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ASFU / Advanced Diplomas

Advanced postgraduate-level diplomas

Five advanced diplomas of 9 to 12 months, benchmarked at EQF level 7, each ending in a supervised capstone with oral examination.

Structure

Every diploma follows four stages

Part-time study of about 23 hours a week. The 12-month Applied Biomechanics diploma carries 60 ECTS-equivalent credits; the 9-month diplomas carry 36.

  1. Taught modules

    Lectures, labs and assessed coursework across the core modules.

  2. Research methods

    Study design, statistics and critical appraisal for applied work.

  3. Capstone

    A supervised research project or clinical case series.

  4. Viva

    An oral examination of the capstone with an internal and an external examiner.

Advanced Diploma in Applied Biomechanics & Movement Mechanics

A postgraduate-level programme in applied biomechanics: kinetics, kinematics, motion capture, research methods and a supervised capstone project.

Modules

  1. Advanced kinetics and inverse dynamics
  2. Kinematics and 2D/3D motion analysis
  3. Musculoskeletal modelling
  4. Biomechanics of sport technique
  5. Clinical gait analysis
  6. Research methods and statistics
  7. Scientific writing and publication
  8. Capstone research project

Learning outcomes

  • Conduct inverse-dynamics analysis of human movement
  • Design and run a motion-analysis study
  • Critically appraise biomechanics literature
  • Write a publication-ready research report

Assessment

Laboratory reports, critical reviews, research proposal, capstone dissertation with viva

Entry

Bachelor's degree in sport science, physiotherapy, kinesiology, medicine or a related field; or recognition of prior learning; English at B2/IELTS 6.0

Apply →Check eligibility

Advanced Diploma in Clinical Biomechanics: Force-Vector Decision Science

Clinical reasoning rebuilt around the force vector: direction, magnitude, dose and tissue tolerance as the variables behind every rehabilitation decision.

Modules

  1. The force-vector paradigm in clinical practice
  2. Directional load and tissue stress
  3. Dose–response in clinical loading
  4. Decision models for exercise prescription
  5. Case-based clinical reasoning
  6. Clinical capstone case series

Learning outcomes

  • Frame clinical problems as force-vector decisions
  • Prescribe direction-specific loading
  • Justify exercise dose against tissue tolerance
  • Present a defensible clinical case series

Assessment

Clinical case portfolio, decision-model critique, capstone case series with viva

Entry

Degree in physiotherapy, sports medicine, athletic training or related field; or recognition of prior learning; English at B2/IELTS 6.0

Apply →Check eligibility

Advanced Diploma in Pain-to-Performance Rehabilitation Mechanics

The full return-to-performance pathway, from pain and load intolerance to sport, structured as mechanical decisions at every stage.

Modules

  1. Pain science and load intolerance
  2. Region-specific rehabilitation mechanics
  3. Graded exposure and capacity rebuilding
  4. Return-to-sport testing and criteria
  5. Re-injury risk and load monitoring
  6. Rehabilitation capstone

Learning outcomes

  • Stage rehabilitation from pain to performance
  • Select objective return-to-sport criteria
  • Build region-specific loading progressions
  • Monitor and reduce re-injury risk

Assessment

Rehabilitation case portfolio, testing practical (video), capstone with viva

Entry

Degree in physiotherapy, sports medicine, athletic training or related field; or recognition of prior learning; English at B2/IELTS 6.0

Apply →Check eligibility

Advanced Diploma in Movement Asymmetry Science

Asymmetry as a research and clinical discipline: measurement, thresholds, injury association, performance cost and intervention design.

Modules

  1. Asymmetry measurement and reliability
  2. Thresholds and interpretation
  3. Asymmetry, injury and performance
  4. Inter-limb testing batteries
  5. Intervention design and evaluation
  6. Research capstone

Learning outcomes

  • Select reliable asymmetry measures
  • Interpret asymmetry against evidence-based thresholds
  • Design and evaluate asymmetry interventions
  • Complete an original asymmetry research project

Assessment

Measurement reliability study, critical review, research capstone with viva

Entry

Bachelor's degree in a movement, health or sport discipline; or recognition of prior learning; English at B2/IELTS 6.0

Apply →Check eligibility

Advanced Diploma in Paediatric & Youth Sport Biomechanics

Advanced study of the developing child and the growing athlete: maturation, load, injury, assessment ethics and programme design for ages 3 to 18.

Modules

  1. Growth, maturation and biological age
  2. Paediatric movement assessment and ethics
  3. Youth injury mechanics and prevention
  4. Movement environment and physical literacy
  5. Programme design for the whole child
  6. Paediatric research capstone

Learning outcomes

  • Account for biological maturation in every load decision
  • Assess children to recognised ethical standards
  • Design injury-prevention programmes for youth sport
  • Complete a paediatric biomechanics research project

Assessment

Assessment portfolio, programme design case, research capstone with viva

Entry

Bachelor's degree in sport science, education, physiotherapy or related field; or recognition of prior learning; English at B2/IELTS 6.0; safeguarding declaration required

Apply →Check eligibility

Apply for an advanced diploma

Applicants without a degree in a core discipline can apply through recognition of prior learning.

Apply now → Explore programmes