PROFESSIONAL MASSAGE TRAINING

The next Remedial and Sports Massage Level 5 diploma starts in April 2026 – places available and applications are open!

If you would like a chat through the options available with a tutor before applying please email enquiries@bristolmassage.co.uk

April 2026 Teaching Dates - applications now open

• 24/25/26 April 2026

• 22/23/24 May

• 13/14 June

• 11/12 July

• 5/6 September

• 2/3/4 October

• 30/31 October; 1st November

• 27/28/29 November

• 8/9/10 January 2027

• 5/6/7 February

• 12/13/14 March * theory and practical exams

• 7th May

Time 9:30am to 5:30pm on all teaching days

The course consists of 28 teaching days spread over 12 months and costs £3195. Early bird discount and payment plans are available - please see below.

The total course fee is £3195

You can choose from the following payment options:

1. Lump Sum Payment

• Early Bird Discount – £2,995: Save £200 by paying the full balance 2 months prior to the course starting.This totals £2,600 after your £395 deposit has been paid.

• Advance Payment Discount – £3095: Save £100 if full payment is made by the start of the course. This totals £2,700 after your £395 deposit has been paid.

2. Standing Order

After your deposit £395 has been paid: Pay in 8 monthly instalments of £350, starting 1st May through 1st December.

Please note: No discount is available with this option. The total fee remains £3195.

Course fee includes:

• All tuition and exam fees

• Course manual with detailed teaching notes and material for all theoretical and practical parts of the course

• On-going student support and supervision throughout the course

• Student membership of the MTI Practitioner Association

You can apply for the course by:

- The online form on our website

- Downloading and completing the pdf below

Once your application has been received, it will be followed by an interview with a member of the teaching team.

Students accepted for the course can then reserve their place by paying a non-refundable deposit.

Students are required to sign a Learning Contract with the College, which sets out their mutual responsibilities and professional standards. Inappropriate conduct will lead to dismissal from the course.

For those without any massage practice experience, we strongly recommend that they enrol on to the Introductory Bridging Programme. This programme provides an excellent grounding in the skills needed to practice as a massage therapist and provides hands on massage learning.

Minimum Requirements for the Remedial and Sports diploma:

• Be over 18 years old at the start of the course.

• Hold a recognised qualification in Anatomy & Physiology, equivalent to Level 3.

• Hold a recognised qualification in massage, equivalent to Level 3 OR attend the Introductory Bridging Programme offered by BCMB.

• Students must also be able to express themselves clearly and understand the nuances of the English language.

Remedial massage therapists use a variety of assessment, treatment and rehabilitation skills to address issues and help promote healthy functioning of the whole body.

Whether you are suffering from long-term back pain or have recently been injured playing your favourite sport, most musculoskeletal problems tend to result from:

• Poor prolonged posture

• Faulty body mechanics

• Stressful living and poor working habits

• Loss of strength and flexibility

By combining massage skills with an advanced knowledge of anatomy and physiology, practitioners are able to influence these issues and work with specific structures such as muscles, joints, tendons and ligaments. This can reduce pain, restore normal movement, help recovery from injury and correct postural problems. Providing good home care guidance often in the form of exercises and lifestyle advice helps prevent future problems from re-occurring.

Most remedial massage therapists spend the majority of their time working privately or in a clinic setting, helping people from all walks of life to remedy a wide variety of painful and restricting problems. Within this broader framework is the more specialist area of Sports Massage. This is effectively remedial massage work when used in a sports-specific environment such as in a sports injury clinic or at a sporting event providing pre/inter/post event treatment.

• 28 teaching days plus examination days, which is run over 12 blocks and spread out over a 12-month period

• Total contact teaching hours is 230 hours

• Approximately 30% theory and 70% practical

• Approximately 8-10+ hours per week for study and practice whilst the course is in progress

Summary of Course Syllabus:

Theory

• Advanced functional anatomy & physiology for connective tissue

• The physiology of injury and manual therapy

• Contra-indication for remedial and sports massage therapy

• Treatment principles for a wide range of musculoskeletal conditions

• Common non-musculoskeletal pathologies

• Exercise physiology and diet/nutrition in sport

• Professionalism and ethics

• Practical

• Case-history taking skills and referral procedure

• Postural assessment

• Muscle and joint assessment

• A wide range of massage skills such as muscle energy technique, functional technique, soft-tissue release, myofascial release and trigger point release

• Massage with medial conditions

• Home care exercises, training advice, core stability and rehabilitation strategies

• Treatment planning

Other features

• Key emphasis placed on integrating applied anatomy & physiology with clinical skills and practical techniques through case-scenario and group work

• Emphasis on practitioners own body s in practical technique, reinforcing good body mechanics and safe practices

• Close supervision and individual tutor support

• Student clinic days where students can practice on the general public under supervision

• Marketing and business skills to help develop your practice

Reach out and contact us as space on the Remedial and Sports massage diploma depends on a number of factors such as your massage experience, your Anatomy and Physiology qualifications as well as your availability to attend all the course study weekends.

Contact enquiries@bristolmassage.co.uk to chat to connect with one of our tutors.

For those who do not already hold a recognised massage qualification and would like to enrol directly onto the Remedial and Sports Massage course, the college has developed an Introductory Bridging Programme:

The Introductory Bridging Programme allows applicants without a prior massage qualification to enter directly onto the remedial and sports programme, provided they also hold an A&P qualification.

Please note that our bridging program is flexible to allow for private tutorial sessions in place of workshops where necessary. The college may also recommend shortened versions of the bridging program, depending on previous massage experience. This can be discussed with the teaching team at the informal interview.

Coursework

• Complete 100 hours of remedial/ sports massage practice

• Receiving 10 treatments

• 2 written assignments, covering key topics that relate to clinical practice and the final exam.

Examinations

• 2 ½ hour theory paper

• Individual practical exam

Home-study

Students should allow for at least 8-10 hours per week for study and practice whilst the course is in progress.

Graduates will be awarded the Level 5 BCMB Remedial and Sports Massage Diploma accredited by the Massage Training Institute (MTI), a national organisation of well-established schools and tutors. The qualification is nationally recognised and will enable graduates to practice as a professional remedial and sports massage practitioner, and obtain full comprehensive insurance cover. The MTI is a member of the General Council for Massage Therapy, the national lead body for massage in the UK

The team of tutors brings to the course a wide range of experience and skills, offering students the opportunity to learn from practising therapists who are passionate about their own subject. All clinical and technique tutors specialise in the field of remedial & sports massage and related complementary therapies. The following tutors represent the core-teaching team for the course:

• Adam Carter

• Tim Bartlett

• Pip Instone

• Stephanie Pasco

• Kristina Blackwell

There will also be a range of guest lecturers and practical technique tutors invited in as specialists of their field to assist or teach specific areas of the course.