Clinical Exercise Therapy BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

The Clinical Exercise Therapy BSc (Hons) at the University of Bedfordshire equips students with specialized knowledge and skills in exercise, physical activity, and therapeutic treatments to prepare them for a career as a Graduate Clinical Exercise Therapist (GCET). Through a combination of theoretical learning and practical experience, students develop expertise in anatomy, physiology, sports massage, manual therapies, sports injury management, and working with clinical populations. The program features strong industry links, state-of-the-art facilities, and a supportive academic community.

Program Outline

Clinical Exercise Therapy BSc (Hons) - University of Bedfordshire

Degree Overview:

This program equips students with specialized knowledge and skills in the combined areas of exercise, physical activity, and therapeutic treatment. It aims to prepare graduates for a career as a graduate clinical exercise therapist (GCET). The course covers a wide range of topics, including:

• Physiology and Anatomy: Understanding human anatomy, kinesiology, and how the body adapts to exercise.
• Sports Massage: Learning fundamental manual therapy techniques and soft tissue manipulation.
• Manual Therapies: Gaining knowledge and skills in applying peripheral joint mobilisations and advanced manual therapy.
• Sports Injury Management: Assessing injured clients and athletes, identifying and managing causes of pain/discomfort and/or injury.
• Working with Clinical Populations: Developing expertise in working with individuals living with long-term conditions.

Outline:

Year 1:

• Normal Anatomical Structure and Function: Introduces human anatomy and kinesiology.
• Altered Anatomical Structure and Function: Explores anatomical alterations caused by health and lifestyle factors.
• Anatomy and Biomechanics: Focuses on the principles of human movement, biomechanics, and the role of anatomy in sport and exercise science.
• Human Physiology: Covers human physiological systems and how the body adapts to exercise.
• Gym Instruction: Teaches the fundamentals of exercise prescription and coaching in a gym setting.
• Structural Assessment and Professional Practice: Introduces assessment of human structure, posture, and form, applying anatomy and biomechanics skills in evaluation.
• Sports Massage: Develops practical skills in using a range of soft tissue techniques.
• Work Based Learning: Provides practical experience in a work-based environment with a reflective approach to practice.

Year 2:

• Physiology for Training: Identifies physiological factors influencing sport and exercise performance and how training methods can influence this.
• Activity to Promote Health and Wellbeing: Develops exercise program projects within the community.
• Manual Therapies: Expands on manual therapy techniques, including peripheral joint mobilisations and advanced manual therapy.
• Corrective Exercise: Develops strategies to improve deviations or chronic issues using knowledge of anatomy, biomechanics, and posture.
• Management of Lower Extremity Injuries: Teaches assessment, identification, and management of lower extremity injuries.
• Management of Upper Extremity Injuries: Teaches assessment, identification, and management of upper extremity injuries.
• Work Based Learning: Continues to provide practical experience in a work-based environment with a reflective approach to practice.

Year 3:

• Dissertation for Sports Science and Physical Activity: Students investigate a focused and relevant research topic of interest under the guidance of a supervisor.
• Reading and Interpreting Research: Introduces the research process and scientific literature.
• Planning and Conducting Research: Develops a critical understanding of research processes and enquiry in sports science and medicine.
• Practice Placements and Business: Provides careers information and business skills to build a career in clinical exercise therapy, health, fitness, and wellbeing.
• Work Based Learning: Continues to provide practical experience in a work-based environment with a reflective approach to practice.

Optional Professional Practice Year:

• Students can choose to take a Professional Practice Year (Sports Science and Physical Activity) to gain practical experience and build their CV.
• This year is tuition-free and provides an opportunity to network with potential employers.

Assessment:

• Lectures: Provide students with underpinning theoretical research-informed knowledge to critically justify their clinically reasoned assessment, treatment, and rehabilitation strategies within a health and wellbeing context.
However, it is likely to include a combination of:
• Written assignments:
Essays, reports, dissertations
• Practical assessments:
Clinical skills demonstrations, case studies, presentations
• Portfolio development:
Reflecting on practical experiences and learning
• Examinations:
Testing theoretical knowledge

Teaching:

• Faculty: Students are taught by practicing therapists, coaches, injury rehabilitation professionals, and a highly experienced academic team.
However, it is likely to include:
• Lectures:
Delivering theoretical knowledge
• Seminars:
Interactive discussions and group work
• Practical workshops:
Developing practical skills
• Case studies:
Applying theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios
• Guest speakers:
Hearing from experts in the field
• Field trips:
Visiting relevant organizations and facilities

Careers:

• Potential career paths:
• Graduate Clinical Exercise Therapist (GCET)
• Exercise Referral Specialist
• Injury Rehabilitation Specialist
• Personal Trainer
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
• Health and Fitness Instructor
• Sports Massage Therapist
• Community Exercise Instructor
• Opportunities: Graduates can expect to enter graduate-level employment within the field of health, fitness, sports, and exercise medicine.
• Outcomes: Over 95% of full-time UK graduates are in employment and/or further study 15 months after graduating.

Other:

• Industry links: The program has partnerships with Luton Town FC, Bedford Blues RFC, MK Dons, Ampthill & District RUFS, Bedfordshire County Cricket, Oaklands College Sports Academies, and Samuel Whitbread School.
• Facilities and specialist equipment: Students have access to a state-of-the-art sports therapy and rehabilitation centre, a sports injury clinic, sports massage rooms, a strength and conditioning facility, a free gym, an Olympic weight room, a sports arena, and other external sports pitches.
• Student experience: Students benefit from:
• Being taught by practicing professionals
• Hearing from visiting experts
• Field trips to relevant organizations
• Visits to local community projects, health trusts, and venues offering exercise and rehabilitation sessions
• Support from a personal academic tutor
• A small, thriving academic community at the Bedford campus

The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. See www.gov.uk/student-finance Merit Scholarship We offer a Merit Scholarship to UK students, worth £2,400 over three academic years, which is awarded to those who can demonstrate a high level of academic achievement, through scoring 120 UCAS tariff points or more. Bedfordshire Bursary The Bursary will give you £1,000 over three academic years, or £1,300 if you are taking your course over four academic years (including those with a Foundation Year). Full terms and conditions can be found here. International The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2024/25 is £15,500 per year. A full list of scholarships can be found here.