Course details may be subject to change.
Get your career in sport off to the best start with this foundation degree. This programme provides learners with a challenging and high quality teaching experience. The content has been designed to reflect the needs of the sport and exercise science industry.This practical course will provide you with an understanding of the scientific factors that underpin performance in sport and exercise settings. You will develop an in-depth knowledge of the scientific methods of enquiry and problem-solving abilities.
At Level 4, you will have the opportunity to achieve the Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction. This qualification allows accreditation with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS).
At Level 5, you will have the opportunity to pursue the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training.
Entry Criteria
To gain entry to the programme, you must satisfy the standard or non-standard entry requirements. You will be expected to hold a relevant Level 3 qualification in a sport and exercise related subject. Mature applicants and those who may not possess the expected qualifications are welcomed and should display their knowledge and understanding of sport and exercise within the interview. Candidates will also be expected to hold a relevant level 2 qualification in English language and maths (or a minimum 5.5 IELTS in each band for international applicants).
Within the course candidates may be required to work alongside participants from a range of different populations and some of these may be classed as vulnerable, therefore candidates wishing to pursue this route may be required to have an Enhanced DBS before working with these populations. However an Enhanced DBS is not essential, but failure to hold this may result in some missed opportunities for learning across the programme should a learner fail to obtain the required clearance.
Additional Costs
It is not expected that you will have to incur additional costs in order to complete the course, however, you may wish to purchase core text books rather than rely upon the College's Learning Resource Centre. Holding an Enhanced DBS could be beneficial. In addition, there may be opportunities to participate in optional trips and visits which come with a small fee.
What are the next steps?
You will meet with a course tutor who will ask a set of standard questions. On arrival please report to the NCD University Centre reception where you will be met by one of the team. Please bring your relevant qualifications.
Study Aims
This programme aims to provide you with the scientific knowledge and skills that will allow you to specialise and progress within the diverse areas of sport and exercise science.The underpinning course objectives are as follows:
- To provide knowledge and understanding of the scientific factors that underpin performance in sport and exercise settings
- To develop competence in the scientific methods of enquiry and problem-solving abilities
- To develop a reflective approach to theory and practice
- To develop the student’s ability to analyse, justify, debate and review ideas, protocols and actions
- To allow students to apply knowledge and skills within sport and exercise settings.
Modules Studied
Core Modules for Level 4:
- Personal and Professional Development
- Work Related Learning
- Functional Anatomy for Sport and Exercise
- Physiology of Human Performance
- Applied Exercise and Fitness Knowledge
- Nutrition for Sport and Exercise.
Core Modules for Level 5:
- Personal and Professional Development
- Work Related Learning
- Applied Sports Coaching
- Exercise Prescription for Special Populations
- Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Sports Development.
Times of Delivery
- Wednesday - 9am - 4pm
- Friday - 9am - 4pm
Any times indicated are based on current courses and may be subject to change in future years. Full timetables will be confirmed at the start of each course.
Teaching and Assessment
Learning across the two years of the programme has been structured in a way that meets the academic aims and objectives whilst allowing you to practice and develop the intended course skills.
Level 4 serves to lay the foundations of all future learning by giving you the scientific (anatomical, biomechanical, physiological, and nutritional) knowledge that underpins activities within the sports and exercise sector whilst also providing opportunities to apply this knowledge in the types of roles that are crucial to so many jobs.
Level 5 then requires you to actively apply this scientific knowledge in sport, exercise and health based settings. You will develop your ability to apply scientific arguments based upon your research skills and your interpretation of the academic literature - you will also be assessed on this. Research methods are heavily embedded within Personal and Professional Development 2, and compliments modules such as Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology, which will also require you to analyse data.Assessment methods include:
- Examinations
- Written reports
- Portfolios of evidence
- Practical assessments
- Poster presentations.
You could top-up this qualification to a degree and progress to BSc (Hons) Applied Sport and Exercise Science at New College Durham.
