Course summary

Foundation courses A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. It’s a great option if: You don’t have the grades for a full degree course You have non-traditional qualifications or experience You’re starting university after some time away from education You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study. Life as a foundation year student During a foundation year you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course. As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support. Why choose this course -Study a hands-on curriculum, recognised by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) for providing all the skills and knowledge you need to enter the profession. -Gain industry experience through our Professional Training placements, where you can work for a range of employers, including sports clubs, performance laboratories and nutrition companies. -Apply for one of our sports scholarships, designed for individuals with exceptional sporting ability, to help support your studies. -We are ranked top 10 in the UK for sports science by the Complete University Guide 2023 and have an over 90% satisfaction score for this course in the National Student Survey 2022. -Complete nationally recognised gym instructor, personal training and working with people with long term conditions qualifications, without any extra charge. What you will study On this course, you’ll learn to maximise sports performance, improve general health and wellbeing and treat different pathologies through exercise. In your first year, you’ll study topics, including anatomy, biochemistry, fitness and health, physiology, kinesiology, and skill acquisition, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree. During your second year, you’ll apply your knowledge in a sporting context, incorporating perspectives from physiology, nutrition, psychology, biomechanics and management, with opportunity for interdisciplinary application and the development of discipline-specific practical skills. In your third year, you’ll select two optional modules, exploring topics such as advances in nutrition, biological rhythms, exercise referrals and prescriptions, and human movement and rehabilitation. You’ll also complete a research project, bringing together all the practical, analytical, and presentation skills you’ve developed. Current students are investigating topics like ‘The effect of New Zealand blackcurrant extracts on running performance.’