Apply your academic knowledge in Sport and Exercise Science for Health with a Year in Industry. As well as being taught by lecturers with vast experience in a range of fields and the fantastic facilities and sporting opportunities on our Canterbury campus, completing a year in industry gives you an opportunity to develop hands-on experience working in a professional environment. This also gives you a competitive edge for future employment after you graduate.
At Kent, our lecturers have vast experience in sports training, treatment of injuries and rehabilitation, and sport psychology. You work with our experts to gain a good mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practice. Our community of clients ranges from Olympians and Paralympians to members of the public, including the elderly and frail.
As part of your degree, you study a variety of disciplines, including sport and exercise psychology and nutrition. You also have the opportunity to promote your own event, and look at the issues involved in encouraging the public to become more physically active. In your final year, you conduct your own research project, choosing from specialist options that may include strength and conditioning, physical activity interventions and contemporary issues in nutrition.
The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is superbly equipped. You also benefit from being taught by staff members who are both excellent teachers and leading researchers in their field. The School provides an enthusiastic and supportive environment for motivated and ambitious students.
Your year in industry takes place between your second and final year of your degree programme, giving you invaluable work experience. This greatly enhances your CV and employability while giving you the opportunity to apply your academic skills in practical context. It also gives you an idea of your career options after graduation. Most placements are paid opportunities, and there may be the possibility of a job with the same company after you graduate.
This degree is also available as a three-year programme without a year in industry. For more information please see Sport and Exercise for Health BSc (Hons).
Our laboratories are based in the Chipperfield Building in the Canterbury campus. They include the latest equipment, such as our:
Our environmental chamber, which can recreate the atmosphere in the Brazilian jungle or at the top of Everest, is based on the Medway campus.
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.
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 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
Please also see our general entry requirements.
BCC including grade B in an appropriate subject (eg Biology, Chemistry, Sport, Physical Education, Physics, Psychology, Mathematics, Applied Science)
Mathematics grade C
The University will not necessarily make conditional offers to all Access candidates but will continue to assess them on an individual basis.
If we make you an offer, you will need 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.
Distinction, Merit, Merit in a sport or science subject plus GCSE Mathematics grade C
34 points overall or 15 at HL including Biology/Chemistry/Physics/Mathematics, Sports, Exercise and Health Science 5 at HL or 6 at SL and Mathematics 4 at HL or SL.
Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 60% overall average including 60% in Fundamentals of Human Biology and 60% in Life Sciences plus 50% in LZ013 Maths and Statistics.
Please contact the School for more information at study-sports@kent.ac.uk.
International students should visit our International Student website for further specific information. International fee-paying students who require a Student visa cannot study part-time due to visa restrictions.
Please see our English language entry requirements web page.
If you need to improve your English language standard as a condition of your offer, you can attend one of our pre-sessional courses in English for Academic Purposes before starting your degree programme. You attend these courses before starting your degree programme.
Duration: 4 years full-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.
Studentswill cover the biomechanics of movement, movement patterns of the lower limb,upper limb and trunk; bones and surface markings of the lower limb, upper limband spine; joints of the lower limb, upper limb and spine; muscles (origin,insertion and actions) of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk; soft tissuestructures of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk; and nerves of the lowerlimb, upper limb and trunk.
The module aims toprovide students with knowledge and understanding of human responses andadaptations to sport and exercise. Using a psychological approach, studentsacquire knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise performance andexercise adherence to promote health. Lectures and seminars provide forums fordiscussion and understanding of cognitions, affect and behaviour and thecomplex interactions between these. A key module aim is to provide anunderstanding of the application of theory to real ‘applied’ situations withinsport and exercise settings.
Students will cover the structure and function of thefollowing: Musculoskeletal system including muscle, bone, cartilage,ligaments and tendons, nervous system, cardiovascular system, respiratorysystem and endocrine system.The principles of the maintenance of homeostasis and the physiologicaladaptation of the body systems to exercise will also be covered.
This module provides students with an introduction to thebasic principles of Sport and Exercise Nutrition. Students will explore themacronutrients and micronutrients and Fluid guidelines. A strong physiologicalunderstanding underpins much of the module contentMacronutrients: carbohydrate, protein and fat Micronutrients: Vitamins andminerals, Fluid regulation, Thermoregulation and fluid guidelines, Competitionnutrition.
