Sports Therapy HND Year 1 and 2

Course overview

Year one of the HND Sports Therapy is a practical course with a strong theoretical component. Providing you with an industry-recognised qualification, this year of the course develops the knowledge and skills required to work as a Soft Tissue Therapist. 

This course is ideal if you want to work with sportspeople with soft-tissue concerns.

Year 2 will improve the skills, competencies and techniques you learned in your first year (HNC Soft Tissue Therapy), and build on the practical opportunities previously gained to enhance your industry experience. This will include running Edinburgh College-based sports clinics and having more responsibility at previously attended events.

What you will learn

In year one:

The course offers the opportunity to become competent in a variety of relevant techniques and to develop the understanding needed for safe practice.

You will learn how to treat clients' soft tissues, from a wide range of ages and abilities, who might participate in recreational levels of activity through to elite-level performance.

The topics covered include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Clinical Sports Massage
• Prevention and Management of Sports Injuries
• Professional Standards

In year two:

• You will analyse, plan and evaluate appropriate sports therapy treatments.
• You will advance your knowledge and understanding of the Anatomy and Physiology of the Human Body, as well as Biomechanics and movement patterns.
• You will learn about taping techniques, the use of electrotherapy as a treatment, how to plan and deliver sports-based rehabilitation programmes, the psychology of sports injuries, health promotion and the clinical assessment of sports injuries.

Placement information

In years one and two:

• You will be expected to undertake work placement activities with help and guidance from your lecturers
• You will work with local sports clubs, businesses and the wider college community through our clinics and health and wellbeing initiatives, as well as supporting national and international sporting events. This will help you gain the required practice hours to demonstrate your competence across a variety of relevant techniques. 

How the course is assessed

You will be assessed on an ongoing basis in both practical and theoretical settings, including the following assessment methods:

• Class-based assessment
• Practical observations
• Report writing
• Presentations
• Logbooks
• Portfolio work

Number of days per week

• 3 days per week

Entry requirements

Year 1

• 2 Higher passes at grade C or above (preferably English and one science) and a core skills profile at SCQF level 5 with communication or equivalent at SCQF level 6; or 2 A levels at grade D and relevant GSCE equivalent core skills; A National Qualification at SCQF level 6, S/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in an appropriate subject area such as sports massage, exercise and fitness or sports development may be considered along with the appropriate core skills profile previously stated.
• You may be a candidate who comes from a non-traditional route, such as a mature returnee, someone who wishes to change careers, or someone who retrained following a career break to raise a family. In these or other cases, we would consider work experience, life skills and potential ability. You may be expected to submit a brief written assignment or essay before the interview to provide some indication of academic standing and communication skills.
• You should have an interest or involvement in the sport, fitness or physical activity sector  
• You must be able to achieve a suitable level of clearance through the PVG scheme.

Year 2

• You will have passed year one, gaining all 15 credits.
• You should currently be participating regularly in exercise and fitness activities. 
• You must be able to achieve a suitable level of clearance through the PVG scheme.

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• You must attend an information session; dates will be sent to you with your conditional offer. The session will include information on the course and a discussion on your suitability. Please prepare to discuss your career aspirations and fitness experience.  

   

English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

• On completion of Year 1 with 15 credits, you may level out with an HNC in Soft Tissue Therapy and use this qualification to work as a soft tissue therapist or apply to several universities for direct entry into year 2 of relevant programmes. Please note that some universities may accept the HNC qualification but only offer year 1 entry for their programmes.
• Alternatively, you may continue onto year 2 of the HND Sports Therapy. This year focuses on the assessment and treatment of musculoskeletal conditions arising from sporting activity.
• You'll also have the opportunity to work in our sports injury clinic, developing skills in clinical assessment, devising treatment plans, and providing physical therapies to clients.
• Year 2 of the course prepares you for a career as a sports therapist, to be able to work freelance, in sports clubs, or as part of a community-funded health project.
• Following successful completion of Year 1 and Year 2 (with an A pass in Graded Units 1 and 2), you may be able to progress on to the BSc Sports Rehabilitation course, which is delivered in partnership with Queen Margaret University. This two-year course provides the training necessary to pursue a career as a Graduate Sports Rehabilitator and is the only accredited Sports Rehabilitation degree in Scotland.

Career options

Year 1, you may gain direct entry to employment as a Soft Tissue Therapist by setting up your business practice or in a range of health, fitness or sports-based establishments such as:

• Private health and fitness clubs and clinics. 
• Local authority sports centres and health and fitness clubs.
• Hotels and conference centres with health and fitness facilities. 
• Sports clubs that require massage therapy to support player/athlete training and recovery. 
• Single and multi-disciplinary clinics providing sports massage treatments

Year 2 - You may gain direct entry to employment as a Sports Therapist by setting up your own business practice or in a range of health fitness or sports-based establishments, such as:

• Private health and fitness clubs and clinics. 
• Local authority sports centres and health and fitness clubs.
• Hotels and conference centres with health and fitness facilities. 
• Sports clubs that require massage therapy to support player/athlete training and recovery. 
• Single- and multidisciplinary clinics offering sports massage treatments.
• NHS physiotherapy assistant