About this course
This programme allows you to use a scientific approach to analyse performance in sport and exercise and to develop academic and professional skills which you can use to find employment in this expanding field. Science subjects studied include physiology, biomechanics, psychology and nutrition.
- The course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES): for the period 2019-2024
- 100% of the course team are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
- 1 member of staff has a University's Distinguished Teaching Award Fellowship
- 15 members of the course team were included in the submission for the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. Overall, our research attained a rating 100% in both Impact & Environment in categories including world leading and internationally excellent research, reflecting our emphasis on research selectivity and quality.
- Several members of staff have received funding for teaching & learning related initiatives. Examples include HEIF awards, FDTL Awards, Fusion project, CIES, Invest NI and Play board developments.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
Modules
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
Year one
Foundations for Future Success
Year: 1
This module will assist first-year students to prepare for success in their university studies and success in the planning of their future careers.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
Year: 1
Through a series of lectures and tutor-led seminar sessions, students will understand the theoretical and practical importance of sport and exercise psychology to enhancing performance.
Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
Year: 1
The module provides students with a foundation of anatomy and physiology that is relevant to higher level study within physiology and other related interdisciplinary subjects within sport and exercise science. In addition, the module seeks to establish basic measurement, evaluation and writing skills that are pertinent to discipline.
Basic Biomechanics
Year: 1
This module provides key introductory knowledge and practical experiences in the basic biomechanical analysis of sport and exercise motion and equips the student to apply theoretical knowledge to the basic understanding of performance.
Sport in Practice
Year: 1
Through a series of lectures, workshops and practical sessions, students will develop both the skills and understanding required to engage, observe and reflect on practical performance and plan to improve performance.
Principles of Coaching, Instructing and Teaching
Year: 1
Through a series of tutor-led practical sessions and focusing on a single sport, students will understand the concepts and practices involved coaching, instructing and teaching. The optional acquisition of a recognised and vocationally relevant award will be afford to students where feasible.
Year two
Sport & Exercise Psychology
Year: 2
This module provides students with a grounding in the theoretical constructs underlying contemporary issues in the domain of sport and exercise psychology. Students are encouraged to critically evaluate competing theoretical accounts of psychological phenomenon. They also gain an understanding of the measurement of different concepts and constructs.
Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise
Year: 2
Through a series of lectures and laboratory sessions, students will understand the theoretical and practical considerations associated with analysing a human movement and/or a sporting skill. Completion of this module will provide the students with the necessary knowledge and tools to analyse and evaluate a movement skill.
Physiology of Sport and Exercise
Year: 2
This module considers the acute and chronic adaptations of exercise on the physiological systems. The effects of the environment and nutrition on sport and exercise performance will also be discussed. Practical experience of the use of contemporary sport and exercise physiological techniques is also provided. The knowledge and skills obtained from this module will be pertinent for related sport, exercise, and health modules available in final year.
Exercise Testing and Training Prescription
Year: 2
This module will student's knowledge of the practical skills/competencies required of sport and exercise scientists/practitioner in exercise testing and trainig prescription.
Research Skills in Practice
Year: 2
Formative and summative feedback will be provided to the student via written and oral communication within four weeks of submission.
Physical Education: Theory and Practice
Year: 2
This module is optional
This module introduces the student to the factors and policies which impact the design and delivery of physical education in schools at home and aborad and theories that underpin effective learning and teaching in key stages 1 and 2 and 3. Students are given the opportunity to discuss and apply theory to practice in practical teaching scenarios in seminars, workshops and micro teaches/practicals.
Performance Analysis in Sport
Year: 2
This module is optional
Students will gain an understanding of the importance of the performance analysis process within sport and how to utilise technology and integrate performance analysis software to assist them in completing these tasks.
Year three
Diploma in Professional Practice (International) (DPP/DPPI)
Year: 3
This module is optional
Structured work experience helps students to appreciate the discipline and demands of the workplace and consolidate knowledge and skills acquired during the first two years of the course. The work placement also provides the opportunity for the development of personal attributes to enhance a student's employability.
Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS)
Year: 3
This module is optional
In this module, students may undertake a study programme in a university abroad to develop their academic, professional, cultural awareness, global mobility, personal capabilities and future employability.
Year four
Research project: sport and exercise sciences
Year: 4
The module provides knowledge, practical opportunities and desirable research skills through an independent piece of research in the sport and exercise sciences.
Applications in Sports Biomechanics
This module is optional
Year: 4
This module will use a mix of formal lectures and practical workshops to introduce advanced biomechanical principles and methods commonly utilised in sports biomechanics. This module draws upon the student's previous knowledge and skills to ensure an holistic approach to collecting accurate data with the view to thoroughly assess human movement patterns.
Advanced Physical Education and School Sport
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module will involve students in the critical appraisal of recent research, educational policy and education initiatives and their impact on the subject area of physical education and school sport and its effective delivery in the school context.
Applied Sport Psychology
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module provides students with an in-depth knowledge and understanding of theory, research and practice in the field of applied sport psychology. Students will develop an understanding of the sport psychology consultancy process and ethical principles and guidelines relevant to working in the field. This module takes students beyond understanding what is done in 'Applied Sport Psychology' to understanding how sport psychology service is delivered.
Sport and Exercise Nutrition
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module considers the relationship between nutrition and exercise performance. The module provides the student with the opportunity to further develop an understanding of the human body and how appropriate nutritional practices can be effective for exercise performance and overall health and wellbeing.
Integrative Biology of Exercise
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module will provide an overview to an exciting area of exercise science and will provide the student with an opportunity to further develop an understanding of the human body during conditions of exercise stress in health and disease.
Applied Sport Performance Analysis
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module will provide students with an in-depth knowledge and the practical skills required to use data science and technological tools to evaluate the performance of individuals/teams in an objective way.
Monitoring Exercise, Training and Performance
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module will explore the link between research- and science-based concepts of monitoring exercise, training and performance. Students will critically review performance monitoring (systems, procedures and technologies) and collect, analyse, interpret and present relevant information to decision makers in sport.
Associate awards
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Attendance
Students should be available to attend lectures, seminars and practical classes as timetabled, during weekdays. The programme duration is three years or four years including optional placement year.
Start dates
Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Teaching and learning occur in larger and small groups in which the emphasis is placed on a welcoming environment that promotes student responsibility, empowerment and confidence. The emphasis on a welcoming environment can be seen in the interaction that occurs between students, and between staff and students, in large group/lecture environments such as interactive discussions promoting dialogue, the use of various media and online technologies and the use of real-life problem-based tasks/scenarios to promote interdependent learning. We also promote the experience of interdependent learning in small group environments through peer teaching and coaching, oral and poster presentations. The assessment methods employed within the course are directly underpinned by the course team's awareness of the kinds of knowledge and skills which graduates need in the vocational and professional practice of sport.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
Attendance and Independent Study
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
Calculation of the Final Award
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
Academic profile
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
