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Take your first step towards your career in Sport.

The Sport Foundation Year will provide you with all the skills and knowledge you’ll need to take the next step into a Sport degree at Northumbria University.

It’s a brilliant opportunity for students who are unsure of what their career in sport will look like. Students will learn about the different facets of sport, helping them to realise their ultimate career goal and choose the next step that’s right for them. Our graduates work for top organisations like Man Utd. F.C. and Nike Ireland, and we’re also the only University offering this course in North East England.

The foundation year will:

  • Provide students with academic skills required for higher level study;
  • Foster a basic understanding and knowledge of key principles and professions within sports disciplines.
  • Boost confidence in University study and life on campus.

Upon successful completion of the Sport Foundation Year, you will be able to automatically progress onto:

Northumbria is ranked 13th in the UK for Sport Sciences (Times Good University Guide, Subject League Table 2023).

Take your first step towards your career in Sport.

The Sport Foundation Year will provide you with all the skills and knowledge you’ll need to take the next step into a Sport degree at Northumbria University.

It’s a brilliant opportunity for students who are unsure of what their career in sport will look like. Students will learn about the different facets of sport, helping them to realise their ultimate career goal and choose the next step that’s right for them. Our graduates work for top organisations like Man Utd. F.C. and Nike Ireland, and we’re also the only University offering this course in North East England.

The foundation year will:

  • Provide students with academic skills required for higher level study;
  • Foster a basic understanding and knowledge of key principles and professions within sports disciplines.
  • Boost confidence in University study and life on campus.

Upon successful completion of the Sport Foundation Year, you will be able to automatically progress onto:

Northumbria is ranked 13th in the UK for Sport Sciences (Times Good University Guide, Subject League Table 2023).

Course Information

UCAS Code
C6N5

Level of Study
Undergraduate

Mode of Study
1 year full-time followed by a further 3 years full-time study or 4 years with a placement (sandwich)/study abroad

Department
Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Location
City Campus, Northumbria University

City
Newcastle

Start
September 2023 or September 2024

Fee Information

Module Information

Department / Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

Northumbria has been delivering programmes in sport, exercise and rehabilitation for over 30 years and is one of the top 10 sport Universities in the UK.

Sports research Northumbria

Research

Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation

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Business

Collaborate with our Department

Sport Management student Harvey Burn describes how gaining employment as an intern within Northumbria's sport department has helped him gain more employability skills that he can then use in the future.

First person tour through the Sport Facilities at Northumbria

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There are many different reasons to choose to study at Northumbria but we got Alice, Reza and Jasmine to narrow it down to just three reasons each on why they wanted to come study here.

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Book an Open Day / Experience Sport Foundation Year

Visit an Open Day to get an insight into what it's like to study our Sport Foundation Year. Speak to staff and students from the course and get a tour of the facilities.

Entry Requirements Entry Requirements Modules Overview Fees, Funding  and Scholarships Apply Now

Entry Requirements 2023/24

Standard Entry

80 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Entry Requirements 2024/25

Standard Entry

80 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-level, T Level, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas, or the International Baccalaureate.

Find out how many points your qualifications are worth by using the UCAS Tariff calculator: www.ucas.com/ucas/tariff-calculator

Subject Requirements:

There are no specific subject requirements for this course.

GCSE Requirements:

Applicants will need Maths and English Language at minimum grade 4/C, or an equivalent.

Additional Requirements:

There are no additional requirements for this course.

International Qualifications:

We welcome applicants with a range of qualifications which may not match those shown above.

If you have qualifications from outside the UK, find out what you need by visiting www.northumbria.ac.uk/yourcountry

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0 with 5.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent*).

*The university accepts a large number of UK and International Qualifications in place of IELTS. You can find details of acceptable tests and the required grades in our English Language section: www.northumbria.ac.uk/englishqualifications

Fees and Funding 2023/24 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1: £9,250

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.


EU Fee in Year 1: £17,500

International Fee in Year 1: £17,500


Please see the main Funding Pages for 23/24 scholarship information.



ADDITIONAL COSTS

There are no Additional Costs

Fees and Funding 2024/25 Entry

UK Fee in Year 1*: £9,250

* The maximum tuition fee that we are permitted to charge for UK students is set by government. Tuition fees may increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, these are subject to government regulations and in line with inflation.



EU Fee in Year 1: **TBC


International Fee in Year 1: TBC


Scholarships for 24/25 are currently being announced.  Please keep checking the main Funding Pages which will be updated throughout the cycle.

 


ADDITIONAL COSTS

TBC

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

Modules Overview 2023/24

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Foundation year

Foundation year

SP3008 -

Essential Skills for Studying Sport (Core,20 Credits)

This module will aim to introduce you to the importance of personal and academic development skills that are essential for your programme of study. The skills developed in this module will help you to succeed in all modules on the programme. Topics such as searching for and understanding literature, learning how to be an independent student, essay writing, referencing, and presentation skills will be covered.
For the assessment, you will complete a workbook. The workbook will be aligned to seminar and lecture activities. You will complete tasks linked to study skills that will facilitate your personal and academic development. You will be expected to draw upon current theory and consider the impact of this issue within a sport context.

