BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science (with Foundation Year option)

Covering a wide range of areas including physiology, psychology, biomechanics and nutrition, this course will help you to gain a comprehensive understanding of the impact of exercise on health and performance.

UCAS Code:
C605
Institution:
B50
Delivery:
Full time according to Funding Council definitions

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With foundation year: C606

Why study BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science at BU?

Use our human performance laboratories to assess and learn how to make improvements to the performance of athletes or sports teams and the health of individuals
Make the most of our relationship with our partner, AFC Bournemouth, with guest speakers and volunteering opportunities
We have strong links with some of the biggest names in the sports industry to inform our teaching and provide placement opportunities
Choose from either a six or 30-week work placement, giving you the chance to make professional connections within the industry, as well as putting your learning into practice
An optional alternative to final year dissertation project – a research expedition conducting in-depth research on the needs and responses of people completing a UK-based endurance event.
Designed to help make you more employable, you can expect to learn through practical experience; backing up the theory you will study through laboratory and fieldwork. We're proud the course received an impressive overall satisfaction rate of 100%.

Find out more about the content of this course.

Foundation Year: We have a Foundation Year option for UK students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course. This additional year of study will give you a grounding in the scientific skills needed to prepare you for the Sport and Exercise Science degree, building your confidence, knowledge and skills for further study. After successful completion of the Foundation Year, you will progress to the full degree and begin your Sport and Exercise Science study. The Foundation Year will be based at the Talbot Campus, Bournemouth.

Endorsements

We are proud that our BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree has been endorsed by The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), recognising our strong curriculum and content of our units.

Discover our Sport facilities at BU

Image description — Sport performance laboratories

Next start date:

September 2023, September 2024

Location:

Bournemouth University, Talbot Campus

Duration:

3 years full-time with a 6-week placement, or 4 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement. Foundation year: 4 years full-time with a 6-week placement, or 5 years full-time with a minimum 30-week placement

Required subjects:

All subjects considered

Entry requirements:

For September 2023 entry: 112 - 128 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM. Foundation year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points. For more information check out our full entry requirements.

International entry requirements:

For September 2023 entry: If English is not your first language, you will need IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component or equivalent. For more information check out our international entry requirements.

Course details

On this course you will usually be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

Contact hours and assessment

Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.

Download the programme specification (pdf 455kb)Download the foundation year programme specification (pdf 338kb)

Foundation year

Core units

Academic Study Skills: You will gain the fundamental academic and research skills required for degree level study. The unit will introduce you to a broad grounding in literature searching, literature review, data collection, methodological approach, data analysis and interpretation and ethical practice. It will also support you to begin to develop a critical and analytical approach to your work and identify areas for personal development.
Applied Sciences: You'll gain a basic understanding of some fundamental aspects of science underpinning more specific disciplines, and an appreciation of how various scientific disciplines impact human life. You'll understand the differences between pure and applied science, as well as the roles of different ways applied science can be funded, and implications of these funding mechanisms.
Introduction to Biology: Biology is the study of life and hence knowledge of plant and animal cell biology is fundamental to understanding wider concepts in biology. This unit also introduces key themes in human, environmental and ecological sciences to provide a sound underpinning in knowledge for future studies.
Introduction to Psychology: This unit is designed to prepare you for advanced coursework in psychology. You will complete the unit with a good understanding of the various areas of psychology and how they seek to explain behaviour.
Mathematics in Science: You will build your confidence in mathematics, in order to perform calculations on a range of scientific data from biology, chemistry and psychology and to be able to represent the findings in an appropriate format, including graphs. In order to carry this out, it is essential to be able to convert the data between systems of units and to understand how to present very large and very small numbers in standard form. Basic statistical analysis of tabulated data will be carried out to introduce the concept of confidence limits and familiarisation of statistical testing.
Foundation Year Project: You will carry out a research task on scientific topics chosen by the unit leader which you will be able to conduct a scientific investigation on. You will devise your own investigation and produce a literature review as a final scientific report.

Year 1

In the first year you will be introduced to all the key elements of Sport and Exercise Science.

