public and is staffed by students with the support of lecturers so you can get the experience you need while studying.

Learning will be encouraged through practical sessions, debates, observation, field trips, formal lectures and interactive seminars. At the core of each module in practical delivery is the Human performance and exercise wellbeing centre, the sports therapy teaching room and the Sports & Wellbeing Clinic. At BNU, we have strong links with local sports organisations like the National Sports Centre at Bisham Abbey (home to several governing bodies of sport) and Stoke Mandeville Hospital (the birthplace of the Paralympics). Our placement opportunities are a great way for you to learn and network locally and nationally.

We also have close relationships with Wycombe Wanderers FC, Wycombe Hospital, Norwich City FC, Reading Ladies Football Club, and The FA. You could have the opportunity to attend national events like the London Marathon and provide hands-on care for athletes before and after their competition. BNU offers you the chance to get all the skills, qualifications and experience you need within a 30-minute commute to London, surrounded by a friendly student community.

What facilities can I use As part of your studies, you’ll use the Human Performance, Exercise and Wellbeing Centre, a professional and inspiring facility for our sport courses and contains industry standard equipment. The Sports and Wellbeing Clinic is a real working clinic within the University and puts you directly in your workplace from day one. Members of the public pay for appointments in this student run clinic as well as professional athletes and sports teams, which gives you the opportunity to experience working in a clinic first hand.

Our Human Performance Lab is an additional facility which is designed to test and research the human body. It has been designed to enhance athletes through scientific analysis and develop the most effective strength and conditioning regime for their body types.

What will I study? Our course will take you through the processes of injury prevention, assessment, therapeutic treatment, and exercise rehabilitation in order to return the patient back to work, full muscular functionality and their previous sport or exercise level. We will also explore various sports science disciplines.

You'll be taking part in many practical classes with the emphasis of hands-on skills and experience, and will also be able to put theory into practice by completing placements and gaining experience of various settings. Explore the biomechanics of human movement, physiology and functional anatomy as we teach you our holistic approach to sports therapy which covers the practice from multiple disciplines.

You will also learn about human anatomy, health and exercise physiology, therapeutic interventions and scientific research and how they influence sports therapy, graduating with an understanding of current knowledge but also its limitations. In your final year, you’ll work closely with your personal tutor to deliver your final dissertation project on a subject of your choice.

Career Prospects You’ll be qualified to work as a sports therapist for professional teams, clubs and private clinics. You’ll be able to pursue a career in exercise management and rehabilitation, or as a physiotherapy assistant. We will help you gain the skills and experience to help you get established in a competitive industry and have the confidence that you need to succeed.