BA Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity and BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences degrees

Shaped by the past, creating the future

BA SPORT, EXERCISE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY BSc SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCES

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Celebrating their Graduation from L-R, Roseanne Pashley, Amy Ellerker, Sophie Bingham and Katie Falkingham.

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“Choosing to study sport and exercise at Durham University was the best decision I have ever made. I have had the most incredible three years studying in such a beautiful city on what I truly believe to be the best sport degree programmes in the country. As a student, you have the choice of what you study, allowing you to effectively tailor your degree to your personal desires and needs. The programmes are incredibly flexible and diverse, and are constantly evolving, so that the curriculum is up-to-date and involves the latest research.�

Katie Falkingham (Durham Sport and Exercise Graduate)

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WELCOME...

TO DURHAM UNIVERSITY AND OUR DISTINCTIVE SPORT AND EXERCISE DEGREE PROGRAMMES

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Studying Sport and Exercise involves engaging with issues and subjects ranging from the development of elite athletes to encouraging participation amongst young people for the first time. The capacity of sport to touch our lives means that it is used positively to address issues such as obesity, crime, and community development, while also reflecting social issues such as doping, violence and inequality.

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Modules will not only focus on analysing realworld examples in sport and exercise but will also encourage you to identify how to change them for the better.

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All teaching is informed by cutting-edge research and you will be taught by leading academics with internationally recognised expertise in sport, exercise, health and well-being.

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The Durham experience leads to employability; Sport and Exercise graduates are exceptionally well positioned to start diverse careers across sport, health and other industries.

Durham offers the ideal opportunity to study Sport and Exercise. Here are some of the reasons why...

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Durham has firmly established itself as the university where you can effectively combine academic and sporting excellence as well as participate in the country’s largest programme of intra-mural sport.

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Durham and its university is a unique place to study and live combining the facilities you would expect of a thriving city with the beauty and history of the famous Castle and Cathedral – some of the world’s finest architecture.

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The University’s collegiate system offers students far more than just a place to live – each of our colleges offer a vibrant, supportive community that is full of opportunities to get involved in a huge range of sporting, arts, and volunteering

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Our degree programmes are consistently well ranked in the university guides, with outstanding levels of satisfaction in the National Student Survey.

The size of student cohort is smaller than many other courses which means that our students immediately develop strong bonds with their fellow classmates and with staff. Our personalised approach means that you will be able to get the individualised support that you need.

Students value the broad range of topics within our programmes, together with the options to choose modules according to their own interests and aspirations.

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OUR PROGRAMMES We offer two distinctive degree programmes: BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences and BA Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity which are orientated towards studying sport and exercise from the perspectives and disciplines of the natural and social sciences respectively.

Studying either degree will constantly engage you in utilising academic concepts and research to understand and improve real-world practices and issues in sport, exercise and physical activity.

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PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

Both the BSc and BA programmes have a similar structure that ensures that you gain the key knowledge and skills for your degree as well as providing flexible choices that allow you to shape your learning around your own interests and aspirations.

This flexibility allows you to move towards focusing your studies in particular disciplines from either the natural or social sciences or else take a truly multidisciplinary range of modules across your three years if you so wish.

Both programmes share a common first year, which allows you to gain understanding across a broad range of topics and approaches to studying sport and exercise. Irrespective of your educational background, you will find new and interesting challenges in the content of all modules and we also deliver a specific academic skills module so that you quickly develop the competencies that will enable you to perform at your full academic potential.

Across second and third years on both programmes you will have flexibility to select modules from a broad range of choices offered. The full menu of optional modules will be similar for both programmes, with

the choice structured so that: • Students studying towards a BSc will choose a majority of sport and exercise modules aligned with subjects in the natural sciences • Students studying towards a BA will choose a majority of sport and exercise modules aligned with subjects in the social sciences All students will also take modules that develop their research skills and you will put these into action in undertaking and writing-up your own third year research project on a sport, exercise or physical activity topic of your choice. In the third year, there is also the option to gain further real-life experience through our Sport in the Community Placement module.