Core units:

Beginning Research: You will be introduced to the concepts, principals and skills of social and scientific research enquiry and to the role of research more widely in a variety of rehabilitation, nutrition, sport and exercise related contexts.
Principles of Sport & Exercise Physiology: Covering the core physiological concepts and systems, you will understand their roles in human function, sport and exercise. You will perform various exercise activities and evaluate physiological responses to these within a laboratory setting, enabling you to gain an understanding of human function through both theory and practice.
Principles of Sport & Exercise Biomechanics: You will cover functional anatomy and fundamental biomechanics which will help you obtain an understanding of human movement, the parameters which govern it and how it should be assessed.
Principles of Sport & Exercise Psychology: This unit will provide you with an understanding of the major theories, principles and concepts of sport and exercise psychology. It will provide you with knowledge concerning the role of the sport and exercise psychologist and introduce you to the variables that influence behaviour in the sport and exercise context.
Fitness Assessments for Sport, Exercise & Health: You will develop your practical competencies and interpersonal skills for working with clients in sport, exercise and health settings. Additionally you will acquire an understanding of the scientific rationale and theory behind a variety of fitness and health assessments as well as be aware of the needs of healthy individuals and people with various musculoskeletal, cardiorespiratory and neurological disorders.
Principles of Food & Nutrition: The unit will cover the fundamentals of nutrition including macro and micro nutrients. The unit will also introduce the you to the nutritional composition of foods and analytical methods for assessing dietary intake and nutritional status.

Year 2

The second year of the course will begin to tailor your degree to your career aspirations by choosing from a range of option units.

Core units:

Conducting Research: Prepare for independent research and develop your knowledge and critical understanding of social and scientific research applied to a range of nutrition, rehabilitation and sport and exercise science related contexts. You’ll learn how to critically evaluate research problems, and apply coherent ethical research designs and appropriate analysis.
Advances in Sport & Exercise Physiology: This unit aims to advance key physiological concepts and introduce complex physiological mechanisms related to both sport and exercise settings and how these integrate with one another during various scenarios. You will develop your experimental skills and understand appropriate techniques used to assess physiological functions in various sport and exercise situations.
Advances in Sport & Exercise Biomechanics: This unit will focus on understanding human locomotion to develop a critical understanding of biomechanical concepts. This will enable assessment of movement, critical interpretation and analysis of results and effective communication of findings.
Advances in Sport & Exercise Psychology: The unit will explore the variables that influence and impact upon human interaction and behaviour in sport and exercise contexts. It will consider both individual differences and group perspectives in sport and exercise environments.

Option units (choose two):

Principles of Training: You will be introduced to the key principles applied to fitness training with the aim of developing training programmes to enhance the various components of fitness necessary for peak performance for sport, exercise and health. All learning where relevant will be in-line with the Level 2 Gym Instructor, Level 3 Personal Trainer and UKSCA standards. It is intended so that you will be best prepared theoretically and practically to be successful should you progress onto professional practice qualifications in these areas.
Nutrition in Health & Disease: This unit will develop your understanding of the link between nutrition, health and disease. You will also know how nutrition can help maintain and prevent ill health in individuals and groups.
Performance Analysis: Introducing sports performance analysis with emphasis on team sports and match analysis, you will learn to provide systematic, objective observation of performance using both video and statistical analysis, identify key performance indicators linked to performance, generate appropriate results and communicate data effectively.
Sport Management & Leadership: This unit will enable you to develop an understanding of the behaviour of people in organisations and how they can use management tools to adapt and respond to these demands.
Issues & Controversies in Sport, Culture & Society: This unit engages you as a critical user and producer of sporting cultures, by critically evaluating key contemporary issues surrounding sport through a variety of academic perspectives. You will communicate your viewpoint with regard to current debates and policies in sport and physical culture.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Placement

The length of the work placement is optional with a minimum of 6-weeks taken as part of a 3 year degree or a minimum of 30-weeks taken as part of a 4 year degree. The placement can take place in the UK or overseas and gives you the opportunity to turn theory into practice in a business environment.

