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This module is focused on introducing and developing skills required to study and investigate sport, exercise and coaching in a Higher Education environment. It allows students an opportunity to identify and improve important skills for studying sport and exercise related subjects, including literature searching, communication and study skills.
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This module offers students an opportunity to be introduced to contemporary and fundamental concepts within sport and exercise psychology. Students will consider the underpinnings of human psychology and how this influences participation and engagement in various physical activity contexts.
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This module will introduce students to a variety of sport organisations in the UK and how they operate in and across private, public and voluntary sectors to deliver different levels and kinds of sports provision. While gaining an understanding of how sport is developed, structured, governed and funded, students will also be introduced to the current sport policy context and to the dominant ideas underpinning current UK sports policy, namely ‘sport for all’. To this end, the module will also have a social justice focus and will examine how socio-cultural factors exclude certain groups from participating and/ or progressing in sport.
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This module aims to develop knowledge of anatomy and function of the musculo-skeletal system during movement. Students will also be introduced to biomechanical principles underpinning the practical analysis of human movement, considering the role of analysis in sport and in movement. It will serve to widen the students' knowledge base and will provide a firm basis for working at a higher level in the discipline of sport and exercise biomechanics. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
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This module aims to equip students with the knowledge and self-management skills to make informed choices in preparing for work placement and the transition to employment or further study on graduation. Learners will be provided with the opportunities to develop awareness of the workplace, identify different career and study options, recognise and articulate their own experience, accomplishments and talents and plan and implement career management strategies for the short and long term.
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This module provides students with an introduction to the foundations of research in sport, exercise and coaching contexts. Students have an opportunity to gain an understanding of the philosophical underpinning of qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods. They will also explore different data collection techniques and methods of evaluating qualitative and quantitative evidence.
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This module will introduce key pedagogical theories and concepts related to Physical Education and sports coaching. Students will have the opportunity to discuss the role of Physical Education teachers and sports coaches. Throughout the module, there will be opportunities to apply theoretical constructs to practical situations.
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This module builds on the knowledge gained in Human Movement 1. Students will learn about the different physiological systems in the human body that work to produce and regulate human movement. Students will also develop vital laboratory skills to enable safe and effective administration and measurement of exercise and contributory factors. Finally the role of physical activity in the development and maintenance of human health will also be considered. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
Honours Degree, Undergraduate, September 2023
Key Details
- C601 Course Code
- 3 Years
- 112 Typical UCAS Tariff
On this course you will be given the opportunity to explore theoretical and practical factors that influence sports performance, health and wellbeing. You will learn about how scientific principles can help improve the performance of athletes or assist individuals in improving their health. You will explore and experience how the latest technological innovations are influencing the pursuit of sporting performance and how they inform interventions for those suffering from widespread disease and illness.This course will give you the opportunity to become a well-equipped professional and will help develop the knowledge and skills for work or further study. The course provides an excellent basis to explore employment opportunities in numerous areas such as sports & exercise science support, education and further research.
The course is taught in dedicated facilities on one campus. The Human performance lab, indoor sports hall, strength & conditioning suite, aerobic conditioning suite, group exercise studio, full size outdoor 3G pitch, dedicated seminar rooms and staff offices can be found within a 100 yard radius of each other. A video tour of our facilities is available to view online.
The Human Performance Lab where you will spend most of your time on this course is fully equipped with the latest equipment for use inside the laboratory and in the field. We have 3D analysis system, integrated force plates, gas & bloods analysis, Heart Rate and GPS monitoring systems as used by elite clubs. The HPL is a room which allows integrated analysis of sports performance from both a physiological and biomechanical perspective and specifically design to help interdisciplinary learning.
This course is being re-validated for September 2023. This is a standard academic process to ensure the content of a course is up to date with current research and academic thinking and also relevant to the requirements of the potential employment market place.
- Small class sizes create a vibrant learning environment
- Integrated human performance laboratory allows interdisciplinary learning
- All facilities (laboratory, sports hall, 3G pitch) on one campus in close proximity
- Experienced staff who support elite athletes and conduct research
- Field trips and opportunities for international trips
The BSc Sports & Exercise Science degree programme has a large amount of practical and laboratory based work. You are encouraged to develop your own areas of academic research and relate your studies to practical sports situations.
The Work Placement double-module provides a ‘real’ opportunity to experience a work placement within the sector of your choice.
A double-module project in the final year provides you with the opportunity to gain greater specialist knowledge by carrying out a significant piece of research in an area of personal academic interest, practical significance and/or vocational relevance.
The teaching methods and course content are informed by relevant professional bodies including the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), the Association of Physical Education (AfPE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), and the European College of Sports Science (ECSS).
Modules are academically challenging and vocationally relevant, ensuring that our graduates are in the best position to pursue careers in their chosen profession.