The module aims to provide students with knowledge of the foundations in research methods in sport sciences. Students will explore different data collection methods in sport sciences and how that information is presented and communicated appropriately. Research and academic study skills will be developed throughout the module.
Students take both compulsory modules and then select a total of 60 credits (30 credits of which must be at level 5) from a list of optional modules offered by the School.
Thismodule introduces students to the analysis techniques required for theirdissertation module, as well as how to develop a research idea into a formalstudy proposal.
The module starts byconsidering the multi-dimensional nature of health to broaden student’sunderstanding of the many factors – individual or environmental - that couldcontribute to personal experience of health & what that means to differentmembers of the population. Key aspects of Sport and Exercise promotion areconsidered, culminating in students completing a sport or exercise promotionevent of their own as part of the assessment for the module. Whilst there is anemphasis on theoretical issues in the module, students are encouraged to applythese principles to the various aspects of sport and exercise promotionpractice.
This module willenable students to interpret the pathophysiology of a range of sports injuriesby mechanism of injury, anatomical region and tissue type. The module developsthe students' ability to relate the mechanism of injury to the pathology ofsports injuries. Students will also be required to understand the risk factorsassociated with sports injuries.
This module willenable students to acquire an understanding of sports massage, in order topractically demonstrate a range of sports massage skills effectively andsafely. The module also develops the students' ability to record and reviewtheir own sports massage sessions with clients.Content will include all skills required in order to carry out a full bodysports massage. Basic sports massage strokes such as effleurage, petrissage,tapotement and frictions will be included. These strokes will be applied on theback, shoulders, gluteals, legs, feet, arms, hands, chest, neck andabdomen. Underpinning knowledge will include record keeping, professionalethics and code of practice, as well as health and safety regulations.
The topicareas covered in this module build upon the knowledge gained in SS348Introduction to Fitness Testing & SS570 Fitness Training Methods, whichcovers the fundamental aspects of exercise testing and prescription. Specialpopulations are those groups of individuals that may need some adaptation ormodification to an exercise prescription or programme, to take intoconsideration a limitation, whether that be physiological, biological orpsychosocial. The emphasis is on promoting health, fitness and safety inexercise, as well as some consideration being given to performanceenvironments.
Leadership inthe context of sport and exercise is becoming increasingly recognised asproviding the ‘spark’ that drives successful sport organisations. In thismodule, students will become more aware of styles of leadership and types ofcommunication used in the sporting context.
Thismodule takes basic nutrition to the next level in an applied manner. Thedifferent needs of different sports persons are considered. Students will gaincritical knowledge of common nutrition data collection and analysis methods. Asynopsis of topics included in this module are: - Elements of Digestion, absorptionand energy metabolism - Nutrition requirements for different sports anddifferent types of individuals - Changing body mass and related issues -Nutritional Strategies - Nutrition data collection and analysis.
The moduleexplores the physiological response to exercise for a healthy adult. There is afocus on cardio-pulmonary & metabolic responses, which will be scrutinisedin terms of differing exercises intensities and duration. The module willexamine the key physiological factors that determine and thus limit exerciseperformance in humans, and will expose students to different methods ofcollecting, handling and processing exercise data.
"SPOR5690"
The year in industry gives you the opportunity to gain valuable work experience. It is your responsibility to find a placement, but we will help and support you through this process and while you are there.
Please note that acceptance onto the course is not a guarantee of a placement. The responsibility of finding a placement is on the student, with help and support from the department. If you cannot find a placement, you will be required to change your registration for the equivalent BSc (Hons) programme without the year in industry option.
Students spend a year (minimum 900 hours) doing paid work in an organisation outside the University, usually in an industrial or commercial environment, applying and enhancing the skills and techniques they have developed and studied in the earlier stages of their degree programme. Employer evaluation, personal and professional reviews and on-line blogs are assessed under SPOR5910 Industrial Placement Experience, which is a co-requisite of this module. The assessment of this module draws on the experience gained in SPOR5910 Industrial Placement Experience and is assessed through a portfolio submission.
The placement work they do is entirely under the direction of their industrial supervisor, but support is provided by the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. This support includes ensuring that the work they are being expected to do is such that they can meet the learning outcomes of this module.
