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Sport Science & Physical Activity
153 Sport Science & Physical Activity
Accelerate your career with an industry-relevant postgraduate course, taught by world-leading academics. Our cutting-edge equipment and facilities are designed to give you an exciting, hands-on learning experience.
Careers
Our courses are delivered with employability in mind. Careerfocused teaching methods prepare you for the world of work, and there are ample opportunities to undertake work experience placements and to get involved in research projects, providing practical experience in the industry. You also have the chance to gain recognised professional qualifications as well as coaching, umpireship and leadership qualifications.
Q&A
Dr Martyn Morris
Head of Sport Science & Physical Activity
What makes these courses different to those at other universities?
The courses are led by a dynamic team keen to embed innovative ways of teaching and up-to-date research into their units. You are challenged to examine your knowledge and understanding from different perspectives using lectures, labs, workshops and practicals combined with online learning opportunities.
Did you know?
At Bedfordshire our facilities include a high-spec teaching and research lab, a national-standard sport arena and a fully equipped, up-to-the-minute fitness suite. If you're unlucky enough to receive an injury, there's also a Sports Therapy Clinic on site.
Courses
Clinical Exercise Physiology MSc 154 Physical Activity, Nutrition & Behaviour Change MSc 155 Physical Education & Sport (Pedagogy) MA 156 Sport & Physical Activity (Executive Leadership) MA 157 Sport & Physical Activity (Leadership & Management) MA 157 Strength & Conditioning MSc 158 Research Degrees in the Institute of Sport & Physical Activity Research (ISPAR) MA/MSc/MPhil/PhD 159
Have You Also Considered...?
Health Psychology MSc Secondary Physical Education PGCE 137 88
For more information on any of the courses visit: beds.ac.uk/pg-study For up-to-date information on part-time study options see: beds.ac.uk/part-time
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Bedford campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
This multi-disciplinary course involves the detailed study of the physiological consequences of chronic debilitating diseases, giving you a solid grounding in the theory and application of physiological tests including: graded cardiopulmonary exercise testing; vascular ultrasound; and muscle function analyses. Throughout the course you will actively participate in practical sessions designed to increase your skills, with supervised practice sessions working alongside University sports teams and the Community Exercise Clinic.
Key features
• World-leading staff expertise and research combined with a multi-disciplinary approach to teaching • Practise your skills on work placement, shadowing experienced staff
Career opportunities
Graduates can work in technical roles within the NHS or as exercise physiologists in the NHS, private healthcare or insurance companies among other roles in the health and fitness industry. Further opportunities also include health promotion and development with local authorities and working as a researcher within the NHS.
Areas of study may include:
• Cardiopulmonary exercise testing and interpretation • Exercise and nutrition prescription • Exercise testing and diagnosis • Laboratory skills
To find out more contact: Dr Jo Richards t: +44 (0)1234 793385 e: jo.richards@beds.ac.uk
MSc
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Bedford campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
In addition to developing a firm understanding of the links between physical activity, nutrition and health, this course offers invaluable opportunities to further career prospects during placement and research project units. This includes the development of practical skills and links with NHS organisations, researchers and clinicians in high-interest areas such as obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus and cancer. With relevant experience, we will also support you in registering as an Associate Nutritionist or converting to full registration as a Nutritionist/Public Health Nutritionist.
Key features
• In a supportive and innovative environment, develop your skills and knowledge of how to prevent and treat health conditions relevant to today's society • Apply theory to practice via laboratory-based assessments, professional skills development and work placements that allow you to explore future career opportunities
Career opportunities
There are a multitude of career options in the health sector (NHS and private) and health and fitness industry including: public health management; commissioning; health improvement specialist posts (particularly with a physical activity and/or nutrition focus); exercise referral specialists; nutrition industry; and consultancyrelated activities.
Areas of study may include:
• Behavioural science and public health • Exercise and nutrition prescription • Exercise testing and diagnosis • Metabolic health • Research and laboratory skills
To find out more contact: Dr Julia Fruer t: +44 (0)1234 793410 e: julia.fruer@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Bedford campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution. A DBS check is required.
This intellectually demanding professional development course is designed to support you in becoming a more reflective physical education teacher or sports coach. It uses intensive, compressed teaching time combined with flexible off-site guided learning to fit around your work in a school or youth sport setting. It is research-led and research-informed, taught by world-leading academics, grounding the theoretical study of physical education and sport pedagogy in your practical workplace experience. You will research and critique contemporary issues in education and sport environments, promote youth voice concerning their physical education experiences, develop your own evidence-informed practice and influence that of others.
Key features
• Develop a high level of understanding of physical education pedagogy, practice and policy, providing you with a basis for life-long learning and successful career development • Explore opportunities to contribute in an enterprising and creative way to the field of physical education and sport pedagogy
Career opportunities
This course is suitable for current or prospective physical education teachers, youth/community/performance sports coaches, people wanting to progress to a career in education leadership, physical education, teacher education or coach education.