At Newman you are taught by active researchers who apply their expertise in the world of sport. The lecturers on this course regularly present at conferences and provide sports science support to elite level athletes.
Students receive a broad foundation of modules in their first year. This structure is unique in that it allows students the flexibility to change course and progress straight into the second year of another sports programme if they wish to.
During your first year of study you will start to develop a theoretical understanding of the sub-disciplines of sport and exercise science (physiology, biomechanics and psychology) and explore the key practical skills in these areas. You will also examine some wider issues related to sport and health and also learn and refine the research and key skills you will require to succeed on your course.
In the second year you will enhance your knowledge and skills of the sub-disciplines that will then lead into interdisciplinary study of distinct topics such as exercise nutrition, performance analysis and strength and conditioning. There will also be a continued focus on data collection, processing and analysis. You will also get an opportunity to experience industry through your work placement module.
In the final year of the course you will have the option to pick the sub-disciplines you want to specialise in and areas you want to learn more about that are contemporary and current. You will have options that cover both sports performance and health depending on what you have developed an interest in over the previous two years. This will also be the year when you embark on your dissertation which is an independent piece of research. Typically on this course this involves collecting data on human participants in a variety of settings and producing new knowledge. You will get the opportunity to present this at a conference at Newman.
By the end of your course it is our aim to have produced an individual with a range of knowledge, skills and experiences that creates work ready students for the 21st century.
Assessment is by a combination of written examinations, presentations, assessed coursework and practical tests. The coursework may include a working portfolio, laboratory manuals, reports and essays.
As a Newman Sports & Exercise Science graduate, you will be well-equipped for a wide range of careers in sports science, coaching, education and related areas, including positions supporting elite athletes and teams. You could also be making a difference to real everyday lives by providing interventions for the sedentary, obese, elderly and ill. You will be well-prepared to continue your studies at postgraduate level to obtain higher degrees and acquire further specialist skills.
Newman University is proud to be the first West Midlands partner of CIMSPA (The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) a professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector. CIMSPA works with over 300 partners across the sport and physical activity sector, meaning students can be assured they are working with a university that is contributing, not only to teaching sport but, to developing the professional standards for the industry. We are currently working towards full accreditation of course, thus eventually our courses will be recognised by CIMSPA as equipping students with the skills that employers are looking for.
The Sport and Health team at Newman University pride themselves on their ongoing involvement in sport, health and physical education research. Staff are actively contributing in the following four areas of the Research Excellence Framework (REF) —Physical Activity and Health, Sport Performance, Mental Skills Training and Sport in Society. The team regularly publishes their research in industry journals, and present at international sport, health and physical education conferences. Our ‘Meet The Sport Team’ page details the specific areas of research that the team have been, or currently are involved in.
As a student at Newman, you will be taught by research-active staff, who are actively contributing to the latest developments across a wide-range of disciplines within the sport and health industry and the physical education sector. Staff bring the latest knowledge and expertise to the classroom, laboratory and sports field, enhancing your learning experience. At Newman you get the benefit of our staff’s cutting-edge knowledge combined with a focus on your needs, in a student-centred University where you are our priority. Our staff expertise, and their links with external agencies will maximise your University experience and hopefully provide you with opportunities as you consider your career paths for the future.
We encourage our students to proactively explore research during their studies. As a science-based discipline, you will be conducting research throughout a range of modules under the supervision of expert staff.
Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.
Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.
Dining out
Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).
Entertainment
Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!
Location
Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!
Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?
Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.
Entry Requirements
You must achieve at least 112 UCAS points, including a minimum of CC at A Level or equivalent (e.g. MM at BTEC Diploma; MPP at BTEC Extended Diploma) towards the total tariff.
Access Students can achieve this with the following combination of Distinction, Merit and/or Pass grades at level 3 achieved from a completed Access course:
D30-M0-P15; D27-M6-P12; D24-M12-P9; D21-M18-P6; D18-M24-P3; D15-M30-P0
A Level 3 qualification (e.g. A Level or BTEC level 3) in a sport, PE or science related subject
The University accepts appropriate T Levels as part of its usual entry requirements.
5 GCSEs at grade 4/C or above to include GCSE English, Mathematics and Science, or recognised equivalents are also required.
International Students
The University is not licenced by the UK Government to sponsor migrant students under the Student route and is therefore unable to accept applications from international students at present.
Applying Direct Option
You can apply direct to Newman University for this course if you have not previously applied to Newman University through UCAS and you are not applying to any other universities.
Simply click on this Direct Application link to do this.
N.B. will need to enter ‘New User’ account details when first accessing this portal.
If you have any questions regarding entry onto this course please contact our friendly and helpful admissions team via our Admissions Enquiry Form
Course Fees
The full-time course fee for September 2023 is £9,250 per year.
