Sport-related subjects
Studying sport-related subjects in the UK is very popular and creates many employment opportunities in a wide range of careers, from playing or coaching in your chosen sport to managing sports centres or health clubs or providing sports science support. The growing interest in sport-related subjects is reflected in the increasing number of institutions that offer training in all aspects and combinations at all levels. There has never been a more exciting time to study sport- related subjects in the UK with Wales hosting the Ryder Cup in 2010, Scotland hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2014 and the Olympics being held in London in 2012. These major sporting events will increase the opportunity to gain vocational experience and will also provide a focus for all sport-related provision in the UK during the next decade.
Checklist: why study sport and fitness in the United Kingdom? •
Sport-related subjects are very popular areas to study at university in the UK with over 150 institutions offering a wide range of programmes.
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Courses are available at undergraduate, masters and foundation degree level and there are a growing number of universities offering research degrees at MPhil and PhD level.
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Many of these academic programmes offer work experience or the opportunity to gain vocational experience or qualifications.
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You can gain coaching awards. The UK Coaching Certificate (UKCC) is being developed by Sports Coach UK in partnership with the National Governing Bodies and other sporting agencies and 31 sports will initially work with Sports Coach UK to develop UKCC-endorsed qualifications.
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Studying sport in the UK will not only allow you to gain academic and vocational awards; you will also be able to develop your English skills, which will be a significant advantage when you are looking for a job.
1 What can I study? You can do a wide variety of courses and qualifications, including: •
GCSE, A-level or Scottish or Irish Highers in Sport Studies or Physical Education
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GNVQs, BTec. National Diplomas or Higher National Diplomas in sport-related subjects
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undergraduate or foundation degrees in sport-related subjects from sport and exercise science to sport and leisure management
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postgraduate degrees in sport-related subjects from sport coaching to sport and exercise medicine
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research degrees at MPhil or PhD level.
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coaching qualifications in a wide range of sports and activities.
Level of study Degrees, Higher National Diplomas, career-based qualifications
Examples of courses The UCAS website provides details of sport-related programmes from Applied Sport Science to Water Sport Science. Courses endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences are provided on their website and it also provides a course finder service as does the Higher Education Network for Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism. There are also numerous opportunities to study for a Joint Honours degrees with sport. Examples of sport-related degrees include: • • • • • • • • • •
Postgraduate
Findamasters.com shows 88 Master’s programmes available in sport science- related areas from active recreation and health to sport and exercise science. Other examples include: • • • • • • • • • • • •
Sports and fitness
Sport Coaching Sport Development Sport Technology Sport Management Sport Marketing Sport Psychology Sport and Exercise Science Sport and Physical Education Sport Studies Sport Journalism.
Sport Development and Coaching Sport and Exercise Science Performance Analysis Sport Psychology Sport and Exercise Medicine Sport Management Sport Development Coaching Science Sport Culture Strength and Conditioning Sport Biomechanics Sport Physiology.
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Level of study
Examples of courses Many short courses are run by professional bodies and by academic institutions. Look at www.educationuk.org or the website of the appropriate professional body. There are a range of coaching qualifications available from introductory levels to advanced university credit rated courses. You should use the website of the appropriate National Governing Body to find details on coaching awards for specific sites. Useful sites include:
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www.1st4sportqualifications.com – 1st4sport qualifications provide recognised coaching awards and works in partnership with a variety of organisations including the Football Association, the Rugby Football Union, England Hockey and Sportscoach UK
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www.sportscoachuk.org – Sportscoach UK is the leading organisation for the development of the UK coaching system. It provides an extensive workshop programme for a range of sports
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www.thefa.com (The Football Association for England)
Short courses
www.scottishfa.co.uk (The Scottish Football Association) www.faw.org.uk (The Football Association of Wales) www.irishfa.com (The Irish Football Association) www.rfu.com (Rugby Football Union –- England) www.sru.org.uk (Scottish Rugby Union) www.wru.co.uk (Welsh Rugby Union) www.irishrugby.ie (Irish Rugby Union) www.ecb.co.uk (England and Wales Cricket Board).
2 Entrance Do I need academic qualifications to study sport and fitness? All degrees need some kind of academic qualification but this will vary between universities. You need to check entry criteria before applying. For vocational courses or coaching awards you may need several years of relevant experience or a level of competence in the sport. Most postgraduate courses require an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline, but for some postgraduate courses vocational experience may be able to compensate for this. You should apply as early as possible as gaining a place on a sport-related programme is often highly competitive.
Can I take part of my course in the United Kingdom? There may be opportunities to complete part of your course in a UK university. However, if your university does not have an existing arrangement with particular universities you will need to find a comparable course at a UK university and contact them directly.
