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Sport Science and Management BSc (Hons)

Start date

  • Level(s) of Study: Undergraduate
  • Typical Offer: 112 - 120 UCAS tariff points
  • UCAS Code(s): CN62 (full-time); 3N20 (sandwich)
  • Start Date(s): September 2024
  • Duration: Three years full-time, four years with placement
  • Study Mode(s): Full-time / Sandwich
  • Campus: Clifton Campus
Information for 2024

Introduction:

This course lets you apply management theory and sport science to the real world, preparing you to become a confident and work-ready graduate.

You’ll study the fundamentals of core sports science alongside sports management. Using this knowledge, we’ll empower you to tackle the performance of sports and leisure organisations. If you’re a budding entrepreneur, we can even support you in developing your business idea.

You'll focus on developing essential management skills and explore the internal and external business environment, sports marketing, and strategic planning. Bringing these together, you’ll work on a business project with one of the sport and leisure organisations in our network, such as Nottingham Forest Football Club, who are also heavily involved in our Sports Marketing module.

Combining the best of sport, exercise science and management, this course will provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience to work at a management level within the sport and leisure industry or beyond.

The course will enable you to explore essential sport science and management topics such as:

  • Sport and exercise science, including physiology, psychology and nutrition
  • Sports marketing
  • Applied strategic business analysis and management
  • Event management and entrepreneurship.

Why choose this course?

You have the opportunity to:

  • work with leading sport and leisure management professionals
  • undertake a management work placement
  • engage with various sports and leisure organisations via consultancy projects and lectures.

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...

95% of BSc (Hons) Sport Science and Management (FT) students were positive about the teaching on their course (NSS2023)

  • 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.
  • Top 10 University for Sport in the British Universities & Colleges Sports (BUCS) Championship 2021 - 2022.
  • 100% of our BSc (Hons) Sport Science and Management (Sandwich) students were in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020/21).

What you’ll study

You will develop and apply a range of essential, transferable management skills that are greatly valued by employers. This course has received professional recognition for the unique way it combines theory with practical experience.

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.

Learn a new language

Alongside your study, you also have the opportunity to learn a new language. The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a new language or improving the skills you already have. Find out more about the ULP.

The Internal Business Environment

You will be introduced to key topics such as managers, teams, organisational culture, structure and communication. You will also study academic models and topics of law.

The External Business Environment

You will explore various academic approaches to management. Focusing on the external influences of business, you will learn to use the PESTEL model to analyse an organisation.

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 sport 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.

Sport, Culture and Society

Explore the importance of the social sciences in understanding sports and in the education of every sports professional.

Developing Academic and Research Skills

Get an overall perspective of the research process in the context of sport, exercise, health and leisure management, and learn the research skills necessary to complete your studies.

Core modules

Sports Marketing and CRM Systems

You are introduced to digital marketing systems and essential customer relationship management (CRM) principles and practices whilst also learning the unique nature of sports marketing.

Strategic Management and Economic Analysis

This module aims to develop your understanding of strategy and resource management and the role these play in establishing competitive advantage. In addition to recognising issues associated with supply and demand, broadcasting and sponsorship and competitive balance.

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 sport science and management.

Optional modules

Sociology of Sport, Health and the Body

Investigate the relationship between sport, exercise, physical activity and health by developing a small research project.

Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology

Through theoretical and practical study, you will learn how bouts of physical exercise alter the body’s structures and functions and how these concepts can be applied to training.

Practical Applications in Sport Psychology

This module introduces the concept of evidence-based practice and frameworks of assessment, intervention and evaluation to address issues in sport, coaching, social and exercise psychology.

Professional Practice

Through a short placement, you will learn to apply, analyse and evaluate various vocationally relevant processes, enhancing your employability and preparing you for the world of work.

Optional year-long work placement.  If you are not taking a placement, you will progress directly to your final year in year three.

Core modules:

Event Management in the Sport and Leisure Industry

This module will help you develop your knowledge and skills in all appropriate management functions to plan for, develop and manage an event effectively.

Entrepreneurship and Enterprise

Learn about entrepreneurship, critically evaluate business environments, and develop the knowledge, skills and techniques required to create a start-up company business plan effectively.

Sport Project and Dissertation

You will produce original and independent work in a specialist area of sports science, coaching, exercise science or sport and leisure management, depending on your focus of study.

Optional modules:

Contemporary Issues in the Sociology of Sport

Consider the core sociological questions relating to the distribution of power in society, the nature and effects of social inequality, the potential role of sports development in social change, and the meaning of sport in diverse cultural spaces.

Strength, Power and Endurance for Sport and Exercise

This module typically focuses on six topics related to applied exercise physiology and strength and conditioning research.

Physical Activity for Health

You will develop your understanding of sport and exercise and explore applications of exercise interventions within a health and fitness context.

Talent Development in Sport

This module will explore a critical view of the role of talent development in sports, focusing on the psychosocial, environmental, and personal factors that can influence the talent development process.

Advanced Topics in Sport and Exercise Psychology

You will become familiar with selected areas such as motivational climate, athletic identity, mental toughness, psychology of injury and morality in sports. 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 sports 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

Student Profiles

Alessandro Barcherini

Four years ago I was sat at Clifton Campus, taking the men’s first team against Newcastle Uni – and here I am now, working in the Premiership

Joseph Sullivan

During his career, Joe has worked with world-class sportspeople and their coaches at some of the best stadiums in the world.

Sebastian Hernandez

Exercise oncology really came unexpectedly. Even though I have always keep my doors open in regards to clinical practice, I saw myself working in cardiovascular disease or diabetes but never even considered working with patients living with and beyond cancer.

Video Gallery

Watch our facility tour video to get an insight into the equipment you'll use and what you'll study on the course.
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How you’re taught

How you're taught?

You will have around 12 hours of scheduled contact time per week. This will take the form of:

  • traditional lectures and seminars
  • practical workshops
  • working with business-to-business contacts within the community of Nottingham
  • external visits

The remainder of your time will guide the independent study.

Contact hours

Year 1 - lectures/seminars/workshops (26%) and independent study (74%)

Year 2 - lectures/seminars/workshops (24%) and independent study (76%)

Year 3 - lectures/seminars/workshops (18%) and independent study (82%)

A placement year may be taken between year 2 and year 3 of study.

Research informed teaching

Our research is tackling real-world issues – and the people working on this research will be teaching you. It also informs the subjects you’ll be studying with us so you can be sure your knowledge will be cutting-edge in your field. In the last Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021) - the UK's system for assessing the quality and impact of research in universities - we’re proud that 100% of NTU's Sport and Exercise Sciences, Leisure and Tourism submission was assessed to be world-leading or internationally excellent.

Staff Profiles

Craig Strong MPhil./MSc./SFHEA - Senior Lecturer

Sport Science Department

Find out more about Craig Strong, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Sport Science at Nottingham Trent University.

Dr Seth I. Kirby - Senior Lecturer

Department of Sport Science

Seth I. Kirby is an academic and researcher working in the areas of sport, leisure, events and tourism management.

Ali Bowes - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Ali Bowes, Senior Lecturer in Sociology of Sport in the Department of Sport Science at Nottingham Trent University.

Mustafa Sarkar - Associate Professor

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Mustafa Sarkar, Associate Professor of Sport and Performance Psychology in the Department of Sport Science at NTU.

Julie Johnston - Senior Lecturer

School of Science & Technology

Julie Johnston is a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology and teaches across the undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.

Cleveland Barnett - Associate Professor

School of Science & Technology

Find out more about Cleveland T. Barnett, Associate Professor of Biomechanics in the Department of Sport Science at Nottingham Trent University.

How you’re assessed

You will be assessed using various methods relevant to the specific modules.

  • Coursework - group projects, consultancy reports and dissertations.
  • Practical - oral presentations, practical laboratory reports and client interviews.
  • Written - formal essays, presenting your work in a journal article or blog and examinations.

Careers and employability

Your career development

You will develop and apply a range of essential, transferable management skills that are greatly respected by employers.

Our recent graduates have secured roles at companies including:

  • British Swimming
  • Norwich City Football Club Academy
  • David Lloyd
  • Hilton Hotels
  • Leicester City and Exeter Football Clubs

They have gone into a wide variety of job roles including:

  • Events Officer
  • Football Services Officer
  • Logistics Manager
  • Customer Insight Executive
  • Marketing and Promotions Assistant
  • Management Trainee

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

Top 10 for the number of sport science students on year-long placements (HESA 2021/22)

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 various 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 Leicester Tigers Rugby, Microsoft and Nottingham Forest Academy. They secured varied roles such as Marketing Assistant, Trainee Coach and Learning Support Assistant.

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.

We have strong links with various leading sports and leisure organisations and professional bodies. You will undertake research and consultancy projects with these organisations, providing you with invaluable industry experience. Many Sports Science and Management students have worked with sporting organisations and clubs such as:

  • Nottingham Forest Football Club
  • Nottingham Rugby Club
  • Nottingham Wildcats Basketball Club
  • Derby Rugby Club
  • Our industry partners include:

  • British Olympic Association
  • England Hockey
  • British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (accredited physiologists)
  • The British Psychological Society (sport and exercise psychology division of chartered psychologists)

The Sport courses at NTU are innovative, inspiring, practical and relevant – that’s why I support them!.

David Cook, Chief Commercial Officer, Nottingham Forest Football Club

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?

Based at the Clifton Campus, lectures, seminars, and workshops will be taught in:

  • Erasmus Darwin and Mary Ann Evans buildings
  • The Centre for Effective Learning in Science (CELS)
  • John Clare lecture theatres

You will have access to outstanding facilities (see our facilities section for more information), including:

British Olympic Association (BOA) Approved Environmental Chamber

This can be used to simulate climates from anywhere in the world! We can create specific native temperatures from Everest to Egypt. Olympic athletes have used the chamber to acclimatise to extreme competition environments.

The Performance Analysis Laboratory has isokinetic and isometric dynamometers. These are used to assess the force produced by body muscle groups. We also have a 3D camera motion analysis system.

Sport Psychology and Management Suites

The School also features IT, Sport Psychology and Management Suites. These are used for:

Entry requirements

  • Standard offer: 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level equivalent PE or Science subject*
  • Contextual offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level equivalent PE or Science subject*

*If you apply with a BTEC Extended Certificate (previously BTEC Subsidiary Diploma), you will also need an A-level in a science subject or equivalent. We will accept Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Sport Studies or Psychology

Contextual offers

A lower offer may be made based on a range of factors, including your background (such as where you live and the school or college you attended), your experiences and individual circumstances (you may have been in care, for example). This is called a contextual offer; we get data from UCAS to make these decisions. NTU offers a student experience like no other. This approach helps us find students who have the potential to succeed here but may have faced barriers that make it more difficult to access university. Find out how we assess your application.


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 four 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

  • 120 UCAS Tariff points from up to four qualifications, including A-level equivalent PE or Science subject*

*If you apply with a BTEC Extended Certificate (previously BTEC Subsidiary Diploma), you will also need an A-level in a science subject or equivalent. We will accept Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Maths, Sport Studies or Psychology

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 following 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.

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.

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 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. In addition, there may be a cost of £20-£30 for possible enrichment sporting events.

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.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service by telephone at +44 (0)115 848 2494.

Tuition fees 

Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The 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.

Scholarships

We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have the 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.

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 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. In addition, there may be a cost of £20-£30 for possible enrichment sporting events.

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

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 make a decision based on what you tell us. So include all of 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, take a look at our page on how to write a good personal statement.

Keeping up-to-date

After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending 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 that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example.  After you've applied, we'll be sending 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.

The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.

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