In addition, Durham offers you distinctive opportunities to take ‘open modules’ from other departments within the university. Choosing an open module can complement your desired career path and students from our programmes have previously selected modules in, for example, Business, Education, Languages, Geography, Politics, or Natural Sciences.

“Everyone praises the degree programme for the variety it offers, and there is a good reason for that; it has a wide variety of modules, allowing you to pick and choose what suits you. Being unsure of my future career when coming to university, this course has allowed me to delve into topics from sports psychology to sports development and everything in between, which has lead me to understanding better what interests me and what I want to do after I graduate”

Beth Wilson, Durham Sport and Exercise Graduate

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SUBJECT AREAS Across both the BA and BSc programmes and in each of the three years, modules are offered in all the following subject areas and can be studied by students on both the BSc and BA programmes:

SPORT AND EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

We need to understand how the human body works in order to understand how it reacts to sport and exercise. We begin by examining basic anatomy and the main body systems, as well as cell, blood and muscle function. With this knowledge, we can start to investigate what happens when we exercise.

Small-group laboratory classes give you hands-on experience of how to measure and assess respiration, metabolism, body composition, and cardiovascular systems. You will learn how to measure blood pressure, lung capacity, aerobic and anaerobic systems as well as how to test blood and urine samples from fellow students, before, during and after exercise. You may even find yourself taking an icebath!

SPORT AND EXERCISE PSYCHOLOGY

In psychological modules, we explore thoughts and feelings about sport or exercise, and how these influence both participation and performance.

When studying sport psychology, we consider how individuals and teams develop and excel. We cover a range of topics including: motivation; personality; anxiety and stress; injuries; group processes; and psychological training. In exercise psychology, we explore how we can increase population activity levels, covering topics including: barriers to participation; public health intervention strategies; and exercise and mental health. Across these topics we apply research to real-world problems, so you can experience working with both elite athletes and sedentary individuals.

Within these subject areas, specific modules and course content are refined on an ongoing basis to reflect the latest employment trends in the sports industry, cutting-edge research, and student interest. To view the full, current range of modules offered on our both of courses, please visit: www.durham.ac.uk/faculty.handbook

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PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, NUTRITION AND HEALTH

With obesity and sedentary lifestyles of global concern, we believe it is vital to consider the potential contribution of all forms of physical activity and diet to health and well-being. We examine how active individuals and sections of the population are and consider how we can further understand the complex reasons for inactivity. This helps determine how we might best intervene to make a population more physically active. We also consider how nutritional factors such as energy, carbohydrates, protein and fats are linked to sport, exercise and health, and how diet may be manipulated to improve performance and health within different groups.

SOCIOLOGY OF SPORT

We use a sociological lens to provide an insight into the significance of sport, helping you to think about how sport can impact upon society, and how society can impact upon sport. We seek to explain how sport drives economies, dominates the media, influences politics, and how it contributes to local and national pride. We examine how sport can affect our ideas about masculinity and femininity, social class and wealth, race and ethnicity, ability and disability, age and aging. We also study why sport is an arena for aggression and violence, fraud and corruption, doping and other forms of cheating.

SPORTS DEVELOPMENT AND POLICY

What approaches can improve participation in sport and increase success in international sport and the Olympics? Can sport effectively contribute to the development of young people or address social issues such as crime, educational attainment and exclusion?

Studying sports development and policy involves grappling with answers to such questions through applying academic understanding to explore reallife policies, programmes and examples from local, national and international contexts. You will develop your own analytic skills to identify the challenges facing sport organisations, to consider why different sports development objectives are prioritised and funded, and to evaluate the effectiveness of current policies and approaches.

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SPECIFIC OPPORTUNITIES ON YOUR DEGREE Sport in the Community Placement The Sport in the Community Placement module in third year provides students with outstanding opportunities to develop the types of vocational experiences and skills that are highly valued by employers.

