Bachelor of Science (Honours) Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy

The BSc (Hons) in Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy at South East Technological University is a four-year honours degree that trains students in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries related to sport and physical activity. It suits students who want to become competent rehabilitation professionals working with athletes, teams, clinics, and community populations by blending academic theory, practical workshops, clinical skills, and professional placements.

Curriculum structure

First Year:

In the first year, students establish scientific and applied foundations with modules such as Physiology and Cell Biology 1 & 2, Anatomy 1 & 2, Strength and Conditioning: Applied Coaching 1 & 2, Exercise Physiology 1, and Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology. These courses introduce core concepts of human structure and function, exercise science, and psychological factors influencing performance and rehabilitation. Students begin developing practical assessment skills and learn how physical conditioning supports injury prevention and recovery.

Second Year:

In the second year, learners advance into clinical assessment and injury-related science with modules like Neuromuscular Skeletal Assessment 1 & 2, Pathology of Injury 1 & 2, Soft Tissue Manual Therapy, Pathophysiology, Strength and Conditioning for Performance, Exercise Physiology 2 for Health, and Motor Control. These units help students understand injury mechanisms, assess musculoskeletal function, and apply hands-on manual therapy techniques to support rehabilitation. Research skills begin to develop through Research in Sport and Health, linking scientific inquiry with clinical practice.

Third Year:

During the third year, students engage with applied therapeutic and performance topics such as Sports Nutrition, Movement Dysfunction, Articular Manual Therapy, Pre Competition Trauma Management, Electrophysical Agents, Advanced Rehabilitation and Performance Programming 1 & 2, Student-Led Clinical Practice 1 & 2, and Applied Research in Sport and Health. This year deepens clinical competence and focuses on designing and implementing evidence-based rehabilitation programmes while gaining hands-on experience in real or supervised clinical environments.

Fourth Year:

The final year emphasizes professional integration and independent scholarship with modules like Professional Practice - Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy, Differential Diagnosis, Current Concepts in Sports Rehabilitation and Athletic Therapy, Clinical Studies and Placement, and a Research Project and Dissertation. Students apply their full range of skills in extended placements, refine clinical reasoning, and complete a significant research project that reinforces evidence-based practice.

Focus areas (in a string):
Injury assessment & diagnosis, manual therapy, exercise physiology, strength & conditioning, sports nutrition, movement dysfunction, clinical placements, evidence-based rehabilitation.

Learning outcomes (in a string):
Apply biomechanical and physiological principles to injury management; conduct musculoskeletal assessment; design and implement rehabilitation programmes; integrate manual and therapeutic modalities; communicate professionally in clinical and sport settings.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is accredited by Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland (ARTI), enabling graduates to sit ARTI certification exams and pursue recognised credentials in athletic therapy; ARTI is a member of the World Federation of Athletic Therapy and Training (WFATT).

Reputation (employability rankings):
SETU is part of Ireland’s technological university sector with strong regional engagement and practical science education; while specific global rankings for this degree are not published, graduates are well positioned for clinical and performance roles supported by practical placements and professional accreditation recognition.

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