Sport (Sports Performance) FdSc

2 years, starting in September 2021

Combine your practical experiences from your training and coaching environments with the academic study of the factors that influence high performance sport.

You’ll integrate the study of high performance sport with your own experience as an athlete, coach or practitioner. You'll develop skills and knowledge in athlete training, competition and contemporary sports performance issues. You’ll explore a wide range of sports performance subjects and examine how these disciplines are integrated across a diverse range of sporting contexts.

From the start of the course, you will explore fundamental sport and research topics. You’ll gain a wide range of study skills to prepare you for a variety of sport-related careers. It will appeal if you’re performing at a high standard in your chosen sport. The course attracts athletes and professional players (sometimes retired) who are considering academic study to support future career aspirations.

In your first and second years you'll gain an in-depth understanding of sports performance through exploring a broad set of academic disciplines such as physiology, psychology, sport coaching and development, whilst developing knowledge in areas such as training principles, sport career transitions, performance analysis, and strength and conditioning.

BSc (Hons) one year

On completion of the foundation degree at the required academic standard, you may progress to the one-year BSc (Hons) Sport (Sports Performance) (Work-based Learning) course.

You'll build on the expertise acquired from earlier study and develop the analytical and reflective skills valued by employers. You will be further challenged and inspired to think critically about sports performance and you will carry out a year-long project.

Taking part in our sports

We have various priority sports in which a Head Coach is employed. The University of Bath is home to many student athletes who show exceptional achievement and potential in both their academic and sporting endeavours. Acceptance of a place on this foundation degree does not guarantee you a place within our priority sports.

If you take part in a non-priority sport, then you may consider joining any of the existing Students’ Union sports clubs.

Professional practice

The course has been designed for those who wish to continue their education alongside sports training and performance. The Sports Performance cohort is a great mix of competitive and like-minded student athletes.

Use specialist facilities

You'll have access to facilities that support your learning, depending on your course these include:

biomechanics and physiology laboratories
field testing equipment
performance analysis cameras and software
equipment specific to your context

You’ll also be able to use our £35 million Sports Training Village based on campus. This provides you with access to the some of the best sport and exercise facilities in the UK, accommodating more than 50 sports. We regularly host major international competitions and provide a dedicated sports training space.

Study in an enriched learning environment

You’ll learn from academics with expertise across sport, exercise, health and leisure. Their international collaborations and research activities feed into undergraduate teaching and contribute to your learning experience.

Our researchers have specialisms in:

sport and exercise science
nutrition and metabolism
sport management, marketing and media
coaching and sport performance
sport policy and international development
health and physical activity
research methods

Prepare for your future

Graduates from our courses are in demand by a wide range of employers. This includes sport science support, public health, exercise medicine and rehabilitation, sports management, sports coaching and development.

Graduates from our sport, exercise and health courses have gone on to work for:

BUPA
Cambridge Medical Robotics
Coaches Voice
Hawk-Eye Innovations
MoveGB
Sports Surgery Clinic
Department of Health & Social Care
UK professional rugby union clubs
UK professional football clubs

Find out what our graduates go on to do

Course structure

This course lasts 2 years. It starts in September 2021 and ends in 2023. Welcome week starts on 27 September 2021.

Occasionally we make changes to our programmes in response to, for example, feedback from students, developments in research and the field of studies, and the requirements of accrediting bodies. You will be advised of any significant changes to the advertised programme, in accordance with our Terms and Conditions.

Units

At Bath, our courses are made up of units of study. Compulsory units cover core concepts that you'll need to understand as part of your degree programme. Some of our courses also offer the opportunity for you to study optional units. These allow you to specialise in particular areas of knowledge that interest you.

As an undergraduate, you will be expected to take 60 credits (ECTS) in each academic year. These are usually split into 30 credits for each semester you study. Sixty credits are the equivalent of 1200 notional hours of study; this includes contact time with staff and your own independent learning.

Compulsory course units

These compulsory units are currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new units.

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3 (BSc route)

If you complete the two-year foundation year to the required academic standard, you may be invited to study for a BSc (Hons) one year full time degree in Year 3.

You will undertake dissertation research (work based project) and topics covering research methods, managing the performance athlete and sports performance.

Optional course units

There are no optional units for the FdSc course in years 1 and 2. If you qualify for the BSc you'll be able to choose from a number of optional units in year 3. Here are some examples of the units currently being studied by our students.

Optional units for the one-year BSc degree include:

Learning and assessment

You’ll be taught and assessed by a variety of methods and it will vary between units. These methods are designed to promote in-depth learning and understanding of the subject.

Learning

Assessment

Assessment breakdown

The balance of the assessment by examinations and assessment by coursework may depend on the optional units you choose.  

A broad range of assessments methods will be used throughout the degree. As a guide, approximately  90% of assessment is by coursework over the duration of the course.  