We offer a varied range of placements each year, with opportunities in school, youth, community and high performance sport. Through these placements, our students have the chance to work closely and develop contacts with host organisations including local School Sport Partnerships, Durham County Council Culture and Sport division and Team Durham’s community outreach section.

All placements enable students to put knowledge gained throughout their degree programme into practice. This will be evidenced for potential employers through developing your own portfolio that demonstrates your acquisition of key professional skills and competencies. This portfolio will also include your own CV and letters of application that you will be supported to develop so as to apply for your preferred placements at the outset of the module.

“The placement provided me with the opportunity to work professionally within Team Durham. We were entrusted with our own ‘Pop Lacrosse’ event, hosting over 100 local school children, and, quite rightly, there would have been no one there to pick up the pieces had we failed to deliver. This was the pressure we needed in order to ensure that we excelled. The placement enhanced my teamwork and leadership skills and I took great pride in ensuring that all team members felt valued throughout”.

Sophie Bingham BA Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity Graduate

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STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITY Students studying on both of our degree programmes have the opportunity to apply to extend their studies to include an additional year studying at one of our international partner universities. Previously, some of our students have studied in the USA, Canada, and New Zealand. Further information on the Year Abroad Programme is available here: www.durham.ac.uk/international/studyabroad/ outbound

“Doing a year abroad has been the best decision I have ever made- the experiences are invaluable and friends made irreplaceable!�

Our students on the Community Placement module, L-R: Steven Wilson, Amy Ellerker, Rachel Gibson, Sophie Bingham, Louise Jeffrey, John Ellmer

Jessie Bradshaw, Durham Sport and Exercise Graduate, Studied Abroad at University of Helsinki, Finland

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YOUR ACADEMIC LIFE AT DURHAM We offer a challenging and rewarding learning experience through our ethos of research-led education and an exciting range of innovative assessment methods.

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“THE DEGREE HAS AN INCREDIBLE SET OF STAFF WHO ARE EXTREMELY PASSIONATE AND ENTHUSIASTIC, WHICH NATURALLY TRANSFERS OVER TO THE STUDENT BODY. STAFF WILL GO OUT OF THEIR WAY TO SUPPORT YOU, WHETHER THAT IS IN ACADEMIC WORK - INCLUDING YOUR DISSERTATION - OR THROUGH COMING TO WATCH UNIVERSITY SPORT GAMES. I WILL ALWAYS BE INCREDIBLY PROUD TO BE A DURHAM GRADUATE AND LOOK BACK ON MY TIME WITH GREAT HAPPINESS”.

OLIVIA HOVINGTON, DURHAM SPORT AND EXERCISE GRADUATE

SUPPORTING YOUR STUDIES

In order to help you to reach your full potential, Durham University has strong and integrated systems in place that provide both academic and pastoral support to all our students.

Besides subject-specific support available from the staff teaching each module, every student is allocated their own Academic Adviser who will provide guidance to support your academic progress throughout your time with us. In addition, colleges have overall responsibility - and specific staff in place - to provide support in regard of any personal issues or circumstances that may affect students’ wellbeing or studies during their time at the University.

In addition to academic and college support, Durham University has developed a range of overarching welfare and support services for students. These include counselling, advice for students with disabilities and faith support.

METHODS OF ASSESSMENT

A specific feature of both of our degree programmes is the diverse and innovative suite of assessment methods.

From first year, you will develop important skills in presenting and applying your knowledge in a wide variety of formats and to different audiences – which will stand you in good stead for assessments in second and third years as well as for future employment.

Each module also includes a balance of different assessments, including opportunities to submit formative assignments to enable you to gain valuable feedback towards the summative assessments on which your marks will be based.