More information

SP3009 -

Sport Foundation Year Project (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed to build on the academic skills you developed in the Essential Skills for Studying Sport module. In particular, this module provides you with the opportunity to further enhance your writing, logical thinking and research skills. You will use this module to identify and explore key areas linked to sport and your future undergraduate sport programme of study using an evidence-based learning approach. This module will be centred on real-world examples, where you will examine an existing sport related project/case study. The project will be examined from a multi-disciplinary perspective (i.e., aligned to sports coaching, sport science and sport management,) allowing you to understand the complex and integrated nature of sport.

More information

SP3010 -

Innovations in Sport (Core,20 Credits)

The quest for the elusive edge, global reach and market competitiveness is increasingly driving innovations in the sporting industry. The Innovations in Sport module enables you to explore the development and role of innovations in transforming contemporary sports and the sporting industry. You will cover a number of innovations across this module aligned to sports coaching, sport science, sport management, sport nutrition, sport development and many more. In doing so, you will also consider some of the contemporary issues and ethical dilemmas related to the use of various innovations in sport and their implications for different stakeholders (e.g., athletes, coaches, referees, sport scientists, etc). This interdisciplinary approach allows the module to have global reach and engages you in thinking around the ethical implications of adopting and using various innovations within their professional context.

More information

SP3011 -

Volunteering in Sport (Core,20 Credits)

In the sport industry the recruitment, management and retention of volunteers is a key human resource management concern for sport events, clubs and increasingly, facilities. Research points to the importance of satisfying volunteers. Whilst there is a considerable societal and economic value to sport volunteering activity, there can be personal benefits to the volunteer. There is an increasing interest in ensuring that volunteers have an enjoyable and meaningful experience, that the volunteering population grows and that people from more diverse backgrounds are encouraged into sport volunteering.

This module is therefore designed for you to explore the theoretical and applied aspects of volunteering in sport. You will be provided with the knowledge and understanding of how sport volunteering is conceptualised in the United Kingdom. This will include the meaning and understanding of sport volunteering, who volunteers and why, the patterns of volunteering and changes over time in the U.K. You will also be provided with some contrasting perspective with how sport volunteering operates in other countries. The module will focus on the concept of the volunteer, volunteer work and the volunteer experience in sport. However, we will briefly touch on the recruitment and management of volunteers and the legacy and impact of particular types of sport volunteering i.e., for events.

More information

SP3012 -

Sport, Exercise and Performance (Core,20 Credits)

Sport and exercise scientists use their wide-ranging knowledge and expertise to support individuals participating in sport and exercise settings. ‘Sport, Exercise and Performance’ will give you an insight into the real-world application of sport and exercise science. You will learn about the core disciplines of physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and psychology, and how sport and exercise scientists use the combination of these approaches in their work. On this module, you will gain theoretical knowledge as well as developing your practical laboratory skills in Northumbria’s state of the art, BASES accredited laboratories, an exciting and stimulating place to learn.

More information

SP3013 -

Contemporary Issues in Sport (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed for you to explore contemporary and relevant issues that exist in today’s sporting domains. You will be taught about pertinent issues using a multi-disciplinary, case study approach. Therefore, each issue will be examined from various discipline perspectives (i.e., from a sport coaching, sport management, and/or a sport science perspective) allowing you to understand the complex nature of sport and consider issues using multiple lenses. This module will also develop your awareness and understanding of how sport continually develops and evolves over time.

More information

Modules Overview 2024/25

Modules

Module information is indicative and is reviewed annually therefore may be subject to change. Applicants will be informed if there are any changes.

Foundation year

Foundation year

SP3008 -

Essential Skills for Studying Sport (Core,20 Credits)

This module will aim to introduce you to the importance of personal and academic development skills that are essential for your programme of study. The skills developed in this module will help you to succeed in all modules on the programme. Topics such as searching for and understanding literature, learning how to be an independent student, essay writing, referencing, and presentation skills will be covered.
For the assessment, you will complete a workbook. The workbook will be aligned to seminar and lecture activities. You will complete tasks linked to study skills that will facilitate your personal and academic development. You will be expected to draw upon current theory and consider the impact of this issue within a sport context.

More information

SP3009 -

Sport Foundation Year Project (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed to build on the academic skills you developed in the Essential Skills for Studying Sport module. In particular, this module provides you with the opportunity to further enhance your writing, logical thinking and research skills. You will use this module to identify and explore key areas linked to sport and your future undergraduate sport programme of study using an evidence-based learning approach. This module will be centred on real-world examples, where you will examine an existing sport related project/case study. The project will be examined from a multi-disciplinary perspective (i.e., aligned to sports coaching, sport science and sport management,) allowing you to understand the complex and integrated nature of sport.

