Sport and Exercise for Health - BSc (Hons)

Overview

At Kent, our cutting-edge research helps shape our curriculum and we ensure that you get a variety of skills, knowledge and experience. Our academics have experience working with a range fields and clients ranging from Olympians and Paralympians to members of the public, including the elderly and frail.

Our degree programme

In your first year, you study a variety of disciplines and gain a solid grounding in key subjects. Our modules cover all aspects of sport and exercise science including nutrition, human anatomy and physiology, sport psychology, movement and biomechanics with a focus on health related study.

In your second and final years, you choose optional modules that reflect your interests. You also conduct your own research project in the final year, choosing from specialist options that may include, physical activity interventions, exercise rehabilitation for clinical populations or contemporary issues in nutrition.

As part of your degree, you have the opportunity to promote your own event, and look at the issues involved in encouraging the public to become more physically active. You also have the option to gain valuable professional experience by working on placement in the sports and leisure industry, or supporting exercise rehabilitation in a community project.

Your degree, your way

This degree is available as a four-year programme with a year in industry. For more information, please see Sport and Exercise for Health with a Year in Industry BSc (Hons).

Fantastic facilities

Our laboratories are based in the Chipperfield Building in the Canterbury campus. They include the latest equipment, such as our:

• anti-gravity treadmill, originally developed to help NASA astronauts to exercise in space
• cycling and rowing ergometers to measure anaerobic capacity
• isokinetic dynamometer to measure muscle and joint function
• brain and muscle stimulators
• 3D motion video analysis
• imaging and treatment ultrasound
• gait analysis and force pedals
• blood testing and gas analysis equipment
• rehabilitation gymnasium.

Our environmental chamber, which can recreate the atmosphere in the Brazilian jungle or at the top of Everest, is based on the Medway campus.

An excellent student experience

There is a thriving sports scene for students at the Canterbury campus. Team Kent, funded by the Students' Union, run more than 60 different clubs including; athletics, badminton, basketball, boxing, cricket, football, cheerleading, lacrosse, caving, taekwondo, rowing, hockey, football, rugby, equestrian, korfball, table tennis, judo and volleyball, plus ultimate frisbee.

Professional networks

The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences has links to many sporting bodies. It has worked with companies such as Science in Sport and Team Sky, and with organisations such as:

• the NHS
• RFU (governing English rugby)
• English Institute of Sport
• British Cycling
• UK Sport
• World Anti-Doping Agency
• UEFA
• UK Sport
• Ministry of Defence.

Sports scholarships

If you are competing at the equivalent of county level or higher you can apply for a sports scholarship from the University. The amount to be offered will be determined by the University Sports Scholarship Committee and each case is considered on its own merit. For more information please go to the Sports Scholarships page.

One of our best-known graduates is Olympic gold medallist Susannah Townsend. During her time at Kent she had a sports scholarship and played for Canterbury Hockey Club (where she continues to play midfield).