BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

If you are applying to start in September 2023, you must meet the following entry requirements:

5 GCSE grades C/4 or above, including English, Maths and Science and 88 UCAS points, which should be from a related subject in one of the following:

• A Levels
• BTEC Level 3 National Diploma
• IB Diploma
• Access to HE
• Related work experience
• Overseas qualifications are judged to be equivalent to the above

Students who do not qualify by any o these qualifications may be offered an interview to discuss equivelant qualifications and previous experience.
We accept A Level General Studies and AS levels when combined with other full qualifications.
If English is not your first language, you will require an IELTS score of 6.0 or above or an equivalent English Language qualification.

Mature students or students who do not have the above qualifications can contact our admissions team on 01733 214466 or admissions@ucp.ac.uk to discuss equivalent qualifications or relevant work experience.

EU STUDENTS AND OVERSEAS QUALIFICATIONS

We can accept a wide range of overseas qualifications and use UK NARIC to compare qualifications. For advice about overseas qualification conversion call the Admissions Office on 01733 214466 or email admissions@ucp.ac.uk.

UCAS TARIFF

To find out more about UCAS tariff points and how they work, visit ucas.com/tariff-calculator.

We accept a wide range of qualifications such as A-levels (you must have grades for at least two A-levels), BTEC, Cambridge Technicals, International Baccalaureate (IB), NVQ Level 3, Access to Higher Education and Scottish Advanced Highers.

The tariff points for qualifications can be added and combined together (e.g. A-levels plus BTECs).

The UCAS points for A-level General Studies, AS-levels and the EQP (Extended Project Qualification) are accepted when combined with other full qualifications.

ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APCL) FOR ENTRY

APCL relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study. If you have previously completed a course which is relevant to your proposed course you should make this clear when you apply. For this to be eligible for consideration you must be able to provide certification, which shows your success in a final assessment for that course. Learning must be completed in the last five years or further evidence of updating will be required. Simple participation in a course or an attendance certificate is not sufficient.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR LEARNING (APL)

We offer students flexibility in their studies, by recognising learning they may have completed elsewhere before they apply. The Accreditation of Prior Learning process ensures that we can take this into account when determining the modules you must study. It is important that you identify any relevant prior learning when you apply. If your previous study specifically relates to modules on the course you wish to undertake we may approve a reduced programme of study, thus shortening the time it takes to obtain your award. Where this relates to learning completed through an earlier course of study, this is called Prior Certificated Learning, and where learning has been achieved through relevant work or experience, this is referred to as Prior Experiential Learning. Claims must be approved before you commence a course.

EXEMPTIONS BASED ON ACCREDITATION OF PRIOR EXPERIENTIAL CERTIFICATED LEARNING (APEL)

It is important to understand that the APEL process does not award academic credit for experience alone, but for learning which can be shown to have been achieved through that experience. Students are required to prepare an individual case for the credit arising from their learning experiences. This normally means that a student receives support in the preparation of a portfolio, which evidences their claimed exemptions for entry. This portfolio of evidence is then submitted for assessment and the possible award of academic credit. Alternative methods of assessment of evidence may be available but needs to be discussed with the Admissions team or Course Leader.

You must take modules worth 120 credits at each level of the course. Each module is worth a specified number of credits.

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

• Introduction to Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise (15 credits)
• Human Anatomy (15 credits)
• Psychological Basis of Sport and Exercise (15 credits)
• Research in Sport and Exercise Science (15 credits)
• Foundations of Kinesiology and Human Movement (15 credits)
• Foundations of Exercise Physiology and Nutrition (15 credits)
• Introduction to Performance Analysis (15 credits)
• Foundations of Skill Acquisition (15 credits)

Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

• Applied Research Skills (15 credits)
• Applied Principles of Sports Training (15 credits)
• Exercise Testing and Prescription for Health (15 credits)
• Project Preparation and Employability (15 credits)
• Fitness Testing and Training (15 credits)
• Assessment in Applied Sport Psychology (15 credits)

PLUS CHOOSE 30 CREDITS OF OPTIONAL MODULES:

• Motor Learning and Performance (15 credits)
• Injuries and Rehabilitation (15 credits)
• Applied Performance Analysis (15 credits)
• Introduction to Strength and Conditioning (15 credits)

Final year for full-time students (Level 6)

• Undergraduate Major Project or Undergraduate Placement Project (30 credits)
• Multidisciplinary Approaches to Training and Assessment (30 credits)
• Applications in Sport and Exercise Psychology (15 credits)
• Applied Exercise Referral and Prescription for Health (15 credits)

PLUS CHOOSE 30 CREDITS OF OPTIONAL MODULES:

• Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Science (15 credits)
• Strength and Conditioning for Human Performance (15 credits)
• The Developing Athlete (15 credits)
• Applied Human Movement in Sport (15 credits)

If it is unviable to run an optional module due to student demand, an alternative module will be offered.