We have excellent links with sporting organisations, health and fitness clubs and national governing bodies in both the UK and Australia. This includes Sport England, UK Sport, David Lloyd, Fitness First, Holmes Place and the Australian Institute of Sport.

Final year

There are no core units in the final year, instead you will choose one option from Group A; two options from Group B and a further two options from Group B or C:

Group A:

Dissertation: The dissertation will enable you the opportunity to initiate and carry out an independent and self-managed research project. You will apply your knowledge and understanding of the research process learned so far through the application of techniques of analysis and enquiry within a relevant sport and exercise discipline.
Research Expedition: You will have the opportunity to perform in-depth research on the needs and responses of individuals completing a UK based endurance expedition. Projects may include laboratory experiments and/or fieldwork exercises. All projects will require you to work independently under the guidance of a supervisor, to perform a review of literature, conduct investigative work and data analysis, develop suitable conclusions and recommendations, and present this in the form of an independent research project.

Group B:

Applied Sport & Exercise Physiology: This unit aims to integrate detailed knowledge of physiological concepts, and for you to consider to the most appropriate and practical approach to addressing challenges within various sport and exercise scenarios. Practical sessions will reinforce the understanding of applied physiological mechanisms. Using problem solving skills, you will apply in-depth physiological knowledge and tailor understanding to specific populations.
Applied Sport & Exercise Biomechanics: This will be a laboratory based unit, looking at the methods of kinetic and kinematic analysis and how they can be utilised to analyse sporting techniques and the optimisation of human movement.
Applied Sport & Exercise Psychology: You will develop your ability to competently and effectively assess, evaluate and analyse factors affecting behaviour, cognitions and performance in order to implement effective evidence-based intervention strategies.

Group C:

Advanced Fitness Assessment & Exercise Prescription: This unit will provide you with an opportunity to independently apply learning from the first two years in a live environment working with different populations. Applied understanding will be gained via practical physiological assessment of live clients and professional practice opportunities.
Advances in Applied Nutrition: You will gain an insight into the nutritional issues encountered within a community setting and an understanding of the application of evidence based nutrition in the formulation of dietary guidelines. The theoretical underpinning of dietary-based prevention and management of chronic conditions (obesity, malnutrition, inflammatory bowel disease, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease) will be explored in depth.
Nutritional Requirements throughout Life: The aim is to develop a detailed understanding of the nutritional requirements of the population throughout life from conception to ageing and the underlying biological and environmental reasons for the requirements.
Advanced Performance Analysis: You will develop your sports performance analysis skills with a critical understanding of notational analysis within both the applied and research settings. You will learn to provide systematic, objective observation of performance using both video and statistical analysis in order to write appropriate research to further the knowledge of performance analysis in the field of sport.
Physical Education & Teaching Practice: This unit will develop your conceptual and skills-based knowledge and understanding of effective teaching (in physical education), sufficient that you may successfully undertake initial teacher training.
Sport & Physical Culture: In this unit you will develop a critical awareness of sport and physical culture in a variety of contexts by bringing together theory and practice in reflexive fieldwork. Advanced application of social theories and concepts will be developed in order to encourage diversity, inclusion and sustainability in sport and physical culture contexts.
Talent Development in Sport: Talent development is becoming an increasingly important focus for research and practice, as well as being a key part of coaching, coach education, and sport science more widely. You will gain a deep knowledge of the development of talent in sport, and will learn to look beyond headline findings and widely held myths/beliefs, in order to view current practice critically and develop a research-informed, evidence-based understanding.
Strategy & Leadership for Sport: You will undertake strategic analysis, develop strategic plans and understand the key issues in terms of strategic implementation relevant to public, private and voluntary sector organisations using a broad range of strategic tools, models and theories, and understand the importance of leadership in strategy implementation.

Please note that option units require minimum numbers in order to run and may only be available on a semester by semester basis. They may also change from year to year.

Programme specification

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the university's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry. If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

How you will be assessed

Facilities

On our sports courses, you will be able to make the most of our state-of-the-art human performance measurement equipment. It enables you to measure the impact that changes to a training regime can have, and how you as a coach can use that information to better athletes or a team’s performance.

