Date Published: October 29, 2026
Most sports massage courses teach you a set of techniques. At ESP Physio, you learn from the Chartered Physiotherapists who use those techniques with real patients every week.
Our physios don’t just treat people. They teach. They deliver our sports massage qualifications in Stirling, mentor university physiotherapy students on clinical placement, and have been recognised with an award voted for by those students. That clinical experience is what sets training with ESP Physio apart, and it’s what helps our students leave as confident, safe and employable therapists.
Sports massage training, led by our physiotherapists
In partnership with Fitness Training Scotland, we host the Active IQ Level 3 Diploma and Level 4 Certificate in Sports Massage Therapy at our Stirling clinic. Together they take you from your first massage technique to advanced clinical assessment.
The course is led by our physiotherapist, Ryan Ferrie. Ryan is a Chartered Physiotherapist, registered with the HCPC and CSP, and a qualified sports massage therapist himself. His background spans elite sport and the NHS, including work as a first-team sports scientist in professional football. He holds an MSc in Physiotherapy and an MSc in Sport & Exercise Science and Medicine from the University of Glasgow, plus a FIFA Diploma in Sports Medicine.
The qualifications are recognised and supported by the CNHC, GCMT, the Sports Massage Association and Active IQ.
What sets our course apart
Many sports massage courses are taught by tutors whose main job is teaching. Ours is taught by a practising physiotherapist whose main job is treating patients. That changes what you learn and how you learn it.
You learn clinical reasoning, not just technique
Knowing how to perform a technique is only part of the job. Ryan teaches you why you’d choose it, how to assess a client properly, and how to adapt treatment to the person in front of you. It’s the same thinking our physios use every day.
You learn to recognise when to refer
A good therapist knows the limits of their role. Learning from a physiotherapist means you’ll understand the signs that an injury needs further assessment, and when to refer a client on. That keeps your clients safe and builds trust in your practice.
You learn inside a real clinic
Your training takes place at our Stirling clinic, not a hired function room. You’ll see how a professional practice runs, from client consultations to treatment planning and record keeping.
You learn from up-to-date practice
Our physios work with everyone from professional athletes to people recovering from long-term pain. They bring real cases, current evidence and practical tips into the classroom, so what you learn reflects how therapists actually work today.
You get time and feedback in small groups
Groups are kept small, so you get plenty of hands-on practice and honest, personal feedback from a clinician on every technique.
Trusted by universities to train future physiotherapists
Our physios’ teaching isn’t limited to sports massage. Universities trust our team to train the next generation of physiotherapists, which is one of the clearest signs of the standard of teaching you’ll get with us.
Queen Margaret University (QMU)
We regularly host pre-registration physiotherapy students from QMU on clinical placement. We’re proud that our team won QMU’s Best Clinical Educator Team Award, which was voted for by the students themselves.
Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) and Abertay University
Several of our clinicians, including Gordon Wilkin and Scott Lang, studied at GCU and Abertay. We stay connected to both, regularly supporting student observers, elective placements and assistant pathways.
Student mentorship
Physiotherapy students must complete supervised placement hours before they can register with the HCPC and CSP. We provide hands-on clinical training in private musculoskeletal practice, helping students build those hours while gaining confidence with real patients.
Why teaching makes us better clinicians
Teaching keeps our team sharp. Explaining an assessment or a technique to a student means knowing exactly why we do it, and students bring fresh questions that keep us up to date with the latest evidence.
For our patients, that means care from a team that is constantly learning and reflecting on its practice. For students, it means learning from clinicians who treat everyone from elite athletes to people recovering from long-term pain.
Upcoming course dates
All sessions run from 9am to 5pm. Level 3 must be completed before starting Level 4.
Stirling – Level 4 Certificate (course code MTL4005)
| Session | Dates |
|---|---|
| Days 1 & 2 | 31 October & 1 November 2026 |
| Days 3 & 4 | 14 & 15 November 2026 |
| Days 5 & 6 | 28 & 29 November 2026 |
| Practical assessment | Sunday 6 December 2026 |
Cost
The full Level 3 and Level 4 package includes both qualifications, all delivery days, course manuals and e-learning.
- Deposit to secure your place: £500 (non-refundable)
- Pay in full: £3,000 (including the deposit)
- Payment plan: £500 deposit, then 5 monthly payments of £560 (£3,300 total)
Who it’s for
- Anyone starting a new career as a sports massage therapist
- Physiotherapists, personal trainers and fitness professionals adding a hands-on skill
- Sports and healthcare enthusiasts who want a recognised qualification
You need to be 16 or over, with good communication skills and access to a laptop or computer for the e-learning. No previous massage qualification is needed to start at Level 3.
Book your place
Places are limited because of the small-group teaching. Booking is handled by our partner, Fitness Training Scotland. Secure your place here.
Are you a physiotherapy student interested in a placement with us? Get in touch to find out more.
Dates are correct at the time of writing but may change. Please confirm availability when booking.
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