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Sport and Physical Education BSc(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time
6 years part-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BBC

BTEC - DDM-DMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

40

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. This course is endorsed by CIMSPA, which enables you to meet industry recognised standards and gain qualifications within your degree which are recognised by major employers.
  2. You’ll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience through a work placement in your second year, where you’ll be able to put the skills and knowledge gained on the course into practice.
  3. You’ll explore sport and physical education in a broad context, developing interpersonal qualities that allow you to apply your knowledge in a variety of sport settings.

We were ranked best in Yorkshire* for student satisfaction in the subject of Sport and Exercise Sciences (National Student Survey 2022).

Why Sport and Physical Education?

There is an increasing emphasis on sport and physical education to meet a range of health agendas, including developing a sporting nation by spotting talented young people who can represent their country at major sporting events. This course promotes sport and physical education for children and young people to encourage lifelong participation and healthier lifestyles.

Through studying this course you’ll have the opportunity to examine current theory and practice to gain in-depth knowledge and understanding of the unique barriers and facilitators for this population. This course could prepare you for a highly rewarding career including education, health promotion and sport development.

How will you learn?

  • You'll learn by studying a combination of theoretical and practical modules, covering topics such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology, sociology and pedagogy.
  • You’ll explore sport and physical education in a broad context, developing interpersonal qualities that will allow you to apply your knowledge in a variety of sport settings. This will put you in a strong position to apply for teacher training and postgraduate study.
  • In your second year, you’ll go on a work placement which will provide you with the opportunity to apply your skills in a real-world context.
  • This course is also endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector. This will enable you to gain industry recognised standards and qualifications, including Gym Instructor, Safeguarding and Protecting Children and Working with Children, which are recognised by major employers in the sector aligned to your degree. You’ll also be able to apply for annual student membership of CIMSPA, and graduate membership upon successful completion of your course.

*subjects rankings refer to Common Aggregation Hierarchy level 3 and are further filtered to include English HEI's with income over £100m+ in the 20/21 academic year.

Course detail

Core modules:

Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology in Sport and Exercise

Two branches of science, anatomy and physiology provide the foundation for understanding the body’s parts and functions. You’ll be supported to develop an underpinning knowledge and understanding of the human body systems that are of most relevance to sport, exercise and health. You’ll also be supported to develop an understanding of homeostatic control and how this relates to the pathophysiology of disease.

Foundations of Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise

Biomechanics is the study of the forces acting on and produced by the body. You’ll be supported to develop an understanding of the academic and practical skills required of a sport and exercise scientist, providing you with knowledge to interpret biomechanical principles that govern human motion. Biomechanics is one of the key sport and exercise science disciplines recognised by British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Foundations of Coaching

You'll explore the specific roles of the coach/teacher in the context of youth sport and PE including health and safety and first aid. You'll be provided with opportunities to develop practical skills including communication and demonstration skills. You'll gain an understanding of underpinning principles of coaching and teaching such as models of learning and learning styles. More specifically, you'll learn how to teach the core PE competencies of outdoor and adventurous activities, gymnastics, dance and athletics.

Physical Education and School Sport Pedagogy 1

This module will explore your understanding of pedagogical approaches in PE and school sport and the differences and similarities between the two. This module will be looking at the most effective methods for the delivery of high quality PE which is pupil centred developing them into healthy, confident and motivated learners. It will create opportunities for you to put theory into practice and reflect on your own delivery and the delivery of others. You'll explore innovative ways of teaching that make it comprehensible and exciting for all learners. The module will look at the National Curriculum for PE and provide an insight into current issues and initiatives in PE and school sport, as well as what constitutes a high quality PE lesson.

Research Methods 1

This module focuses on developing the academic skills required to progress in higher education and successfully complete the degree course. You’ll examine essential areas such as essay and report writing, referencing and use of Summon in searching for information. You’ll be introduced to concepts of research design and the research process, as well as identify where support can be accessed to enable academic progression. This module will also introduce key concepts in Professional Practice to support future career goals.

Safeguarding Children and Young People in Sport

This module will raise your awareness of current legislation, policies and procedures which exist to keep children and young people safe in sporting contexts. It emphasises the knowledge, skills and qualities required to work with children, young people as well as National Governing Bodies and other organisations involved in protecting children. You'll explore broader safeguarding concepts (such as PREVENT in the context of sport).

Entry requirements

BBB-BBCat A Level including an A Level in PE, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Psychology. If you are studying a Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.

120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications including an A Level in PE, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Psychology. If you are studying a Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course. Alternatively, the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma or National Extended Certificate in one of the following subjects: Applied Science, Sport, Sport and Exercise Science or NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Sport and Physical Activity is accepted.

Merit at T Level in Health or Healthcare Science.

DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport or Applied Sciences.

  • Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits at Merit or above.
  • 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications including PE, Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Psychology at Higher Level.

Applicants will be required to undertake a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check prior to commencing the course, because prior convictions may preclude working with young people.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.0 overall with no element lower than 5.5, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Facilities video


Students Lily and Rohaan provide a tour of the state-of-the-art facilities and equipment you’ll use when studying a course in Sport, Exercise and Nutrition Sciences at the University of Huddersfield.

Placements


The course includes a compulsory 140-hour work placement in your second year, in an appropriate environment, helping you to relate theory to practice and develop skills in a real work context. The teaching staff have developed excellent links with local employers and can provide assistance in finding a suitable placement.

Previous placement providers have included strength and conditioning, professional sports clubs (performance analysis and sport science support), primary and secondary schools, further education colleges, local authority sport development and physical activity units, primary care trusts, research assistants and private physical activity and sport providers. The University also has strong links with local professional sports clubs, so there may be opportunities for you to work with these athletes, for example Huddersfield Town FC and Huddersfield Giants.

For more information visit our placements page.

I coached two basketball teams and delivered afterschool activities in local schools on my work placements. They provided the opportunity for me to apply what I have learnt at university to a real-life situation. It also highlighted my strengths and areas I could improve.

David Jane, Sport and Physical Education

David Jane, current Sport and Physical Education BSc(Hons) student

Your career


Previous graduates from the Division of Sport, Exercise and Public Health have gone on to work in education, research, teaching and the community in organisations including the NHS (Dietetic Assistant), Huddersfield Giants RLFC (Community Development Officer), Halifax RLFC (Performance Analyst), Barnsley Council (Senior Public Health Officer), Kirklees Active Leisure (Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor), Huddersfield Town FC (First Team Performance Analyst), Liverpool FC (Academy Fitness Coach), Everton FC (Lecturer and Coach), Manchester United (Sports Performance Analyst), Leicester City FC (Women’s First Team Performance Analyst), Project Sport (Sports Coach) and Nuffield Health (Performance Lead).**

 

*Percentage of graduates from this subject area who were in work and/or further study within fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2020/21, including both UK and non-UK domiciled, other activities excluded).

**LinkedIn.

88% Graduate employment*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Human and Health Sciences, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Hub: a one stop shop for students, studying within the School. Their services include offering advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension and welfare support, organising appointments with academic staff and signposting to other support networks.

Academic Skills Development Team: support students to develop their academic skills and build their confidence in order to improve their grades. The team provide support with academic skills including essay writing, being critical, reflective writing, numeracy, research skills, presentations and group work skills; as well as personal development for example time management.

Learning Technology Support Unit: helps students with any problems they experience with the University’s Brightspace Learning System, including logging on or difficulties experienced when accessing and using modules, and with the PebblePad platform, which is used by students when they go out on placements.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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