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Sports Therapy Foundation Year - Foundation *

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

If you apply for entry onto BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and your actual or predicted grades fall below the minimum UCAS entry tariff set for entry onto the first year of that degree, we may choose to consider you for a place on the Foundation Year stage instead....

  • Level Foundation
  • Study mode Full Time

This course is:

Overview

If you apply for entry onto BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and your actual or predicted grades fall below the minimum UCAS entry tariff set for entry onto the first year of that degree, we may choose to consider you for a place on the Foundation Year stage instead.

The Foundation Year option gives you extra time and support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence before starting a full degree. It is designed to prepare you for a range of Sports courses, not one particular degree, so you will study a broad range of subjects to prepare you to progress to successful degree-level study. You'll develop a range of practical and analytical skills that will prepare you for a challenging and rewarding career in Sport and Physical Activity.

Why study a foundation year course?

On the Foundation Year in Sport and Physical Activity, you will study broad subject areas which then open up opportunities for you to specialise further in your next year – which would be the first year of a full degree programme.

This flexibility is one of the great things about the foundation year - it allows you to find out more about your interests and talents before focusing on a three year degree.

Please note:

Upon completion of your Foundation Year, if your chosen course is regulated by a professional body such as The Society of Sports Therapists, you will be required to successfully complete the University’s selection process for the specific programme which will include an interview in order to proceed onto year one of the full degree programme. Entry onto year one of the degree programme will also be subject to a satisfactory DBS and Occupational Health Assessment.

This course is not open to International students.

Why Choose Us?

  • You will have extra time and support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence before starting a full degree.
  • Birmingham is one of the UK’s most diverse cities outside of London, which will provide you with a wide variety of experience that will be valuable to take forward into your future career.
  • Our staff come from the professions they teach, maintaining their links to ensure you get the most up-to-date learning during your course.
  • Our sports students split their time between our campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and the world-class Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham. State-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge resources include physiology labs and a sports therapy suite.

Open Days

Join us for an Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation. Booking isn't open yet for this event, register your interest and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.

Next Open Day: 22 March 2025

Register your interest

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

Details of the entry requirements can be found on the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy course page.

Please note: If your Level 3 qualifications do not meet the UCAS tariff we require for entry onto our BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy course, you may be considered for a place on our Sports Therapy Foundation Year instead, which offers an alternative pathway onto the course. This is a decision made by us once your degree application has been assessed.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: Foundation

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees

(Back to price) * The Government is proposing to increase the cap on full-time regulated tuition fees to £9,535 for 2025/26 and the University is planning on increasing fees to that maximum level once legislation is enacted. Part-time fees are charged pro-rata, where applicable.

International students

Sorry, this course is not available to International students.

The below costs relate to the foundation year, you are advised to check the ‘Fees and How to Apply’ section of the BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy course page for any specific costs for years 2-4 of study.

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

DBS check

If you are required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check for this course, the cost for your first DBS check is included in your fees.

Memberships

Membership of the relevant professional body is included in the course fees.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Personal stationery and study materials (optional)

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials.

Placement expenses (optional)

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home.

Field trips (optional)

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy. We suggest budgeting approximately £50 for this.

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.


You should apply specifically for your chosen degree course, rather than a Foundation Year. You do not need to submit a separate application for the Sports Therapy Foundation Year but may automatically be considered for this if your predicted grades fall below the UCAS entry tariff.

Please select the course you wish to apply for:

Guidance for UK students

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS

  1. Register with UCAS
  2. Login to UCAS and complete your details
  3. Select your course and write a personal statement
  4. Get a reference
  5. Pay your application fee and submit your application

Course in Depth

Foundation Year

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Download course specification

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Employability

If you progress on to and complete BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy, you will be fully equipped with the clinical skills to work with professional sports teams, as well as with individual elite performers. Alternatively, you may wish to work in private practice, treating a wide variety of individuals in a musculoskeletal injury clinic.

Facilities & Staff

The Foundation Year is taught primarily at our City South Campus in Edgbaston. Then from Year 1 of your degree, your time will be split between City South and the world-class Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr. 

The Stadium was home to the Commonwealth Games in summer 2022, and the University is investing an additional £5m to develop space in the East and West stands as a home for our students.

Our new home at Alexander Stadium

Biomechanics Lab

Our biomechanics laboratory features pressure plates in the floor and cameras mounted at the side. Sensors linked to a computer are used to record motion, evaluate people’s movements and analyse gait. Also in this space is an Isokinetic Dynamometer, which is used to assess limb strength.

Nutrition Kitchen

Our kitchen has several workstations to allow students to wash, prepare and cook food. This is where students analyse the effect of supplements or food groups on performance, and prepare recipes for athletes to support their training and fitness regime.

Performance Analysis Space

In our Performance Analysis Space, students are able to review data and video footage in order to develop strategy and provide advice to enhance athletes’ performance.

Physiology Lab

Our physiology lab contains an anti-gravity treadmill, environmental chamber and a range of equipment used for testing and analysis of athlete performance.

Sports Therapy Clinic

We have two Sports Therapy classrooms, as well as clinic spaces. The classrooms are set up with several therapy stations, each with a treatment couch. This is where we teach practical sessions, with students working together to build their skills. Our students also run a Sports Therapy Clinic for staff and students, where they are able to apply the skills they have learnt.

Strength & Conditioning Gym

This high-performance gym allows you to deliver hands on coaching and use state of the art equipment to measure performance and inform practice.

Our staff

Julie Davis

Foundation Year Lecturer

Julie joined the ADD (Academic Development Department) in 2018 as a Lecturer on the HELS Foundation Year programme. Prior to joining Birmingham City University, she worked at a number of local FE and HE institutions where she developed and delivered a range of Early Years and Education programmes.

More about Julie

Jessica Lowe

Foundation Year Lecturer

Jessica joined the ADD (Academic Development Department) in 2019 as a Lecturer on the HELS Foundation Year Programme. Her role is to lead and develop modules to support students on their journey on the Foundation Year Programme. Prior to joining BCU, she has worked in a FE and HE institution teaching students on a range of courses in Early Years...

More about Jessica