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Sports Physiotherapy MSc

3 to 5 years part-time distance learning, starting in September 2025

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Enhance your sports physiotherapy knowledge, skills and experience. This is a specially designed master's course for fully qualified physiotherapists.

This highly flexible academic and clinical master's degree develops your physiotherapy skills in the specialist setting of sport.

By working with Bath’s team of sports practitioners, you’ll deepen your knowledge of advanced sports physiotherapy techniques, athlete management and performance enhancement.

You’ll also develop your:

  • knowledge of sports physiotherapy practice and ethical considerations at local, national and international levels
  • ability to work in multidisciplinary teams within sports environments
  • capability to provide safe and effective pitch-side emergency care
  • awareness of anti-doping legislation and procedures within sports physiotherapy

Watch our webinar about this course

A mix of self-led and face-to-face learning

Bath is one of the few universities that offers this type of academically recognised course through part-time distance learning. This means you can complete your master's degree alongside your clinical practice.

You’ll also experience face-to-face teaching during our Residential Weeks, which will take place in Bath.

Find out more about distance learning with us

Bath’s sports medicine expertise

You’ll learn from experts in sports physiotherapy, as well as staff in our wider Department for Health community.

Their passion, knowledge and industry expertise shape their teaching to enhance your learning experience. They have vast levels of industry experience and have worked with a range of professional athletes across different sports.

Some have worked at high-profile sporting events, including the:

  • Commonwealth Games
  • FIFA World Cupin
  • Olympic Games
  • Paralympic World Cup
  • Six Nations Championship
  • Tour de France

Use specialist facilities

During the Residential Weeks, you will use the physiology and biomechanics suites on our Bath campus. These contain up-to-date performance testing and analysis equipment.

Gain important career skills

During this course, you will benefit from:

  • highly interactive, flexible distance learning and clinical teaching
  • residential teaching weeks to support your practical and clinical examination training
  • being part of an online network of sport and exercise medicine and sports physiotherapy clinicians
  • access to experienced clinical specialists in the field to provide professional development support
  • a problem-solving and reflective approach to sports physiotherapy

Within the majority of your units, you'll be able to tailor the assignments around your own sports physiotherapy practice. This will help to develop your learning in a way that is relevant to your own career path and aspirations.

You will be assigned an experienced sports physiotherapist as your Professional Development Advisor during this course. They will provide mentorship and help you establish industry links.

In Year 1 and Year 2 there are opportunities to learn from guest speakers and build connections with other clinicians at our Residential Weeks in Bath.

Graduate prospects

By the end of the course, you will be qualified to work with athletes and sports teams at the highest level. You will be able to apply evidence-based practice principles to deliver innovation in sports physiotherapy.

Some of our recent graduates have taken roles with:

  • The Olympic and Paralympic Games
  • Professional clubs and teams
  • UK Sports Institute
  • Birmingham Royal Ballet

If you want to continue your research alongside professional practice, we also provide an established Professional Doctorate, offering a route for MSc students interested in continuing their research to doctoral level while working part-time.

2025/26 Academic Year

Before you apply for a course, please check the website for the most recently published course detail. If you apply to the University of Bath, you will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

We understand that you will want to know more about the shape of the academic year. We work hard and plan for different scenarios, to be able to welcome you to the University of Bath at the start of each semester.

Course structure

This course lasts 3 to 5 years. It starts in September 2025 and ends in 2028. Your course end date may vary depending on how many units you complete in each year.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

The course combines residential events with in-depth and structured online learning facilitated by academic staff who are experts in their subject areas.

Residential events

As part of this course, there are some optional and compulsory residential events. View budgeting information for residential events.

Induction

Attendance at our in-person induction in September 2025 is optional. The induction will be 2/3 days in length and take place on our Bath campus (exact dates to be confirmed).

Year 1 Sports Science Residential Week

Attendance at the January 2026 (exact dates to be confirmed) Residential Week is optional. This will take place on our Bath campus.

Year 2 Clinical Residential Week

Attendance at the June 2027 (exact dates to be confirmed) Residential Week is compulsory. This will take place on our Bath campus.

Year 1

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Sports environment

    5 credits

  • Sports physiotherapy in practice I

    10 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Foundations of biomechanics and physiology for clinicians

    15 credits

  • Sports physiotherapy in practice I

    Continued

Year 2

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Athlete management

    10 credits

  • Sports physiotherapy in practice II

    10 credits

Semester 2

You'll choose one optional unit.