ASSESSMENT METHODS INCLUDE: •• • • ••

laboratory reports applied analysis of participation, performance or nutrition in sport and exercise essays on social issues or problems in sport

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evaluation of sport programmes and practice

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documentary filmmaking

media analysis individual and group presentations

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A WEEK IN THE LIFE OF A DURHAM SPORT AND EXERCISE STUDENT

BY WILL MOULTON 3RD YEAR MONDAY Spent the morning working on my dissertation. Found some really interesting research articles that discuss how music can help athletes control their mood before competing. On a similar theme, this afternoon’s Applied Sport Psychology lecture looked at different mental techniques athletes can employ to help them stay positive through injury rehabilitation. Definitely going to try one or two out! Met up with my Media, Sport and Society assignment group afterwards to start putting together the clips we’ve recorded for our sport documentary looking at perceptions of male cheerleaders - even if I do say so myself, it’s looking pretty cool!

TUESDAY Started with a Physiology lecture on the different energy systems involved in anaerobic activity, then an Applied

Sport Psychology seminar in which we looked at how psychologists should behave when interacting with adolescents. Cracked on with my dissertation again this afternoon before a Media, Sport and Society lecture on how journalists and reporters directly encode specific messages into their articles. As I want to be a sport journalist myself, I found this very insightful - it’s amazing how the media influence our perceptions of sport! This was followed by an intense three hour practice with Durham Divas - the university cheerleading squad - as we build towards the national championships on Sunday.

WEDNESDAY Whilst some of my course mates were off representing Team Durham in various BUCS fixtures, I met up with my Media, Sport and Society group in the morning to do some more editing on our documentary. Coached my college cheerleading squad before preparing for the

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presentation I am giving in tomorrow’s Sport, Crime and Deviance seminar looking at the problem of ‘white collar’ crime in sport. Found some time to write a new post for my sports blog, discussing problems surrounding the recognition of women as athletes in their own right. The evening consisted of a really fun social with the Divas after watching Durham’s 1st XV rugby team annihilate their opposition, despite the pretty awful weather…

THURSDAY After successfully delivering my presentation, we had a really interesting Sport, Crime and Deviance lecture that looked at doping in sport. Also went to a Nutrition seminar which was really helpful for our upcoming essay on the role of diet in the prevention of osteoporosis.

Managed to proofread and publish the blog post I wrote yesterday. So far it’s received a really positive response, with someone thanking me for highlighting some of the issues sportswomen so commonly endure. Finished the day with another tough Divas training session, but we’re looking really good for Sunday!

FRIDAY A Physiology lab to start the day! Only at university could you be asked to work one of your friends to exhaustion on a treadmill at 9am in the morning before taking blood samples from them! The Nutrition lecture that followed it was fascinating: we learned how effective milk can be at helping to build and repair muscles after exercise. Again something to try myself! Had another productive session on my dissertation. Up to 3,000 words now. Only 7,000 to go… Then a really enjoyable training session with my college cheer squad; it’s amazing how much they’ve come on this year and I cannot wait to watch them compete themselves next weekend. Had a round at the bar afterwards as a reward for our efforts!

SATURDAY Spent the morning reading for next week’s lectures and seminars before a rehearsal with my college jazz band for our upcoming gig. Then went to watch my housemate in the inter-collegiate women’s basketball final. Unfortunately they lost, but it was a great occasion with a huge turnout.

Early night because tomorrow is going to be a long day!

SUNDAY WE SMASHED THE COMP! Cannot describe how proud I am to compete with the Divas; we have an absolutely amazing squad and I feel honoured to be a part of it. To think, when I first came to Durham I never even thought cheerleading was a sport - all I wanted to do was play cricket - and now, here I am, winning national championships! Consequently no studying today; I feel as though I deserved a day off!

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YOUR SPORTING LIFE AT DURHAM Few universities are as successful as Durham in enabling students to combine sporting and academic excellence. Our colleagues in Team Durham provide opportunities across Sport Performance and Leadership, Participation, and Community Sport Development – all underpinned by a philosophy of allowing exceptional people to do exceptional things.