You need to achieve a mark of 55% from the foundation degree to progress onto the BSc (Hons) one year course. This is determined by your first and second year marks, with each year contributing 50% to your overall mark. If you progress to the BSc (Hons) course, your final degree classification is based entirely on your marks achieved in that year only.

We can make reasonable adjustments to assessment procedures for students with disabilities, take a look at our Disability Service’s pages for information.  

Contact hours and workload

Overall workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning and assessment activities. The balance of these elements within your overall workload may vary depending on the units you choose.

Contact hours

Timetabled contact hours, which can be made up of lectures, seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes, vary throughout your course and between courses but are typically between 10 and 12 hours a week in your first year.

Independent learning

In addition to timetabled contact hours, you are expected to undertake independent learning and assessment activities. Typically, this might be around 10 to 12 hours per week in your first year, and include individual research, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, preparing coursework assignments, presentations, or revising for exams. After your first year, the emphasis on independent learning becomes greater, for example you may do a final year project in the final year.

Sporting commitments

Your sporting commitments, such as training, playing, recovery and analysis for example, will normally extend to 12 to 15 hours per week.

Studying the FdSc Sport (Sports Performance) course: our students' stories from University of Bath on Vimeo.

‘I'd never seen a facility like the Sports Training Village. Seeing the gyms, pitches, the running track, I knew this would be what I needed to excel my career.’

— Tom Doughty FdSc Sport (Sports Performance) (2019)

Entry requirements

Your application, especially your personal statement, should demonstrate your enthusiasm for studying sports performance.

As this course is intended for students who are performing at a very high standard in their chosen sport, and your performance in sport will form part of the selection decision. Your application should include details of your current sporting level in your chosen sport(s).

We are aware that the context in which you are studying can have an impact on your ability to perform your best in exams and coursework, or limit which subjects or qualifications you are able to study at your school or college. We take this into careful consideration through our contextual admissions process.

Origin of qualifications

Select the country where your qualification comes from.

British qualifications

A level Typical offer

CCC

CCC in three A levels.

If you are taking a GCE A level in a science subject, you will need to pass any separate science practical endorsement.

International Baccalaureate Typical offer

28 points

International Baccalaureate Diploma

28 points overall.

International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme

We consider applicants studying the IBCP on a case-by-case basis based on the individual components studied. For this course you will typically need to study a combination of IB Higher Level courses and appropriate vocational study equivalent to three A levels. This vocational study can be any qualification we accept, such as a BTEC National Diploma (RQF) or two BTEC National Extended Certificates (RQF). If you are studying a BTEC National Diploma or a BTEC National Extended Diploma (RQF) we may be able to consider you on the basis of that alone - please see our Pearson Edexcel BTEC requirements.

Our typical offer will including individual grades in the relevant components - please contact admissions@bath.ac.uk for further advice before you apply.

Pearson Edexcel BTEC RQF Typical offer

MMM or DD

MMM in the BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (RQF).

We may also be able to consider you if you study a BTEC Level 3 National Diploma, in which case our typical offer is:

DD in the BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (RQF).

See the ‘Combinations of qualifications’ section for information about combinations of A level and BTEC qualifications that we can consider.

Pearson Edexcel BTEC QCF Typical offer

MMM or DD

MMM in the BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (QCF).

We may also be able to consider you if you study a BTEC Level 3 Diploma, in which case our typical offer is:

DD in the BTEC Level 3 Diploma (QCF).

See the ‘Combinations of qualifications’ section for information about combinations of A level and BTEC qualifications that we can consider.

OCR Cambridge Technical Typical offer

MMM or DD

MMM in the Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma.

We may also be able to consider you if you study a Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma, in which case our typical offer is:

DD in the Cambridge Technical Level 3 Diploma.

See the ‘Combinations of qualifications’ section for information about combinations of A level and BTEC qualifications that we can consider.

Cambridge Pre-U Typical offer

M3, M3, M3

M3, M3, M3 in three principal subjects.

Access to HE Diploma Typical offer

21 credits at Merit

A pass the Access to HE Diploma, with at least 21 credits awarded at Merit or Distinction.

Open University credits Typical offer

Pass units worth 90 credits including a minimum of a Pass 3 (55%) in a relevant unit.

Typically, we would be looking for you to have studied units worth at least 90 credits. This information is a guide and we consider students applying with Open University Credits on a case-by-case basis. We will consider your application carefully and take note of any previous qualifications or relevant work experience. We may be able to consider alternative units to those listed. Please contact us to discuss your profile.

Taking OU credits may be counted as degree-level study by the Student Loans Company and therefore may be counted as previous study and have an impact on your ability to access student loans for the entirety of your chosen degree. We recommend that you discuss this in detail with the SLC before following this progression route to the University of Bath.

Combinations of qualifications Typical offer

Your application will be considered individually based on the particular combination of qualifications and subjects that you are taking.

