Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy (MSc)
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Part time
Applications are closed
Applications for this course are currently closed. Contact us for more information.
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
As a practitioner looking for a specialist qualification in sports physiotherapy, this MSc will enable you to develop your knowledge of sports science and injuries, as well as your critical thinking skills, in order to further your career within your specialist profession.
Our Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy programme is designed in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM) and international organisations such as the International Federation of Sports Physiotherapists (IFSP).
Our established programme is suited to qualified physiotherapists, from across the UK and internationally working in a wide variety of sectors that involve managing people with sport or exercise related injuries. A minimum of two years physiotherapy clinical experience is required, whether this be experience in a high-performance sport level or in a physiotherapy clinic.
Our Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy programme is designed in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM) and international organisations such as the International Federation of Sports Physiotherapists (IFSP).
Our established programme is suited to qualified physiotherapists, from across the UK and internationally working in a wide variety of sectors that involve managing people with sport or exercise related injuries. A minimum of two years physiotherapy clinical experience is required, whether this be experience in a high-performance sport level or in a physiotherapy clinic.
It gives you the chance to take your learning to the next level, enhancing your skills and knowledge in order to challenge and critically evaluate your own professional practice and the wider areas of sport physiotherapy such as service improvement and patient care. This will help inform the way you practice safely and effectively and help you to inform sport and exercise physiotherapy healthcare in your country.
Our modules cover a wide range of sport and exercise physiotherapy competencies, as identified by the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy to include Sport and Exercise Participation, Inter-Disciplinary Management and Injury Prevention.
Your learning will be supported by experienced researchers and academics who are experts in their field. You can look forward to working with our highly experienced team who between them have worked within an impressive range of contexts, such as major multi-sport Games and professional sports at international level. You will also be designated a personal tutor who will support you throughout your studies.
Your teaching can take place in our specially designed physiotherapy labs and simulation suites. Our School benefits from a range of equipment such as an anti-gravity treadmill and a motion capture centre which uses techniques to analyse human movement which could be used to support your learning.
In addition, you will be part of a wider physiotherapy cohort where you will benefit from learning alongside a globally diverse group who are studying at various points in their career. Sharing knowledge and gaining understanding of sport and exercise physiotherapy practice across the world.
Above all else we strive to make sure you are ready for your next step in your career. On completion you will have achieved the theoretical requirements of the Gold Level Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine and be working at a master’s level within your field and influencing healthcare in Wales and beyond.
Be part of something life-changing and take on a new challenge today.
Distinctive features
Join a School that is ranked 4th overall in the UK for Research assessed by REF (2014). Here are some of the key features of why we think our programme is the right choice for you:
Designed in collaboration with the Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports and Exercise Medicine (ACPSEM) and international organisations such as the International federation of Sports Physiotherapists (IFSP).
The opportunity to work amongst a highly experienced team who between them have worked in an impressive range of contexts, such as major multi-sport Games and professional sports at international level.
Our modules cover a wide range of sport and exercise physiotherapy competencies, as identified by the International Federation of Sports Physical Therapy.
You will be designated a personal tutor who will support you throughout your studies.
Learn in an environment with specially designed physiotherapy labs and simulation suites.
Benefit from a range of high-tech physiotherapy equipment to enhance your learning.
You will benefit from learning alongside a diverse group who are studying at various points in their career.
The opportunity to become a student representative and shape future educational provision.
All of our teaching sessions are captured on recording and made available online* for you to review and revisit your learning. (*where appropriate to do so)
If your first language is not English, there are open access English Language courses available to you.
Where you'll study
School of Healthcare Sciences
Our courses are designed to provide you with the knowledge and experience you need to embark on a professional healthcare career.
Admissions criteria
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your qualification certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved an honours degree or a diploma in physiotherapy, or an equivalent international qualification.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
- A reference from your employer or a colleague which confirms you have 2 years’ full-time equivalent clinical experience.
- A personal statement which must address the following points:
- Why have you selected this programme?
- What interests you about the programme?
- Any relevant experience related to the programme or module content.
- How you plan to use the qualification in your career.
- How you and your profession will benefit from your studies.
- Why you feel you should be given a place on the programme.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of July but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, including an assessment of suitability through the personal statement, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
The MSc Sport and Exercise Physiotherapy programme is modular, with five core taught modules and a dissertation. You will undertake the taught modules over two academic years, earning 120 credits, and can exit with a postgraduate diploma award. The dissertation module (60 credits) then leads to an MSc (180 credits total).