We have two human performance laboratories covering 300m2 of space with a wide range of equipment. Visit our facilities page to find out more about these laboratories and equipment available

Placements

At BU, we recognise that placements are extremely valuable and can give you a head start when it comes to your future career. That’s why we offer every new student the opportunity to undertake a work placement as part of their course.

The course includes a short 6-week work placement or a 30-week placement that will take place between your second and final year. You can even choose to undertake your placement abroad – giving you the opportunity to develop yourself personally, academically, and professionally and gain skills to help you stand out in the job market.

Find out about BU students’ experiences on placements All you need to know about placements

How placements benefit you

A placement should be a highly rewarding experience for you and the employing company and we do our best to ensure that everyone involved feels that they have got the most that they can from the experience.

Placements provide a great opportunity to make your first career steps and enhance your employability while you’re completing your studies. You’ll get the opportunity to:

Put the theory learnt throughout the course into professional practice
Enhance your study and help you decide on subject options (where appropriate)
Learn a wide range of skills such as time management, problem solving and team work (all of these are important to succeed in any career)
Make contacts, as it is not uncommon for our students to be offered permanent positions to return to after graduating
Gain a real insight into how the industry operates in roles that would be almost impossible to achieve for an outsider
Many of our students, during their placement, are given responsibilities normally associated with graduate trainees.

What support will be available?

Our placement students have previously worked with

Example placement roles can include:

Sport Science Intern
Sports Technician
Sport Psychology Assistant
PE Teaching Assistant
Performance Analyst
Player Management & Development
Psychology Intern
Strength & Conditioning Intern
Sports Activities Counselor
Coaching
Health & Fitness Instructor
PE & Administration Assistant
PE & Sports Coaching Intern
Personal Trainer
Cardiac Rehabilitation Assistant
GP Referral Assistant
Health Promoter

Entry requirements

This course requires 112–128 UCAS tariff points including a minimum of 2 A-levels or equivalent. We are happy to consider a combination of qualifications and grades to meet the overall tariff, for example A-levels A*BC, ABB, BBC or ACC, BTECs DDM or DMM. You can use the UCAS calculator to see how your qualifications equate to UCAS tariff points.

If you do not meet these you may want to consider our foundation year, a one-year course that will prepare you for degree-level study.

Calculate your UCAS tariff points

2023 entry
Numeracy and literacy requirements (e.g. GCSEs)	GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics grade 4 (or grade C in the old grading system). We also accept iGCSEs, Key Skills and Functional Skills and other qualifications at Level 2 of the National Qualifications Framework. See all of the equivalencies.
A-level and AS levels	112–128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two A-levels.
Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate – Skills Challenge Certificate	We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
Access to HE Diploma	112–128 UCAS tariff points with any combination of Distinction, Merit, Pass grades.
BTEC National	Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points) Diploma: Distinction, Distinction (112 UCAS tariff points) Foundation Diploma/ 90-credit Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff Extended Certificate/ Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification as part of the overall tariff.
Cambridge International Pre-U Diploma	112–128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two principal subjects.
Cambridge Technical	Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit (112 UCAS tariff points) Diploma: Distinction, Distinction (112 UCAS tariff points) Subsidiary Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff Introductory Diploma: We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by an A-level sized qualification to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
Extended Project Qualification	We accept this qualification, but it must be accompanied by two A-level sized qualifications to meet the overall UCAS tariff.
International Baccalaureate Certificates	112–128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Higher Level certificates.
International Baccalaureate (Diploma)	An overall score of 30–32 points.
Scottish Highers	112–128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of four Scottish Highers.
Scottish Advanced Highers	112–128 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of two Scottish Advanced Highers.
T Levels	Merit (120 UCAS tariff points).

Foundation year entry requirements

Numeracy and literacy requirements	There are no GCSE requirements. The foundation year will cover these skills in preparation for degree study.
For September 2023 entry	48–72 UCAS tariff points.