More information

SP3010 -

Innovations in Sport (Core,20 Credits)

The quest for the elusive edge, global reach and market competitiveness is increasingly driving innovations in the sporting industry. The Innovations in Sport module enables you to explore the development and role of innovations in transforming contemporary sports and the sporting industry. You will cover a number of innovations across this module aligned to sports coaching, sport science, sport management, sport nutrition, sport development and many more. In doing so, you will also consider some of the contemporary issues and ethical dilemmas related to the use of various innovations in sport and their implications for different stakeholders (e.g., athletes, coaches, referees, sport scientists, etc). This interdisciplinary approach allows the module to have global reach and engages you in thinking around the ethical implications of adopting and using various innovations within their professional context.

More information

SP3011 -

Volunteering in Sport (Core,20 Credits)

In the sport industry the recruitment, management and retention of volunteers is a key human resource management concern for sport events, clubs and increasingly, facilities. Research points to the importance of satisfying volunteers. Whilst there is a considerable societal and economic value to sport volunteering activity, there can be personal benefits to the volunteer. There is an increasing interest in ensuring that volunteers have an enjoyable and meaningful experience, that the volunteering population grows and that people from more diverse backgrounds are encouraged into sport volunteering.

This module is therefore designed for you to explore the theoretical and applied aspects of volunteering in sport. You will be provided with the knowledge and understanding of how sport volunteering is conceptualised in the United Kingdom. This will include the meaning and understanding of sport volunteering, who volunteers and why, the patterns of volunteering and changes over time in the U.K. You will also be provided with some contrasting perspective with how sport volunteering operates in other countries. The module will focus on the concept of the volunteer, volunteer work and the volunteer experience in sport. However, we will briefly touch on the recruitment and management of volunteers and the legacy and impact of particular types of sport volunteering i.e., for events.

More information

SP3012 -

Sport, Exercise and Performance (Core,20 Credits)

Sport and exercise scientists use their wide-ranging knowledge and expertise to support individuals participating in sport and exercise settings. ‘Sport, Exercise and Performance’ will give you an insight into the real-world application of sport and exercise science. You will learn about the core disciplines of physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, and psychology, and how sport and exercise scientists use the combination of these approaches in their work. On this module, you will gain theoretical knowledge as well as developing your practical laboratory skills in Northumbria’s state of the art, BASES accredited laboratories, an exciting and stimulating place to learn.

More information

SP3013 -

Contemporary Issues in Sport (Core,20 Credits)

This module is designed for you to explore contemporary and relevant issues that exist in today’s sporting domains. You will be taught about pertinent issues using a multi-disciplinary, case study approach. Therefore, each issue will be examined from various discipline perspectives (i.e., from a sport coaching, sport management, and/or a sport science perspective) allowing you to understand the complex nature of sport and consider issues using multiple lenses. This module will also develop your awareness and understanding of how sport continually develops and evolves over time.

More information

To start your application, simply select the month you would like to start your course.

Sport Foundation Year

Home or EU applicants please apply through UCAS

APPLY THROUGH UCAS NOW keyboard_arrow_right


International applicants please apply using the links below

START MONTH
YEAR

SEPTEMBER

2023

APPLY NOW keyboard_arrow_right

UniStats

Any Questions?

Our Applicant Services team will be happy to help.  They can be contacted on 0191 406 0901 or by using our Contact Form.


All information is accurate at the time of sharing.

Full time Courses starting in 2023 are primarily delivered via on-campus face to face learning but may include elements of online learning. We continue to monitor government and local authority guidance in relation to Covid-19 and we are ready and able to flex accordingly to ensure the health and safety of our students and staff.

Contact time is subject to increase or decrease in line with additional restrictions imposed by the government or the University in the interest of maintaining the health and safety and wellbeing of students, staff, and visitors, potentially to a full online offer, should further restrictions be deemed necessary in future. Our online activity will be delivered through Blackboard Ultra, enabling collaboration, connection and engagement with materials and people.

 

Current, Relevant and Inspiring

We continuously review and improve course content in consultation with our students and employers. To make sure we can inform you of any changes to your course register for updates on the course page.


Your Learning Experience

Find out about our distinctive approach at 
www.northumbria.ac.uk/exp

Admissions Terms and Conditions
northumbria.ac.uk/terms
Fees and Funding
northumbria.ac.uk/fees
Admissions Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/adpolicy

Admissions Complaints Policy
northumbria.ac.uk/complaints

If you’d like to receive the latest updates from Northumbria about our courses, events, finance & funding then enter your details below.

* At Northumbria we are strongly committed to protecting the privacy of personal data. To view the University’s Privacy Notice please click here

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