BSc (Honours) Physical Activity, Sport and Health with Foundation Year

Year of Entry 2024/25
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BSc (Honours)

Physical Activity, Sport and Health with Foundation Year

Develop the skills you will need to revolutionise people's lives by using physical activity and sport to optimise health outcomes for individuals and communities.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £9,250 per year (£1,200 for placement year)
    International/EU: £16,655 per year

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    4/5 Years

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    Collegiate Campus

  • Bookmark

    What are the entry requirements?

    64 UCAS Points

  • Checkmark

    What is the UCAS code?

    A104

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2024

  • Avatar

    Placement year available?

    Yes


Course summary

  • Transform people’s health through physical activity, exercise and cutting-edge treatments
  • Take part in groundbreaking studies to combat diseases and long-term conditions
  • Access state-of-the-art equipment at world-leading venues such as the UK Sports Institute
  • Apply practical skills and knowledge in exciting real-world projects and placements
  • Learn from expert researchers who work with elite athletes, sport organisations and governing bodies.

Discover how physical activity can change lives with our BSc (Hons) Physical Activity, Sport, and Health course while elevating your professional profile with expert understanding and real-world skills.

You will learn from staff who are active in consultancy for physical activity and rehabilitation projects while elevating your professional profile with expert understanding and real-world skills.

The foundation year is suitable either if you don’t meet the entry requirements for the degree, or if you’d like further preparation before you start. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence you need to progress onto the course.


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How you learn

Your lecturer's view
Watch our previous course leader Thomas McBain talk about this course.

The foundation year has been designed to prepare you for your undergraduate degree, develop your subject knowledge of sport and physical activity, and explore interesting, contemporary issues. You will also enhance your academic, professional, and personal skills, providing you with the foundation to progress successfully in your undergraduate degree and future career in sport and physical activity.

All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive. 

We believe in the power of hands-on engagement – that's why you will have plenty of opportunities to work directly with community groups and clients who have health conditions.

You’ll have access to industry experts who are actively shaping the athletic landscape. Our teachers and staff engage directly with elite-level athletes and organisations, providing you with invaluable connections and insights at the forefront of change. 

You learn through:

  • Lectures, seminars and workshops
  • A virtual learning environment (VLE)
  • Work-based learning experiences
  • Placements
  • Field trips 
  • Practical activities in both simulated and in-situ environments 
  • Independent study 
  • Research opportunities

Key themes

You’ll learn to combat diseases and long-term conditions through the fusion of study and immersive, practical experiences. The topics you will explore range from the impact of sport and physical activity to health promotion, exercise prescription, public health and optimising wellbeing.

You’ll contribute towards the transformative power of physical activity – learning the art of designing and executing dynamic physical activity programmes that can change people's lives. You’ll have the chance to innovate and make a lasting impact, helping to shape a healthier and more vibrant future for individuals and communities alike.

Immerse yourself in groundbreaking studies, contributing to the advancement of knowledge in the field and staying at the forefront of the latest advancements. Become a skilled consumer of research, critically analysing and interpreting findings. Then step into the role of a research producer – designing and conducting studies that can truly impact the world of physical activity, sport, and health.

Course support

The course is designed to help you demonstrate your learning outcomes – with authentic assessment activities relating to real-world scenarios, your specific goals and your skills development. 

Throughout your studies, various individuals will support your learning and target setting – guiding you towards resources for academic, professional and personal development. 

These support roles include: 

  • Course and Module Leaders
  • Your Academic Adviser 
  • Your Student Support Adviser
  • Your Employability Adviser 
  • Central services like counselling, Library and IT

Course leaders and tutors

Hayley Mills
Hayley Mills
Senior Lecturer in Physical Activity and Exercise Science

Senior Lecturer at Sheffield Hallam University

Applied learning

Work placements

You will have the opportunity to undertake a year-long work placement (25 weeks minimum) or multiple placements between your third and final years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV. 

You will also take on a mandatory short placement (minimum of 120 hours) at the end of your third year of study to further reinforce the critical role of learning through working. 

