BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy at York St John University. You'll study core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills.
About this course
Explore the physical, social and psychological impact of injury in sport. Gain the knowledge and skills to improve lives through sport therapy. From the provider’s course page.
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy is a Bachelor's degree (BSc (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Sport and exercise sciences graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 35% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £21,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sport & Exercise Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 89% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 6 modules
- Human Anatomy and Physiology for Sport and ExerciseCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Gain an understanding of the importance of human anatomical and physiological systems for sport and exercise. Learn about the structure of core systems, including: Nervous, Musculoskeletal, Cardiovascular, Respiratory. You will explore how these function at rest and in response to exercise. Develop the necessary skills to correctly perform a range of physiological measures that can be used to evaluate an individual's health status and physiological responses to exercise.
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise TherapyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Sports Therapy is an aspect of healthcare that is concerned with reducing the risk of injury, and the rehabilitation of the athlete back to optimum levels of functional, occupational and sports specific fitness, regardless of age and ability. In this introductory module, you will learn about the profession of sport and exercise injury. You will also learn introductory practical skills for the safe and competent delivery of therapeutic practices. This module focuses on developing knowledge and un
- Practical Musculoskeletal AnatomyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
To effectively prevent, assess, treat and rehabilitate musculoskeletal (MSK) pathologies, understanding MSK anatomy is essential. Practical MSK anatomy underpins sport and exercise therapy decision making and practice, and allows Sports Therapists to work with diverse athlete groups. On this module you will learn to identify, palpate, and move key musculoskeletal anatomical structures.
- Biomechanics and Human MovementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn the fundamental mechanics that underpin all aspects of human movement for performance and health. You will take a multidisciplinary approach, which will provide a vital foundation for the many perspectives covered throughout this course. We will introduce you to essential concepts of research, scientific enquiry and academia.
- Research in SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will help to prepare you for the in depth research you will carry out later in your degree. We will introduce you to a broad range of fundamental concepts and principles which guide research in the field of sport. We will also teach you to recognise and interpret these fundamental concepts when you encounter them in published research. You will learn the analytical skills to make sense of findings reported in published research, and answer basic research questions in sport. Through t
- Strength and Conditioning in SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module we will introduce you to the fundamental concepts of strength and conditioning, within a Sports Therapy context. Developing athletic capacity is crucial to reducing injury risk, but also to maximising sports performance in athletes. You will learn field and gym-based techniques and associated coaching cues to develop aerobic and anaerobic performance for multiple sports. You will also learn how to develop principles of training and integrate these into a structured training progra
Year 2 7 modules
- Sport and Exercise Trauma and Illness ManagementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Participation in sport and exercise carries an inherent risk of trauma and illness. Being able to effectively manage trauma and illness in recreational, training, occupational and competitive sport and exercise environments is one of the fundamental roles of a Sports Therapist. On this module you will learn about: Systematic action planning for the eventuality of trauma and illness, Recognition and treatment for life-threatening and non-life-threatening trauma and illness, The correct handover o
- Physical Activity and Public HealthCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn about the importance of physical activity and exercise initiatives for the general health of the community. This will be presented with a multi-disciplinary focus, evaluating public health interventions and approaches from sociology, policy, psychology, therapeutic, and behavioural perspectives. You will explore the psychosocial impact of exercise and lifestyle behaviours for the promotion of healthy living and wellbeing, as well as considering UK and global health
- Sports Specific Assessment and Injury EvaluationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop practical and professional skills in effectively assessing sports specific injuries or illness, which is a foundational skill of a sport and exercise therapy. You will learn to conduct a subjective and objective assessment of sports specific, joint and regional injuries, as well as considering how this information can inform clinical reasoning around management, treatment, and potential referral.
- Return to SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
One thing that makes sports therapy different to other clinical therapies is that they need to prepare athletes for high-level sporting actions rather than just activities of daily living. On this module you will learn to use the demands of sports to inform return to play decision making, taking a performance-based approach to return to sport (RtS). You will take a systematic, and athlete-centred approach, using criterion measures relevant to the sport, and monitored to prevent re-injury or setb
- Treatment Planning and Manual Therapy for Peripheral JointsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Once a sports therapist has recognised and evaluated an injury, they then need to be able to effectively plan, treat and help manage it. On this module you will develop practical and professional skills in treatment planning, delivery of manual therapy skills, and the broader management of sport and exercise injury to the peripheral joints. You will learn about: Anatomical theory, Treatment planning, informed consent, and outcome measures, Peripheral joint mobilisations for lower and upper limbs
- Research Design and Analysis in Sport and ExerciseCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Advance your skills in both research methods and research design. This will enable you to move beyond being an informed consumer, to becoming an informed critical thinker. You will learn how to produce quality research using a range of quantitative and qualitative research designs commonly employed in sport research.
