It’s not so long ago that if you wanted to include sport with a degree programme you had to take a Physical Education course leading to a teaching qualification. Now there are a vast array of courses offered at most universities, which offered opportunity to study sport in its own right.
These courses are very popular and the prospective student should look carefully at what each has to offer. In general they will cover a range of subjects from the very ‘science’ based to the more ‘liberal science’ or ‘arts’ based. However, you should expect to study across a range of different subjects with the opportunity to specialise in your chosen area as you progress through the course. The entry qualifications reflect the popularity of the subject and some courses require specific entry subjects.
Why is studying sport so popular? Most students will answer by saying that they want to get a degree studying a subject they have a natural interest in. As an admissions tutor I would agree with this but also add that students gain a wide variety of transferable skills (written and verbal communication, original investigation, experience in IT skills and analytical skills) across a number of human focussed subjects. This makes them very versatile in the employment market and able to take up a wide variety of career opportunities. Many students aspire to working in sport of one kind or another and the majority do find employment in this area. However, their background and skills make them also suitable to a wide variety of business management administration and finance areas of employment.
What Sport Science offers is an opportunity to develop your intellectual and academic skills by studying the phenomenon of sport. This is so wide that it can give an opportunity for everyone. When choosing their university prospective students should look carefully at the uniqueness and opportunities that exist on each course. Sports science is practical areas so look at the facilities available for laboratory work (not just the sport facilities which don’t give a clue to the quality of the education on offer). Ask how well equipped the laboratories are for class work and also for conducting original research projects. Most courses require students to do an original project in their final year and this is one of the most exciting opportunities available to student. Ask about the research work the department conducts and their track record in research. If the department has a research rating of 5 then you can be sure that you will be with staff at the leading edge of research and some of that will rub off on you!
Ask also about what opportunities exist for continuing your study at Masters level or in research within a PhD programme. Students who get switched onto Sports Science often want to continue a higher level of study. Availability of a Masters programme is a sure sign of a good educational experience awaiting you.
Why is studying sport so popular? Most students will answer by saying that they want to get a degree studying a subject they have a natural interest in. As an admissions tutor I would agree with this but also add that students gain a wide variety of transferable skills (written and verbal communication, original investigation, experience in IT skills and analytical skills) across a number of human focussed subjects. This makes them very versatile in the employment market and able to take up a wide variety of career opportunities. Many students aspire to working in sport of one kind or another and the majority do find employment in this area. However, their background and skills make them also suitable to a wide variety of business management administration and finance areas of employment.
What Sport Science offers is an opportunity to develop your intellectual and academic skills by studying the phenomenon of sport. This is so wide that it can give an opportunity for everyone. When choosing their university prospective students should look carefully at the uniqueness and opportunities that exist on each course. Sports science is practical areas so look at the facilities available for laboratory work (not just the sport facilities which don’t give a clue to the quality of the education on offer). Ask how well equipped the laboratories are for class work and also for conducting original research projects. Most courses require students to do an original project in their final year and this is one of the most exciting opportunities available to student. Ask about the research work the department conducts and their track record in research. If the department has a research rating of 5 then you can be sure that you will be with staff at the leading edge of research and some of that will rub off on you!
Ask also about what opportunities exist for continuing your study at Masters level or in research within a PhD programme. Students who get switched onto Sports Science often want to continue a higher level of study. Availability of a Masters programme is a sure sign of a good educational experience awaiting you.