Checklist: choosing the right course • • • •
First, seek advice from your employer or careers adviser in your country to see what level of qualification you need to gain to enhance your employment opportunities. If you are interested in a university award you should check out the website of the university and send for a prospectus. You can easily identify relevant courses using www.ucas.com. Carefully check the level of entry qualifications you require or level of competence required in the sport or background. Contact your national governing body to see what level of qualification you need.
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3 How can I register as a professional? Teaching physical education requires a first degree with Qualified Teacher Status or a relevant degree with a Postgraduate Certificate in Physical Education. You need to check with your ministry of education if a UK teaching qualification will allow you to teach in your country. There are numerous professional qualifications in sport-related areas including coaching, sports administration, strength and conditioning and fitness. You need to locate the appropriate professional body for your chosen discipline. Examples include: www.ispark.org.uk – professional body for sport, parks and leisure industry www.bases.org.uk/newsite/home.asp – the professional body for sport and exercise science in the UK www.sportsmassageassociation.org – UK professional body representing sport massage practitioners.
How can I achieve professional recognition in the United Kingdom and abroad? UK qualifications are recognised all over the world. However, you should check with your employers/careers advisers or the Governing Body of Sport of the activity you wish to pursue in the country in which you want to work. Information on qualifications for different careers is on the Sport England website www.sportengland.org/courses and on the Sportscotland website www.sportscotland.org.uk/contents/youngpeople/careers.htm.
Checklist: your next steps For more information refer to Choosing your degree course in this series.
3 What else do I need to know? The regulations for entry into the UK are constantly changing and it is vital that you check the Home Office Border and Immigration Agency (BIA) website (www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk) on a regular basis and check locally with your British Mission so you are aware of how UK immigration procedures will affect you. With the introduction of the new Australian-style points-based system you will need to keep even more up to date with the new immigration system changes when applying for a visa or work permit. For information on the points-based system go to: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/sitecontent/documents/managingborders/pbsdocs. For advice on working in the UK: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/workingintheuk For advice about visas: www.bia.homeoffice.gov.uk/studyingintheuk For practical advice on living in the UK download Studying and living in the UK from: www.educationuk.org/bc_img/body/articles/pdfs/stud_live_uk.pdf.
4 Where can I find more information? The British Council has produced the Education UK portfolio to provide international students with a wide range of information and guidance that will help them find out more about studying a UK course and other important issues, such as applying to study, entry clearance and living in the UK. The portfolio includes: •
the Education UK website and a number of country websites containing locally relevant information – www.educationuk.org
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The essential guides to education in the UK: Undergraduate and pre-university; Postgraduate and MBA* Universities, Colleges and Schools Handbook* Club UK magazine,* also available online at www.educationuk.org/clubuk Postgraduate UK magazine.*
* The publications are available at a selected number of British Council offices for students to use. The Education UK websites are a valuable source of information, with a database of over 450,000 courses and profiles of institutions that contain details of entry requirements and course fees; some offer a virtual tour of their campus.
Universities and Colleges Admissions Service PO Box 28 Cheltenham GL52 3LZ Telephone +44 (0)87 0112 2211 E-mail enquiries@ucas.ac.uk www.ucas.ac.uk
Unistats
British Association of Sport and Exercise Science E-mail jbairstow@bases.org.uk www.bases.org.uk
Central Council of Physical Recreation E-mail info@ccpr.org.uk www.ccpr.org.uk
Sports Coach UK E-mail coaching@sportscoachuk.org www.sportscoachuk.org
England Hockey www.englandhockey.co.uk
Football Association www.thefa.com
Rugby Football Union www.community-rugby.com/communityrugby
Sport England E-mail info@sportengland.org www.sportengland.org
Sports Council for Wales E-mail scw@scw.org.uk www.cyngor-chwaraeon-cymru.org
Sport Scotland www.sportscotland.org.uk
Sport Northern Ireland E-mail info@sportni.net Website: www.sportni.org
FindAMasters E-mail info@findamasters.com www.findamasters.com
Association for Physical Education (afPE) E-mail enquiries@afpe.org.uk www.afpe.org.uk
The official website here to help you compare subjects at universities and colleges in the UK. www.unistats.com
Other useful sources British Qualifications: A Complete Guide to Professional, Vocational and Academic Qualifications in the UK, 2007 – this book lists all the recognised qualifications on offer in the UK, by schools, universities, colleges and professional bodies and associations. BASES Coursefinder (www.bases.org.uk/newsite/coursesearch.asp) – this site provides details of undergraduate and postgraduate courses in sport and exercise science. A Guide to Careers in Sport and Exercise Sciences is provided at www.bases.org.uk/newsite/studentcareers.asp.
Note: please note that this book may not be available at your local British Council office.
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While every effort has been made to ensure that the information given here is correct and up to date, the British Council accepts no legal liability for its accuracy, currency or completeness.
April 2008 Š British Council 2008 The United Kingdom's international organisation for cultural relations and educational opportunities. A registered charity: 209131 (England and Wales) SC037733 (Scotland).
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Sport-related subjects
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