Sport Science, Health and Nutrition (with foundation year) BSc (Hons)
- Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
- Typical Offer: 72 UCAS tariff points
- UCAS Code(s): CB65
- Start Date(s): September 2024
- Duration: Four years full-time
- Study Mode(s): Full-time
- Campus: Clifton Campus
Introduction:
Your foundation year is the start of your journey where you’ll be introduced to scientific aspects of sport, exercise, and physical activity for health. You’ll take part in lots of practical sessions to apply your theory, developing skills sought by employers and preparing you for potential postgraduate study.
Ultimately, nothing is more important than our health. That is why we’ll develop your understanding of nutrition and exercise science and provide you with the skills to apply this in the real world. These opportunities give you the experience employers expect to see.
You’ll be a confident graduate ready to become an effective health practitioner and enhance lifelong health.
Roles in physical activity and nutrition in health promotion are gaining a high profile, so choosing to specialise in exercise, nutrition, and health provides you with many rewarding career options.
Over 25 health and related organisations support this course, all providing valuable industry experience – including, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust and Nottingham City Council.
You'll become a member of the NTU Health Promotion Forum and work alongside the NTU Health Promotion Specialist on real-life briefs to improve the health of NTU students and staff.
Chartered institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)
You’ll have the opportunity to take your CIMSPA Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer qualification alongside your degree.
By becoming part of CIMSPA, which is the largest community of qualified exercise professionals, you not only boost your graduate employability but also create a foundation for ongoing career growth. It's a fantastic way to start your journey in the world of sport science and fitness.
There will be a small fee to register with CIMSPA.
Sport and Wellbeing Academy
Each year a number of our Sport Science students get the chance to work in our Sport and Wellbeing Academy. This exciting opportunity allows you to apply some of the theory you've learned in a real-world environment and develop the skills needed for working in industry. Working alongside our experienced Senior Exercise Practitioners you'll have the opportunity to deliver exercise programmes to help improve the health and wellbeing of the local community.
You can also work with local schools to implement 'The Daily Mile' which improves the fitness and concentration of their pupils. NTU's sports teams are currently in the top ten in the BUCS league (British Universities and Colleges Sport). Our aim is to reach the top and working in the Academy gives you the opportunity to work with our teams on their training, performance and nutrition to make this dream a reality. Find out more about the Academy...
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Top 20 in the UK for teaching quality in Sport Science (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024). -
Get work experience in our Sport and Wellbeing Academy. You'll work on improving the health and wellbeing of the local community, schools and our sports teams. -
We recognise that behaviour change is a key part of health promotion, so we've included Communication Skills and Psychology as a core part of your course. -
Top 10 University for Sport in the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Championship
What you’ll study
During your first year you’ll be introduced to key topics in sport and exercise science, such as anatomy and physiology, psychology of health and wellbeing, and current topics in sport. There’s also a focus on developing your academic and professional skills. These are year-long modules which will really set you up for success in your degree and your career after graduation.
The course has been developed with input from public health, exercise and nutrition practitioners to ensure you have the opportunity to acquire the knowledge and skills required to enhance your job prospects. You will have numerous opportunities to practice what you have learned, including:
- dietary and exercise assessment sessions with volunteers (supported by your tutors)
- designing and delivering healthy eating sessions
- working in the community to increase physical activity levels
- practising your communication skills.
Fitness, Training and Testing
Learn how to assess fitness levels, gauge training effectiveness, and pinpoint areas for improvement. Perform these tests, prioritize client needs, and communicate key findings while recommending training techniques for better performance.
Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology
Understand the body's major physiological systems in relation to sport and exercise through practical experiments. You’ll learn anatomical terminology and the locations of organs, muscles, and bones.
Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise Science
Develop your key academic skills such as writing, research, and collaboration. You’ll gain valuable research skills and learn how to critically use and evaluate information sources.
Professional Skills for Sport and Exercise Science
This module runs for the whole of your foundation year and focuses on enhancing your professional skills through learning tasks. It emphasizing the importance of engaging in extra and co-curricular activities for professional growth.
Current Topics in Sport
You’ll be introduced to current topics in sport science, coaching, management, nutrition, and health. Exploring current research, you’ll write a persuasive article that addresses one of the current topics introduced in this module.
Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
Explore the impact of exercise on health and wellbeing in this module. Study evidence showcasing psychological benefits of physical activity. You’ll gain practical insights into applying theories to promote physical activity, focusing on strategies and interventions for improved health and wellbeing.
Introduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology
This module provides the foundations of the key human systems (anatomical and physiological) and their responses and adaptations to sports and exercise.
Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Examine the psychological consequences of engaging in sport and exercise and the mental factors that impact quality sport and exercise experiences.
Food and Healthy Eating
You will study the basic principles of food microbiology, nutrition and health claims, and health promotion, as well as learning how to develop effective community healthy eating interventions.
Sport Culture and Society: a critical introduction
Explore the importance of the social sciences in understanding sports and in the education of every sports professional.
Foundation Nutrition
Learn the essential principles and concepts of nutrition, focusing on the structure and function of nutrients, the effects of consumption and the methods for assessing nutritional intake and status.
Developing Academic and Research Skills
Core modules
Behaviour Change, Physical Activity and Health
Learn about evidence, methods and theory in relation to changing and maintaining behaviour(s) relevant to health and well-being.
Exercise and Health Physiology
Explore how exercise physiology can be used in assessing, preventing, and treating disease and poor health, including risk assessment and exercise screening, assessing health using simple, cost-effective testing procedures and measuring physical activity and sedentary behaviour.
Applied Nutrition
This provides an opportunity to apply your knowledge of nutrition to a range of different circumstances across the lifespan.
Nutrition and Metabolism
Develop an understanding of nutrient metabolism and regulation, and through case studies, apply nutritional and healthy eating knowledge to develop dietary recommendations.
Integrated Applied and Professional Skills
Using inquiry-based learning, students will continue to learn about the research process and gain an understanding and experience of how research is conducted within the field of exercise, nutrition and health.
Optional modules - choose one:
Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology
This module outlines, theoretically and practically, how bouts of physical exercise alter the body’s structures and functions and how these concepts can be applied to training to enhance exercise tolerance and sport performance.
Practical Applications in Sport and Exercise Psychology
In this module, students develop the principles from Foundations in Sport and Exercise Psychology and relate them to sport, coaching, management and exercise contexts.
Sociology of Sport, Health and the Body
Explore the fundamental concepts across the sociologies of sport, health, and the body, including emotion, physical culture, vulnerable bodies and why we work out.
Core modules
Current Topics in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
Aetiology and Management of Disease
Starting with a review of the research techniques involved, emphasis is placed on the aetiological roles of physical activity / exercise and nutrition and how they are used to manage the disease.
Applied Topics in Exercise Nutrition and Health
Explore the current topics in nutrition and health through group discussions, guest lectures, debates, workshops, and journal clubs. You'll also develop your professional skills by enhancing your communications methods for health promotion, applying good clinical practice and studying current legislation.
Sport Project and Dissertation
You will produce original and independent work in a specialist area of sport science, coaching, exercise science or sport and leisure management, depending on your focus.
Optional modules - choose one:
Contemporary Issues in the Sociology of Sport: Cross-Cultural Perspectives
This module seeks to situate sport within a broad consideration of global processes, practices and consequences.
Sport, Exercise and the Brain
You'll explore how psychological factors, such as self-control, affect exercise adherence and sporting performance. Additionally, you will examine how physical activity and exercise affect psychophysiological outcomes, such as cognitive function and mental health.
Strength, Power and Endurance for Sport and Exercise
The module typically focuses on six topics related to applied exercise physiology and strength and conditioning research.
Talent Development in Sport
This module will explore a critical view of the role of talent development in sport, focusing on the psychosocial, environmental, and personal factors that can influence the talent development process.
Child and Adolescent Growth, Health and Performance
This module will describe and critically evaluate the processes of growth and development in humans and the potential impact of these on the current (and future) health and performance of the growing child and adolescent.
Advanced Topics in Sport and Exercise Psychology
Students will become familiar with selected areas such as motivational climate, athletic identity, mental toughness, psychology of injury and morality in sport. The emphasis of this module will be placed on current primary research.
Challenging Critical Issues in Sport
You'll analyse complex problems such as sports injury, drug use in sport and inequality and develop potential solutions using positive social changes.