- Sport and Exercise Therapy Placement and PracticeCompulsory
Module details
This is an opportunity to experience professional practice, helping you apply the theoretical knowledge you have learned to real situations. Experiencing the day-to-day practice of a Sports Therapist will help you make decisions about your career, and to understand the professional standards required of the role. You will have the chance to participate in sport and exercise therapy practice, supervised by experienced professionals. We will help you to find a work-based placement with academic st
Year 3 4 modules
- Sport and Exercise Therapy Research ProjectCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Engage in all aspects of the research process to answer a specific question in a topic related to your interests. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will revise, refine, extend or reconstitute a research proposal submitted for the Research Design and Analysis in Sport and Exercise module. Manage a proposed research project through the ethical approval process, carry out the proposed research and present it in the form of a research paper.
- Injury Prevention in Sport and ExerciseCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will learn to adopt a holistic approach to reducing injury risk. We will outline the systematic process that you should follow to identity and prioritise injury prevention strategies, informed by contemporary research. Initially you will appraise athlete competency by considering their sporting demands, before action planning to reduce injury risk. We will also introduce you to a range of evidence informed techniques and concepts that reduce the incidence of injury, such as lo
- Vertebral Pain and Manual Therapy ManagementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The incidence and prevalence of back pain in sporting and non-sporting populations is high, and as a sports therapist it is likely that you will have to work with athletes with back pain during your careers. This module focuses on manual therapy and management of vertebral pain and pathology. You will develop practical and professional skills in assessment, treatment planning, delivery of manual therapy skills, and the broader management of sport and exercise injury to the vertebrae.
- Holistic Return to SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
An athlete should return to sport when they are physically, biologically, psychologically, and techn
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This course explores the physical, social and psychological impact of injury in sport, equipping you with knowledge and skills to improve lives through sport therapy. You'll typically begin with foundations in anatomy, exercise physiology and sport psychology, supported by practical coaching sessions. Year 2 moves into biomechanics, training physiology and research methods, helping you understand how to test athletes and design programmes. In your final year, you'll pursue specialisations such as strength & conditioning, nutrition, rehabilitation, coaching or PE teaching routes, often alongside an applied placement with teams, clients or schools and a dissertation based on independent research. The course normally progresses from theoretical understanding through to applied, practical application in real sporting environments.
Who it's for
This course suits graduates aiming for careers in sport and exercise therapy or related health professions. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among recent entrants was 96–111 points.
Careers & job market
Across Sport and Exercise Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of those working, 62% are in highly skilled roles or continuing study. National graduate earnings data shows starting salaries of £22,000–£30,000 at 15 months; after three years, £19,125–£27,000; after five years, £23,375–£33,000. These figures reflect the broader graduate population, not guaranteed individual outcomes.
University & format
This BSc (Hons) degree is studied full-time over 3 years at York St John University, a university founded in 1841, located at YSJ Main Campus. Instruction is in English. The course is accredited by the Society of Sports Therapists and recognised as a UK degree-awarding body, meaning your qualification is nationally recognised. York St John holds a Silver award for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at York St John University →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Sport & Exercise Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £21,000 | £18,000 – £24,000 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £21,000 | £17,000 – £24,500 | 200 |
| 5 years after | £26,500 | £21,500 – £30,500 | 200 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sport & exercise science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sport & Exercise Science nationally
National figures for Sport & Exercise Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Sport & Exercise Science courses at the same study level.
Compared with 915 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Teaching and Childcare Support OccupationDiscover Uni category · 10% of published destinations
- Leisure, travel and related personal service occupationsSOC 2020 62 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £22,297
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 65; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Therapy earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.
Job market & outlook
How Sport & Exercise Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sport & Exercise Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Sports clubs & NGBs
- Leisure providers
- Schools
- The NHS
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sport & Exercise Science graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £21,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 9.1 out of 10: NSS 93.1% · in work or study 90% · continued 89%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John University
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around YSJ Main Campus
2,229 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Sport & Exercise Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £14,900 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check York St John University’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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