Sport Foundation Year

Program Overview

The Sport Foundation Year is a one-year program that equips students with the skills and knowledge for a full degree in sports. It covers core theories in sport and fitness, leadership, business management, and contemporary issues. Students gain practical experience through volunteering and professional qualifications, preparing them for careers in the sports industry.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The Sport Foundation Year is a one-year foundation program that equips students with the skills and knowledge necessary to progress to a full degree in sports. It provides an opportunity to extend previous experience or provide a route back into education. The program is designed to reflect the needs of the sports industry and explores various subjects, including leadership, fitness foundations, sports business management, sport in the contemporary world, and volunteering. Students learn core theories in sport and fitness and apply this knowledge in practical settings, developing skills sought after by employers. Professional qualifications, such as NGB and REPs, can be undertaken to enhance learning. Volunteering opportunities through the volunteering module allow students to gain real-world experience, build confidence, and develop employability skills.

Outline:

Core Modules:

• Foundations of Fitness: Explores theories underpinning fitness in sport, engaging with various topics and learning styles.
• Fundamentals of Sport Business Management: Provides an overview of the sport business, covering operations, management, finance, and marketing.
• Leadership Through Sport: Introduces key definitions, theories, and concepts of leadership, including leadership styles, learning theories, creating an environment, reflective practice, leading individuals and teams, athlete development, and safe and inclusive practice.
• Volunteering in Sport: Focuses on personal and professional development opportunities to enhance employability, covering both customer-facing and business-facing experiences.
• Sport in the Contemporary World: Examines contemporary issues in sport, drawing from academic, trade press, and general media sources.

Teaching:

The teaching team for the foundation year consists of lecturers who also teach on the degree courses.

Careers:

The Sport Foundation Year prepares students for a full honors degree in sports, leading to various career opportunities in the sports industry. Graduates may pursue roles in sports management, coaching, fitness, and related fields.

Other:

• The program provides access to the same facilities, academic, and student support as students on undergraduate degrees.
• Mature students with relevant work or voluntary experience may be considered for admission, even if they do not meet the formal academic requirements.
• The program offers a supportive environment for students returning to education after a break.
• Students can switch to another linked degree if they discover a new interest during the foundation year.