Hormone and Immune Function in Sport and Exercise
This module will introduce you to the endocrine and immune systems, exploring how they operate as separate entities and looking at areas where they overlap. Using this knowledge, you will then be introduced to exercise immunology and endocrinology, considering the physiological and molecular mechanisms that determine the function of both systems.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
Video Gallery
How you’re assessed
You’ll take a wide range of assessments on your foundation year which will prepare you for assessments as you move onto BSc (Hons) Sport Science, Health and Nutrition in your second year.
Careers and employability
Your career development
The number of people with physical inactivity and poor nutrition is rising leading to an increase in jobs in health related industries. Our recent BSc (Hons) Sport Science, Health and Nutrition graduates have secured roles at companies including:
- The NHS
- Nutracheck
- BUPA
- Bluecrest Health Screening
- Nuffield Health
- Nottingham Forest Football Club
- Healthy Action
- Derby City Council
- DW Sports Ltd
- Waitrose
They have gone into a wide variety of job roles, including:
- Dietetic Assistant Practitioner
- Health Adviser
- Health and Wellbeing Coach
- Healthy Lifestyle Practitioner
- Nutritional Analyst
- online sports nutrition adviser
- health promotion adviser
- personal trainer
Other roles that this course could lead to include:
- health development / promotion officer
- nutrition / healthy eating adviser
- media health journalism or work within public interest organisations and charities.
On successful completion of the course, many graduates choose to undertake further study on one of our Masters-level courses or MPhil and PhD research degrees.
Placements
NTU is one of the most employment-focused universities. Increasingly, employers want to recruit graduates who have real-world work experience. That’s why all of our courses, across every subject area, offer you a work experience opportunity. Our experts help build and support your future with a range of career programmes and events.
On this course, after your second year, you will have the opportunity to take a year's work placement (sandwich placement). This will give you a chance to gain vital experience and put your knowledge into practice. You're also twice as likely to secure a graduate job within six months if you take a work placement.
Our recent Engineering students have taken placements across a wide range of companies, including Nottingham Forest Academy and Nova Centurion Swimming Club. They secured varied roles such as Trainee Sports Scientists, Performance Analysts and Marketing Assistants.
You'll be supported and assessed throughout your placement year and will write a reflective report and diary at the end of your placement. When you complete your placement, you will be eligible to receive an additional award of a Diploma in Professional Practice.
Find out more about work placements.
Throughout your time with us, you will have many opportunities through placement and consultancy projects to put theory into practice, gain valuable experience, and develop the skills that will prepare you for the career of your choice.
Currently, over twenty-five health and related organisations support this course, providing you with invaluable industry experience, including:
- Jamie Oliver's Ministry of Food
- Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust
- Nottingham City Council.
What our students say
"I designed and ran a health promotion campaign for students on nutrition, and the positive feedback we received helped me to think about different career options. I also undertook a work placement which gave me invaluable experience of what it is like to work in a different setting and how my knowledge can benefit me in a job."
Victoria Evans
NTU Enterprise
You'll also have the opportunity to turn your ideas into a viable business with help from NTU Enterprise, NTU's purpose-built Centre for Entrepreneurship and Enterprise, a support centre to help students create, develop and grow their businesses.
Campus and facilities
Where will I study?
Teaching events are held across Clifton Campus and include interactive workshops in spaces specifically designed for collaborative, hands-on learning.
We have the stimulating and creative environment needed to equip students with the knowledge and transferable skills to put them ahead of the graduate crowd. We provide first-class facilities that enhance the quality of our education and push the boundaries of our research; these include:
The University has a wide range of sporting and health related facilities across three of our campuses. There are:
- sport coaching
- sports injury clinics
- fitness suites
- specialist facilities
- more than 40 sports clubs on offer.
Sport, Exercise and Health Physiology Laboratories
These are fully equipped with specialist facilities that provide a high-quality, dynamic learning environment to cater for different types of exercise testing and physical activity.
British Olympic Association (BOA) Approved Environmental Chamber
The chamber enables us to simulate climates anywhere in the world, from Everest to Egypt. Olympic athletes have used the chamber for acclimatisation to extreme competition environments.
