HNC Soft Tissue Therapy at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

The HNC Soft Tissue Therapy trains students to perform hands-on treatments with people who take part in sport, helping athletes optimise performance or recover from injury diagnosed by a medical professional. It qualifies graduates to work with athletes from recreational to elite level, within sports medicine teams or independently in a clinic. The HNC plus a log of practice hours meets the basic requirement for membership of professional associations such as the Scottish Massage Therapy Organisation or Sports Therapy Organisation.

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time (structured) | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Subjects may include Basic objective and subjective assessment, Clinical sports massage, Functional anatomy, Pathology and aetiology of sports injury, Prevention and management of sports injury, First aid for sport and fitness, Flexibility training, Sports therapy: anatomy and physiology, Sports therapy: exercise principles and testing, Research investigation in sport and Sports therapy: graded unit 1. Classes and clinics may run at weekends and in the evening, and students organise some of their own practice clients.

Career pathways

Graduates can work as independent therapists, within sports clubs, alongside physiotherapists, coaches, strength and conditioning specialists and nutritionists, and in clinics providing clinical sports massage. Skills can also be applied to overuse injuries in occupational settings. Graduates can progress to year 2 of HND Sports Therapy or BSc (Hons) Integrative Healthcare.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

2 Scottish Highers at grade C or above, or 2 A levels at grade D or above, preferably including English, Maths, Science, Physical Education or related subjects. Alternatively, Essential Massage Skills (SCQF level 5/6), or a National Qualification at SCQF level 6, S/NVQ level 3 or equivalent in an appropriate subject such as health or sport. Applicants with relevant work experience are considered individually. Applicants are invited to a group and/or individual interview. Category 1 PVG course (PVG Scheme membership required). Not open to international students who need a Student Route visa.

Domestic applicants: GBP 1,285 a year (2026/27). Full-time per year. Scotland-domiciled students with a Scottish term-time address (includes EU nationals with settled or pre-settled status and EEA/Swiss nationals with settled status) Source

International applicants: GBP 9,460 a year (2026/27). Full-time per year, students not normally resident in the UK (including EU/EEA/Swiss nationals without settled or pre-settled status) with a term-time address in Scotland. Part-time study is not open to those needing a Student Route visa. The course canno Source

Intake: September

Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time (structured)

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