Book for Beds 2024 - Sport

SCHOOL OF SPORT SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

ABOUT THIS GUIDE

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WELCOME TO SPORT SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

I am delighted that you will be studying with us in September. Our campus has a rich heritage in physical training that dates back to 1903, something we are very proud of. Today, Bedford is a modern campus with state-of-the-art facilities and a vibrant academic and student community.

We have developed strong relationships with sporting organisations across the county and beyond that benefit all our students. I believe our placement opportunities with these partners are a key factor in our high graduate employment rates (see p.19).

Alongside this, our courses are accredited or endorsed by regulatory bodies including the British Association of Sport Rehabilitators and Trainers (BASRaT); the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES); the Association for Nutrition; and the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), ensuring you develop the highest professionals standards during your studies.

We know how important it is to give you the best possible start to academic life. That’s why we have created this guide which provides you with important information to prepare for your course and your first few weeks and months at university.

I look forward to meeting you during Welcome Week.

Lindsey Smith Head of School

WELCOME FROM YOUR COURSE COORDINATORS

We are a vibrant and diverse academic community with knowledgeable and experienced staff who are respected in their research and industry fields. We are looking forward to meeting you in September and getting to know you over the coming months.

We encourage you to get fully immersed in your new student life. You can do this through exciting work placements and our Exercise and Sports Injury Clinics where you can develop your employability skills preparing you for your journey beyond university.

During Welcome Week you will be introduced to your course, course team and fellow students. You will have a personal tutor who will support you throughout your studies. They have weekly office hours so you can book an appointment if you need to chat to them. We will all be with you every step of the way. If you have any questions before you arrive on campus, please get in touch with a member of the team.

HELLO FROM THE STUDENTS’ UNION (SU)

A big welcome to the University of Bedfordshire!

When you join the University you automatically become a member of our SU community for FREE!

We are here to help every student get the most out of their university experience. We offer advice, support and the opportunity for you to have your voice heard. We want to ensure that you have fun, try new things, deepen your passions for hobbies and interests and meet wonderful new friends.

Beds SU has offices in Luton and Bedford where you will also find venues and a whole host of weekly events for students.

There will be plenty of events for you to enjoy during Welcome Week – keep an eye on our website for more or follow us on social media. We can’t wait to meet you.

Chidera,

Amina, Ryan and Chidinma

Your current Beds SU Executive Team

Beds SU (Luton and Bedford)

bedssu.co.uk

help@bedssu.co.uk

ESSENTIAL CONTACTS – COURSE COORDINATORS

Clinical Exercise Therapy

Tarryn Mutch

tarryn.mutch@beds.ac.uk

Football Studies, Coaching or Business

Simon Robinson

simon.robinson@beds.ac.uk

David Pears

david.pears@beds.ac.uk

Sport and Exercise Science

Dr Jeff Aldous

jeffrey.aldous@beds.ac.uk

Sport and Physical Education

Dr Michelle Flemons

michelle.flemons@beds.ac.uk

Sports Coaching and Development

Dr Alex Stewart

alex.stewart@beds.ac.uk

Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation

Dr Cheryl Barford

cheryl.barford@beds.ac.uk

Strength and Conditioning

Dr Laura Charalambous

laura.charalambous@beds.ac.uk

WHAT TO EXPECT DURING

WELCOME WEEK

We believe your university experience helps to create a strong sense of community. That is why taking part in your Welcome Week programme is so important.

Not only will you have the opportunity to talk to your academics about the different aspects of studying and what to expect over the coming weeks, but it is also the ideal time to get to know your academic team and fellow students.

During Welcome Week, you will be invited to different sessions which cover a variety of topics and activities.

Settling into university life – address your hopes, fears and expectations.

Understanding your course structure – find out more about your learning experience, how we teach and how we assess your work.

Getting to know one another – take part in a social activity and make new friends.

Taking part in question time – put your questions to academics and current students.

