Frequently asked questions (FAQS)
1 - Are the SPS
courses recognised?
2 - What level are
your courses?
3 - I have seen
Level 5 & 6 courses in remedial massage and/or sports therapy. Are they
higher qualifications than yours?
4 - What
qualification will I get at the end of each course?
5 - Will I be
able to set up in practice on my own?
6 - What's the
difference between your UCAPD course and other massage courses?
7 - When and
where are the courses?
8 - How much do
they cost?
9 - Can I pay in
instalments?
10 - What
qualifications/experience do I need to come on SPS
courses?
11 - Can I
complete the course any more quickly?
1 - Are the SPS
courses recognised?
Yes. All SPS courses are recognised and validated
by either the University of Teesside or Oxford, Cambridge and RSA
Examinations Ltd (OCR). This is important when searching for a course, as some
employers may not accept courses awarded in another way.
They are also
recognised by the professional body and the sports and fitness industry.
2 - What level are
your courses?
SPS University Certificate of Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD) - Higher Education Framework - Level 4 (600 hours)
The SPS UCAPD
course is the first stand-alone course in the UK to be validated by a university
and included in the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications
(FHEQ).
SPS Diploma OCR - Customer specific scheme - Level 4 (600 hours)
SPS Certificate in Higher Education - Higher Education Framework - Level 4
(1200 hours)
The Certificate
in Higher Education is the next step in the SPS educational pathway.
3 - I have seen
Level 5 & 6 courses in remedial massage and/or sports therapy. Are they
higher qualifications than yours?
No. These
courses are not included in either of the regulated frameworks and could
represent as little as 370 hours.
Please note, the
courses you have seen are probably outside of the regulated frameworks and will
not have been subject to quality assurance or Sector
Skills Councils evaluation.
You should check
with the provider of these courses, as they may not enable you to
progress/enhance your education.
For further
information, you should check the National Database of
Accredited Qualifications.
4 - What
qualification will I get at the end of each course?
On successfully
completing the course with SPS at Cardiff,
Nottingham or Gloucester
you will be eligible for the award University Certificate of Advanced
Professional Development (UCAPD) - Massage in a Sports Environment.
If you complete
the course with either of our franchisees, UWIC or SSMT, you will be eligible for
the SPS Diploma in Sports Massage awarded by OCR.
If you complete
the Cert HE course with SPS in Cardiff,
you will be eligible for the award Certificate of Higher Education (Cert HE) -
Massage in a Sports Environment. The
Cert HE represents 1200 hours of education and is currently the highest credit
level of sports massage education available in the UK.
5 - Will I be
able to set up in practice on my own?
Yes. All SPS courses permit autonomous practice.
6 - What's the
difference between your University Certificate of Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD) course and other massage courses?
The essential
difference is that the UCAPD course is placed in the Framework of Higher
Education Qualifications (FHEQ). The
UCAPD is a university qualification and has been validated by healthcare
professionals from the School of Health and Social Care at Teesside University. Students who successfully complete this, will
be able to progress along the SPS educational pathway in order to advance their
qualifications. In addition, SPS
students are able to access various elements of E-learning via the University
web-site.
7 - When and
where are the courses?
The University Certifiacte of Advanced Professional Development (UCAPD)
courses are available at venues in Cardiff,
Nottingham and Gloucester.
The Diploma
courses are available through our franchisees Southern School of Massage
Therapy (SSMT) and University of Wales Institute Cardiff (UWIC). SSMT has courses in Burgess Hill (Sussex) and Exeter.
UWIC has courses based at the National Indoor Athletics Centre in Cardiff. Courses run throughout the year but most are
tailored to coincide with the academic year.
The Cert HE
course is only available at the Cardiff
venue.
For specific information about these courses as well as dates and application forms etc, see the courses page and click on the course you are interested in.
8 - How much do
they cost?
Course are
typically between £1000-£2100 plus VAT.
9 - Can I pay in
instalments?
There is
normally the provision to pay for the courses in instalments. Please contact
the office directly should you wish to discuss this further.
10 - 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.
11 - Can I
complete the course any more quickly?
No, it is part of
the university validation that the course is completed over a period of 6
months.
