Sport therapists working with patients
BSc (Hons) Placement year available

Sport and Exercise Therapy

Train to become a sports therapist, using evidence-based practice to bring people back to optimal levels of fitness and performance.

Someone lying on a therapy table with their raised leg being manipulated by a teacher, demonstrating to surrounding students Hear from our staff and students

Studying Sport and Exercise Therapy at ARU

Immerse yourself in the world of sport, exercise and injury rehabilitation. Get applied hands-on practice as a sport therapist in our Cambridge clinic and set yourself up for an exciting career using our extensive network in the sports and health community.

Logo: THE Awards 2023
 

Study at an award-winning university

We were named Times Higher Education University of the Year 2023. We've also been awarded a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework – a reflection of the outstanding education we offer our students.

  • Study on a leading Sports Science course - ranked 17th in the World (Shanghai Rankings 2023) and fourth in the UK (Guardian University Guide 2022-24).
  • Learn from highly skilled lecturers with hands-on experience working as sport therapists.
  • Develop essential skills and experience in our public-facing Sport and Exercise Therapy Clinic.
  • Bring the world of work to life through Live Briefs; designed and developed with regional employers to give you exposure to ‘real world’ problem-solving.
  • Learn with experts - 100% of our Sport Science research is recognised as internationally significant (REF 2021).
  • We’re delighted to be Cambridge United Football Club’s Official Education Partner which supports opportunities such as work experience at the club or volunteering with the Cambridge United Foundation.

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.

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.

Course options

Course options

Key facts

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Entry requirements

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Fees and paying for university

Facilities

At ARU you’ll be based in our Cambridge Centre for Sports and Exercise Sciences, which houses specialist exercise testing and human movement labs.

The labs feature:

  • a dedicated sports therapy teaching and clinical suite
  • 3D motion capture suite
  • notational analysis software
  • heart-rate monitors
  • GPS monitoring equipment
  • breath-by-breath oxygen-analysis systems
  • haematology suites
  • accelerometers
  • a strength and conditioning suite.

Take a guided tour and meet our students.

Accreditation

The Society of Sports Therapists

Our degree course is accredited by The Society of Sports Therapists, the leading professional body in the UK.

Society of Sports Therapists logo

Lecturers

At ARU, you’ll learn from expert staff including practising sport therapists, coaches, psychologists, nutritionists and conditioning specialists. There’s the chance to hear from world-leading guest speakers too, through our Excellence in Sports seminars.

Careers

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.

Students celebrating a victory on the volleyball court

As a university, sport is in our DNA. There’s a packed programme of activities including health and fitness classes and fun, social sport. Cambridge boasts a well-equipped campus gym and an array of sports clubs and societies. And, if you’re a keen athlete, you could even represent ARU in national competitions.

Be a part of Team ARU

Apply for Sport and Exercise Therapy

UK students

Visit UCAS to apply

International students

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Placement year available

You have the option to take a placement year as part of this course. It’s a great chance to get hands-on experience in the industry you want to work in.

Your guide to placements