Athletic Therapist

As an Athletic Therapist you assess, prevent, and rehabilitate musculoskeletal injuries sustained in sport and physical activity. Your day-to-day work involves designing and supervising personalised rehabilitation programmes, applying manual therapy techniques, and using modalities such as taping, electrotherapy, and exercise prescription to return athletes to full fitness. You collaborate closely with physiotherapists, doctors, strength and conditioning coaches, and team management to ensure a coordinated approach to player welfare. Athletic Therapists work across professional and amateur sports clubs, private clinics, gyms, and community health settings throughout Ireland.

A strong Leaving Certificate with subjects such as Biology, Physical Education, and Chemistry is advantageous for entry to relevant degree programmes. The primary route into Athletic Therapy in Ireland is an NFQ Level 8 Honours Bachelor degree in Athletic Therapy and Training, offered at institutions such as TU Dublin and IT Carlow (now SETU). Some graduates choose to complement their qualification with a postgraduate diploma or master's at NFQ Level 9 to specialise in areas such as sports rehabilitation or strength and conditioning. Athletic Therapy is not yet regulated under CORU, but graduates are strongly encouraged to obtain membership and certification through the Athletic Therapists Association of Ireland (ATAI) or the Society of Sports Therapists (SST), which require a recognised degree and completion of a supervised clinical placement. A PLC course in Sport and Exercise at NFQ Level 5 or 6 can serve as a foundation pathway for students who do not meet direct entry requirements for a Level 8 programme.