Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £14,415 per year
Course summary
- Explore the scientific, sociological, managerial and political concepts that underpin physical activity, sport and health.
- Undertake and participate in innovative research and engage with critical evaluation.
- Apply knowledge, skills and understanding of physical activity, sport and health to real-world settings.
- Reflect on your personal development of professional practice.
- The opportunity to work abroad – with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing Scheme.
You’ll enhance your understanding of the physical activity landscape, physiology, psychology, different diseases and research methods through theoretical study and practical experiences. Using the Hallam Model framework, you’ll learn to communicate information and ideas in different formats, preparing you for a successful career in the field.
The foundation year is suitable for applicants who do not meet the entry requirements for an honours degree or who wish to have further preparation before starting a degree course. You will undertake study in relevant areas of science or social science to provide you with a grounding knowledge and prepare you for progression onto your chosen degree pathway.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Student View
Watch student Sofie Power talk about what it’s like to study on this course.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
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.
In your foundation year, you will study 4 modules that have been specially designed to prepare you for the degree pathway in your chosen area. The assessments for the course have also been designed with flexibility in mind and allow you to complete assessments on topics that you are interested in and relate closely to your chosen degree pathway.
You're taught by a team of skilled lecturers who offer industry and academic experience. Staff have published work and have experience on the psychology of motivation in exercise and health, physical activity participation in older adults, the effects of exercise and physical activity on multiple disease, as well as perceptions and participation in physical activity for people with long term conditions. You’ll have the opportunity to conduct your own enquiries into a range of themes around physical activity.
You learn through
- lectures
- seminars and workshops
- laboratory practical classes
- sport and fitness practical classes
- online learning activities
- off-site visits (physical activity organisations, schools)
- work placements
- research projects
Course leaders and tutors
Thomas McBain
LecturerI completed my undergraduate and postgraduate Sports Science degrees at Teesside University. I was then involved in a Research Councils UK funded project investigati … Read more
Applied learning
Work placements
There’s a mandatory six-week (minimum) placement in an appropriate setting, which is a significant component of the course. Here you’ll have the opportunity to apply theory to real-world practice, further enhancing your employability and professional skills. You'll also have chances to undertake additional placements, internships and volunteer roles.
There are opportunities to study abroad at one of our partner universities – with the possibility of funding through the Erasmus+ programme (until 2023) or the Turing Scheme.
Previous students have worked as
- physical activity referral specialists
- community health assistants
- gym instructors
- cardiac rehabilitation assistants
- project assistants at the National Centre for Sport and Exercise Medicine.
Future careers
This course prepares you for career opportunities in
- health promotion
- exercise science
- physical activity development
- wellbeing consultancy
- exercise referrals
- personal training and fitness instruction
- research in physical activity and health
- teaching and lecturing
- health training
- GP referrals
- business enterprises in physical activity, sport and health
Student success story
Max Litchfield: Olympic Swimmer and Team Hallam member.
Accreditation
The course meets the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity’s professional standards for both Gym Instructor and Working with People with Long Term Conditions. The degree provides the knowledge, application, and skill development to allow students to gain these fitness industry qualifications. The awards are optional, with additional assessments needed to prove that the standards have been met. These fitness qualifications provide many employment options and are also the pre-requisite to Exercise Specialist courses such as Cardiac or Cancer rehabilitation.
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 | Keeping safe on Campus
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
- Physiology laboratories
- Biomedical laboratories
- Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC)
- Exercise Fitness Suite
- Experience “Life in a Different Body” using bariatric suits and simulated aging equipment.
Learn more about your department
Find out about the Sports and Physical Activity subject area at Sheffield Hallam University.
Entry requirements
All students
112 UCAS points at least two A levels or equivalent from a relevant subject such as PE, Sport Studies, Science, Psychology or Maths, or an alternative qualification such as an Access course. We do not accept General Studies.
If English is not your first language you need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
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. You can also watch a video guide on how to apply.
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
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Developing Professional Skills In Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foundations Of Physical Activity, Sport And Health | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foundations Of Physiology And Nutrition For Physical Activity And Sport | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Foundations Of Research In Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Principles Of Programming In Physical Activity And Sport | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Understanding Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 2
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Alternative Physical Activities | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Applied Professional Development | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Enterprise And Innovation | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Physical Activity, Health And Disease | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Physical Activity Programming In The Treatment Of Disease | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Research Methods In Sport | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Year 3
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Placement Year | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Issues In Sport And Physical Activity | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Prescription Of Physical Activity For Complex Medical Conditions | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Project In Sport | Credits: 40 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module: Working With Aging Populations | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
| Module | Credits | Assessment |
|---|---|---|
| Module: Managing Sporting Enterprises | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Practical |
| Module: Sport, Brands And Culture | Credits: 20 |
Assessment:
Coursework |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2022/2023 are £9,250 per year. 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 2022/23 is £14,415 per year. During your placement year you will pay a reduced fee of £1,200.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
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, 255.9KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
