intensive courses

The SMA believes that a hands-on skill like ours is best taught over a long period of time, with regular attendance of practical classes in person and where at least 50% of the contact time with a tutor is face-to-face, in order to give your skills the chance to develop slowly and with plenty of feedback.

We define an intensive course at Level 3 as follows:

where the majority of teaching takes place as online modules for the student to work through at their own pace;
where the practical, hands-on teaching takes place over less than 8 weeks
where there is less than 48 hours contact time with a tutor
where there is a long gap between in-person attendance and sitting the final exam, in order to make it appear as if the course itself lasts 8 weeks

We define an intensive course at Level 4 as follows:

where the majority of teaching takes place as online modules for the student to work through at their own pace;
where the practical, hands-on teaching takes place over less than 6 weeks
where there is less than 48 hours contact time with a tutor
where there is a long gap between in-person attendance and sitting the final exam, in order to make it appear as if the course itself lasts 6 weeks

What if my course is defined by the SMA as intensive?

If the course you attended meets any one of the criteria above then we will ask you to complete a case study to reflect your level of qualification. You can download guidance notes for how to approach the Level 3 and Level 4 case studies by clicking the relevant button below. You can also download a copy of the marking criteria as we would like to be fully transparent about how we approach the assessment of your work.

The only circumstance under which we will waive the requirement for a case study is if you are also registered on a physiotherapy or osteopathy degree (or hold this qualification already). Please supply evidence of this at the point of application.

Level 3 Case Study Guidelines

Level 3 Case Study Marking Criteria

Level 4 Case Study Guidelines

Level 4 Case Study Marking Criteria

Please note that we do not accept under any circumstances courses at any level that are

online-only;
where practical training takes place over five days or fewer; or
that are not externally assessed by an awarding organisation recognised by the RQF/QCF (with the exception of some courses awarded by Focus Awards) BTEC or OCN.

If you are in any doubt then please e-mail membership@thesma.org with a copy of your qualification certificate and/or details of the course.