The Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage is a three-year degree that combines hands-on practice with in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology, and massage techniques.
Develop advanced skills to support recovery, performance, and wellbeing—ready for work in clinical, sports, or wellness settings.
SIT now offers our Year 2 / Level 6 and Year 3 / Level 7 programmes through HyFlex ('Hybrid-Flexible'), using a mix of online classes for the theoretical papers, and face-to-face classes on the Invercargill campus for the practical components during block weeks.
Year 1 / Level 5 is an on-campus course in Invercargill.
Three years full-time
Part-time: Available
2027 Semester 1: 08 February to 18 June
2027 Semester 2: 12 July to 19 November
This programme is eligible for the Zero Fees Scheme.
International Fees can be found here.
The programme specifically aims to prepare graduates who as independent health care professionals will work with people of all ages and varying stages of health and wellness.
You will learn:
SIT's Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage was the first named massage degree programme to be approved in New Zealand. It has been taught since 2002, and students have been graduating since 2004. Health care delivery has moved beyond clinical competence and beyond copying previously successful clinicians. Today's practitioners need to relate to a wider health care team and respond to the expressed needs and expectations of families, pressure groups, professionals and the wider community (Higgs & Edwards, 1999).
Backed by SIT's recognised infrastructures and academic community, the programme promotes research driven education, strong training in a community-based clinic, and exceeds suggested industry requirements in both academic areas and clinical practice.
Graduating students from this degree have good opportunities for employment, both nationally and internationally.
Graduates are critical thinking, reflective practitioners with technical and professional competence, sound reasoning and research literacy, and have a capacity to manage knowledge and its acquisition during their working lives.
In the first year, the degree is taught with a combination of online and face-to-face classes at our Invercargill campus. For those not residing in Invercargill, alternative options may be available—please contact the Programme Manager. In the second year, classes are delivered via the HyFlex ('Hybrid-Flexible') model. HyFlex allows students to stay in their hometown massage therapy clinics and communities. The teaching approach includes a mix of online learning, practical experience, and traditional classroom instruction during compulsory block courses in Invercargill. In the third year, 100% of the teaching and learning occurs online.
Year One - Online and face to face, on campus delivery (120 credits)
Aim: To train wellness and relaxation massage therapists who can work independently and communicate with other professionals.
Course content:
REHB5601 Massage Theory to Practice (15 credits)
REHB5602 Wellness Dimensions and Client-Centred Care (15 credits)
REHB5603 Musculoskeletal Surface Anatomy (15 credits)
REHB5604 Human Anatomy and Physiology (15 credits)
REHB5605 Sports Massage
REHB5606 Te Hihiri (15 credits)
REHB5607 The Professional Practitioner (15 credits)
REHB5608 Relaxation and Wellness Massage Clinical Practice (15 credits)
Year Two - HyFlex delivery (120 credits)
Aim: Equip graduates with the knowledge and skills to provide remedial massage services and progress to higher-level massage therapy qualifications.
REHB6601 Functional Assessment and Clinical Reasoning (15 credits)
REHB6602 Advanced Techniques 1 (15 credits)
REHB6603 Pathology for Massage Therapy (15 credits)
REHB6604 Clinical Practice 1 (15 credits)
REHB6605 Massage for Physical Performance (15 credits)
REHB6606 Advanced Techniques 2 (15 credits)
REHB6607 Research for Massage Practitioners (15 credits)
REHB6608 Clinical Practice 2 (15 credits)
Click here for more details on each paper, including compulsory block courses and online sessions - info currently as 2026
Year Three - Online Delivery (120 credits)
Aim: The aim is to prepare graduates who are independent health care professionals who work with people of all ages and varying stages of health and wellness. Graduates will provide culturally safe massage therapy practice in a variety of social and cultural contexts. They will comprehend, critique and apply knowledge within a legal and ethical framework which recognises the values of the individual and other health professions. Graduates will be versed in evidence-based practice supported by research. Year 3 papers will now run on a two-year cycle.
Both 2027 papers below are 30 credits:
MT7350 Advanced Clinical Reasoning and Clinical Practice III - To provide the student with an advanced clinical placement to develop and apply further skills in clinic management, differential diagnosis, clinical reasoning and wellness and rehabilitation interventions. Students will demonstrate independence and accountability in clinical practice. Students will develop a business plan for their “own business”; and apply skills in operating a business in Clinical Practice III
MT7360 Advanced Professional Studies - This paper is designed to further develop the personal growth and professional knowledge and skills of advancing practitioners within a clinical and industry setting
Click here for more information on Blended Learning Structure for BTSM Year 3 - info currently as 2026
Graduates may work as therapists and sport massage specialists in the following settings:
Therapeutic and sports massage specialists will work with individuals and groups of all ages, assisting those recovering from or dealing with injury, illness or disability, as well as individuals and groups looking for stress management intervention and injury prevention strategies.
Entry requirements
School leavers and applicants under 20
You’ll need NCEA Level 3, including:
Mature applicants
If you’re 20 or older by 1 March in your first year of study, you may apply through the mature entry pathway.
You’ll need to provide evidence of relevant previous learning and experience.
Provisional part-time admission
If you don’t meet the standard academic requirements, you may be able to enrol provisionally in one or more Year One courses.
After successfully completing these courses, you can apply for special admission or admission through the mature entry pathway.
Additional requirements
All applicants must also:
Provide two confidential references from people who can confirm that you are of good character and suitable to work with vulnerable clientsComplete a confidential declaration about any previous criminal convictions. A previous conviction does not necessarily prevent you from being admittedComplete a health declaration confirming that you have the health and abilities needed to meet the programme's practice requirements. Further health information may be requested with your consent
English language requirements
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
Accepted evidence may include eligible previous study completed in English in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or an approved English language test.
Common test requirements include:
Other recognised evidence of English proficiency may also be accepted. Test scores must be achieved in a single test within the two years before enrolment.
In order to be awarded the Bachelor of Therapeutic and Sports Massage (BTSM), a student must have been credited with all required papers as specified in the programme schedule.
A student undertaking the BTSM will normally complete the programme within three years full time and within 5 years part time. Please note students failing to attend for 80% of timetable programme hours may forfeit their Zero Fees entitlement.
Graduates can continue their education with:
All timetables for Term 1 will be available in early February 2024. The timetable varies each semester and is confirmed about two weeks before the semester begins.
Year One students operate the SIT Massage Clinic on clinic days in semester 2, and this can go until 6pm at the latest.
Year One students may be involved in external massage therapy related events outside of normal class hours. .