Master Sports Physiotherapy

Advancing to a specialist in sports rehabilitation and performance

The full-time Master Sports Physiotherapy is taught in English and is intended for international students from the European Economic Area (EEA). The next intake is in January 2027.

The Master Sports Physiotherapy at SOMT University of Physiotherapy is a postgraduate master’s programme for physiotherapists who want to specialise in the care of athletes, from recreational to elite level.

In this programme, you combine clinical expertise, scientific evidence and sports-specific skills training. You develop in-depth knowledge of anatomy, kinematics, pathology, training science and physiological recovery processes, and learn how to integrate these into sports rehabilitation and return to performance.

The programme is designed for professionals who want to deepen their clinical reasoning and make well-founded decisions in sports-related cases.

Why choose this master’s programme?

Postgraduate Master’s programme in Sports Physiotherapy (MSc)
Accredited by the NVAO
Programme at EQF level 7
Full-time programme: 1.5 years (90 ECTS), taught in English.
Focus on sports rehabilitation, prevention, and return to sport & performance
Integration of movement analysis, training science, and motor learning
Small-scale education with intensive supervision

This master’s programme prepares you for independent and responsible practice in complex sports-related situations. You develop into a sports physiotherapist who makes well-founded decisions and takes on a substantive role within the sports domain.

Programme at a glance

Study format: Full-time
Duration: 1.5 years (90 ECTS)
Study load: Approximately 40 hours per week, including three contact days
Location: Amersfoort, the Netherlands
Next intake: January 2027
Language of instruction: English
Target group: International students from the European Economic Area (EEA)
Clinical placements: Integrated into the programme
Schedule and tuition fees: Contact our Student Administration for the timetable and current full-time tuition fees.
Funding: Student finance or Lifelong Learning Credit through DUO may be available, subject to eligibility.

“You learn to justify and substantiate your own clinical decisions. You train this together with your fellow students in small groups, based on practical examples and sports-specific cases.”

— Huub Habets, alumnus Master Sports Physiotherapy

The master’s programme in practice

Curious what the Master Sports Physiotherapy looks like in practice? Watch the video in which lecturers and participants share their experiences with the programme.

What will you learn?

Evidence-based clinical reasoning in sports-related injuries and conditions
Sports-specific movement analysis (qualitative and quantitative)
Integration of training principles, strength, flexibility, and coordination in rehabilitation
Designing innovative sports rehabilitation programmes
Evidence-based practice within sports physiotherapy cases
Guiding athletes towards return to sport and return to performance

Education, assessment & practice

The Master Sports Physiotherapy is practice-oriented and designed to deepen your expertise. You learn through recognisable cases from daily sports practice and develop skills that are directly applicable to your clinical work.

Intensive skills training, feedback and workplace learning form the core of the programme. In addition, you develop academic skills, including practice-based research. Assessment and clinical placements focus on professional performance and the justification of clinical decisions.

Faculty & Practice

You will be taught by experienced sports physiotherapists, researchers and external experts from the sports domain, including orthopaedic surgeons, sports physicians, coaches and specialists in sports performance. They are actively involved in clinical practice and bring current challenges from the field directly into the classroom.

Admission & enrolment

This English-taught, full-time programme is open only to international applicants from the European Economic Area (EEA).

Applicants must meet one of the following requirements:

A recognised Bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy; or A degree in Medicine with BIG registration.

English language requirements

Applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency before the programme starts. The same English language requirements apply as for SOMT’s Bachelor of Physiotherapy & Rehabilitation Sciences.

Please refer to the bachelor’s admission information and the Language Test Appendix to the Code of Conduct for accepted language tests and minimum scores.

For questions about eligibility, required documents or enrolment, contact our Student Administration.

Funding of the Master’s Programme

Lifelong Learning Credit

If you are not eligible for regular student finance, you may qualify for Lifelong Learning Credit: a loan to help pay tuition fees. Conditions apply, including requirements concerning age, nationality or residence status, and the programme.

Check the Lifelong Learning Credit requirements on the DUO website.

Student finance

Full-time students may be eligible for student finance. Eligibility depends on factors including nationality or residence status, age, previous funding and the programme. Being from an EEA country does not automatically entitle you to student finance.

Check the student finance requirements on the DUO website.

International student support & Code of Conduct

SOMT follows the Code of Conduct International Student in Dutch Higher Education. This sets standards for information, recruitment, admission and support for international students.

Visit our International Student Information page for practical guidance and information about the Code of Conduct.

If you believe SOMT has not complied with the Code, first follow SOMT’s internal complaints procedure. If your complaint has not been resolved satisfactorily, you can submit a complaint to the National Commission.

After the Master’s Programme

After completing the Master Sports Physiotherapy, you are prepared for a specialist role within sports healthcare. You guide athletes in rehabilitation, prevention and performance, and make well-founded decisions in complex sports-related situations.

Explore or get acquainted

Would you like to find out if this master’s programme fits your professional development? Visit an open day or get in touch.