Sport and Exercise Therapy

Solent’s Society of Sports Therapists accredited BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy degree develops skilled, autonomous practitioners ready to work with athletes, sports teams, and in broader musculoskeletal care. From day one, you’ll gain hands-on experience in clinical assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, and exercise interventions, building practical expertise in anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, pathology, and sport science.

Taught by academics with vast industry experience in clinical and research settings, the programme blends expert teaching with real-world application. You’ll critically evaluate assessment techniques, design evidence-based treatment plans, and deliver exercise interventions for injury prevention, performance enhancement, and rehabilitation. The course also develops acute care skills for pre-hospital emergency settings mapped to industry specific qualifications.

Placement opportunities are embedded throughout the course in professional sports clubs, elite teams, international competitions, NHS and military settings, and sporting events. The course is CIMSPA endorsed and modules are mapped to industry recognised fitness qualifications. Combined with the FA trauma course we aim to enhance your employability on graduation and help you build a strong, career-ready CV.

Communication, leadership, and reflective practice are central to the programme. You will learn to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams, develop professional autonomy, and apply contemporary research to support safe, evidence-based care. This focus on professional skills ensures you are prepared to meet the high standards of The Society of Sports Therapists.

If you’re looking to study our sport and exercise therapy degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the sport foundation year will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the sport foundation year.

This course also offers the option of a placement year. A placement year allows you to put what you've learned in your first and second years into practice in the workplace, gaining valuable real-world work experience before you graduate. Our course and placements teams will help you find the perfect industry placement in your chosen field.

Who is this course for?
This popular course is well-suited to those interested in how the body works, and how this applies in a sporting context.

The practical elements of the course will appeal to those looking to gain hands-on experience in dealing with the treatment of sporting injuries, as well as prevention and rehabilitation.

What does this course lead to?
Upon graduation, you'll earn the title of Sports Therapist, with a clearly defined scope of practice. As a member of The Society of Sports Therapists, you'll be an allied health professional equipped to:

Utilise sports and exercise principles to optimise performance, preparation, and injury prevention programmes.
Provide immediate care for injuries and basic life support in recreational, training, occupational, and competitive environments.
Assess, treat, rehabilitate, and refer for further advice and intervention when necessary.
Deliver appropriate manual therapy and psychosocial interventions in a sports and exercise context.
Plan and implement effective rehabilitation and return-to-training/work programmes.

Don't wait for the future. Build it. At Solent, every module is built around real-world learning, so you graduate with practical skills, confidence and experience — not just theory.

Our career-ready revolution is transforming the way every course is designed, taught and connected to the world of work, to ensure your degree prepares you for the career you want. This isn't a tweak. It’s s a complete shake-up of what your university experience should be, using five key elements: learning by doing from day one, a timetable that fits real life, strong links to industry, an outstanding student learning experience, and careers support for life.

Our world-class facilities are also built with your future career in mind, and include the renowned Warsash Maritime School, Solent Sports Complex with advanced science labs, animation and 3D modelling studios, plus applied mechanics and composites labs.

And when you're not in class? Southampton has it all — shopping, culture, live music, football, cricket, festivals and markets, plus tiny Thai cafes, ghost walks and record fairs. It's friendly, walkable, and one of the most affordable student cities in the UK. With a diverse community and societies for every interest, you'll find your tribe here too.

Register your interest now and join the career-ready revolution.