Emily Wenzel

BSc Sport and Exercise Science, 2016-2019

Next Steps After Swansea
After completing my degree, I went on to study for an MSc Physiotherapy (pre-registration) at the University of Birmingham, spending two further years developing my clinical skills and moving towards a career in physiotherapy.

Current Role
MSK Specialist Physiotherapist, Ministry of Defence
I now work full time for the MOD as an MSK specialist physiotherapist supporting the British Army.

Alongside this, I also work part time with Middlesbrough FC’s academy. This combination allows me to apply both my physiotherapy training and my sport science background across elite and high-performance environments.

Impact of Swansea
My Sport and Exercise Science degree gave me the core foundations I needed to progress into physiotherapy. Volunteering with the university men’s football team provided hands-on experience and helped me build key connections in football. Having a strong sport science background has also made me a more well-rounded physiotherapist — I’m able to offer more than traditional physio alone, which has strengthened my practice and helped me stand out in football settings.

Highlights
A major highlight was travelling to Poland earlier this year for a European football tournament with the Middlesbrough academy — we ended up winning, competing against teams like Liverpool and PSG.

Advice

My advice is to take every opportunity you’re given. If you have a specific career in mind, start networking early with the right people. And if you’re still unsure, keep an open mind and try modules you’re not certain about — you might discover a direction you didn’t expect.

LinkedIn
Emily