Areas of study may include:
• Critical issues in sport and physical activity • Contemporary sports policy • Innovative and effective pedagogies • Models-based practice
To find out more contact: Dr Joanne Hill t: +44(0)1234 793183 e: joanne.hill@beds.ac.uk
MA
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Bedford campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
Governments are increasingly calling on sport and physical activity to contribute to wider social outcomes such as improving physical health, supporting mental wellbeing and creating vibrant communities. Delivering on this agenda requires innovation and creativity. Taking a reflective, analytical and research-based approach, this course will enhance your knowledge and skills, and inspire you to think differently about how organisations in sport and physical activity respond to the challenges set and how they can best deliver pioneering solutions. In doing so, the course supports you in developing your executive leadership skills and will offer the professional and personal development required for you to take the next step and become an industry leader.
Key features
• Benefit from our links with Sport England, governing bodies, active partnerships, employers and European partners to further develop your personal and professional network • Learn from a team with a wide range of expertise and experience in specific subject areas such as sport, leisure and physical activity
Career opportunities
The primary focus is to provide you with the opportunity to develop a career in the sport and physical activity sector. However, the managerial and applied focus of the programme provides numerous transferable skills that can be related to a variety of service industries.
Areas of study may include:
• Behavioural science and public health • Contemporary sports policy • Critical issues in sport and physical activity • Leadership principles and practice
To find out more contact: Stuart Wilson t: +44 (0)1234 793182 e: stuart.wilson@beds.ac.uk
Sport & Physical Activity (Leadership & Management) MA
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Bedford campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time; part-time day) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
Sport and physical activity is fun, good for us and can change lives. Taking part in it can improve physical health, support mental wellbeing and create vibrant communities. The sport and physical activity industry has an innovative and dynamic workforce, and this course will support you in developing the knowledge and skills required to gain entry to the sector. Taking a practical, researchbased approach, the course will give you the opportunity to review and analyse examples of best practice, develop sustainable sport participation programmes, and undertake research into a sport and physical activity topic area of your choice.
Key features
• Apply your knowledge by developing and implementing creative and innovative ideas to engage people in sport and physical activity participation • Gain experience of working with employers so you can investigate and analyse real industry problems while developing the ability to create solutions
Career opportunities
The primary focus is to provide you with the opportunity to develop a career in the sport and physical activity sector. However, the managerial and applied focus of the programme provides numerous transferable skills that can be related to a variety of service industries.
Areas of study may include:
• Contemporary sports policy • Critical issues in sport and physical activity • International development of sport • Sport and physical activity placement
To find out more contact: Stuart Wilson t: +44 (0)1234 793182 e: stuart.wilson@beds.ac.uk
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October Bedford campus 1 year full-time (options available: part-time) UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:2 Honours degree in a related subject from a recognised higher education institution.
If you wish to work with sports performers as a strength and conditioner, or applied sports scientist, this innovative course is for you. It is designed to meet the needs of students interested in the optimisation of fitness capacities required for high level performance in sport. It will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to pursue professional accreditation with a number of bodies including the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA).
Key features
• Enhanced employability with practical application of theory, allowing you opportunities to gain professional accreditation in your chosen field • Explore a range of disciplines and their contribution to helping athletes increase their performance
Career opportunities
Increased investment in sport has opened up new opportunities for careers in strength and conditioning and sport science support, not only at the elite level of sport, but also at grassroots/school sport.
Areas of study may include:
• Assessment of physical capacities • Exercise and nutrition for clinical populations • Principles of strength and conditioning • Sport science support • Work experience
To find out more contact: Dr Laura Charalambous t: + 44 (0)1234 793216 e: laura.charalambous@beds.ac.uk
Jourdian Benstead-Banthorpe
Strength & Conditioning MSc “The lab technicians who work at the University are brilliant, and so are the lecturers. They reply to emails quickly and will always try to connect you with their industry contacts if you want opportunities outside of your course.”
Research Degrees in the Institute of Sports & Physical Activity Research (ISPAR)
MA/MSc/MPhil/PhD
Key facts
Apply direct to the University
October, March Bedford campus Variable UK/EU/International students Applicants should have a 2:1 Honours degree or a Master’s degree or equivalent in a relevant subject area. You will also need to demonstrate high levels of potential and motivation for research.
The research degrees are designed to develop a strong theoretical foundation and practical understanding in the exercise sciences. Practical experiences include laboratory skill development in preparation for engaging in the scientific process, including several extended research projects submitted as a thesis. Emphasis is placed on assisting students to extend their research efforts into conference presentations and manuscript preparation for peer review. For examples of current students visit: www.beds.ac.uk/ispar/research-students
Key features
• Broaden your learning experience with access to units from the suite of taught Master’s in areas of sport performance, strength and conditioning, clinical exercise physiology, physical activity, nutrition and behaviour change, leadership and management, and physical education and pedagogy
Career opportunities
The benefits of a research degree include: entry-level exercise science positions (ranging from jobs in an academic environment, clinical/health settings to coaching opportunities); increased marketability for funded PhD positions; opportunities in industry (research and development) and other areas within the public and private health sectors; and possibilities in the fitness and nutrition industry.
The University welcomes research degree applications in the following areas:
• Behavioural science and behaviour change • Biomechanics • Exercise as behavioural medicine • Health psychology/sport and exercise psychology • Physical activity, nutrition and health • Physical education and sport pedagogy • Sport and exercise physiology
