Students
1 - Why study with SPS?
2 - Where and how to become qualified as a sports massage practitioner?
3 - What qualifications/experience do I need to come on SPS courses?
4 - What your qualification leads to
5 - SPS Educational Pathway - career and learning progression
6 - Information on possible financial support
7 - What do past course attendees have to say about SPS courses?
1 - Why study with SPS?
SPS courses:
- Offer a clear educational pathway with access to Higher Education
- Are awarded by government recognised and regulated bodies
- Are taught by experienced and friendly tutors
- Provide professional placements in sport
When researching the course you wish to study, it is important you pick the one that is right for you both now, in terms of content, learning outcomes and cost and in the future, giving you what you need as your career progresses.
All SPS courses are taught by experienced tutors, who have undergone a rigorous training process. All are SPS graduates, dedicated to providing a professional and friendly service to all our students.
We want you to receive the level of support you need to complete (and enjoy!!) your course. With that in mind, our tutors promote an open and relaxed learning environment, in which you are encouraged, under our guidance, to ask questions, to challenge yourself and to learn.
In terms of your future, our courses:
- Are awarded by government recognised and regulated awarding bodies (this is important as some employers may not accept other qualifications that are not awarded in this way)
- Provide a route for you to further your education and progress to additional/advanced qualifications. We are able to do this as our courses are either included in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ) or give access to the qualifications in the FHEQ
- The SPS Certificate in Higher Education course provides you with a professional placement in sport, giving you essential work experience
2 - Where and how to become qualified as a sports massage practitioner
There are two routes you can take:
- University Certificate of Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD)
You can become qualified as a sports massage practitioner with SPS by embarking on the University Certificate of Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD) run by SPS Ltd. SPS courses are available at venues in Cardiff, Nottingham and Gloucester. For further information see course information. - SPS Diploma in Sports Massage OCR
The Diploma courses are available through our franchisees - University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC) and Southern School of Massage Therapy (SSMT). UWIC have courses based at the National Indoor Athletic Centre in Cardiff and SSMT has courses in Burgess Hill (Sussex) and Exeter.
Both the UCAPD and Diploma courses are the same in terms of structure and content. They are only different in terms of venue and awarding body. The UCAPD gets university ‘credits', whereas the OCR Diploma does not.
3 - What qualifications/experience do I need to come on SPS courses?
No previous massage experience is required.
The minimum educational entry requirements are:
Age: Aged 18 years or over at course commencement
Qualifications: 5 GCSE's to include English, Maths and Science
Mature students: Mature applicants (<21 years of age) who are not in possession of formal qualifications may have relevant work experience or work related experience which may be considered as a basis for entry onto the programme. For example:
a) Evidence of recent study or employment
b) Evidence of a commitment to study in this area
c) Evidence of practical/academic potential
English language: All courses are delivered and assessed in English. You must have sufficient command of the English language to complete your studies satisfactorily. The minimum entry level is as follows:
IELTS 6.0-7.0
TOEFL 550-600 paper based test
TOEFL 213-250 computer based test
TOEFL 79-100 internet based
IT skills: All students must have computer access and be able to word process and send/receive emails.
4 - What your qualification leads to
Whichever option you choose (UCAPD or SPS Diploma), your qualification will enable you to work autonomously as a sports massage practitioner.
In addition, either course allows you to advance your qualification by embarking on a further course of education, which will result in award of Certificate in Higher Education (Cert HE) - Massage in a Sports Environment.
SPS are currently working closely with the University of Teesside to validate additional modules of education to enable sports massage practitioners to continue along a structured educational pathway and achieve a Foundation Degree (FDSc) in massage.
Following successful completion of the SPS Education Programmes, graduates have gone on to work or are currently working in the following professional and sports environments:
Premiership Soccer Premiership Rugby UK Athletics Welsh Rugby
Ski Resorts Physiotherapy clinics Private Practice GB Swimming
Championship Soccer English Institute of Sport Osteopath clinics Chiropractic clinics
Most practitioners are self employed or sub-contracted.
5 - SPS Educational Pathway - career and learning progression
N.B. SPS are currently working closely with the University of Teesside to validate additional modules of education to enable sports massage practitioners to continue along a structured educational pathway and achieve a Foundation Degree (FDSc) in massage.
6 - Information on possible financial support
Career Development Loans (CDL) are not available for our courses. However, if you are in need of financial support, then you may wish to explore the following options:
1 - A personal loan
2 - Contacting the websites mentioned here, to see whether you qualify for financial support:
Welsh Assembly Government - A Guide to Funding for Adult Learners
Learning and Skills Council - Adult Learning Grant
Direct Gov - Financial Help for Adult Learners
We also offer the possibility for you to pay the course fees in instalments via PayPal, thus spreading the cost.
7 - What do past course attendees have to say about SPS courses?
"I attended the UCAPD Massage in a Sports Environment course which started in October 2008 and finished in April 2009 and already I run a very successful private practice in Leeds called SB Sports Massage. Prior to attending, I spent many months researching the courses available and finally selected the UCAPD from SPS. I felt that the syllabus on this course offered the most by way of the topics covered and the knowledge available and the accreditation was impressive compared to the other courses on offer. The course offered a split of theory and practice and the small number of attendees meant that you felt like you were getting preferential attention at all times. The course itself was hard work, especially when working full time but the rewards are great; and the feedback that I have had since qualifying about the course from those in the industry has been very positive. I would recommend this course and SPS for anyone wanting to launch a career in Sports Massage."
"I found the SPS Sports Massage course has added real value to my everyday practice as an S&C coach. It has furthered my understanding of functional anatomy and has provided me with useful techniques that can be incorporated into an athletes regular training regime. I would recommend the SPS course to any practitioner wishing to develop a new skill set into their practice."
"As a GP of 10 years and someone who has always been involved in sport in some way - hockey, running, cycling, and, in the last, 5 years, triathlon and duathlon, I have become interested in helping people during their training and with recovery from injuries. As a member of my local AC and Tri Club, I am often asked for advice from other members once they find out I'm a GP! Many GPs aren't particularly interested in sports injuries, and just advise rest and an anti-inflammatory, or refer the person to a physiotherapist. I was introduced to sports massage when I was cycling and developed a hamstring injury. I wished I had sought help sooner, and have since used sports therapists for calf injuries and a few other problems. I have also found that sports massage works well for others on whom I have practised, helping with tight muscles, recovery from injuries, recovery from exercise, sleep and relaxation. From my own knowledge and personal experience, I have found that it works well in conjunction with other treatment modalities.
As a result of this, I became interested in doing at least a basic sports massage qualification. A complete career change for me is not appropriate or feasible, but at least by doing this, and using my additional medical knowledge, I feel I can enjoy helping my friends and colleagues in the local AC and triathlon and cycling clubs whenever time allows. It would be fantastic to experience some higher level events, and perhaps that is something I could do if the practice where I work could afford to allow me to take a few months sabbatical leave.
Doctors are probably not that well represented amongst the students on the SPS courses, but they would be of interest to anyone who has an interest in sports medicine. Even if he/she did not complete the massage hours in the CARL or gain the official qualification, a lot is learnt about anatomy, basic sports physiology, massage and how it can benefit athletes (and non-athletes)".
