Skip to main content

Course Search

Course Search

Course Search

Athletic & Rehabilitation Therapy – BSc (Hons)

  • CAO Points: 484

  • Campus: Athlone

  • years: 4


Course Overview

The term sports injury refers to the kinds of injuries that most commonly occur during sports or exercise. Some sports injuries result from accidents, others are due to poor training practices, improper equipment, lack of conditioning, or insufficient warm-up and stretching. Although virtually any part of your body can be injured during sports or exercise, the term is usually reserved for injuries involving the musculoskeletal system, including muscles, bones, and cartilage e.g., tennis elbow, runner’s knee, breaks to bones, torn ligaments and torn tendons. In this honours degree, students will become skilled in the prevention, assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries related to physical activity.

This programme is accredited by Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy Ireland and graduates can practice as Certified Athletic Therapists. In Year 1, athletic rehabilitation therapy is introduced as a profession and students will have the opportunity to become involved in the pre-participation screening of injuries in various teams – including collegiate and professional teams. In Year 2, students will be introduced to clinical practice through the student led START clinic and practical placements. In Year 3, students develop applied skills thereby creating the foundation pillars for the clinical practice placement which takes place in the first semester in Year 4. In the final year, the emphasis is on advanced clinical and rehabilitation techniques and a capstone project, designed to assimilate all of the skills acquired by the student throughout the four years of the course, preparing them for the profession of athletic rehabilitation therapy and employment as a professional clinical practitioner. Pre- hospital Emergency Care Council of Ireland (PHECC) approved first-aid courses are embedded into the course. Studentswill become certified Cardiac First Responders (CFR) and Emergency First Responders (EFR) by year 2 of this course.

Finally, the Athlone campus has one of the leading facility provisions for sport on the island with modern, state-of-the art  equipment and teaching spaces including two Rehabilitation labs, Sports Science Lab, High Performance Gym, Biomechanics Lab and the International Arena.

Contact Details

Anna Postawa

Email: Anna.Postawa@tus.ie

Lynn Allen

Email: Lynn.Allen@tus.ie

What are the entry requirements?

Leaving Certificate

Minimum of Grade H5 at higher level in two subjects plus a minimum of grade O6/H7 at ordinary level in four other subjects in the Leaving Certificate examination. Two of these six subjects must be Mathematics and a language (English or Irish).

QQI

A limited number of places (up to two) will be reserved for QQI applicants. Applicants must hold three distinctions and a pass in 5N1833 or 5N0556 or Leaving Certificate Maths at O6/H7.

Mature Applicants

The Department welcomes application from mature students. Such applicants may not be required to have the minimum entry requirements. However, the TU will look for satisfactory evidence of the applicant’s ability to pursue and benefit from the course. Knowledge and skills gained through experiential learning will be taken into account. Mature applicants may be required to attend for interview at TUS as part of the selection process.

International Applicants

International applicants should apply directly to the International Office at TUS, allowing plenty of time for completing the visa process. Applications for September start should be made by 1st June at the latest to ensure visas are processed in time. You should familiarise yourself with visa processing times for your country of origin to ensure you make a timely application. Find out more here.

All students on the BSc (Hons) in Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy are required to obtain Garda clearance through the National Vetting Bureau.

Course Modules

  • Academic Skills for Sport and Health Sciences

    Credits: 5

    The aim of the module is to equip students with the key academic and research skills needed to succeed at university.

  • Mathematics for Sport and Health

    Credits: 5

    Mathematics for Sport and Health Science introduces students to the basic mathematical principles underpinning sport and health science. This module will provide the learner with the necessary tools to deal with the quantitative aspects of the discipline. Examples relevant to Biomechanics and the research stream will be used to engage students, provide context, and highlight the importance of mathematics across the discipline of sport and exercise sciences.

  • Human Physiology 1

    Credits: 5

    Human Physiology 1 aims to introduce and provide students with an in-depth understanding of the structure and function of four physiological systems in the human body: the cardiovascular system, the musculoskeletal system, the respiratory system and the nervous system.

  • Science for Sport and Health

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to introduce students to the fundamental principles of biology and chemistry required for the sport and health sciences.

  • Anatomy 1

    Credits: 5

    This module explores in detail the anatomy of the lower quadrant of the human body.

  • Screening and Injury Prevention

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to introduce and develop students’ skills to perform pre-participation screenings and provide in-depth knowledge of current injury prevention strategies used by Certified Athletic Therapists, a core domain in ARTI’s Educational competencies, to prevent/reduce the incidence of injury/s pre-exercise and during exercise and to enhance and facilitate recovery appropriately.

  • Human Physiology 2

    Credits: 5

    Human Physiology 2 aims to introduce and provide students with knowledge of the digestive system, metabolism and energy systems, fuel utilisation, endocrine system, and immune system.

  • Anatomy 2

    Credits: 5

    This module explores in detail the anatomy of the upper quadrant of the human body, providing students with knowledge and practical palpation skills relevant to injury examination and treatment.

  • Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the fundamental theoretical and applied concepts of sport and exercise psychology.