Field trips 

On field trips you will be able to understand how your learning is applied first-hand to real-world situations, gaining valuable insight into working practice.

Previous field trips have included visiting the Advanced Wellness Research Centre.

Networking opportunities 

Your employability is enhanced by the involvement of employers and industry partners – from the real-world projects you complete to the opportunities to build networks at careers fairs and workshops.

We invite specialist industry experts to deliver guest lectures and share context-specific examples of the knowledge, skills and behaviours you will need. And our ties to various sporting organisations and facilities both locally and nationally will give you superb opportunities to gain industry connections as you prepare for your career.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in: 

  • Community health roles  
  • Rehabilitation pathways  
  • Health and wellbeing  
  • Public health 
  • Physical activity referral 
  • Child and adult weight management 

Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for: 

  • Community health organisations 
  • The National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine 
  • The National Health Service
  • Exercise referral programmes

Where will I study?

You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

Collegiate campus

Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.

Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities 


Collegiate Campus map
Location

Collegiate Crescent
Sheffield
S10 2BP

Get directions
Students outside Collegiate Library
Collegiate library

Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Learn more about your department

Find out about the Sports and Physical Activity subject area at Sheffield Hallam University.

Find out more about the centre

Equipment and facilities

Students have access to world-leading facilities and equipment to explore physical activity, sport and health, and help develop their practical skills. Our sport-specific training facilities and research laboratories include:

  • The UK Sports Institute
  • The Sheffield Hallam University Sports Park
  • Physiology and biomechanics labs for movement and physical activity analysis
  • A strength and conditioning teaching lab
  • A physical activity suite
  • A performance analysis suite, video analysis and motion capture
  • An environmental chamber
  • Sport psychology consultation rooms

Entry requirements

All students

UCAS points

  • 64

This must include at least 24 (Grade D) from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:

  • DDE at A Level.
  • MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma.
  • Pass overall from a T level qualification with D or E from core.
  • A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.

You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.

GCSE

  • English Language at grade C or 4 or equivalent.
  • Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalent.
  • Science at grade C or 4 or equivalent.

GCSE English and mathematics equivalent
equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk

 

• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3

If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.

If you do not have any of the qualifications above but have relevant experience you are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.

You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.

Year 1

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Foundations Of Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Introduction To Investigating Contemporary Issues In Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Practical(60%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Applied Science For Health, Sport And Social Care
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Practical(60%)
Introduction To Social Science For Health, Sport And Social Care
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(40%) , Exam(60%)
Year 2

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Coaching Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Scientific Principles For Health
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Practical(50%)
Scientific Principles For Sport
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Practical(50%)
The Impact Of Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 3

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Living Well With Long-Term Health Conditions
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Optimising Wellbeing
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Physical Activity And Public Health
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Practical(50%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Alternative Physical Activities
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Analysis Of Sport And Games
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Event Management For Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sport As A Tool For Social Change
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sports Club Development
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sports Facility Management Simulation
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Technology For Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Testing And Analysis In Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Year 4

Optional modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Placement Year
Credits -
Assessment
Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Exercise For Rehabilitation And Management Of Health
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(50%) , Practical(50%)
Independent Project In Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 40
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Elective modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Approaches To Talent Development
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Coach Education And Development
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Economics And Finance Of Sport
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Entrepreneurship And Innovation For Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Innovative Practical Pedagogy
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Major Sport Events
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Nutrition For Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Performance Analysis Of Sport
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Programming And Prescription Of Training In Sport And Physical Activity
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Psychology Of Sport And Exercise
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sport And The Media
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Sport, Brands And Culture
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)
Sport Data Analytics
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sport Injury
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sport Journalism
Credits 20
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Teaching As A Profession
Credits 20
Assessment Practical(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2024/25 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2024/25 is £16,655 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.

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Financial support for home/EU students

How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.

Learn more

Additional course costs

This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

Additional costs for Sport and physical activity courses (PDF, 432.5KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

Apply now via UCAS

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Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Academy

Join more than 1,500 students at our nationally-renowned Academy of Sport and Physical Activity

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Facilities

Learn in cutting-edge sports facilities, including our £6m sports park and a satellite campus at the English Institute of Sport

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