Course Overview
This course page is only for students who have been approved for advanced entry and are seeking to complete their registration.
This BSc Hons in Sports Therapy, awarded by University of Essex, gives you the opportunity to qualify and work as a professional sports therapist with the option to progress to a Masters in Physiotherapy and become a qualified physiotherapist.
This two-year degree (with advanced entry) equips you with therapeutic skills and business knowledge in health sciences, ideal for those considering a private sports therapy practice.
Our programme focuses on honing practical sports therapy skills. You will learn techniques to help individuals and athletes achieve optimal occupational and sports-specific fitness, regardless of age or ability.
The BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy can be a step to becoming a Chartered Physiotherapist. This degree provides supervised clinical practice and research skills, and excellent preparation for MSc Physiotherapy applications.
Upon completing this level 8 honours degree, you will earn a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy awarded by the University of Essex.
*CATS Credits Displayed. 2 CATS points = 1 ECTS point.
Cathal Brady
Cathal Brady dreamt of being a professional soccer player during his early years. He got pretty close to achieving his dreams too, spending 11 years as a semi-professional player in the League of Ireland.
Understanding that his career wasn’t going to belong fully on the pitch, Cathal found a way to stay involved in sports by becoming a sports therapist.
He has drawn on his experience of playing soccer at a high level throughout his career working as a lecturer, opening his own private clinic and working for elite professional teams.
“I wanted to be involved in sport as much as I could and an occupation that allowed me to be involved with sport as a career. I knew that from a very early age that was what I wanted to do, you’re talking 13/14 that I knew my career was going to be in sport in some shape or form.
I played League of Ireland for 11 seasons…it was high level in a semi-professional capacity…I looked at myself as a semi-pro because I always worked while I was playing.
Playing at the level of sport, in soccer, it not only opened some avenues and that sort of stuff in the soccer side of things, it also opened in GAA and that because people knew I played at a high level…that helped with me having the ability to relate with clients a little bit more. I was in their position, I knew what they were going through, I knew what they wanted to do.”
Cathal could relate to sports people very easily. He also relates to Portobello Institute students very easily, as he was one before he became a lecturer in Sports Therapy.
“I love it, really like it. To be honest I didn’t think I’d like it as much as I do. I find it really good. I like having the interaction with the students. I like the whole setup I have to say I really enjoy it.”
Having worked with so many sports teams and having set up the Dunboyne Sports Injury Clinic, Cathal is in prime position to help all of Portobello’s students no matter what type of career they are pursuing in therapy.
Working in smaller classes has allowed him to engage with his students as individuals, generating a level of pride as they work their way towards graduation and enhance their skill sets in sports therapy.
“With small classes and lots of practical interaction time, we get to know each student well over three years. So when a student gets to where they want to be, their perfect job or postgraduate position, I am delighted for them. I’m proud to be part of the team that helped them get there.”
Blended Learning Spring Schedule 2025
The academic year of the blended learning delivery mode of this degree commences on 08/02/25, running until 30/08/25. An example of a similar class schedule can be viewed here, please note this is not the exact schedule and is subject to change.
Blended learning introduces online learning with one-to-one support and generally includes a minimum of one weekend in-person seminar per month with attendance required. The timetable is condensed to be delivered through a blend of online webinars, practical skills classes delivered at the weekend, accommodating travel, work, and study-life balance.
SMART assessments – we use a range of assessments for each module designed to support a broad range of learning styles, giving you the opportunity to excel.
Blended Learning Autumn Schedule 2025
The autumn academic year of the blended learning delivery mode of this degree commences on 04/10/25. A provisional class schedule isn’t available yet, but is expected to run similarly to the autumn 2024 course which you can see here.
The academic year for full-time delivery commences on 29/09/25, running until 31/08/26. It is delivered in person on weekdays, which means 12 to 16 hours of in-person lectures per week.
Timetables are considerate of students’ travel and accommodation arrangements, part-time working and study-life balance.
Practical classes are in a fully equipped therapy room, and theory classes in dedicated rooms.
SMART assessments – we use a range of assessments for each module designed to support a broad range of learning styles, giving you the opportunity to excel.
Student Sports Clinic & Work Placement
The Student Sports Clinic has been an invaluable part of our BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy degree training. As a Portobello Institute sports therapy student, you are insured to practice under the Society of Sports Therapists. Our Student Clinic runs on a Thursday evening in the college. You gain early client-contact hours in our Sports Therapy clinic where you will be tasked with setting up the clinic, completing client consultations, providing sports therapy treatments and providing rehabilitation or follow-up as required. In doing so, you learn essential clinical skills and work autonomously (with guidance and support from our Clinic Supervisor).
In your final year, you will undertake a work experience module, selecting a placement in the field of sports therapy to complement your studies. If you aim to progress to physiotherapy, Portobello will help secure a placement with a physiotherapist.
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1Book a consultation call with Hannah Meade to review your existing qualification and confirm eligibility for advanced entry.
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2Eligibility confirmed within 5 working days. Confirmation of an offer of a place will be given to applicants immediately meeting the criteria.
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3Confirm acceptance of offer by booking place and paying deposit/full fees.
Course: €5,395 + Exam Body Reg. Fee: €600.00
Course: €5,885 + Exam Body Reg. Fee: €600.00
Option 1
33% deposit payment (€2,098.80), followed by 8 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €365.
- €532.65 due in month 1
- €532.65 due in month 2
- €532.65 due in month 3
- €532.65 due in month 4
- €532.65 due in month 5
- €532.65 due in month 6
- €532.65 due in month 7
- €532.65 due in month 8
Option 1
40% deposit payment (€2,712.00), followed by 6 scheduled payments on the first of each month, commencing the 1st of the month after the start date of the course. Includes one off instalment fee of €295.
- €678.00 due in month 1
- €678.00 due in month 2
- €678.00 due in month 3
- €678.00 due in month 4
- €678.00 due in month 5
- €678.00 due in month 6
Option 2
40% deposit payment (€2,594.00) due on application of your course. Final balance (€3,891.00) due before the course start date.
