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This stimulating degree programme enables you to study the application of science to issues in the sport and exercise sciences, and to gain the key skills you need to become an excellent practitioner within the sports, exercise and fitness industries. You are taught by lecturers who are world-leading experts in their field and who are involved in some of the latest sport and exercise science research developments. This means that the knowledge you gain is relevant and up-to-date.
Overview
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences provides a first-class experience in a dynamic and fast-growing department. The School encourages a range of teaching methods, combining lectures and seminars with more innovative approaches, such as case studies and problem-based learning scenarios. You benefit from our links with high-profile sports teams and bodies such as the RFU, English Institute of Sport, British Cycling and UK Sport, individual Olympians and Paralympians, and companies such as Science in Sport, as well as our community links with the elderly and frail.
The equipment available to our students is second-to-none. Our new sports science laboratories, in the £11 million development at Medway Park, house a range of the latest sports science equipment, including an environmental chamber, an anti-gravity treadmill, 3D video analysis, ultrasound imaging, gait analysis and force pedals, in addition to teaching and student clinics, blood laboratories and a rehabilitation gymnasium.
Think Kent video series
In this lecture, Professor Samuele Marcora from the University of Kent challenges the physiological model of endurance performance, and proposes an alternative model in which perception of effort and motivation are the main determining factors. He also discusses how this psychobiological model can be used to develop innovative interventions aimed at further improving endurance performance.
Independent rankings
In the National Student Survey 2014 86% of sports students at Kent were satisfied with the quality of their course. Sport at Kent was ranked 10th overall in The Times Good University Guide 2015 and 11th in The Guardian University Guide 2015.
Course structure
The course structure below gives a flavour of the modules that will be available to you and provides details of the content of this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. Most programmes will require you to study a combination of compulsory and optional modules. You may also have the option to take ‘wild’ modules from other programmes offered by the University in order that you may customise your programme and explore other subject areas of interest to you or that may further enhance your employability.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching involves practical laboratory and sports-based sessions, lectures, small group seminars and private study. You will have a number of lectures and practical sessions and a series of seminars each week – depending on the optional modules you select. You may also be required to spend time developing your practical skills and experience in placement or event situations.
Programme aims
The programme aims to:
- provide a multi-disciplinary education
- prepare students to meet the challenges of an expanding and rapidly-changing sports industry, while providing them with a wide choice of careers paths.
- provide the skills to promote the health and performance of an individual or a group using a multidisciplinary approach
- enable a critical knowledge and understanding of the sport sciences
- make students aware of current research within sport and exercise science
- provide a curriculum supported by scholarship, research and intellectual debate.
Learning outcomes
Knowledge and understanding
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
- anatomical and physiological principles
- the human response to exercise
- the theoretical basis of qualitative and quantitative research
- the nutrition required to perform at an optimum level
- the ability to evaluate physical capacity and exercise training programmes
- the nature of skill and models relating to the acquisition and performance of motor skills
- exercise prescription for a range of population groups
- social processes which influence individual and group behaviour and participation/performance in sport.
Intellectual skills
You gain the intellectual skills to:
- engage in academic study including critical evaluation
- plan, execute and communicate a piece of independent work that requires a critical engagement with relevant data
- solve familiar and unfamiliar problems in order to develop reasoned arguments and challenge assumptions
- self-appraise and reflect on practice
- recognise and respond to moral, legal, ethical and safety issues that relate to your studies.
Subject-specific skills
You gain subject-specific skills in the following areas:
- relating the concepts of anatomy, physiology and metabolism to the body’s response to exercise
- practical skills in the physiological interpretation of data from fitness testing
- the appraisal and evaluation of the effects of sport and exercise interventions
- the ability to analyse, interpret and show critical judgement in the evaluation of the sport sciences.
Transferable skills
You gain transferable skills in:
- communication, presentation, numeracy and IT
- interactive skills and group-work
- problem solving
- self-appraisal and reflection on practice
- how to plan and manage your own learning.
Careers
The University of Kent has an excellent reputation for its graduate employability. Sports Studies recently ranked in the top 5 in the UK for graduate employment. Graduates from this course have found employment in a range of professions including working as a sports scientist. There are opportunities with the National Institutes of Sport working with elite athletes, with professional teams and clubs, and in self-employment. The degree can also lead to careers in teaching, biomedical sciences, and in the NHS. Physical activity, exercise referral and health promotion; health and fitness clubs, sports development and leisure centres also provide graduate employment opportunities to our sports science graduates.
Entry requirements
Home/EU students
The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications, typical requirements are listed below, students offering alternative qualifications should contact the Admissions Office for further advice. It is not possible to offer places to all students who meet this typical offer/minimum requirement.
| Qualification | Typical offer/minimum requirement |
|---|---|
| A level | ABB including B in an appropriate subject (eg Biology, Chemistry, Sport, Physical Education, Statistics, Mathematics, Applied Science) |
| GCSE | C in Mathematics |
| Access to HE Diploma | The University of Kent will not necessarily make conditional offers to all access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis. If an offer is made candidates will be required to obtain/pass the overall Access to Higher Education Diploma and may also be required to obtain a proportion of the total level 3 credits and/or credits in particular subjects at merit grade or above. |
| BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC National Diploma) | 18 units at Distinction, Distinction, Merit in a sport or science subject plus GCSE Mathematics grade C |
| International Baccalaureate | 34 points overall or 16 at HL including Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics/ Sport, Exercise and HEalth Science 5 at HL or 6 at SL and Mathematics 4 at HL or SL |
International students
The University receives applications from over 140 different nationalities and consequently will consider applications from prospective students offering a wide range of international qualifications. Our International Development Office will be happy to advise prospective students on entry requirements. See our International Student website for further information about our country-specific requirements.
Please note that if you need to increase your level of qualification ready for undergraduate study, we offer a number of International Foundation Programmes through Kent International Pathways.
English Language Requirements
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
Please note that if you are required to meet an English language condition, we offer a number of pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes through Kent International Pathways.
General entry requirements
Please also see our general entry requirements.
Fees
The 2016/17 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
| UK/EU | Overseas | |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time | ||
| Part-time |
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
The Government has announced changes to allow undergraduate tuition fees to rise in line with inflation from 2017/18.
The University of Kent is currently considering whether to increase its regulated full-time tuition fees for all returning Home and EU undergraduates from £9,000 to £9,250 in September 2017. This would be subject to us satisfying the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework and the access regulator's requirements. The equivalent part-time fees for these courses might also rise by 2.8%.
For students continuing on this programme fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.* If you are uncertain about your fee status please contact information@kent.ac.uk
Funding
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. Details of our proposed funding opportunities for 2016 entry can be found on our funding page.
General scholarships
Scholarships are available for excellence in academic performance, sport and music and are awarded on merit. For further information on the range of awards available and to make an application see our scholarships website.
The Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence. For 2016 entry, the scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of AAA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications as specified on our scholarships pages. Please review the eligibility criteria on that page.