Soft Tissue Therapy HNC/ Year 1 HND Sports Therapy

Course overview

This course is ideal if you want to work with sports people who have soft tissue (muscle) issues.

The HNC Soft Tissue Therapy is a one-year practical course with a strong theoretical component. Providing you with an industry-recognised qualification, this course develops the knowledge and skills required to work as a Soft Tissue Therapist delivering clinical sports massage treatments. 

What you will learn

This course offers the opportunity to be competent in a variety of relevant techniques and the understanding needed for safe practice.

You will learn how to use various modalities to treat the soft tissues of clients from a wide range of ages and abilities who might participate in recreational levels of activity through to elite-level performance.

The topics covered include:

• Anatomy and Physiology
• Clinical Sports Massage,
• Prevention and Management of Sports Injuries
• Professional Standards

Placement information

• You will be expected to undertake work placement activities with help and guidance from the lecturing staff.
• You will work with local sports clubs, businesses and the wider college community through our clinics and health and wellbeing initiatives, as well as supporting national and international sporting events.
• This will assist you in gaining the required number of practice hours to demonstrate your competence in a variety of relevant techniques. 

How the course is assessed

You will be assessed on an ongoing basis in both practical and theoretical settings and you will complete the following types of assessment:

• class-based assessment
• practical observations
• report writing
• presentations
• logbooks
• portfolio work
• assignment tasks

Number of days per week

• 3 days per week

Entry requirements

• 2 x Higher passes at grade C or above (preferably English and one science) and a core skills profile at SCQF level 5 with communication or equivalent at SCQF level 6 or 2 A levels at grade D and relevant GSCE equivalent core skills A National Qualification at SCQF level 6, S/NVQ level 3, or equivalent, in an appropriate subject area such as sports massage, exercise and fitness or sports development may be considered along with the appropriate core skills profile previously stated.
• You may be a candidate who comes from a non-traditional route such as a mature returnee or one who wishes to change careers or perhaps retrain following a career break to raise a family. In these or other cases we would consider work experience life skills and potential ability. You may be expected to submit a brief written assignment or essay before the interview to provide some indication of academic standing and communication skills.
• You should have an interest/involvement in the sport/fitness/physical activity sector  

Information on Tests / Auditions / Interview Requirements

• You must attend an information session, dates will be sent to you with your conditional offer. The session will include information on the course and a discussion on your suitability. Please prepare to discuss your career aspirations and fitness experience.  
• Being able to achieve a suitable level of clearance through the PVG scheme will be expected of all applicants. 

English Proficiency Requirements

Progression and Articulation Routes

• HND Sports Therapy (Year 2) - you must have 15 credits from the HNC in Soft Tissue Therapy

Following successful completion of HNC Year 1 or HND Year 2 you may be able to access a range of degree-level courses at universities across Scotland and the UK in relevant subject areas. Although direct entry is not guaranteed, examples include:

• Queen Margaret University
• Glasgow Caledonian University
• Robert Gordon University
• Stirling University
• Heriot-Watt University 
• Napier University
• Teeside University

We strongly advise contacting universities directly to discuss potential progression routes with them. 

Career options

You may gain direct entry to employment as a Soft Tissue Therapist by setting up your own business practice or in a range of health fitness or sports-based establishments such as:

• Private health and fitness clubs and clinics. 
• Local authority sports centres and health and fitness clubs.
• Hotels and conference centres with health and fitness facilities. 
• Sports clubs that require massage therapy to support the training and recovery of players/athletes. 
• Single and multi-disciplinary clinics providing sports massage treatments