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SPORT PERFORMANCE AND LEADERSHIP

The University is consistently ranked at the very top of the BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sport) national leagues. This reflects the exceptional professional coaching and athletic support structure available to all of our top student athletes.

Programmes are tailored to individual requirements and athletes have access to a wide range of support services including strength and conditioning training, injury support, nutritional guidance and lifestyle support.

Incoming students who are performing at the highest level are eligible to apply for a ViceChancellor’s Scholarship, which, providing Scholars remain in good standing, provides financial support throughout all three years of study.

PARTICIPATION

One of the key attractions of Durham University is the collegiate structure, and this is very much the case when it comes to sport. Through Durham’s College Sport programme there are opportunities for all students to participate every week, throughout the year, at various levels in a wide variety of different sports. There are over 500 college teams, so you have numerous opportunities to try new sports as well as continue competing in those that you have played before.

Participation in College Sport can be competitive but is always friendly, and so provides a sense of belonging to many students - something that is often very important at the start of a student’s university life.

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COMMUNITY SPORT DEVELOPMENT

The third strand of Team Durham’s work is the extensive Community Sport Development programme which offers coaching and outreach activities to schools and community groups across the local region and internationally. Sporting activities are used to make a difference to people’s lives, and particular work has been undertaken to engage looked after children, people with disabilities and learning disorders, vulnerable women and youth offenders.

The variety of volunteering opportunities that are available to our students in these programmes are ideal for gaining valuable experience and skills, as well as recognised coaching and officiating qualifications through the university’s bespoke Sport and Exercise Career Development Pathway and Award. Through the Team Durham programme, many of our sport and exercise students have also had the exceptional opportunity to volunteer each summer with organisations in Zambia that use sport to improve the lives of young people.

“THE COMBINATION OF OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC TEACHING AND THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONTINUE TO PLAY NATIONAL LEAGUE HOCKEY MADE DURHAM MY OBVIOUS CHOICE. WINNING THE BUCS HOCKEY CHAMPIONSHIP, WHILST GAINING A FIRST IN MY DEGREE, ARE ACHIEVEMENTS I AM EXTREMELY PROUD OF AND DURHAM GAVE ME THE CHANCE TO DO BOTH! I COULDN’T SPEAK MORE HIGHLY OF DURHAM OR THE DEGREE - I DEFINITELY RECOMMEND IT!” LUCY THAYER DURHAM SPORT AND EXERCISE GRADUATE

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A SPRINGBOARD TO YOUR FUTURE The diversity and flexibility of module choices on our degree programmes provide routes into a range high-quality employment opportunities. Our graduates are recognised by employers as some of most able students in the UK, having developed a wide-ranging set of key transferable and vocational skills, personal qualities and intellectual capacities through their studies on our programmes.

Katie Falkingham trained to be a sport journalist after graduating from us and is now working for a national sports press agency.

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WHAT CAREERS IN SPORT AND EXERCISE COULD I GO ON TO?

While competition for jobs within sport and exercise industries is high, we have an excellent record of graduate employment.

Our graduates have taken the options and opportunities within the degree programmes – complimented by their extra-curricular activities – to develop specific expertise that has enabled them to forge successful careers in a wide range of fields, including: •

sports advertising and marketing;

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sport development and management;

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events and stadia management;

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sports media and journalism;

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primary and secondary teaching in physical education, as well as other subject areas;

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professional sport coaching;

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exercise prescription and allied health professions;

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high performance sport;

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sports science and athletic support services;

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lifestyle management.

Every year, we also have students who continue into postgraduate studies in specific aspects of sport and exercise, as well as in other academic fields, both at Durham and other top universities in this country and beyond.