International entry requirements

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.	You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page. Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2023 entry: Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 66-76%. Grade depends on the course Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma (4,4,3 to 4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 65-75% Italian Esame di Stato with 65-75%. Grade depends on the course Titulo de Bachillerato with 6.5 or 7.5. Grade depends on course We offer a number of preparatory programmes through Bournemouth University International College. These courses offer you progression from High School in your home country to a Bachelor’s degree at BU. Options include: Foundation Certificate in Events, Tourism and Hospitality Management Foundation Certificate in Science. English language requirements If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally: For September 2023 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent. View further information about our English language requirements. If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

You can find details of the international qualifications we accept, and what level of study they apply to, on our entry requirements for non-UK students' page.

Please see below some examples of the qualifications for entry onto Year 1 for September 2023 entry:

Chinese Senior High School Graduation Certificate (Huikao) average 80%, or Gaokao 66-76%. Grade depends on the course
Hong Kong HKDSE Diploma (4,4,3 to 4,4,4 from three subjects). Grade depends on the course
All India Senior School Certificate Examination (Standard XII) 65-75%
Italian Esame di Stato with 65-75%. Grade depends on the course
Titulo de Bachillerato with 6.5 or 7.5. Grade depends on course

We offer a number of preparatory programmes through Bournemouth University International College. These courses offer you progression from High School in your home country to a Bachelor’s degree at BU.

Options include:

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you will need to provide evidence that you can understand English to a satisfactory level. English language requirements for this course are normally:

For September 2023 entry: IELTS (Academic) 6.0 with minimum 5.5 in each component, or equivalent.

View further information about our English language requirements.

If you do not meet the English language requirement for your degree then why not join our Pre-Sessional English course? Successful completion of our Pre-Sessional English course will meet your English language requirement.

Other useful information

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Your application

This course will suit applicants who have:

a strong interest in the science of sport and exercise
a clear interest in sport or exercise in your personal life, either through participating, coaching or supporting clubs and individuals in other ways.

Selection methods

How we assess your application

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

AccessBU gives you the chance to tell us more about you and your life experiences if you haven’t had the same educational opportunities as other applicants. If you are eligible for AccessBU, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS Tariff Points below the published tariff.

Our offer-making process

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

Careers

As a course aimed at employability, you can choose option units enabling you to tailor the degree to your chosen career path. The skills you will learn are transferable allowing you to move into related careers in teaching, coaching, personal training, sports leadership, entrepreneurship and many others. This includes options to help you go into specific areas of sports science focusing on Physiology, Biomechanics, Psychology, Nutrition, Performance Analysis, Strength and Conditioning. The option units, and general skills learnt are transferable allowing you to move into related careers in teaching, coaching, personal training, sports leadership, entrepreneurship and many others.

After fifteen months of completing the course, 95% of our students are in employment or further study.

Industries and alumni employers

Previous students have gone on to work for:

Brazillian Soccer Schools
National Health Service (NHS)
US Sports Institute
Arsenal Football Club
Hitchen Community Town Football Club
AFC Bournemouth and various other football clubs
Wandsworth and Poole County Councils
David LLoyd Leisure
Glaxosmithkline (Lucozade)
Personal Training Academy
Nuffield Orthopaedic
Surrey County Cricket Club
West Hants Tennis Club
RNLI
Richings Park Golf club
Various schools, colleges, academies and universities

Typical starting job roles

Further study

Costs and fees

All fees are quoted in pounds sterling and are per year. Your tuition fees will be the same for each year of your course. You can find full information about funding your studies and paying your fees in our undergraduate fees and funding section. That’s also where you’ll find information about the scholarships and bursaries on offer.

Fees quoted are for tuition only unless stated otherwise, and we’re committed to ensuring there are no hidden extra costs while you’re at university – that’s why we’re clear about what you can expect us to cover, and what your cost of living will be. You’ll also find you could benefit from a range of discounts as a student.

Find out more about budgeting and living expenses

No hidden extras

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity
A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service
The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces
Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features
Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and fieldwork, and non-financial support whilst on placement if this is part of your course of study
IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow
Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances
The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills
24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team
BU-branded shorts, T-shirt and jacket.

