Sport and Exercise for Health - BSc (Hons)
with a Foundation Year

This is an archived course for 2022 entry
2023 courses

This is an archived page and for reference purposes only

Are you passionate about sport and health and fascinated by the science behind it? Or driven to learn more about using sport and exercise to make a difference to people’s lives? Whether you're looking for a change of career, or may not have the scientific background or entry requirements for a degree in Sport and Exercise for Health, our Foundation Year offers the opportunity to fill any knowledge gaps and build your confidence.

Overview

This programme is designed for students who may not meet the requirements for direct entry to Stage 1 of our degree courses, and is an excellent conversion course for applicants who have shown academic ability in non-science subjects.

From enhancing the performance of elite athletes to improving the quality of life for the elderly, the innovative BSc Sport and Exercise for Health at Kent gives you the knowledge and practical experience needed to launch your career in this exciting area. You study the science behind sports performance and physical activity and cover topics such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, psychology and sport nutrition.

Reasons to study Sport and Exercise Science for Health with a Foundation Year at Kent

  • Our foundation year offers you the flexibility to progress to degrees across our Division of Natural Sciences. You may choose a degree in Sport and Exercise for Health, but equally you could opt for a degree within another area of Sport and Exercise Sciences, or Biosciences, Chemistry or Forensic Science.
  • Enhance your learning experience in our excellent facilities, including physiology laboratories and a biomechanics laboratory with 3D motion capture cameras.
  • Specialise and tailor the course to suit your career goals with our range of optional modules.
  • Our expert lecturers have extensive knowledge and experience in their fields, having worked with the England Football team, Olympians, Science in Sport and Team Sky, as well as links with sports clubs and private companies, the NHS and many other sporting and health organisations.
  • Gain a good mix of theoretical knowledge, hands-on practice and placement opportunities, developing a range of valuable laboratory and clinical skills, giving you the best possible start to your career.
  • The Canterbury campus is home to outstanding sports facilities, including a sports centre and gym, outdoor pitches, indoor and outdoor tennis and netball courts; and plenty of green space as well as more than 60 extra-curricular sports clubs.

What you'll learn

In your foundation year, you study compulsory modules in biology, chemistry and scientific methods, plus a choice of optional modules. On successful completion of the foundation year, you will have reached a standard above A level and so be fully equipped to tackle a BSc degree course.

In your first year, you study a variety of disciplines and gain a solid grounding in key subjects including anatomical and physiological principles, the human response to exercise and a theoretical basis of qualitative and quantitative research. In your second and final years, you choose optional modules that reflect your interests in topics such as nutrition, sport and exercise psychology, massage techniques and sports injuries.

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.

You also have the option to gain valuable professional experience by working on placement in the sports and leisure industry or completing an additional year in industry.

The facilities for the course are great. The sports labs are really well equipped – we do lots of practical work there, and there are clinics and gyms with amazing specialist equipment. 

Olyvia Geohagen - Sport and Exercise for Health BSc

Entry requirements

The University will consider applications from students offering a wide range of qualifications. All applications are assessed on an individual basis but some of our typical requirements are listed below. Students offering qualifications not listed are welcome to contact our Admissions Team for further advice. Please also see our general entry requirements.

  • medal-empty

    A level

    DDD including either a Science subject (i.e. Biology, Chemistry, Physics), Sport, Psychology or Mathematics at grade D

  • medal-empty GCSE

    Maths and English Language at grade 4/C

  • medal-empty Access to HE Diploma

    The University welcomes applications from Access to Higher Education Diploma candidates for consideration. A typical offer may require you to obtain a proportion of Level 3 credits in relevant subjects at merit grade or above.

  • medal-empty BTEC Nationals

    MMP in Applied Science, Biomedical Science, Medical Science, Sport or Sports Coaching. All other subjects are considered on a case by case basis. Please contact us for further advice on your individual circumstances.