“I BELIEVE THE SPORT AND EXERCISE DEGREE PROGRAMMES AT DURHAM OFFER A GREAT STEPPING STONE TO A WIDE VARIETY OF UNLIMITED CAREERS CHOICES. NO MATTER WHAT CAREER YOU WISH TO PURSUE - WHETHER IT IS IN TEACHING, COACHING, THE SPORTS INDUSTRY, HEALTH SECTOR, OR COMPLETING A MASTERS - THE COURSES AT DURHAM WILL PROVIDE YOU WITH THE OPPORTUNITIES AND SKILLS TO ACHIEVE THIS.” JESS PTOHOPOULOS DURHAM SPORT AND EXERCISE GRADUATE

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WHAT ABOUT OTHER GRADUATE CAREER OPTIONS?

A degree in sport and exercise from Durham opens a vast array of exciting career options. The skills and qualities of our graduates enables a proportion of them every year to enter a variety of graduate careers within both the private and public sector including: banking and finance; public relations; advertising and marketing; HR and recruitment; business and management; and the police and armed forces.

“PICKING SPECIALIST MODULES BASED ON MY OWN INTERESTS AND CAREER FOCUS HELPED ME TAILOR MY DEGREE TO FURTHER THE PARTICULAR SKILLSET I NEEDED TO LAND MY JOB. THROUGH DYNAMIC, MODERN AND VOCATIONAL ASSESSMENT METHODS, I WAS ABLE TO SHOW MY EMPLOYERS THE RELEVANT SKILLS I HAD LEARNT AND NOT JUST AN EXAM SCORE.” EMILY CLARK DURHAM SPORT AND EXERCISE GRADUATE

DEVELOPING YOUR ‘EMPLOYABILITY’

Our Careers, Employability and Enterprise Centre will work with you closely throughout your degree.

They offer a range of one-to-one appointments and provide an up-to-date programme of skills workshops, career presentations and recruitment events aimed at developing your employability or providing you with the skills and expertise needed to help you start your own business. You can access individual CV-writing and careers guidance and there is a dedicated Careers Adviser who works with our sport and exercise students. The Careers Centre also advertises employment, internships, work experience and volunteering positions in the UK and further afield.

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APPLYING TO OUR PROGRAMMES

programme, Durham University offers a Foundation Programme which counts as Year 0 of your degree and provides a route onto our programmes.

Every application will be considered on its own merits.

Like most universities, we don’t conduct interviews, so it’s crucial that you clearly outline your academic and sporting interests, activities, skills and aspirations in your personal statement. If your application demonstrates that you are really committed to studying sport and exercise, and that you are getting the grades in your chosen qualifications – then we would very much like you to join our vibrant community!”

Applications to our degree programmes should be made through UCAS. Durham University does not make offers based on tariff scores. We consider applicants with a variety of UK and EU qualifications, and every year accept students with A Levels, BTECs and a range of other qualifications.

The standard entry requirements for our BSc and BA programmes (and also equivalencies with a number of other qualifications) can be accessed through: www.durham.ac.uk/undergraduate/study/apply/entry-reqs/ International students whose first language is not English will normally require an English Language qualification for direct entry. Pathways to studying on our degree programmes are also available through Durham’s International Study Centre: www.durhamisc.com We do also welcome applications from mature students and from candidates with non-standard qualifications.

Lack of formal qualifications need not be an obstacle to entry. For specific groups of students who may need further preparation to enter an undergraduate

“ARE YOU LOOKING TO FOLLOW YOUR SPORTING PASSION, WHILST GETTING THE VERY BEST DEGREE IN A FUN, ACTIVE AND FRIENDLY LEARNING ENVIRONMENT? LOOK NO FURTHER – DURHAM’S SPORT AND EXERCISE PROGRAMMES WILL EQUIP YOU WITH THE SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN SOCIETY, GET A GREAT JOB AND INSPIRE AN ACTIVE NATION!” BENJAMIN RIGBY DURHAM SPORT AND EXERCISE GRADUATE & WINNER OF OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT AWARD 2015

For further enquiries: Please visit our departmental website for further information: www.durham.ac.uk/sportandexercise For specific queries, please do not hesitate to get in touch via: Email sport.admissions@durham.ac.uk Phone +44 (0)191 334 6985

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