Course summary

The huge popularity of sport and fitness means clinical exercise therapists are much in demand. This course gives you the skills to use exercise, physical activity and therapeutic treatments to promote health and fitness as well as help rehabilitation after an injury. The course aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to progress into a career as a graduate clinical exercise therapist (GCET). Completing the degree allows you to join the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) at Level 3. REPs is the independent public register recognising the qualifications and expertise of health-enhancing coaches and therapists in the UK. The course explores relevant fields such as physiology and anatomical structure and includes units on sports massage, manual therapies and the management of sports injuries. In your final year, you undertake a research project of your choice and can also follow a specialism with a range of optional units. Why choose this course?

• Apply your knowledge and skills while completing a minimum of 150 hours on practice placement in a range of different environments

• Benefit from guidance from practicing therapists, coaches and injury-rehabilitation professionals as well as academic staff

• Build your skills in planning and conducting your own research as well as in reading and interpreting other researchers’ work

• Learn wider transferable skills relevant to a range of career options

• As a graduate, enter degree-level employment within the field of health, fitness, sports and exercise medicine in the public sector (NHS) or private sector (health clubs and clinics)

• Take the course over four years and include a fee-free year in industry (see below), gaining experience and making contacts for the future

• If you need a step up into higher education, start with a Foundation Year (see below) which guarantees entry to the undergraduate degree