MSc Sport Injury Rehabilitation
- Course type
- Postgraduate
- Course qualification
- MSc
Course summary
What is the fee?
For all course options, see fees and funding
Where will I study?
School of Health and Society
How long will I study?
One year, Three year
Overview
This course will further the knowledge, skills, and abilities of sports rehabilitators, sports therapists, physiotherapists, and other allied health professionals currently working in the area of sports injury rehabilitation and prevention.
This was the first exercise rehabilitation master's in Europe to be recognised by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) through their recognition programme. The programme is delivered by some of the world's leading experts. The contact sessions on campus, including keynote sessions followed by practical and seminar sessions, are applicable immediately to professional practice and involve a high practical content.
You will:
- Have the opportunity to take a lead role in sports injury rehabilitation.
- Access theoretical content online so you can study at a time convenient to you.
- Study high practical content, which means you'll develop the skills that will impress employers.
Course recognition
This is for you if...
You want to take a lead role in sports injury rehabilitation.
You are a strong communicator with great interpersonal skills.
You want to help improve the lives of others.
How you'll learn
Future careers
Take a lead role in sports injury rehabilitation with this practice-based course and make a difference to your clients with higher-level skills. You’ll also learn how to conduct research and then apply it to the real world, with numerous students successfully publishing their research in peer-reviewed journals.
The skills developed within the programme are recognised within organisations such as the English Institute of Sport as critical to the development of key competencies to move through their competency-led career structure.
Upon successful completion of the course, it would be possible to progress to a PhD or a PhD via publication. We offer a range of research degrees relevant to your area of practice.
As a University, we are committed to your continuing professional development. We run short courses and study days throughout the year to keep you at the forefront of developments in Sports Injury Rehabilitation.
Career Links
This course has been developed to include the key competencies identified by the International Federation of Sports Physiotherapists in the domains of exercise rehabilitation. It is also recognised as providing key exercise rehabilitation skills by the English Institute of Sport.
Modules
The MSc programme is offered as either a full-time or part-time programme.
The full-time course runs over three academic semesters (October through to September the following year), whilst giving you the chance to exit with the following awards:
- Postgraduate Certificate: completion of one module
- Postgraduate Diploma: completion of two modules
- Masters: completion of two modules plus a dissertation
In order to achieve an award of MSc Sports Injury Rehabilitation, you must successfully complete the modules Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injuries and Injury Prevention and Performance Measurement, along with producing a thesis for the dissertation module.
Modules
Injury Prevention and Performance Management
You will develop the ability to critically evaluate the scientific principles and theories of athletic screening and a clear understanding of the science behind performance measurement and appropriate interpretation of those measurements and learn to apply them in a real world context. You will experience carrying out a systematic and structured group/individual project. This will further develop your critical evaluation and research skills in relation to your own professional practice and includes dissemination of research and good practice.
Rehabilitation of Musculoskeletal Injury
You will develop an understanding of the biology of tissue loading and how this significantly influences exercise rehabilitation. Through a series of keynote lectures and online material, you will gain greater insight into assessment and management of musculoskeletal injuries, specifically aiming to improve management of acute injury, overuse injury and post-operative management of typical musculoskeletal injuries. This course also covers the integration of other non-exercise treatment modalities into the exercise rehabilitation programme for patients. This will include ‘real life’ practical application, in relation to optimising patient management in specific sports.
Dissertation
You will undertake an in-depth, evidence-based exploration of a key area relevant to your own practice. This is a substantial, independent, research project.
We take a flexible approach to our course delivery that promotes diversity and inclusivity and provides a blended learning experience, which will vary to meet specific programme requirements. This learning time includes formal lectures and interactive activities such as seminars, tutorials, practical sessions, laboratory and studio learning. Smaller classes may be used to support collaborative activities such as project and group work and presentations. A range of different assessments and feedback is offered to meet the needs of both our diverse student body and specific subject needs.
Our postgraduate taught courses are normally made up of 30 credit modules which are equal to 300 hours of learning time, or 15 credit modules which are equal to 150 hours of learning time. A Master’s degree typically comprises 180 credits, a PGDip 120 credits, and a PGCert 60 credits.
Please note that exact modules and content offered may vary in order to keep content current and, for courses that offer optional modules, may depend on the number of students selecting particular options. When accepting your offer of a place to study on a programme with optional modules, you should be aware that optional modules may not all run each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you can undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Entry requirements
Applicant profile
This course is aimed at a wide range of sports professionals including physiotherapists, chiropractors, osteopaths, sports therapists, and sports rehabilitators and sport medical physicians.
You will need access to an athlete or group of athletes to use as case studies to apply the theory you have learnt to practice. You will need to be able to effectively evaluate their treatment and training, and implement appropriate interventions as this forms part of the assessments for some modules.
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
Standard entry requirements
Undergraduate degree
BSc (Hons) graduates with an appropriate sports injury-related subject area (Physiotherapy, Sports Rehabilitation, Sports Therapy, Osteopathy, Chiropractic, Sports Medicine Physician). Prospective students will normally be required to have achieved a 2.1 Honours Degree, but consideration will be given to students with a 2.2 Honours Degree with appropriate experience and satisfactory references.
International Students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
See information about English language requirements below.
English language requirements
If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 6.5 with no individual element below 6.0. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications.
If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.
Alternative entry requirements
Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL)
We welcome applications from students who may not have formal/traditional entry criteria but who have relevant experience or the ability to pursue the course successfully.
The Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process could help you to make your work and life experience count. The APL process can be used for entry onto courses or to give you exemptions from parts of your course.
Two forms of APL may be used for entry: the Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or the Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL).
APEL: Sports injury practitioners with lower formal academic qualification will be assessed on suitability to enrol on this programme based on experience and vocational qualifications and via interview.
Fees and funding
Please note, part-time costs will be calculated on a pro rata basis.
2026/27
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £9,360 per year |
2026/27
| Type of study | Fees |
|---|---|
| Full-time | £17,520 per year |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our International Scholarships.
How to apply
Still have some questions? Register for one of our Open Days or contact us: