Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year

Join us to enhance your scientific and analytical understanding of sport and exercise – ultimately aiming to improve both performance and health.

You’ll explore a wide range of captivating topics – from anatomy and biomechanics to physiology, psychology and nutrition.

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.

How you learn

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.

Throughout the course, you will acquire knowledge about how the body responds to and adapts to exercise. You’ll learn through teaching, working and doing – learning strategies to optimise sports performance and understanding techniques that promote positive behavioural changes for better overall health.

You’ll learn from accomplished staff who are actively engaged in research across all levels of sport. Because Sheffield is home to sports clubs in every major sport in the UK, you will benefit from our fantastic local ties with elite clubs and organisations. From football to ice hockey, basketball to rugby, Sheffield offers a diverse sporting landscape.

You learn through:

Key themes

You’ll explore theoretical, philosophical and practical aspects of sport and exercise science, offering insights into graduate roles in sports, physical activity and other professional settings. You’ll study topics like physiology, biomechanics, psychology, nutrition, coaching and physical activity – as well as key skills in digital capability and critical thinking.

This degree is aligned to the jobs market and growth in the sector. Performance analysis, strength and conditioning are all areas with growing career opportunities, so you will gain in-depth knowledge in these areas.

With flexible course pathways and assessments, you’re able to customise your studies based on your future career aspirations. Then in your final year, you can really focus on where your passions take you. Build your learning around your aspirations.

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, support will be available through various individuals who will enable you to reach your potential through academic, professional and personal development.

These support roles include:

Applied learning

There’s a mandatory short placement at the end of your third year. Over a minimum of 120 hours, you will be learning while you work and preparing to progress into employment after you graduate.