BSc (Hons) SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE WITH FOUNDATION YEAR

Overview

International students

The course is not currently open to international students.

International (non Home) applicants should follow our international how to apply guide.

Accommodation

Once we have made you an offer, you can apply for accommodation. You can rent from LSBU and you’ll deal directly with the university, not third party providers. That means we can guarantee you options to suit all budgets, with clear tenancy agreements and all-inclusive rents that include insurance for your personal belongings, internet access in each bedroom and on-site laundry facilities.

Or, if you’d rather rent privately, we can give you a list of landlords – just ask our Accommodation Service.

Read more about applying for accommodation at LSBU.

Finance

You don't need to wait for a confirmed place on a course to start applying for student finance. Read how to pay your fees as an undergraduate student.

Prepare to start

Applicant events

After you’ve received your offer we’ll send you emails about events we run to help you prepare for your course.

Enrolment

Before you start your course we’ll send you information on what you’ll need to do before you arrive and during your first few days on campus. You can read about the process on our Enrolment pages.

Foundation level

At foundation level the course will develop the scientific disciplines which underpinning the study of sport and exercise science (biology; chemistry and physics) and the role of sport and exercise science in the development of athlete populations and the promotion of health and wellbeing. The different sub-disciplines of sport and exercise science, their role in supporting athlete development and health and well being will be introduced in the foundation year.

• Introduction to Academic Skills for the Applied Sciences
  This module provides an introduction to the skills needed for undergraduate academic study, with a particular focus on those of writing, to ensure a successful entry into level 4 of the BSc programmes of the School of Applied Sciences.
• Foundation Maths for Science
  This module is designed to provide students with the mathematical knowledge and skills necessary for transition to level 4 study of science subjects. The module is designed for a mixed cohort of students with some prior learning experience and students with below A-level mathematical background.
• Foundations of Biology
  This module is designed to introduce the fundamental principles of biology at a foundational level. It serves as a preparatory module for students who plan to undertake a science-based degree programme. Areas of study will include the organisation of living things, control and coordination of biological processes and genetics.
• Foundations of Chemistry
  This module builds on the concepts and skills introduced in semester 1, at a level between GCSE and Advanced level. It builds knowledge of basic chemistry elements and continues building on the mathematical understanding developed in semester 1. It serves as a preparatory module for students intending to undertake science-based undergraduate degree courses in the university.
• Foundations of Human Nutrition
  This module will deliver foundation knowledge in nutrition, covering the basics of the science of nutrition, supporting students to progress to study baking, bioscience, biomedical, forensic science, sports science or psychology.  The module will provide both scientific information and skills required to interpret nutritional guidelines into practical recommendations.
• Foundations of Sport and Exercise Science
  This module serves as a preparatory module for students intending to go on to study Sport and Exercise Science at undergraduate level. It will horizontally align itself with other S-level modules by introducing the subject area with respect to the basic and interdisciplinary sciences; and therefore, develop students’ knowledge of the role of biology, chemistry, physics and psychology in sports performance.

Year 1

• Biomechanics 1
  This module will extend your knowledge of human anatomy and the musculoskeletal system, whilst introducing the basic biomechanical concepts and terminology required to analyse skilled and common movement patterns. This module will provide a clear understanding of the internal and external forces that act on the body, which you use to develop a comprehensive understanding of performance determinants. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Anatomy and Physiology for Sport
  This module will develop your knowledge and understanding in anatomical language and human anatomy of the musculoskeletal system, as well as the physical and chemical principles that underlie physiological functions and metabolic processes. The concept of integration and control in physiology will be developed, beginning with the study of cell membrane function and leading to an appreciation of human physiology through an understanding of systems. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Sport Psychology
  This module will introduce different approaches of psychology and the study of the psychological aspects in exercise and performance. It will cover some theoretical approaches and methods of scientific enquiry. It will also include the application of psychological methods in the development and optimisation of sports performance and exercise participation. This module will provide you with many examples of sport and exercise psychology in action. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Perception and Action 1
  This module is intended to introduce you to the main topic areas in perceptual-motor control, development, learning and performance. It will provide you with the opportunity to gain practical experience in exercise, sport coaching and exercise settings, and gain an understanding of how the sport sciences can be applied to practical activities. This module also aims to introduce you to effective reflective practice techniques. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Nutrition, Health and Disease
  This module will familiarise you with the fundamental principles of human nutrition as a multidisciplinary perspective relating to human health and well-being. You'll explore key concepts of nutritional requirements, food chemistry, macro and micro-nutrient functions. You'll also explore the relationship of diet to health, with special reference to over and under nutrition states. You'll examine dietary recommendations for the maintenance of health and well-being, and you'll consider the assessment of food intake in this context. You'll review the factors determining food choice, and you'll explore the role of nutrition in the context of physical activity. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Measurement in Sport and Exercise
  This module will provide you with a foundation for the study of science at undergraduate level. The basis for the module will be the context, planning and execution of experimental work, along with analysis and presentation of experimental data. A substantial component of study will involve activities in effective written communication and the writing of laboratory reports in particular. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

Year 2

• Biomechanics 2
  This module has been designed so you can apply your knowledge of biomechanics to the practical element of analysing human movement. You'll develop awareness of the available equipment, techniques, and methodological considerations involved with biomechanical analyses. At the end of this module, you'll be able to conduct a biomechanical investigation and link your understanding of Newtonian principles to sporting performance. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Exercise Physiology and metabolism
  This module will develop your knowledge of exercise physiology and a range of the laboratory procedures and skills used in the assessment of athletic populations. Building on the physiological knowledge developed at Level 4, the module will cover the acute and chronic responses to both high and low intensity exercise. It will also develop your ability to explain the fundamental factors that determine muscle strength and power as well as agility and quickness. The module will focus on the responses of the key physiological systems that support exercise performance and the design of training programmes to optimise improvement and minimise or delay fatigue. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Sport Psychology 2
  This module is intended to develop your understanding of sport and exercise psychology. The module has been designed to advance your knowledge of theory and practice in the psychological preparation of sport performers, and as such will integrate the notions of research informing practice and practical experience informing research. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Perception and Action 2
  This module is designed to develop your application of interdisciplinary scientific principles and evidence-based practice associated with perceptual-motor skill development and performance. Specifically, you'll become proficient at evaluating practice with systematic procedures and engaging in reflective practice to recommend improvements in the development of perceptual-motor skills. You'll also learn to analyse the interdisciplinary performance demands associated with perceptual-motor skills and devise innovations to improve its development or performance. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Strength and Conditioning
  This module will develop the student’s knowledge and understanding of training theory and programme design. It first focuses on the physiological responses and adaptations to exercise training and then advances students’ understanding in a practical context to include selection, administration and interpretation of exercise tests. It will develop the theory of periodisation and approaches to programme design to include sport and athlete performance profiling. Finally, the module introduces recovery strategies and the issue of over training. At the end of this module, you will be able to design, implement and coach a strength and conditioning training programme. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Research Methods
  This module is intended to develop your understanding of the research process in the area of applied human sciences. It will provide you with knowledge about main research principles and methodologies for data collection and analysis. You'll gain practical experience in developing a research proposal and analysing data with parametric and non-parametric statistical methods, using both MS Excel and IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS). Assessment method: 100% coursework.

Year 3

• Clinical and applied Biomechanics (optional)
  This unit will develop your ability to have a clear understanding of the functional mechanics of the body and the biomechanical underpinning of injury mechanisms. It will provide an opportunity to gain in-depth knowledge of the functional properties of a dynamic musculoskeletal system and subsequent mechanisms of injury. These include muscles, bones and soft tissue behaviour. You'll critically evaluate the concepts, theories and applications underpinning soft tissue, tissue damage, muscle mechanics and mechanical models, bone, cartilage and load bearing capacity, and clinical gait analysis. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Environmental Exercise Physiology (optional)
  This module is designed to develop your understanding of the role of nutrition and technological aids in optimising performance in different environments. You’ll critically evaluate the use of nutritional supplements and new technologies to support athletes in optimising their training and performance. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Applied sport psychology (optional)
  This module will help extending theory and research into the field to apply sport psychology into practice. You’ll learn to facilitate optimal involvement, performance, and enjoyment in sport and exercise. It will enable you to apply psychological principles of human performance in helping athletes consistently perform in the upper range of their capabilities and more thoroughly enjoy the sport performance process. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Clinical Perception and Action (optional)
  This module is designed to develop critical evaluation of the scientific literature and applications underpinning the interdisciplinary nature of human performance with particular focus on neurophysiological and perceptual-motor aspects, as well as the construction and evaluation of rehabilitation and management programs. You’ll cover a range of clinical conditions that affect human performance, for instance: stroke; diabetes; heart conditions; pulmonary disease; cancer; osteoporosis; Alzheimer’s; developmental disorders; musculoskeletal injuries; etc. Assessment methods: 100% coursework.
• Employability and Placement (optional)
  This module will develop the skills, competencies and behaviours to align yourself with your chosen career path. You will explore how reflection and mentoring can impact on career development and learning within an applied setting; identify and perform a variety of professional development strategies; involve yourself in professional networking and successfully complete a period of work experience. Assessment method: 100% coursework.
• Research Project  
  This module will provide you with an opportunity to plan, carry out and report an extended piece of research in sport or exercise science. You'll be assigned a research topic from a list supplied by members of academic staff, according to preferences that you specify. The topic list will cover the major disciplines in sport and exercise science. You may also have the chance to carry out a project that you'll propose yourself, subject to appropriate forward planning and supervisory support. Assessment method: 100% coursework.

Facilities

Sport and Exercise Science Research Centre (SESRC)

The laboratories of the Sport and Exercise Science Research Centre (SESRC) are equipped with specialised and industry standard equipment with ongoing research into Environmental Psychophysiology and Musculoskeletal Biomechanics. Teaching is research-informed and you will get to use these facilities as you progress through the degree. You can take a virtual tour below.

LSBU Active

You'll have access to a range of sports facilities and equipment, including a fully equipped fitness suite with SMART Centre Technology, a Functional Training Zone, Free Weights Room and Sports Hall. Please visit our LSBU Active pages for more information.