Course Overview
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 master’s in Physiotherapy and become a qualified physiotherapist.
This three-year degree 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 to progress to MSc Physiotherapy (pre-reg.) as available through Portobello Institute..
Upon completing this level 8 honours degree, you will earn a BSc (Hons) in Sports Therapy awarded by 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.”
The first academic year commences on 30th September ’24, running until 24th May ’25. 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.
The first academic year of the blended learning delivery mode of this degree commences on 5th October ’24, running until 24th May ’25.
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.
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.
Work Placement
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.
Student Sports Clinic
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).
Entry to this course is by direct application to Portobello Institute.
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1Complete the online application form.
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2Review of application and confirmation of eligibility criteria and entry requirements.
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3An "Offer" issued based on meeting criteria or a "Conditional Offer" issued based on successful achievement of LC requirements
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4Confirm acceptance of a place and pay deposit as detailed
Course: €5,885 + Exam Body Reg. Fee: €600.00
Course: €5,395 + Exam Body Reg. Fee: €600.00
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.
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
