COURSE CURRICULUM

This two-year master's programme in sports physiotherapy provides advanced education and practical experience in sports injury prevention, rehabilitation, exercise science, and research methods, preparing students for professional practice within sporting and healthcare environments. During the first year, students develop essential research skills by learning how to design, manage, and evaluate research, audit, and service improvement projects relevant to sports physiotherapy practice. Training in research governance and ethics prepares students to obtain ethical approval and conduct research responsibly. The programme places a strong emphasis on evidence-based practice, encouraging students to critically evaluate scientific literature and apply research findings to clinical decision-making rather than relying solely on personal experience or athlete preferences. Students also gain a detailed understanding of exercise physiology and sports clinical biomechanics, exploring the relationships between neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems and their role in athletic performance and injury prevention. The course develops expertise in exercise prescription and health promotion, enabling students to design effective exercise programmes, encourage positive health behaviours, and support individuals with both performance and long-term health goals. Industry expectations regarding strength and conditioning are also explored. Injury prevention and management form a major component of the programme, with students examining risk factors associated with sporting injuries and learning practical approaches to acute injury care and prevention strategies. Rehabilitation of injured athletes is studied through practical learning experiences that integrate exercise therapy and rehabilitation programme design for a wide range of sports-related injuries. In the second year, students undertake a substantial dissertation project involving independent research, data collection, analysis, and report writing under academic supervision. The programme also includes an internship of up to twelve weeks, providing valuable workplace experience and opportunities to apply sports physiotherapy knowledge in professional settings. Graduates leave with advanced clinical, research, and employability skills suitable for careers in elite sport, rehabilitation, healthcare, and performance environments.