Compulsory units

  • Applied athlete management

    5 credits

  • Sports physiotherapy in practice II

    Continued

Optional units

  • Applied football medicine

    5 credits

  • Contemporary issues in sport and exercise

    5 credits

  • Dance and the artistic athlete

    5 credits

  • The travelling athlete

    5 credits

Year 3

Semester 1

Compulsory units

  • Research project

    30 credits

Semester 2

Compulsory units

  • Research project

    Continued

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

  • Research project
  • Clinical experience
  • Online resources
  • Practical sessions
  • Seminars
  • Tutorials
  • Workshops
  • Real-life case studies

Assessment

  • Coursework
  • Dissertation
  • Essay
  • Oral presentation
  • Portfolio
  • Practical work
  • Reflective assessment
  • Report

These lists are to give you an idea of some, but not all, of the learning and assessment methods used on this course. They are not exhaustive lists and methods are subject to change.

Learning and teaching

You are expected to spend, on average, around 10 hours per week studying. This will be made up of structured and interactive online content, with a self-directed focus. You will have access to support from Bath academics throughout your studies.

During Residential Weeks, you will experience face-to-face teaching to complement your distance learning study.

Assessment breakdown

You will experience a balance of different forms of assessment designed to support your professional development. This will include coursework, essays, reports, presentations, oral presentations, reflective portfolios, and a final project/dissertation.

Your clinical skills will be assessed through Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCEs) at the end of Year 2.

Throughout the course, you’ll receive formative (unassessed) feedback on your progress in preparation for your graded assessments.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities. Read our Disability Service’s pages for information.

Recognition of professional qualifications

As well as being recognised as a higher academic qualification, a number of our degrees are also accredited by professional bodies in the United Kingdom. An accredited degree may entitle you to work in a specific profession within the UK, and abroad (where there are reciprocating arrangements with professional bodies in other countries).

The requirements to practise a profession vary from country to country. If you wish to practise your profession outside the United Kingdom, you are advised to confirm that the UK professional qualification you seek is valid in the country in which you are intending to work.

‘The course allows flexibility in time and location. It's compatible with my work as a therapist in a practice and on the road with a sports team.’
— Lisa Beck MSc Sports Physiotherapy (Graduating year, 2022)

Entry requirements

Origin of qualifications

British qualifications

You should have a bachelor’s honours degree or international equivalent, typically a 2:1 or above.

To apply for this course, you should have an undergraduate degree in physiotherapy and have a minimum of two year’s post-licensure work experience in a physiotherapy role.

UK based applicants should be registered or hold a licence to practice as a physiotherapist with the Health and Care Professions Council and should hold Chartered Physiotherapist status. Non UK based applicants should provide details of their local professional physiotherapy registration, and details of how to check this online (if applicable).

Please ensure that you submit a personal statement of 250-500 words that outlines your qualifications and experience, includes details of your access to patients with sporting injuries, your interest in the programme, and how you wish to use the degree after completion.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
  • The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
  • TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

You will need to get your English language qualification within 24 months prior to starting your course.

If you need to improve your English language skills before starting your studies, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course to reach the required level.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Sports Physiotherapy MSc part-time distance learning

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

See the most recent fees for postgraduate courses.

Extra costs

Residential events

Residential Week tuition is included in your course fees. However, accommodation, food and travel costs are not included. Accommodation is not available on the University campus, so we recommend you book accommodation in Bath city centre. You may also need to budget for accommodation whilst taking your clinical exams which are held on the University of Bath campus.

Certificates and qualifications

You need to source and pay for appropriate pitch-side medical training before progressing onto the research phase of the course in Year 3. Bath staff can advise on suitable pitch-side training opportunities.

IT access and equipment

You’ll need to have access to IT equipment and a stable internet connection to enable your participation on the course through distance learning.

How to pay

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. You do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card or bank transfer. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Read more about your payment options

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of text books.

Application information

  • Course title
    Sports Physiotherapy
  • Final award
    MSc
  • Mode of study
    Distance learning, part-time
  • Course code
    TDUHL-SP03
  • Department
    Department for Health
  • Location
    University of Bath
    Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
  • Home application deadline
    31 July 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full.

  • Overseas application deadline
    30 June 2025

    We recommend you apply early as we may close applications before the deadline if a course is full. We may consider late applications but if you need a Student Visa to study in the UK, you will need time to apply for and receive your visa to be in the UK by the start of the course.

  • Application eligibility
    Home and Overseas students are eligible to apply
  • Regulator
    The Office for Students (OfS)

Course enquiries