Participation in the placement year, and hence in this module, is dependent on students obtaining an appropriate placement, for which support and guidance is provided through the School in the year leading up to the placement. It is also dependent on students progressing satisfactorily from Stage 2 of their studies.
Students who do not obtain a placement or who fail module SPOR5910 Industrial Placement Experience will be required to transfer to the appropriate programme without a Year in Industry and any marks obtained on this module will not contribute to their final degree classification.
Students spend a year (minimum 900 hours) doing paid work in an organisation outside the University, usually in an industrial or commercial environment, applying and enhancing the skills and techniques they have developed and studied in the earlier stages of their degree programme.
The work they do is entirely under the direction of their industrial supervisor, but support is provided by the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences. This support includes ensuring that the work they are being expected to do is such that they can meet the learning outcomes of the module.
Participation in this module is dependent on students obtaining an appropriate placement, for which support and guidance is provided through the School in the year leading up to the placement. It is also dependent on students progressing from Stage 2 of their studies.
Students who do not obtain a placement will be required to transfer to the appropriate programme without a Year in Industry.
Students who do not obtain a placement will be required to transfer to the appropriate programme without a Year in Industry.
Students take both compulsory modules and then select a total of 45 credits (at least 30 credits of which must be at level 6) from a list of optional modules offered by the School.
The module takes the form of an individual research study. There are taught lectures covering the management of a research project. The research projects are then conducted with the supervision of a tutor who will advise the student on issues such as methodology, analysis and presentation. It is the student’s responsibility to organise, conduct, analyse and present the research as required. The research project may comprise an experimental laboratory based dissertation, or a systematic review of the literature.
This module will cover:
- Exercise prescription for the asymptomatic older adult
- Physical activity & cardiovascular diseases
- Physical activity & metabolic diseases
- Physical activity & neurological impairment
- Physical activity & orthopaedic diseases
- Physical activity & pulmonary diseases
- Exercise in cardiac rehabilitation
- Exercise psychology
The module aims to provide students with more advanced knowledge and understanding of human responses and adaptations to sport and exercise environments. Using a psychological approach, students are offered the forum for discussion and understanding of cognitions, affect and behaviour and the complex interactions between these in the various scenarios that present within a sport or exercise setting. A key module aim is to provide an understanding of the psychological approaches within real ‘applied’ situations within sport and exercise settings.
Soft Tissue Techniques will enable students to pursue inquiry into the treatment of selected soft tissue injuries, using a variety of soft tissue techniques. This module develops the students’ ability to use critical analysis and clinical reasoning skills in the application of soft tissue techniques. Students will be required to analyse current issues in the use of soft tissue techniques within the field of Sport and Exercise Therapy.
In this module students will study and investigate the latest cutting edge research in sports nutrition. This will provide the opportunity to critically analyse contemporary evidence, research and practical nutritional practices in sports nutrition. Students will study nutritional ergogenic aids and nutritional strategies suggested to improve performance. Students will conduct practical sessions in order to test some of the theories and strategies studied.
Individuals from a variety of populations take part in sport and exercise. This module takes an in-depth look at 'athletic populations' and factors that impact on performance. Students will critically analyse and discuss what types of exercise are optimal for different athletes and consider the risks and benefits associated with sport and exercise activities. Students will focus on some key issues related to sports performance.
The module provides a structured opportunity to combine appropriate developmental work experience with academic study. The placement will provide the opportunity for students to develop appropriate vocational and applied academic knowledge. In order for the student to take this module they must secure a placement. The placement should be appropriate to the student's degree, experience and potential career aspirations. All placements will be subject to the module convenor’s authorisation.
The 2021/22 annual tuition fees for this programme are:
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.*
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.
Fees for Home undergraduates are £1,385.
Fees for Home undergraduates are £1,385.
Students studying abroad for less than one academic year will pay full fees according to their fee status.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Search scholarshipsKent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
You may be eligible for government finance to help pay for the costs of studying. See the Government's student finance website.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The programme aims to:
You gain knowledge and understanding of:
You gain intellectual skills in the following:
You gain subject-specific skills in the following areas:
You gain transferable skills in:
Sports Science at Kent scored 93% overall in The Complete University Guide 2021.
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:
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.
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.
This course page is for the 2021/22 academic year. Please visit the current online prospectus for a list of undergraduate courses we offer.
T: +44 (0)1227 823254
E: internationalstudent@kent.ac.uk
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