Costs of living and other expenses you need to consider

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds
Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website
Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shops stock a wide range of stationery supplies on both campuses
Travel costs to and from the university campus. An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately
Travel costs to and from your placement (both in the UK and overseas) if this is part of your course of study. Placement year funding information can be found on our website
Travel costs for optional field trips, outdoor wear and footwear for mandatory and optional field trips (if applicable)
Clothing or equipment costs required for your placement if this is part of your course of study
SportBU membership

While all aspects of the programme, including required field trips, are included in the fee, additional, optional or extra curricula activities may be available for which a student contribution is required.

Repeat units

Our staff

On this course you will be taught by staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This could include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students, many of whom are actively engaged in research and/or professional practice which is integrated into the teaching of this course. Please note that staff can change.

Dr Rebecca Neal - Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology / Course Leader

Rebecca is a Lecturer in Exercise Physiology and teaches anatomy, physiology and research methods units. She has conducted research in the Extreme Environments Laboratory at the University of Portsmouth in the areas of Exercise and Environmental Physiology and Sports Performance for the English Institute of Sport, British Triathlon, GlaxoSmithKline and the Ministry of Defence. Educated at the University of Birmingham (BSc Hons) and King’s College London (MSc), Rebecca completed her PhD at the University of Portsmouth with the English Institute of Sport, entitled: Effect of combined stressors on heat acclimation and temperate exercise.

View Dr Rebecca Neal's staff profile

Dr Susan Dewhurst - Deputy Head of Department for Rehabilitation and Sport Science

Dr Susan Dewhurst is Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology. Having previously worked as a lecturer and researcher in academic institutions in Scotland, NW England, Denmark and Rome, and more recently as a Senior Scientific Officer at the Ministry of Defence, she brings a broad range of teaching and scientific experiences to BU.

Susan's primary research interests focus on helping older individuals maintain independence and quality of life through scientific research which can be readily used and translated into practical applications.

Her research has featured in a variety of applied physiology based journals including, Frontiers in Ageing Neuroscience, Experimental Brain Research and Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology

View Dr Susan Dewhurst's staff profile

Dr Shelley Ellis - Lecturer in Biomechanics and Performance Analysis

Shelley Ellis' primary research interest is with the development and use of equipment within sport. This work uses a biomechanical technique analysis approach, combining anthropometry and ergonomics with performance in the sporting domain. This is currently being applied within a project that addresses the design of white water kayaks for female athletes.

As a Team Paddler for South Coast Canoes, the kayaking community have recognised the impact of Shelley’s research and the support provided has enabled Shelley to reach a large number of kayakers nationally in order to share her research, both through an invited lecture at the Ladies Paddling Symposium and a number of smaller talks and workshops. Shelley has also published in the areas of disability sport focusing specifically on lower limb amputees and their use of prostheses, tactics used in different aged football academy teams and reliability of measurement in archery. These research areas have informed much of her teaching in the performance analysis areas.

Shelley also lectured in Sports Development for a number of years, having previously worked in the Sports Development field. This is a second area of research focus for Shelley. In her spare time Shelley participates in and coaches white water kayaking. She is also a keen sports woman in general running competitively and taking part in long distance open water swims.

View Shelley Ellis' staff profile

Dr Andrew Callaway - Senior Lecturer in Biomechanics and Performance Analysis

With a background in electronics and computing, Dr Callaway's primary research interest is the use of technology at all levels of sport. His goal is to create comprehensive biomechanical and tactical profiles for coaches and researchers. Working across a variety of sports including Beach Soccer, Archery, Table Tennis, and Swimming has allowed application of his research in practical ways. The experience from this is relayed into his teaching and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students.

In his spare time he competes at archery, previously representing Great Britain at numerous international events.