The University will review tuition fees and increase fees in line with any inflationary uplift as determined by the UK Government, if permitted by law or government policy, in subsequent years of your course. It is anticipated that such increases would be linked to RPI (the Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).
Additional Costs
The programme team advises students to purchase a Newman University sports polo shirt. This is so students can wear the shirt when representing the university externally (e.g., on placements) and have appropriate sportswear during laboratory and coaching practicals. The cost is £19.99 (based on 2019/20) with additional option pieces of branded clothing range from £19.99 – £29.99. Payment of these optional clothing items are due in the first year of study or second year of study (placement).
Find out more about the other additional costs associated with our undergraduate degrees.
Modules
Please be aware that, as with any course, there may be changes to the modules delivered, for information view our Changes to Programmes of Module Changes page.
Timetables: find out when information is available to students
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This module provides students with theoretical underpinning and practical experience within quantitative research methods. It offers the opportunity for students to acquire the necessary skills to conduct independent research in any of the sub-disciplines involved in investigating areas of sports, exercise and coaching related topics at level 6.
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This module aims to extend the students' knowledge and practical skills in the application of biomechanics to specific sport and exercise activities. The emphasis will be on the application of biomechanics in the assessment, evaluation and improvement of technique in a range of sports. Practical experiences will include the role of biomechanical kinetic and kinematic assessment in the analysis of sport and the application of hand and computerised notation systems to individual and team sports. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
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This module offers students the opportunity to learn about the determinant of exercise performance and bodily responses to exercise and the implications for health and performance. Students will also learn how exercise metabolism allows for and limits exercise of different durations and intensities. This will lead into the exploration of how nutrition influences exercise metabolism and the implications for exercise performance. Students will also gain practical laboratory experience related to exercise performance, metabolism and nutrition. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
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This module builds on those key areas of research methods delivered at level four and in SPU501. It provides a body of knowledge and experiences that will act as a preparation for more advanced studies at level six. It offers the opportunity to acquire and practice the necessary skills to conduct independent qualitative research in any of the sub-disciplines involved in investigating areas of sports, exercise and coaching related topics.
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This module offers students an opportunity to explore some major personality and social-psychological constructs and theories that can be used to explain behaviour and performance in sport and exercise settings. Students will develop an understanding and critical awareness of how specific psychological principles can influence participation, well-being and performance in sport and exercise contexts.
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This module aims to build on key physiological and biomechanical concepts that underpin physical development. The module will focus on critically exploring different exercise testing and prescription methods used in performance sport. The students will critically explore the development of aerobic/anaerobic capabilities, muscle strength, power, hypertrophy, speed, agility and their respective roles in sports performance. They will also learn how to monitor training and performance. Students will conduct a needs analyses aiming to identify factor to support successful sports performance and gain vital practical experience in assessing key capabilities and developing exercise regimens. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
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This module builds on prior learning and offers students the opportunity for further development of their skills, knowledge and understanding through conducting an independent research project. The project is regarded as an important exercise for developing students’ abilities to formulate appropriate research design and procedures, to collect and present in an appropriate and meaningful way, to conduct a critical analysis of relevant literature, and to demonstrate their understanding and application of theoretical principles. The research focus must be specific to their degree pathway.
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This module aims to build on key concepts in exercise training and monitoring from level 5. Students will explore the development of physiological capabilities but also the acute and chronic optimisation of these capabilities. The underpinning science behind preparation for and recovery from performance will be explored in traditional and contemporary contexts alongside introduction and evaluation of contemporary training methodologies. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
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This module builds on key areas of sport and exercise biomechanics delivered at level 5. The emphasis is to provide a critical, theoretical and practical understanding of the major applied techniques used in the biomechanical analysis of sporting activity and how these maybe used to improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. Students will develop understanding of biomechanical assessment procedures, data analysis, interpretation and laboratory skills with particular emphasis on 3D motion analysis, advanced analysis of force using force platforms and the analysis of muscle activation using electromyography. In addition, the relationship between the biomechanist and coach will be explored. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
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This module explores the application of psychological profiling and intervention techniques in a variety of sporting situations. It seeks to develop a critical and evidence based approach in the selection of specific strategies for individuals and groups. It further seeks to provide a basis for appraising and critically evaluating the impact of any intervention strategies employed with reference to their effectiveness, appropriateness, and ethical use.
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This module aims to critically explore and evaluate current & contemporary issues in sport and exercise science. The purpose of the module is to equip students with thorough knowledge of issues relating to sport & exercise science that are particularly relevant and high profile in society or science at the time of delivery. Students will develop their ability to make informed decisions based on the evidence and also to communicate findings to both scientific and no scientific audiences. Relevant risk assessment and health and safety protocols will be adhered to within the human performance laboratory.
Additional Information
General Academic Regulations: Terms and Conditions for students attending our courses