  • medal-empty International Baccalaureate

    24 points overall or 11 points from three HL subjects including HL Science subject, Sport, Psychology or Maths at 4 or SL Science subject, Sport, Psychology or Maths at 5

  • medal-empty International Foundation Programme

    N/A

  • medal-empty T level

    The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.

Please contact the School for more information at studynats@kent.ac.uk.

If you are an international student, visit our International Student website for further information about entry requirements for your country, including details of the International Foundation Programmes. Please note that international fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot undertake a part-time programme due to visa restrictions.

Please note that meeting the typical offer/minimum requirement does not guarantee that you will receive an offer.

English Language Requirements

Please see our English language entry requirements web page.

Please note that if you do not meet our English language requirements, we offer a number of 'pre-sessional' courses in English for Academic Purposes. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.

Course structure

Duration: 4 years full-time, 7 years part-time

The following modules are indicative of those offered on this programme. This listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.  

The modules for Stages 1-3 of the degree course can be viewed on the Sport and Exercise for Health - BSc (Hons) page.

Foundation year

Fees

The 2022/23 annual tuition fees for this course are:

  • Home full-time TBC
  • International full-time TBC
  • Home part-time TBC
  • International part-time TBC

For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.

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.* 

Your fee status

The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.

Additional costs

General additional costs

Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.

Funding

We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.

Search scholarships

University funding

Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details. 

Government funding

You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.

Scholarships

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. 

The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.

Teaching and assessment

The programme involves lectures, small group seminars and private study. In addition, you are expected to design, lead and take part in practical sports sessions. You have several lectures or practical sessions and a series of seminars each week. You are also required to spend additional time developing your skills and knowledge in real-life situations.

The first half of Stage 1 is largely assessed by coursework and observed assessments. In the second half of Stage 1, some modules have written examinations in addition to coursework and practical assessments. During Stages 2 and 3, the form of assessment varies from 100% coursework to a combination of examination and coursework.

Contact hours

For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours.  The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules.  Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

  • provide a multi-disciplinary education
  • prepare students for the challenges of an expanding and rapidly changing sports health industry, while providing them with a wide choice of careers paths
  • provide the skills needed to promote the health and performance of an individual or group using a multidisciplinary approach
  • provide a critical knowledge and understanding of the sport and exercise sciences
  • present a valuable educational experience with the opportunity to integrate theory and practice. 

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 nature of a psychological approach in relation to sport and exercise
  • exercise prescription for a range of population groups
  • social processes that influence individual and group behaviour and participation/performance in sport.

Intellectual skills

You gain intellectual skills in the following:

  • the skills needed for academic study including critical evaluation
  • how to plan, design, execute and communicate a piece of independent work demonstrating a critical engagement with the relevant data
  • how to apply knowledge to solve familiar and unfamiliar problems in order to develop reasoned arguments and challenge assumptions
  • self-appraisal and reflection on practice
  • the ability to 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 physiological assessment and interpretation of data from fitness testing
  • the ability to appraise and evaluate 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.

Independent rankings

Sports Science at Kent scored 88% overall in The Complete University Guide 2023.

Careers

Your future

You graduate with an excellent grounding in scientific knowledge and extensive laboratory experience. In addition, you also develop the key transferable skills sought by employers, such as:

  • excellent communication skills
  • work independently or as part of a team
  • the ability to solve problems and think analytically
  • time management.

This means that our graduates are well equipped for careers across a range of fields and have gone on to work in sports science support for elite athletes, professional sports teams, teaching and in the NHS for physical activity, exercise referral or health promotion. 

You can read their stories, and find out about the range of support and extra opportunities available to further your career potential.

Professional recognition

Graduates may be eligible to apply for Register of Exercise Professionals accreditation. They may also be eligible to sit for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health and Fitness Specialist qualification.

Apply for Sport and Exercise for Health with a Foundation Year - BSc (Hons)

This course page is for the 2022/23 academic year. Please visit the current online prospectus for a list of undergraduate courses we offer.

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International student enquiries

Enquire online

T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk

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