Discovering your campus – find key locations and services including your lecture theatres, the Library, Student Support Services, the Students’ Union, where to eat and much more.

We will be in touch with you closer to the time to let you know about specific activities and where they will be held.

Our colleagues in the student support and learning resources teams will also host sessions for all new students. These are designed to help you become familiar with all the essential services you will use throughout your time with us.

Of course, Welcome Week wouldn’t be Welcome Week without the Freshers’ Fair, which is run by the University of Bedfordshire Students’ Union. They will host plenty of events and activities, so keep an eye on their website and follow them on social media to find out more (see page 5).

CHECKLIST YOUR

Remember to reply to your offers!

If you have received decisions from all the universities you applied to before 16 May, the UCAS deadline for replies is Thursday 6 June. Reply to your offers by signing into your UCAS application.

Registering for your course

Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to ensure you don’t miss it!

Everything you need for moving to university

If you’re moving home, here’s a handy checklist from UCAS to make sure you pack everything you need.

PREPARING

FOR YOUR

FIRST WEEK

We want you to have the best possible start during your first week. To help you prepare, here are some useful links:

SOMETHING TO WATCH

• Enjoy an amazing virtual tour of our campus.

ABOUT THE CAMPUS

Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.

• Bedford campus

SOMETHING TO GET EXCITED ABOUT

Once you enrol as a student, you will have access to a range of discounts nationally, locally and on campus.

• Get the latest student discounts with TOTUM, the National Union of Students discount card and app.

• Check out the latest offers from the University of Bedfordshire SU

• Find out if you are eligible for scholarships, bursaries and other discounts

SOMETHING TO DO

• In Bedfordshire

• Love Bedford

• Let Luton surprise you

WHAT YOU WILL STUDY IN

YOUR FIRST YEAR

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDYING YOUR SUBJECT

You are expected to attend classes, undertake preparatory reading when set and actively engage in lectures, seminars, workshops and other activities. You are also expected to get involved in our community of learning by taking part in extracurricular activities that are organised by the School.

We will support you throughout your learning experience to develop your academic skills and professional competencies to future-proof your academic ambitions and professional careers.

ACCESSING YOUR TIMETABLE

Your personal timetable will be available on the website once you have fully registered with the University as a student. You can also access your timetable via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17 for more on how to download our award-winning app).

Remember, it is important that you attend all timetabled classes and course inductions.

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Academic Calendar

Academic information

Guide to referencing

Student Information Desk (SiD)

Student Support

HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED

The course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:

• have an immediate relevance to practice

• draw on expertise by experience

• foster active learning and be learner-centred in approach.

A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks including workplace assessments that can have an immediate impact in practice. This helps put into practice what you are learning in university and can help increase your confidence.

RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS

These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:

Case studies

Essays

In-class tests

Poster presentations

Oral presentations

Reflective journals

Laboratory reports

Practical based exams.

Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.

UP TO DATE HOW YOU CAN KEEP

We use a virtual learning environment called BREO (Bedfordshire Resources for Education Online) which helps our students keep up to date with everything that’s happening.

Here you will find a range of online tools to support you during your studies, from information about your teaching team and links to live online sessions, to lecture slides and assessment information.

We advise all students to log in to BREO every day once you arrive on campus as it is regularly updated. You can only access BREO once you have registered with us as a student but you can read more about it on our website

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub

Visit the Library

Begin@Beds Start your student journey

Thrive@Beds My Beds Life

Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service Student Support

FREQUENTLY ASKED

QUESTIONS

Who do I contact if I struggle to attend classes or submit work?

We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit lead. For independent advice or for ongoing attendance issues you can contact studentengagement@beds.ac.uk. You can apply for an extension on your assignment by emailing mitigation@beds.ac.uk. You can find out more on our website

Who can help me with my assessments?

If you need support with your assignments you can contact our Study Hub which offers free professional support to help you develop a wide range of relevant and valuable academic skills. You can find out more on our website

What support is available for students with a learning difference or disability?

