Kim came to Bath with two clear goals in mind — to pursue a top-tier sports degree and to continue competing in her sport, the long jump.

After graduating with a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science, she is now a Physiologist at the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) after building a fulfilling career in elite sport.

She credits her time in Bath as the springboard that got her there.

From the Isle of Wight to elite sport

I’m originally from the Isle of Wight, and sport has always been a huge part of my life. Growing up, I was constantly active and competed in athletics from a young age.

It was clear to me early on that I wanted to go to university somewhere I could continue to train seriously while following an academic path that complemented my sporting interests.

Sports science felt like the right fit. From the age of 13, through my own athletics experience, I had met sports science practitioners and talked to them about recovery strategies, nutrition plans, and physiological testing. I thought it seemed like the perfect job — and something I wanted to do!

When I researched the best places to study, Bath quickly rose to the top of my list. The city, the campus setup, and the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through a professional placement all made it stand out.

From the long jump to a lab coat

Most of my long jump training took place in the late afternoons or evenings, which fit well around lectures and study sessions.

I was used to juggling academics and sport through GCSEs and A-levels, so university felt like a natural extension. In fact, because university timetables are often less rigid than school hours, I had more flexibility to manage my time effectively.

I appreciated the structure of the course. It began with foundational units, which were essential, and I became especially interested once we moved into areas like applied sport psychology, biomechanics, and physiology of performance.

My placement ended up being a real turning point. I worked in the Team Bath labs under Jonathan Robinson and that experience cemented my interest in physiology as something I wanted to pursue professionally.

The convenience of training while gaining lab experience was unbeatable. As someone training six days a week, I needed that balance and flexibility.

Settling in and finding my community

Settling into university life was a lot easier than I had expected. Saying goodbye to my parents on the first day was emotional, of course, but I quickly found my feet.

I lived on campus in my first year, and the group I lived with became my main friends. Some were even on my course, which made those first lectures less daunting.

Being part of the athletics team gave me an immediate sense of community. I trained almost every day, which gave me structure, purpose, and a tight-knit group of friends.

In my final year, I became social secretary for the Athletics Club. It gave me the chance to help foster that same sense of belonging for others. We were a close group and had a lot of success at BUCS (British University and College Sports), both indoors and outdoors. I competed in the long jump and even made the relay team a few times — I loved the team spirit it created.

Beyond campus, I enjoyed sunny afternoons by the Royal Crescent and barbecues in the city’s green spaces. When friends or family came to visit, there was never a shortage of beautiful places to show them around.

Circling back to Bath

After graduating, I completed a master’s degree and landed my first role with the SportScotland Institute of Sport in Stirling as a physiologist.

I spent a couple of years there before being talent-spotted for the British Skeleton programme, which brought me back to Bath as a funded athlete. I competed in skeleton for five years as part of the World Class Programme (WCP).

After coaching with Scottish Rowing, I secured a new role back in Bath. I now work with the Modern Pentathlon team as part of the UK Sports Institute (UKSI) — a full-circle moment, returning to the city and the environment where it all began.

I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend the Sport and Exercise Science undergraduate course at Bath. The combination of strong academic grounding, practical experience, and a supportive community really set me up for success.

The highlights of Bath went beyond medals and academic achievements — the people, experiences, and the balance I was able to strike between sport, study, and life were all part of a journey I’ll always be grateful for.