Level 5 Sports Massage Course in Northern Ireland
The Ofqual-regulated Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy is coming to Northern Ireland in spring 2027. The highest-level regulated sports massage qualification we offer, for therapists ready to work with complex injuries, rehabilitation and elite sport.
- Ofqual-regulated
- Level 5 RQF
- Blended: online theory + practical days in Belfast
- Over 10 years training NI therapists
What is the Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy?
The Level 5 Diploma is the clinical progression from Level 3 and Level 4 sports massage. Where Level 3 qualifies you to treat healthy clients and Level 4 to assess and manage a wider range of soft tissue injuries, Level 5 takes you into complex assessment, complex massage techniques, injury rehabilitation, posture and gait analysis, taping, and electrotherapy modalities.
It's the qualification for therapists who want to work in clinical and rehabilitation settings, alongside physiotherapists and sports medicine teams, or with elite and semi-professional sport, and who want the regulated credential to back that up.
Qualification
Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy (RQF)
Regulation
Ofqual-regulated · Level 5 RQF
Structure
7 mandatory units · 44 credits
Delivery
Blended: online theory with practical days in Belfast
What the Level 5 course covers
Seven mandatory units, assessed through a portfolio of evidence built across online theory and hands-on practical days.
Anatomy, physiology, pathology and functional anatomy
Advanced structure and function, pathology of common conditions and how the body moves under load.
Complex assessment
Clinical assessment of clients presenting with complex and pre-existing conditions.
Complex massage techniques
Advanced soft tissue techniques for post-acute injury and musculoskeletal conditions.
Rehabilitation of injuries
Planning and progressing rehabilitation programmes alongside hands-on treatment.
Posture and gait analysis
Identifying postural and movement dysfunction and linking it to treatment planning.
Taping and strapping
Supportive and functional taping for injury prevention, support and return to activity.
Ultrasound and other electrotherapy modalities
Safe, evidence-informed use of electrotherapy within a sports massage practice.
Practical days for the hands-on units will run in Belfast. Full delivery schedule, entry requirements and fees will be confirmed to the wait list before general release.
Who the Level 5 is for
This is a progression qualification for practising therapists, not an entry-level course. It suits you if you're:
- A qualified sports massage therapist who wants to treat post-acute injuries and pre-existing conditions
- Working, or wanting to work, in a physiotherapy, rehabilitation or sports medicine setting
- Supporting GAA, rugby, football, athletics or other club and county teams
- Building a clinic-based practice and want the highest regulated credential in sports massage
- Looking to add taping, electrotherapy and rehabilitation planning to your existing skill set
Entry requirements will be confirmed to the wait list first. If you're not yet qualified, start with our Level 3 Diploma or progress through the Level 4 Certificate.
Your sports massage pathway in Northern Ireland
Uni Learning now offers the full regulated route from beginner to clinical practitioner.
- L3Level 3 Diploma in Sports Massage TherapyEntry qualification. Treat healthy clients, obtain insurance, start practising. View Level 3
- L4Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage TherapyAssess and manage a wider range of soft tissue injuries. View Level 4
- L5Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage TherapyComplex assessment, rehabilitation, taping and electrotherapy. Launching spring 2027.
Why train with Uni Learning
Uni Learning is Northern Ireland's massage and sports therapy academy. We've trained sports massage therapists across NI for over a decade, and we're an approved centre for the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 Diploma.
10+
Years in Northern Ireland
A local academy with a long track record at Level 3 and Level 4, not an online-only provider.
1,000s
Therapists qualified
Many of our Level 5 learners will be our own Level 3 and Level 4 graduates progressing through.
Small
Practical groups
Hands-on days in Belfast with tutor feedback on assessment, technique and clinical reasoning.
Blended
Online theory, in-person practice
Study the theory around your clinic hours; attend Belfast for the practical units.
Level 5 Sports Massage: common questions
When does the Level 5 sports massage course start in Northern Ireland?
The first Northern Ireland cohort launches in spring 2027. Exact dates, the practical-day schedule and fees will go to the wait list first, before general release. Join the wait list to be told first.
What qualification do I receive?
The Ofqual-regulated Level 5 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy (RQF), at Level 5 on the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework. It's made up of seven mandatory units and is assessed through a portfolio of evidence.
Do I need Level 3 or Level 4 sports massage before Level 5?
The Level 5 is a progression qualification for practising therapists, so you'll need a prior sports massage qualification. The exact entry requirements will be confirmed to the wait list. If you're not yet qualified, our Level 3 Diploma is the starting point and the Level 4 Certificate is the next step.
What's the difference between Level 4 and Level 5 sports massage?
Level 4 develops your ability to assess and manage a wider range of soft tissue injuries. Level 5 goes further into complex assessment, complex massage techniques, rehabilitation planning, posture and gait analysis, taping and strapping, and electrotherapy, so you can work with post-acute injury and pre-existing conditions in clinical and rehabilitation settings.
Where and how is the course delivered?
Delivery is blended. Theory units are studied online through our learning platform; practical units run as in-person days in Belfast. The exact mix of online and practical days for each unit will be confirmed before launch.
Will I be able to get professional insurance at Level 5?
On successful completion you'll be eligible to apply for professional insurance covering the advanced techniques taught, including the taping and electrotherapy units. Cover depends on the insurer and their terms.
Does the wait list commit me to anything?
No. Joining the wait list means you hear about dates, entry requirements and fees before anyone else, and get first refusal on the first cohort. There's no deposit and no obligation.
Speak to our team about the Level 5
Book a quick 15-minute call with our sports massage team. It is a chance to check whether the Level 5 is the right next step for you, talk through the units and how delivery will work, and ask anything about the launch.
- Check where you sit on the pathway and what you'll need for entry
- Talk through the seven units and the blended delivery
- Hear how the spring 2027 launch will work
- No preparation needed
Want first notice of dates and fees? Join the wait list.