Three modules are specific to Sports Physiotherapy and there is also 1 core generic research module. The modules are presented in block format, with students required to attend the University for two to three-day blocks during the year.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Year one
In Year 1 you will complete 60 credits in the taught component of the programme.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Science of Performance and Injury in Sport | HCT021 | 30 credits |
| Research methods and data analysis in healthcare | HCT343 | 30 credits |
Year two
In year 2 you will complete two core modules (30 credits) which equates to 60 credits in the taught component of the programme.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Assessment and Treatment of Sports Injuries | HCT022 | 30 credits |
| Sport and Exercise Participation, Inter-Disciplinary Management and Injury Prevention | HCT023 | 30 credits |
Year three
In Year 3 you will complete your Dissertation (60 Credits).
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Empirical Dissertation | HCT117 | 60 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You will be taught through a combination of:
Lectures
Tutorials
Group discussions
Practical sessions.
All content will be supported by online material through the Virtual Learning Environment, Learning Central to facilitate self-study, which is particularly useful for students living and working away from Cardiff. Self-study contributes to approximately 75% of the notional learning hours.
At the dissertation stage of the MSc, you are also required to undertake a research project involving data collection.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a variety of written assignments and an oral presentation.
This enables you to demonstrate your ability at analysing and evaluating a situation but also to use a variety of ways to present your ideas and abilities. The dissertation is a culmination of the development of all these skills.
Feedback
We will provide you with feedback on your work in a variety of formats. These will include oral feedback during lectures, written feedback provided through online module discussion forums, and electronic feedback on assessed coursework through GradeMark. You can discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor.
How will I be supported?
This programme gives you the opportunity to share ideas with health professionals. As well as developing your own intellectual abilities, this sharing of ideas enables you to learn and benefit from the experiences of others. Opportunity is given for this sort of discussion and exchange of ideas through seminars and tutorials.
You are given a named personal tutor following registration onto the programme, who can assist you with any pastoral care as well as advice on writing style, grammar and academic mentoring.
All modules within the programme make extensive use of Cardiff University’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Learning Central, on which you will find course materials, links to related materials and assessment exemplars. Most lectures are recorded via Panopto and are available to you throughout your programme.
The University offers a wide range of services and activities designed to support you. These include a student counselling service, a student advisory service, day care facilities, sport and exercise facilities, as well as campus information, library and IT services.
Our student app allows you to access Cardiff University services and personalised information in one place in a simple and convenient way from a smartphone via the app store.
Features include:
- Campus maps
- Student library renewals, payments and available items
- Student timetable
- Find an available PC
- Access to help and student support
- Student news
- Receive important notifications
- Links to launch other University apps such as Outlook (for email) and Blackboard (for Learning Central).
- Links to recommended apps such as Nextbike to help make the most of your student experience.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will be able to do as a result of your study at Cardiff University. They will help you to understand what is expected of you.
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme can be found below:
Knowledge & Understanding of:
Develop a holistic approach to the rehabilitation of an injured sportsperson or healthy active individual and be able to communicate with other health and sports related professionals to promote awareness of management and prevention of injury.
Intellectual Skills:
Evaluate practice and critically appraise advances or changes in professional practice.
Initiate change and lead in the management of change and the advancement of the profession in the sport and exercise environment through research.
Professional Practical Skills:
Practise your profession using an analytical and problem-solving approach and show advanced skills in the management of injuries within sport and exercise
Transferable/Key Skills:
Develop standards of practice based on reflective thinking and problem-solving.
Tuition fees for 2025 entry
As this programme is three years or over in duration and has a one year full time equivalent you will not be eligible for a postgraduate loan. The UK Government has more information about eligibility for postgraduate loans.
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
Fees will be invoiced by module. Normally, invoices will be released shortly after enrolment for each individual module. For more information please refer to our tuition fees pages.
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
This course does not currently accept students from outside the UK/EU.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
Our course is designed to help you develop towards Association of Chartered Physiotherapists in Sports & Exercise (ACPSM) Gold standard level, using competencies defined by International Federation of Sports Physiotherapists (IFSP).
The knowledge, skills and behaviours you will develop during your MSc will provide the ideal foundation on which to build your career in sports and exercise physiotherapy.
Next steps
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