We can consider combinations of accepted qualifications, such as A levels and a BTEC:

CC in two A levels plus M in the BTEC National Extended Certificate (RQF) or Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate (RQF)
C in one A level subject plus MM in the BTEC National Diploma (RQF)
CC in two A levels plus M3 in a Pre-U principal subject
CCC in two A levels (excluding Accounting) and the LIBF Level 3 Diploma in Financial Studies (DipFS)

We can also consider combinations that are not listed and that do not include A levels. You should read the information about essential and preferred subjects and subject combinations. We cannot consider different qualifications if they are in the same subject area.

GCSE requirements

GCSE Mathematics grade 4 or C
GCSE English Language or Literature grade 4 or C (or equivalent from English language category C)

You do not need the required grade in Mathematics if you study a higher level qualification in Mathematics or Statistics (such as an A level, AS level or a Core Mathematics qualification).

English language requirements

Category C

You will normally need one of the following:

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 176 with no less than 169 in all elements
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

French qualifications

French Baccalaureate

A score of 12 overall.

Our requirements for the French Baccalaureate are the same for students studying the International Option Baccalaureate (OIB) for this course.

A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma

We accept these qualifications whether you have studied them in the UK or abroad. Our entry requirements are listed under the 'United Kingdom' section.

European Baccalaureate

We accept the European Baccalaureate and our entry requirements are listed under the 'European Baccalaureate' section.

English language requirements

Category C

You will normally need one of the following:

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 176 with no less than 169 in all elements
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

Irish qualifications

Irish Leaving Certificate

H3, H3, H4, H4, H4, H4 in six Irish Leaving Certificates.

A levels or the International Baccalaureate Diploma

We accept these qualifications whether you have studied them in the UK or abroad. Our entry requirements are listed under the 'United Kingdom' section.

European Baccalaureate

We accept the European Baccalaureate and our entry requirements are listed under the 'European Baccalaureate' section.

English language requirements

Category C

You will normally need one of the following:

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 176 with no less than 169 in all elements
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

European qualifications

European Baccalaureate

70% overall with 7.5 in one subject.

English language requirements

Category C

You will normally need one of the following:

IELTS: 6.5 overall with no less than 6.0 in all components
The Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic): 62 with no less than 59 in any element
Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE): 176 with no less than 169 in all elements
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): 180 with no less than 169 in all elements
TOEFL IBT: 90 overall with a minimum 21 in all 4 components

If you studied for UK qualifications in English Language or English Literature, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

If you studied for English language qualifications from another country, make sure you have the required grades for this course.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding information for Sport (Sports Performance) FdSc

Fees

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on whether you are a Home, EU, Island or Overseas student.

Learn how we decide fee status

Tuition fees

Fee information is not yet available for this course. Tuition fees are liable to increase annually for all University of Bath students.

Find out more about student fees

Extra costs

The following course-related costs are not included in your fees:

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check

£50. You may be required to pay for a DBS check depending on any week long work placements you undertake.

How to pay

Tuition fee loans

If you are studying an undergraduate course, you may be able to take out a loan for your tuition fees and living costs.

Scholarships and bursaries

You could be considered for a bursary or scholarship to help you study at Bath. This is in addition to your student loan and you do not have to pay it back.

Read more about bursaries and scholarships

Other payment options

You can pay your tuition fees by Direct Debit, debit card, credit card, cheque, bank transfer or cash. You may also be eligible for a student loan to help you pay your fees.

Budgeting

You will need to budget at least £100 for the cost of photocopying, printing and binding. You will also need to budget for the cost of textbooks.

Some courses involve visits away from campus and you may be required to pay some or all of the costs of travel, accommodation and food and drink.

If you’re on a placement, you’re responsible for your own travel, accommodation and living costs. You should also consider the financial implications if you go on an unpaid or overseas placement.

Application information

Course title

Sport (Sports Performance)
Final award

FdSc
Mode of study

Full-time
Course code

C601
Institution code

B16
Department

Department for Health
Location

University of Bath
Claverton Down, Bath BA2 7AY
UK/EU application deadline

15 January 2021
Overseas deadline

15 January 2021
Application eligibility

UK and Overseas students are eligible to apply
Regulator

The Office for Students (OfS)

Selection process

We will usually assess you based on your UCAS application, including details of your sporting performance. You may be invited to attend a trial for your chosen sport as part of your application.

Very exceptionally we may invite you to an interview if you have circumstances we cannot assess from an application alone.

Our interview page gives more information on what you should expect from an interview.

Immigration requirements

If you need a Tier 4 Student visa to study in the UK, you will not be able to join this course.

If you are an EU or EEA national (except if you are an Irish national) and you do not currently live in the UK, please contact us at admissions@bath.ac.uk for advice on how Brexit may affect your ability to study this course before you apply.

Course enquiries

Undergraduate Selection

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