The Culinary Skills Teaching Kitchen and the Clifton Sports Hub Nutrition Suite
The Teaching Kitchen and Nutrition Suite allows students to develop their cooking skills and deliver Cook and Eat sessions.
IT, Sport Psychology and Management Suites
The School also features IT, Sport Psychology and Management Suites used for match analysis, statistical, nutritional and coaching analysis, and a host of sporting clubs and societies to get involved in.
Entry requirements
- 72 UCAS Tariff points from three A-level or equivalent
- GCSEs
- English grade C / 4
- Maths grade C / 4
- PE or Science grade C / 4
Other qualifications and experience
We may also consider credits achieved at other universities and your work/life experience through an assessment of prior learning. This may be for year one entry or beyond the beginning of a course where applicable, for example, into year 2. Our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy outlines the process and options available for this route.
Meeting our entry requirements
Hundreds of qualifications in the UK have UCAS tariff points attached to specific grades, including A levels, BTECs, T Levels and many more. You can use your grades and points from up to three different qualifications to meet our criteria. Enter your predicted or achieved grades into our tariff calculator to find out how many points your qualifications are worth.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
- 72 UCAS Tariff points from three A-level or equivalent
- GCSEs
- English grade C / 4
- Maths grade C / 4
- PE or Science grade C / 4
International qualifications
We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:
Undergraduate preparation courses (Foundation)
If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Foundation courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:
English language entry requirements
You can meet our language requirements by completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Advanced standing (starting your undergraduate degree in year 2 or 3)
You may be able to start your undergraduate course in year 2 or 3 based on what you have studied before. This decision would be made in accordance with our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy.
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
You may be interested in this course if you want to study sport science, but haven’t studied a PE or Science subject at A-level or equivalent, or if you don't meet the entry requirements for BSc (Hons) Sport Science, Health and Nutrition.
Fees and funding
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there’s no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, contact our Student Financial Support Service on telephone +44 (0)115 848 2494.
What do the course fees cover?
Your course fees cover the cost of studies and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules recommend one or more core textbooks, which most students purchase. Book costs vary, and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential textbooks, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students earn a salary whilst on placement, which can help cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance, please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs of approximately £20 - £30.
CIMSPA Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer qualification - if you choose to take this qualification alongside your degree there will be a small fee to register with CIMSPA. For guidance in 2023 the fee was £75.
Tuition fees
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your undergraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government. See our fees for 2022 entry.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
What do the course fees cover?
Your course fees cover the cost of studies, and include loads of great benefits, such as the use of our library, support from our expert Employability team, and free use of the IT equipment across our campuses.
Library books
Most study modules will recommend one or more core text books, which most students choose to purchase. Book costs vary and further information is available in the University’s bookshop. Our libraries provide a good supply of essential text books, journals and materials (many of which you can access online) – meaning you may not need to purchase as many books as you might think! There may also be a supply of second-hand books available for purchase from previous year students.
Placements
If you're undertaking a placement year, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst on placement. Many of our placement students do earn a salary whilst on placement which can help to cover these living costs.
Print and copy costs
The University allocates an annual printing and copying allowance of £20 depending on the course you are studying. For more details about costs for additional print and copying required over and above the annual allowance please see the Printing, photocopying and scanning information on the Library website.
Students will also be required to pay additional costs for printing, poster preparation and final dissertation copies in their final year - estimated costs approximately £20 - £30.
CIMSPA Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer qualification - if you choose to take this qualification alongside your degree there will be a small fee to register with CIMSPA. For guidance in 2023 the fee was £75.
How to apply
How to apply
Ready to join us? Then apply as soon as you can. Just click the Apply button at the top of the page and follow the application instructions. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application and personal statement.
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only decide based on what you tell us. So include your qualifications and grades, including resits or predicted grades.
Your personal statement is a really important part of your application. It’s your chance to convince us why we should offer you a place! You’ve got 4,000 characters to impress us. Make sure you use them to show how your skills and qualities are relevant to the course(s) you’re applying for. For more hints and tips, please look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.
Keeping up-to-date
After applying, we’ll send you important emails throughout the application process, so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU on our Your Application page. Good luck with your application!
You can apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not applying to any other UK universities, you can apply directly to us on our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After applying, we'll send you important emails throughout the application process, so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.