HND Sports Therapy at University of the Highlands and Islands

Programme overview

The HND Sports Therapy builds on the HNC Soft Tissue Therapy and provides an industry recognised qualification and the knowledge and skills to work as a sports therapist. It prepares students to work with people in sport to maintain or improve performance and to treat and rehabilitate injuries, and to progress to a degree in sports therapy. A log of practice hours with the award supports membership of professional associations.

Duration: 2 years full-time (HNC plus HND); 4 years part-time (structured) | Intake: September | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Inverness, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Year 1 is the HNC Soft Tissue Therapy. Year 2 subjects may include Biomechanics and movement patterns, Clinical and team experience 2, Clinical assessment of sports injuries, Electrotherapy, Functional anatomy 2, Graded unit 2, Health promotion, Plan and deliver exercise-based sports rehabilitation, Psychology of sports injury, Sports fitness and return to participation criteria, and Sports taping. Classes and clinics may run at weekends and in the evening.

Career pathways

Graduates can work as sports therapists, independently, within sports clubs or alongside physiotherapists, coaches, strength and conditioning specialists and nutritionists, and in clinics providing clinical sports massage. They may progress to year 3 of BSc (Hons) Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation 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 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. Direct entry to year 2 may be possible with HNC Soft Tissue Therapy (15 credits). Applicants are invited to a group and/or individual interview. Category 1 PVG course; applicants pay for the PVG Disclosure Check. 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: 2 years full-time (HNC plus HND); 4 years part-time (structured)

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