Sports Therapy HND
Course code 036C
What is special about this course?
The HND Sports Therapy builds on the HNC Soft Tissue Therapy and provides you with an industry recognised qualification, and the knowledge and skills necessary to work as a sports therapist. It also prepares you to progress onto a degree in sports therapy or another higher education award in a related field.
If you are interested in a career that involves working with people in the sports industry in the maintenance or improvement of their sporting performance and treating and rehabilitating injuries that affect their output, then this is the course for you.
Completion of this award may allow you to gain employment in sports clubs, either working independently or with a team of other professionals (eg physiotherapists, coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, or nutritionists). Additionally, you could seek work in single or multi-disciplinary clinics providing clinical sports massage treatments.
Special features
- You will gain the knowledge and understanding required to analyse, plan, evaluate and communicate appropriate sports injury referrals
- Your ability to problem solve and apply techniques to sports therapy program prescription and management will be enhanced
- You will also develop your skills in administering accurate and appropriate sports therapy treatment and provide appropriate after and home care
- After completion of a sufficient number of logged practice hours you may be eligible for professional body membership
- This programme may include weekend and twilight (5pm – 9pm) classes/clinics
- You may have the opportunity to provide support for a variety of sport events
- You may be eligible for reduced entry conference fees relevant to your field of study
- During your practical work you will log a number of hours of practice that demonstrates your competence at using a variety of different techniques. This log, together with the HNC award, is the basic requirement for you to achieve membership of a professional association such as the Scottish Massage Therapy Organisation or Sports Therapy Organisation. Membership of a professional body assures the public that you are not only appropriately qualified but will also work within strict ethical guidelines laid down by the industry.
Accommodation
We offer modern student accommodation at a number of our locations.
Entry requirements
- 2 Highers at grade C or above and a core skills profile at SCQF level 5 with communication at SCQF level 6, or equivalent, OR
- 2 A levels at grade D and relevant GSCE equivalent core skills
- Alternatively, National Qualification at SCQF level 6, S/NVQ level 3, or equivalent, in appropriate subject area eg health or sport
- Applicants with relevant work experience will be considered on an individual basis
- This is a Category 1 PVG course: PVG Scheme membership is required to successfully achieve target qualification, where there is guaranteed contact with vulnerable groups in key elements of the course. For further information visit our PVG scheme webpage
Direct entry to year two:
- HNC Soft Tissue Therapy, with 15 credits, may allow you advanced entry to the second year of the HND Sports Therapy
You will be invited for a group and/or individual interview where you will get the opportunity to find out more about the course and tell us why you are interested in this subject area.
Access routes
- HNC Soft Tissue Therapy
Year 1 - HNC
Subjects may include:
- Basic objective and subjective assessment
- Clinical and team experience 1
- Clinical sports massage
- First aid for sport and fitness
- Flexibility training
- Functional anatomy
- Pathology and aetiology of sports injury
- Prevention and management of sports injury
- Research investigation in sport
- Sports massage for events and special populations
- Sports therapy: anatomy and physiology
- Sports therapy: exercise principles and testing
- Sports therapy: graded unit 1
- Sports therapy: professional standards
Year 2 - HND
Subjects may include:
- Biomechanics and movement patterns
- Clinical and team experience 2
- Clinical assessment of sports injuries
- Electrotherapy
- Functional anatomy 2
- Graded unit 2
- Health promotion
- Plan and deliver exercise-based sports rehabilitation
- Psychology of sports injury
- Sports fitness and return to participation criteria
- Sports taping
How will I study my course?
- Full-time
- Part-time (structured)
- Part-time (unstructured)
- You will learn through a combination of face-to-face lectures, tutorials and practical sessions on campus and in the community
How long will my course last?
- Full-time: 2 years (HNC + HND)
- Part-time (structured): 4 years (HNC + HND)
Where can I study my course?
- Inverness
- Perth
Start date
- September
Fees
For students normally domiciled in Scotland, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes
- EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status in the UK,
- EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status in the UK
- EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £1,285 | £1,285 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £86 | £86 |
Rest of UK students
For students normally domiciled in the rest of the UK (England, Wales and N. Ireland, including Channel Islands and the Isle of Man) and with a term time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £7,110 | £7,440 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £474 | £496 |
Fees are payable in advance each academic year unless otherwise agreed.
There are a number of funding options available to UK students to help you pay for your studies and your cost of living while studying.
International students
For students who do not normally reside in the UK, including EU/EEA and Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status in the UK, with a term-time address in Scotland, the following fees apply:
This includes EEA/Swiss nationals with pre-settled status who are not self-employed or migrant workers in the UK.
| Higher National Awards (HNC, HND) | 2024-25 | 2025-26 |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time per year | £8,775 | £8,925 |
| Part-time (per HN credit) | £585 | £595 |
Part-time study is not open to international student requiring Student Route visa sponsorship to study in the UK.
Funding
UHI has a number of scholarships, bursaries, awards, and discretionary fund opportunities available to new and current students. Please use the A-Z of funds or use the filter to see which ones may be relevant to you. All students are welcome to apply.
Further information on funding your studies is also available, please see the attached link or contact the relevant UHI partner.
Additional costs
- Successful applicants will be required to complete a PVG Disclosure Check and become PVG Scheme Members in order to undertake this course - you will be responsible for meeting the cost of this check
What can I do on completion of my course?
On successful completion of course you may gain employment as a sports therapist, opportunities include:
- Independent therapist
- Employment within sports clubs
- Working with other professionals (eg physiotherapists, coaches, strength and conditioning specialists, or nutritionists)
- Employment in single or multi-disciplinary clinics providing clinical sports massage treatments
- You can also diversify to apply your skills to treat overuse injuries in an occupational setting
Can I progress into further study?
You may be able to progress to the third year of the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation or BSc (Hons) Integrative Healthcare.
Is there more information available online?
You can use the above QR code to connect directly to the course details.
This sports therapy course was exactly what I wanted to do. I am a very hands-on learner, so this course was very much suited to that. When we were more online based, the tutors and lecturers were always happy to help in any way they could. The UHI in-house clinic that is set up for sports therapy, and that is a great way to get experience as a student.
I go climbing at the UHI Perth climbing wall and really enjoy going to the social badminton. My favourite thing about learning here has been the friends I’ve made and how kind, friendly and helpful everyone is. It has been a really great 4 years here!
Kyla is studying sports therapy at UHI Perth.
I am always happy with the support that I have received from my lectures, there is always clear communication. When I struggle with something, the lecturers take the time to make sure I understand it before I leave the classroom. The staff are all friendly, approachable and knowledgeable.
I have practiced in the in-house sports clinic. I learn a lot while working on real like clients, helping me to enhance my skill set for the future. I also regularly go the climbing wall, I love climbing and am so happy we have such good facilities. UHI is a positive and fun environment to learn in!
Veronika is studying sports therapy at UHI Perth.
Apply for Sports Therapy HND
We are delighted that you are thinking about studying at the University of the Highlands and Islands. We operate a fair and open admissions system committed to equality of opportunity and non-discrimination. We consider all applications on merit and on the basis of ability to achieve, without discrimination on grounds of gender, age, disability, ethnicity and socio-economic background. We welcome applications from all prospective students and aim to provide appropriate and efficient services to students with disabilities.