  • Drugs in Sport

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to introduce students to the pharmacokinetics of Over the Counter (OTC) medication and Performance Enhancing Drug (PED) in sport.

  • Introduction to Biomechanics

    Credits: 5

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the concepts of biomechanics and their application to (i) sports performance, (ii) injury prevention and (iii) neuromuscular training.

  • Fundamental Rehabilitation Skills

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for students to gain an in-depth knowledge of the principles and general framework on basic foundational strength and conditioning, and rehabilitation principles, both in theory and practice, for phased rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries, a central core domain in ARTI Educational competencies.

  • Emergency First Response

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the emergency medical service. The module will demonstrate the basic principles of the emergency first response, first aid and cardio-pulmonary resuscitation. This module will allow the student to gain external accreditation by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council of Ireland for Cardiac First Response Community and Emergency First Response.

  • Anatomy 3

    Credits: 5

    This module will explore in detail the anatomy of the spinal column, head, thorax and abdomen of the human body.

  • Performance Testing for Sport and Exercise Science

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to investigate the scientific theory and physiological concepts underpinning performance testing within sport and exercise and introduce students to assessment methods of anthropometry, muscular strength, power and endurance in field and laboratory based settings.

  • Athletic Taping and Strapping

    Credits: 5

    This module explores in detail athletic taping and strapping used in Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy.

  • Musculoskeletal Injuries 1

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module aims is for students to gain an in-depth knowledge of the principles and general framework of assessing, diagnosing common injuries of the lower limb, whereby each musculoskeletal condition/injury will be discussed regarding signs and symptoms, causes, pathophysiology, clinical examination, differential diagnosis, prognosis, epidemiology, treatment and prevention.

  • Sports Nutrition

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to develop the student’s comprehension of the principles of nutrition as they relate to sporting performance, training, and recovery.

  • Research Methods and Statistics 1

    Credits: 5

    The purpose of this module is to provide students with a formal introduction to scientific research methods; the critical analysis of research; and the use of statistics in sports, exercise, and health science from factors related to designing a study through to the formal analysis of the data and the presentation of results.

  • Musculoskeletal Injuries 2

    Credits: 5

    This module explores the most common injuries of the upper limb, providing students with knowledge and practical skills required to effectively recognise, assess and diagnose upper limb pathology.

  • Student-Led Clinics 1

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to introduce the student to the basic principles of clinical practice, ethical principles and required standards of care in the treatment of an injured athlete.

  • Legal, Ethical & Entrepreneurial Skills

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to enable students to gain an in-depth and comprehensive understanding of the legal principles of clinical governance and ethics in Athletic and Rehabilitation Therapy, with a particular emphasis on ethical requirements, ensuring improved quality of service, and safeguarding high standards of patient safety and ethics in decision-making, whilst, maintaining excellence in clinical care.

  • Rehabilitation 1

    Credits: 5

    This module will explore the rehabilitation of musculoskeletal injuries pertaining to the lower limb, building on knowledge gained from MSK Injuries 1.

  • Applied Exercise Physiology

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to provide students with an understanding of the scientific principles that underpin the design of training programmes, and the physiological adaptations that occur in response to aerobic training, anaerobic training and resistance training, in the context of both sport and health.

  • Student-Led Clinics 2 (Year-Long)

    Credits: 10

    The aim of this module is to provide students with the tools necessary to effectively conduct a clinical consultation with a patient, with special emphasis on the assessment of an injury, the differential diagnosis and the clinical reasoning required to diagnose and manage injuries.

  • Research Methods and Statistics 2

    Credits: 5

    The purpose of this module is to address a range of research methodologies relevant to the analysis, critique and understanding of the research process and to subsequently apply these methodologies to sport and health science related issues.

  • Clinical Biomechanics

    Credits: 5

    This module will explore the biomechanical causes of injury, how the body responds to load, and how training, equipment, and movement technique can modify the risk of injury development.

  • Musculoskeletal Injuries 3

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to provide students with knowledge and practical skills including spinal mobilisation techniques, to effectively assess, diagnose and treat spinal pathology.

  • Therapeutic Modalities

    Credits: 5

    This module explores therapeutic modalities used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pathology and introduces the student to the use of wide range of soft tissue techniques, joint mobilisation techniques, as well as a variety of electrophysical agent modalities.

  • Rehabilitation 2

    Credits: 5

    This module will explore the rehabilitation musculoskeletal injuries of the axial skeleton and upper limb, building on knowledge gained from MSK Injuries 2 and MSK Injuries 3. Each region of the axial skeleton and upper limb will be discussed in-depth regarding specific diagnoses, their clinical presentations and associated modifiable risk factors. Students will address injury problem lists and establish typical rehabilitation goals for injuries in the regions. Students will be instructed on the principles surrounding region and injury specific rehabilitation programmes. They will continue to develop their understanding of a phase-based framework to programme design and identify progression criteria for injuries of the axial skeleton and upper limb.

