Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year Canterbury Christ Church University

Overview

Sport and Exercise Science is a great choice if you want to focus your studies on the relationship between exercise and the human body. It involves exploring the body at a cellular level and analysing the impact of sport and exercise on the body as a whole.

On the applied Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year course from Canterbury Christ Church University you'll explore sports performance and the factors that affect behaviour in sport. You'll gain a solid understanding of the science behind sport and exercise while developing practical skills in our dedicated labs. Key areas that you'll study include biomechanics, physiology, psychology and sociology. 

During the foundation year, you'll develop a grounding in scientific principles, practical skills and the application of science to sport and exercise. You'll learn in a highly supportive environment where you can develop your self-confidence, knowledge and skills.

The university offers excellent resources in our dedicated labs, so you can carry out research and apply yourself using specialist equipment including: eye tracker technology; brain imaging equipment (EEG); reaction timers; gas analysis systems; cardiac screening equipment; 3D imaging; isokinetic and balance dynamometry; sprint timing systems and other sport/exercise related equipment (treadmills and weights, for example).

All about the course

During the foundation year, you will gain fundamental knowledge and skills needed to progress to Year 1 of the degree. You'll focus on:

• academic writing and study skills
• theoretical and practical skills in scientific method
• personal and career development.

As you progress to the degree, you'll study modules that focus on:

• Sport and Exercise Biomechanics – the analysis of human movement during sport, exercise and rehabilitation.
• Sport and Exercise Physiology – the study of the energy provision, system physiology, physiological responses and adaptations.
• Sport and Exercise Psychology – the cognitive, emotional and behavioural consequences of participation in sport or physical activity, the ways in which physical, motor and perceptual skills are learned and coached.
• Sport and Exercise Sociology – sociocultural relations, historical development of sport, sport media relations, sport in stratified societies, sport subcultures and global sport development.

You will have the choice of selecting one of three pathways when you complete your first year of the degree. These are:

• Sport and Exercise Science (Sport Performance) – allowing you to focus your studies on the science of competitive sport.
• Sport and Exercise Science (Exercise & Health) – allowing you to focus your studies on the science of physical activity, fitness and wellbeing.
• Sport and Exercise Science – allowing you to study a broad range of areas related to the science underpinning health, fitness and competitive sport outcomes.

If you are a single honours student, all of these pathways include the core modules of Research Methods and Career Skills Development in Year 2 and either Applied Research Study or Individual Research Project and Research and Career Planning in your final year.

Your future career

The Sport and Exercise Science degree opens up routes into teaching, through the PGCE (e.g. Physical Education), and prepares you for further postgraduate study at all levels through to PhD. It also qualifies you for roles in sport, physical activity and health administration and research, health and fitness publishing, as well as the expanding leisure industry.

In addition, it provides an excellent foundation for careers in the public sector, including the medical professions (cardiac rehabilitation, physiotherapy, health promotion and medical sales), whilst both the armed and police forces have looked favourably upon our graduates.

Wherever your career aspirations lie, a successfully completed Sport and Exercise Science degree will equip you with both the specific and generic knowledge and skills that may provide that essential ‘edge’ when trying to make a mark in today’s competitive job and postgraduate degree market.