View Dr Andrew Callaway's staff profile

Kelly Goodwin - Senior Lecturer in Exercise Physiology

Kelly is a Senior Fellow of the HEA with a varied, flexible skill set which includes the ability to teach, inspire and motivate. She is strategically minded coming from an industry background in Project Management with an in-depth knowledge of HE and exceptional understanding and empathy at many levels. Roles have included Framework Leadership, working strategically at a senior management level, working across the institution including the SU focusing on the student voice, championing the employability and student experience agendas and being a founding member of BU’s Centre for Excellence in Learning (CEL).

View Kelly Goodwin's staff profile

Professor Tim Rees - Professor in Sport

Tim is a Higher Education Academy Fellow, as well as a British Psychological Society Chartered Psychologist and Associate Fellow, and a BASES Accredited Sport & Exercise Scientist.

His research centres on (a) the development of talent, and (b) social psychological influences on performance and physical activity. His research has been featured in all major UK broadsheets, BBC R4’s flagship programme “All in the Mind”, US National Public Radio’s “Only a Game”, and the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, plus Psychology Today and Huffington Post, and has informed and changed practice across all UK Olympic Sports, England Rugby, and the England and Wales Cricket Board.

His 2016 paper “The Great British medalists project” was the most downloaded paper in Sports Medicine of 2016, with 30K downloads, 47 citations (92 via Google scholar), and an Altmetric score of 250, placing it in the top 5% of all research outputs. The related three myths” piece in The Conversation currently has over 130K reads.

View Professor Tim Rees' staff profile

Dr Emma Kavanagh - Senior Lecturer in Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences

Dr Emma Kavanagh is a Senior Lecturer in Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences and a BASES Accredited Performance Psychologist and Chartered Sport and Exercise Scientist, working with a number of athletes at National and International level.

Emma teaches across the sports degree programmes; her research interests are within the academic disciplines of psychology and sociology. Emma's work centres on critically examining abuse in virtual and face-to-face sporting environments, understanding the duty of care and enhancing safeguarding in sporting spaces.

Emma has recently been a member of the BASES athlete protection task group responsible for the development of safeguarding workshops which aim to educate existing and trainee sport and exercise scientists on issues of athlete safeguarding in the United Kingdom. She is also part of a number of international research networks which have a clear vision to enhance the climate and environment in which high-performance athletes function.

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Dr Amanda Wilding - Senior Lecturer in Sports Psychology and Coaching Sciences

Amanda has been BASES Accredited since 2005 and since this time has worked with a number of athletes, coaches, parents and referee's in their pursuit of excellence in a range of sports including football, golf, badminton and athletics.

As a national athlete Amanda has always had a passion for understanding the link between body and mind and more importantly the amalgamation of academic literature and sporting experiences. She has pursued a career in sport since a young age and in 2009 Amanda accompanied two athletes to the World Cadet Fencing Championships.

Amanda is currently undertaking her PhD in the area of sport psychology where she is looking to understand track and field coaches diffusion and adoption of applied sport psychology. Within her research Amanda is interested in understanding the decision making processes that all those involved in sport go through when deciding whether or not to implement sport psychology and the factors which impact upon this.

Amanda is currently working on a project looking at the lonely Olympic road and the sacrifices people make to accomplish their dreams.

View Dr Amanda Wilding's staff profile

Course changes

Changes for 2022 entry

Date	Changes to this course
04/10/2021	Where the change was made: Fees box Change: Placement fee for September 2022 entry amended to £1,850. Previous text: £850
11/01/2022	Where the change was made: Endorsement Change: Endorsement added The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES)

2021

Date	Changes to this course
17/05/2021	Where the change was made: core unit in course details. Change: Conducting Research in Sport & Exercise unit is replaced with Conducting Research unit. Previous text: Conducting Research in Sport & Exercise: This unit will help prepare you for independent research. It aims to develop a sound understanding of the philosophy and skills that underpin quantitative and qualitative approaches to research enquiry so that you are able to critically evaluate research problems, and apply coherent ethical research designs in a range of sport and exercise related contexts.

2020

Date	Changes to this course
11/08/2020	Where the change was made: core unit in course details. Change: Research Methodologies 1 unit is replaced with Beginning Research unit. Previous text: N/A

Statistics shown throughout this page are taken from Unistats and BU institutional data unless otherwise stated.