Course
Level 3 and Level 4 Massage (Combined)
This course option combines both our Level 3 Performance Massage and Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy courses.
You'll attend each course individually and once both courses are complete you'll receive two separate certificates. This combined option simply makes the courses more affordable with a reduction in price due to your commitment to both courses.
Next Course Dates
- Sheffield - Start Date: 22nd Mar 2025
- Sheffield - Start Date: 11th Oct 2025
Cost: £1,995.00
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Course Summary
Level 3 Performance Massage
The full course title is Level 3 Diploma in Performance Massage, here's a summary of the course details:
- 8 Days in-person taught course
- Each day runs 9 am-5 pm
- The range of assessments include
- Practical observation
- Written worksheets
- Online open book Q+A
- Qualifies you to do performance massage
- Provides the pre-requisite to the level 4 Sports Massage Therapy course
- Cost £1395
- 19+ Advanced Learner Loans Available, Payment plans can be arranged.
Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy
The full course title is Level 4 Diploma in Sports Massage Therapy (soft tissue dysfunction), here's a summary of the course details:
- 8 Days in-person taught course
- Each day runs 9 am-5 pm
- The range of assessments include
- Practical observation
- Written worksheets
- Online open book Q+A
- Qualifies you to do sports massage therapy, allowing you to treat clients suffering from pre-diagnosed injuries or long-term muscle complaints.
- 19+ Advanced Learner Loans Available, Payment plans can be arranged.
Combined Course Price
The cost of the courses when you choose to book them as a package is £1995.00. This price is only applicable when you commit to completing both course programmes.
“The SMA is delighted to see the lead that YMCA has taken in writing new qualifications that align education and the practical skills required in our industry” — Yvonne Blake Chair of SMA, vice-chair of GCMT
How You're Taught
These courses are delivered in person, so you'll need to attend 16 days of tutor-led delivery at one of our course venues.
Each course day is made up of theory and practical sessions, covering all aspects of the course. They'll be lots of chances to speak to your tutor, ask questions and work with your peers on the course.
We ask you to arrive at the course venue at 8.45 am so that you're ready for teaching to start at 9.00 am. There are sessions then throughout the day until approximately 5.00 pm. We sometimes finish teaching slightly earlier, which then gives the course tutor the opportunity to provide learners with more individualised support.
With this being a massage course, you will be expected to provide massage to other people in the group and also be a body for others to practice on too. Please bring appropriate clothing, please come dressed comfortably for the theory sessions. For the practical sessions, please bring a change of clothing, preferably shorts and a T-shirt, there are changing rooms on site.
Assessment
There are a number of different assessments you must complete and pass to gain these qualifications. They include:
- Written Worksheets
- Online open-book Q+A
- Practical Assessments - Observed by an assessor
Your tutor will work with you to teach and support you so that you're ready for assessments. Also if we work on a refer and defer assessment policy. So if you're not quite ready for assessment, we can defer them to a later date. Or if you refer to an assessment, and don't quite do enough to pass, we'll support you afterwards, providing feedback, guidance and additional opportunities for assessment.
Progression
Career as a Sports Massage Therapist
Once you have both the level 3 and level 4 qualifications, you can trade as a sports massage therapist. You may start your own sports massage practice, or work alongside other health professionals such as physiotherapists and/or sports therapists.
Further Education
This course can support access to degree studies related to Sports Therapy and/or Sport and Exercise Sciences.
Entry Requirement
There is no pre-requisite for the level 3 performance massage course, so anyone can apply to do the course.
If you have any concerns about the content, how the course is delivered or any questions at all, then please don't hesitate and get in touch with us.
Modules
Level 3 Performance Massage
- Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology
- Lifestyle management and health awareness
- Further anatomy and physiology for performance massage
- Massage professional practice
- The principles of soft tissue dysfunction
- Assessing clients and treatment planning
- Application of performance massage
- Providing post-treatment care advice
Level 4 Sports Massage Therapy
- Anatomy and aetiology of soft tissue dysfunction
- Clinical assessment methods and strategic planning
- The use of non-electrical therapeutic modalities in the treatment of soft tissue dysfunction
- Providing post-treatment care
Fees & Funding
The price of the courses is £1995.00.
We ask for £100.00 non-refundable deposit to confirm your place on the course, this doesn't apply to anyone paying using an advanced learner loan if your employer or another organisation is paying for the course for you.
19+ Advanced Learner Loan - This course is eligible to be fully funded by the advanced learner loan. The loan will be taken out in two separate loan applications. For further details then please get in touch.
We also offer Envisage payment plans for this course, so you can spread the payments over a 3 or 6 month period.
How to Apply
Click the book now button on this screen.
You'll be taken to a booking details page, enter your information, and choose your payment method.
Payment methods include:
- Pay for your course
- £100.00 deposit, then pay of the remainder before you start
- Or pay in full now
- Envisage Payment Plan
- Arrange a payment plan with us so that you can spread the payments over 3 months or 6 months.
- 19+ Advanced Loan
- You'll not be charged anything at this stage and a member of our team will contact you to arrange a loan sign-up.
- Invoice
- Is your employer or another organisation paying for the course for you? If so, choose invoice and you'll not be charged anything up front, we'll then contact you for further details.
If you have any questions about booking a course with us then please get in touch.