  • Student-Led Clinics 2 (Year-Long)

    Credits: 10

    The aim of this module is to provide students with the tools necessary to effectively conduct a clinical consultation with a patient, with special emphasis on the assessment of an injury, the differential diagnosis and the clinical reasoning required to diagnose and manage injuries.

  • Diagnostic Imaging

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to provide students with knowledge of procedures, indications, contraindications and clinical uses of diagnostic imaging modalities commonlyused in the management of a sport injury including: X-ray, Computed Tomography (CT), Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Bone Scintigraphy, Dual-energy Xray Absorptiometry (DXA), Diagnostic Musculoskeletal Ultrasound, Electromyography (EMG), Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) and Arthroscopy.

  • Musculoskeletal Injuries 4

    Credits: 5

    This module aims to provide students with knowledge and practical skills required to effectively recognise, assess and diagnose pathology of the head, thorax and abdomen, while exploring the concept of pain, its measurement and management, and variations in the experience of pain.

  • Advanced Rehabilitation

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to provide students with the necessary strategies to rehabilitate high performing athletes. It will highlight the need for an integrated approach to injury management for a sports medicine and performance team. There will be an emphasis on the transition to full training and performance and increasing an athlete’s capacity to tolerate the specific demands of their sport. Appropriate athlete monitoring strategies will be utilised to assess response to load, readiness to perform and to mitigate the risk of reinjury.

  • Psychology of Sports Injuries and Rehabilitation

    Credits: 5

    Students will develop their knowledge, application, and evaluation of psychological concepts associated with athlete injury and rehabilitation.

  • Medical Conditions in Sport

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is for students to gain an in-depth knowledge of common medical conditions and special populations that athletes may present to a healthcare professional such as an Athletic therapist, whereby each medical condition will be discussed regarding aetiologies, pathophysiology, epidemiology, signs and symptoms, clinical examination, differential diagnosis and treatment.

  • Research Project (Year-Long)

    Credits: 20

    The purpose of this module is to engage students in formal scientific research as a means to develop skills in project management, data acquisition, evaluation and communication of scientific information.

  • Professional Work Experience

    Credits: 30

    The aim of this module is to provide students with the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a practical, real-world setting in the field of Athletic Rehabilitation Therapy whereby students will experience and participate in the culture, nature and structure employment in the area of preventing, assessing, diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating injuries.

  • Research Project

    Credits: 20

    The purpose of this module is to engage students in formal scientific research as a means to develop skills in project management, data acquisition, evaluation and communication of scientific information.

  • Student-Led Clinics 3

    Credits: 5

    The aim of this module is to refine the students’ skill sets to prevent, assess, diagnose, treat, and rehabilitate injuries in the physically active, with an emphasis on the utilisation of evidence-based practice to direct their approach.

  • Clinical Reasoning Capstone

    Credits: 5

    This module focuses on the development of clinical, contextual and therapeutic reasoning, as well as student preparation for the ARTI professional certification exam.

What can you do after this programme?

As a graduate from this course, you may expect to find rewarding careers as a Certified Athletic Therapist in the areas of sports injury clinics, with amateur and professional sports clubs and teams, with national governing bodies of sports associations, and in health and fitness centres or as a self employed professional.

Following graduation, students can progress to a wide range of postgraduate courses at both MSc and PhD level, nationally and internationally including pre-reg Physiotherapy programmes.

Student Testimonial

Cormac Timoney:  have thoroughly enjoyed my time studying Athletic and Rehabiliation Therapy. The lecturers are incredibly helpful and reassuring. A key feature of this course is the START Clinic, which is a great opportunity for students to experience managing an assessment and treatment clinic under the supervision of teaching staff.

Download our Department Prospectus

Download here

Learn more about the SHE Research Group

SHE Research Group

Similar Courses

TUS Athlone Sports Science with Exercise Physiology

Course Type: Undergraduate – CAO

Sports Science with Exercise Physiology – BSc (Hons)

Study Mode: Full Time

Level 8

Years 4

CAO points 368

Course Code US951

TUS Athlone Sport Management

Course Type: Undergraduate – CAO

Sport Management (with International Placement) – BBus (Hons)

Study Mode: Full Time

Level 8

Years 4

CAO points 234

Course Code US952

TUS Athlone Nutrition and Health Science

Course Type: Undergraduate – CAO

Nutrition and Health Science – BSc (Hons)

Study Mode: Full Time

Level 8

Years 4

CAO points 287

Course Code US950

TUS Physical Activity and Health Science

Course Type: Undergraduate – CAO

Physical Activity and Health Science – BSc (Hons)

Study Mode: Full Time

Level 8

Years 4

CAO points 271

Course Code US957

TUS Physical Activity and Health Science

Course Type: Undergraduate – CAO

Exercise and Health Science – BSc

Study Mode: Full Time

Level 7

Years 3

CAO points 241

Course Code US788

TUS Athlone Campus Aerial View

Course Type: Undergraduate – CAO

Physical Education Studies – BA (Hons)

Study Mode: Full Time

Level 8

Years 4

CAO points New for 2025

Course Code US933