Advance your sports massage career with expert training at St Mary’s University.
Are you a qualified sports massage therapist looking to work with recreational athletes, fitness enthusiasts, or team sport players? The Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage (ITEC) is designed for professionals who have completed the level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage and want to deepen their expertise in injury assessment, treatment techniques and rehabilitation.
Course overview
This advanced sports massage course builds on your existing knowledge to help you:
- assess and treat common soft tissue injuries.
- understand injury management and rehabilitation.
- apply advanced massage techniques for injury prevention and recovery.
You’ll gain hands-on experience using tools and methods to treat pre-diagnosed injuries and dysfunctions, preparing you to work confidently with active clients.
What you'll learn
You’ll study three key units:
- Conducting subjective and objective assessment.
- Treatment modalities to support soft tissue repair.
- Sports massage techniques to prevent and manage injury.
Topics include
- Injury management and postural analysis.
- Soft tissue mobilisation and advanced massage techniques.
- Range of movement testing and stretching exercises.
- Trigger point therapy, muscle energy techniques (METs), frictions, and soft tissue release (STRs).
This is a practical, hands-on course—you’ll both give and receive massages during training.
Course dates and format
November 2025 course
- Wednesdays 9:30am–4:30pm
- Runs from 5 November 2025 to 4 February 2026.
April 2026 course
- Wednesdays 9:30am–4:30pm.
- Runs from 15 April to 8 July 2026.
Summer intensive course
- 12 sessions delivered over two weeks in July 2026, including a revision weekend.
Location
60 Waldegrave Road campus, St Mary's University.
Course fees
- Full course cost: £1,450
- Deposit: £50
Assessment
- Ongoing practical assessments and oral questioning
- Logbook of treatments on five clients
- Final practical exam and written assignment
- Portfolio of evidence for future reference.
Entry requirements
- Must hold a level 3 certificate in sports massage.
- Good physical health required due to practical nature.
- Sporting background is beneficial.
- Approx. 5 hours of home study per week expected.
Award
Upon successful completion, you’ll receive the ITEC level 4 certificate in sports massage, a recognised qualification for working with athletes and active populations.
Student testimonial
“I had a great experience doing the level 4 course at St Mary’s—from a great bunch of fellow students to our teacher, who was very knowledgeable and kept the classes fun and interesting. Even when I had my leg in a brace due to a rugby injury, everyone found a way to help and keep me involved. I wouldn’t hesitate to do another short course at St Mary’s University.”
Select a course
Please select which course you would like to book on to:
For more information about this course please contact the Short Courses team:
For more information or to enrol, contact the Short Courses team:
Phone: 020 8240 4321
Email: shortcourses@stmarys.ac.uk