A typical 15 credit module is 150 hours which includes 36 hours of tutor led delivery and 114 hours of recommended independent study. A typical 30 credit module is 300 hours which includes 72 hours of tutor led delivery and 228 hours of recommended independent study. A full-time student should expect to undertake 30 additional hours per week during term-time.

When studying this course at University Centre Peterborough, we will timetable your lectures as two full days a week over two semesters per year (part-time will be one to two full days a week over two semesters per year).

We are able to offer this convenient timetabling to our students as we are a smaller institution so we can timetable our staff and resources more efficiently.

Over the duration of your course, teaching will be delivered by the following methods:

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

40% Lectures
40% Seminars
20% Workshops

Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

40% Lectures
40% Seminars
20% Workshops

Final year for full-time students (Level 6)

40% Lectures
40% Seminars
20% Workshops
There are two semesters per year and each semester is up to 15 weeks which includes up to 12 teaching weeks and 3 assessment weeks.

If studying full-time you will be in classes, seminars and tutorials for approximately 15 hours per week and will spend the rest of your time in independent study and extra-curricular activities including work placement if not embedded in your course. We recommend that full-time students allow an additional 30 hours per week for additional study.

The campus is open Monday to Friday throughout the year and you will also have 24/7 access to a virtual learning environment (VLE) with e-books, journals and abstracts plus teaching resources and interactive tools.

Timetables are available at least 6 weeks before registration and you can refer to the academic calendar for examination weeks and resit periods.

The days of the week you study may change each year and in some circumstances one of the full days might have to be split into two half days, but we aim to keep these as full days where possible.

Throughout the duration of your course you will be assessed by the following methods:

Year one for full-time students (Level 4)

• 75% Coursework
• 25% Written Exams

Year two for full-time students (Level 5)

• 70% Coursework
• 20% Written Exams
• 10% Placement

Final year for full-time students (Level 6)

• 65% Coursework
• 35% Written Exams
• 10% Placement (if you choose an Undergraduate Placement Project)

We will provide, by the beginning of the first week of each semester, a current module guide with all the information you need for each module, including details of assessment tasks, the deadlines for these tasks, the required format and any relevant guidance.

Formative assessment opportunities are written into all module plans to provide students with on-going feedback. End of semester assessments will have formative opportunities in weeks 9 or 10 of the semester. In addition revision sessions will be held in week 12.

Your final degree classification is calculated as an average of your highest 60 credits at Level 5 and all credits at Level 6.

70%+ First
60-69% 2:1
50-59% 2:2
40-49% Third

Visit our published documents and policies page for The Open University regulations.

At level 5 of the course, there will be an opportunity to work alongside local employers to carry our projects and research.

In your final year, you will have the choice of undertaking an Undergraduate Major Project or Undergraduate Placement Project. The placement can be with an employer in the sports or school sector.

As the course is timetabled as full days during the week when studied full-time, this also gives you the flexibility to find a work placement, internship or volunteering opportunity which will improve your employability after you graduate. All students are encouraged to identify work experience in addition to their work placement to aid their career development.

Aimee Evans

“I am the course leader for the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degree at University Centre Peterborough. Alongside my academic and research career, I have worked in the professional sports industry as a sport scientist / strength and conditioning coach at Leicester City Football Club, Peterborough United Football Club and Hull City Football Club.

Throughout my career, my research has focused on enhancing athletic performance and maximising adaptations to training. More specifically, my current PhD-related research investigates the recovery kinetics within professional soccer.

I currently lecture on modules relating to strength and conditioning, developing athletes, physiological approaches to training, and research skills. I am passionate about ensuring students leave university as well-rounded individuals with a blend of practical and theoretical knowledge to support them within future careers. This is a key theme throughout our modules at UCP, where students will have the opportunity to put their academic understanding into practice in the classroom, laboratory or on the field.”

Qualifications

PhD Sport, Health and Exercise Science (currently studying)
MRes Sport and Exercise Science
Postgraduate Certificate in Research Training (currently studying)
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Professional memberships

Accredited BASES Sport and Exercise Scientist
Certified NSCA Strength and Conditioning Coach
Associate UKSCA member

Each year, there are many students who complete the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course who go on to study at postgraduate level. This includes the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) to teach in primary or secondary schools and Masters in Sport Psychology, Strength and Conditioning or Sport and Exercise Science.

Just some of the future careers for graduates after completing the course include:

Sports Coach
Performance Analyst
Sports Development Officer
Sports Scientist
Sports Psychologist
Fitness Instructor / Personal Trainer
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Exercise Referral Specialist