Our Disabilities team supports students with a range of disabilities including sensory and physical impairments, mental health difficulties, specific learning difficulties such as dyslexia, and medical conditions such as epilepsy, diabetes, sickle cell anaemia and arthritis. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. You can email disability@beds.ac.uk for further information and advice.

Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?

Yes, the Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk

All our students and staff can sign up for a free gym membership. This membership will also give you free Get Active sessions.

What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?

The University has a range of services offering specialist help. You can email mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or ongoing mental health support needs. To access our counselling services, email counselling@beds.ac.uk

Is there any support to help me manage my finances?

Our dedicated Student Money Advice team offers confidential financial advice, information and support. They can advise you on a range of funding options such as grants, loans, bursaries and scholarships, as well as guiding you on the best way to manage your finances. You can contact them by emailing studentmoney@beds.ac.uk

MyBedsLife

Our award-winning app MyBedsLife gives you access to everything the University has to offer. You can have a look around the app before you enrol on your course to get an idea of how it works. Once you’re a student, it will give you access to your emails, timetable, MyPrint balance, support services and much more. Plus you’ll get notifications to ensure you are always up to date.

SUPPORT STUDENT

Throughout your degree, you will have access to our Student Support teams, offering you practical and confidential advice and support.

Careers and Employability

Our Careers and Employability Service offers advice and support with everything from drafting the perfect CV and preparing for interviews to volunteering and graduate placements. You can access a range of online tools to help you in your career development and job search.

Community and faith

All students are welcome to join our exciting programme of activities or access our confidential, personal support – as well as a range of social activities and events. Visit us at the Tree House Centre at our Luton and Bedford campuses or find out more on the website

Student Voice

Help us to enhance your student experience by using your student voice to celebrate the positives, make suggestions for change and let us know when and where we can do things better. Find out how you can get involved

Cost of Living Hub

Our Cost of Living Hub brings together the latest information, support and guidance for students affected by the rising cost of living. You can access the Hub via the MyBedsLife app (see p.17) or our website

Support+

ESSENTIAL LINKS

Student Engagement

Mitigation

Mental Wellbeing

Disability Support

Student Money Advice

Student Support

We offer a wide range of support for students with varying needs and experiences including those with caring responsibilities; those facing homelessness; students who are estranged from their families; and much more. Find out how we can support you during your studies.

Support and Report

Respect, tolerance and inclusion are core values of our academic community. Support and Report is a confidential, centralised point of contact for all our students and staff to share concerns about offensive, threatening or anti-social behaviour, on or off campus. Find out more

THOUGHTS

Always remember, our team is here for you!

We know there’s a lot to take in when you start university. We’ll support you throughout, especially at the beginning. We are confident that you’ll love our friendly campus and everything the University of Bedfordshire has to offer.

We are ranked as a top 40 institution in the UK for Sport Science (Guardian, 2024).

We provide a dynamic hands-on learning experience with industry-standard facilities that include our Human Performance Centre; rehabilitation and clinical exercise clinics; sport and exercise science laboratories; and industry-leading strength and conditioning suite.

Our Sports Science courses rank 3 rd in the subject field for graduate/career prospects in the Complete University Guide 2024 and 8 th in the Times Good University Guide, 2024.

HERE’S WHY YOU WILL LOVE STUDYING SPORT SCIENCE AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AT BEDFORDSHIRE

All our teaching staff are industry-experienced, particularly in performance sport, rehabilitation and clinical exercise. Our Sports courses rank 1 st for student/staff ratio (Guardian, 2024).

You will have access to a free gym; Olympic weight room; sports arena; Alexander Sport Centre; sports massage rooms; multi-use games areas and other external sports pitches.

We have links and partnerships with local and national organisations, from the Premier League through to grassroots sport, providing you with opportunities to gain industry-related work experience.

In the 2023 National Student Survey, 100% of our Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation students agreed that the course developed knowledge and skills for the future.