Sport and Exercise Nutrition - BSc (Hons)
September 2021 — UCAS code B400
Our practice-based, innovative Sport and Exercise Nutrition BSc degree will provide you with the underpinning scientific knowledge of nutrition, science and physiology for sports performance, exercise and health....
96points required
Clearing 2021
There are places available on this course.
Got your results?
Apply online nowWaiting for results?
Get your Clearing GuideStudying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. Information about the arrangements the University has put in place for the 2021/22 academic year in response to Covid-19 and the emerging variants can be found here.
Should the impact of Covid-19 continue in subsequent years of your course, any additional and/or alternative arrangements put in place by the University in response will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location City South
- Award BSc (Hons)
- Start date September 2021
- Fees View course fees
- School School of Health Sciences
- Faculty Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences
Clearing 2021
Got your results?
If you've already received your results and have enough points for this course you can apply online now.
Apply nowWaiting for results?
Download our guide to Clearing to prepare ahead of results day and find out the top four things you can do whilst you wait.
Get advicePlease note: the entry requirements listed below are relevant for main cycle applications and may not be applicable during Clearing.
Course overview
Our practice-based, innovative Sport and Exercise Nutrition BSc degree will provide you with the underpinning scientific knowledge of nutrition, science and physiology for sports performance, exercise and health. This course is based at our recently extended £71 million City South Campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham and is approved by the Sport & Exercise Nutrition Register (SENr) to ensure that the knowledge and competencies are aligned with professional standards.
What's covered in this course?
You’ll study nutrition and exercise at both ends of the spectrum, from assessing professional sports teams to health-based clients with specific nutritional issues. It’s a chance for you to gain experience in developing nutritional strategies that aid performance, health and wellbeing.
You'll undertake physiological and nutritional assessment of sports performers in our state-of-the-art laboratories. However, it's important to know that the course isn’t just about analysing elite athletes - you'll also have the opportunity to learn how nutrition and exercise can impact upon people with different physiques and states of health.
Upon graduating, you can apply for jobs as a performance nutritionist, as well as within other areas of sport science, health and fitness.
We also boast partnerships with Warwickshire County Cricket Club, Edgbaston Priory Club and City of Birmingham Swimming Club. These partnerships not only keep our courses fresh and relevant, they also provide valuable placements, trips and case studies for you and your fellow students.
Why Choose Us?
- Professional accreditation - This course is endorsed by the Sport and Exercise Nutrition register (SENr)
- Student satisfaction - 90.5% of students were happy with this course. (NSS 2020)
- Partnerships - our Sport and Exercise department works in partnership with professional sports clubs such as Warwickshire County Cricket Club and Kidderminster Harriers Football Club
- Gain relevant work experience - There will be live projects to work on with professional sports teams and the general public, as well as compulsory work placements, enabling you to gain first-hand experience and build your knowledge. See what our students have been up to at The Priory
- Expert knowledge - you'll receive talks from guest lecturers who work within the sector and can provide relevant, up-to-date advice
- Get work experience abroad - you can apply for a travel scholarship and take part in exchange programmes, as part of our Go Abroad scheme to carry out exciting work placements overseas
- Experienced staff - many of our staff are PhD-trained and remain active in their chosen fields to provide you with current and inside knowledge in the field
- £71 million campus - we have recently invested an additional £41 million into our £30 million City South campus complete with new, state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge resources and equipment – including a nutrition kitchen, environmental chamber and specialist labs
Similar Courses
Entry Requirements
Got your results?
If you've already received your results and have enough points for this course you can apply online now.
Apply nowWaiting for results?
Download our guide to Clearing to prepare ahead of results day and find out the top four things you can do whilst you wait.
Get adviceWe accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
Essential Requirements
|
112 UCAS tariff points from A/AS Level |
||
| Level 2 Qualifications | ||
|---|---|---|
| UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
| GCSE |
|
|
| Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) |
|
|
| Scottish Intermediate 2 |
|
|
| Scottish Credit Standard Grade |
|
|
| Scottish National 5 |
|
|
| IELTS |
|
|
| Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
| UK Qualification | Requirements 2021/22 | |
| A level and Advanced VCE |
|
|
| Access to HE Diploma |
|
|
| British bachelor's degree |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma |
|
|
|
Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) |
|
|
|
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma |
|
|
|
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma |
|
|
|
|
|
| Open University courses |
|
|
|
Scottish Advanced Higher |
|
|
|
T-Levels |
|
|
| Other qualifications | ||
|
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Recent relevant study to GCE A-level standard or above must have been completed within five years of the course intake date the applicant is applying for. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
||
| International qualifications | ||
|
International Baccalaureate: Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall with grade 4 or above in at least one Higher Level subject from Group 4. |
||
|
Applicants who have not received their secondary school education in English will require an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no element below 6.0. |
||
Fees & How to Apply
- UK students
- International students
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £9,250 per year
- Apply via Clearing
Award: BSc (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
- Mode
- Duration
- Fees
- Full Time
- 3 years
- £13,200 per year
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead.
Places available to start in September 2021
If you'd like to start this course full-time this September, you can apply through Clearing.
Got your results?
If you've already received your results and have enough points for this course you can apply online now.
Apply now
Waiting for results?
Download our guide to Clearing to prepare ahead of results day and get your results day 2021 questions answered.
Get adviceInternational and part-time students can apply online as normal using the links above.
Want to start in September 2022?
You can apply via UCAS from September 2021.
Personal statement
Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Course choice
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
Career plans
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Work experience
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
School or college experience
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
Non-accredited skills or achievement
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
Course in Depth
Year One
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
20 credits
This module aims to consider the underpinning biochemistry and physiology of nutrition for health, exercise and sports performance. You will also explore the link that nutrition has on a variety of sport, exercise and health settings – providing you with the fundamental knowledge for further study in these areas.
20 credits
This module covers the process of research and enquiry in the discipline of sports and exercise science, nutrition, sports therapy, and PE and School Sport. It provides guidance on how to interpret scientific literature, so that you can find relevant sources of information for a study or an assessment, gain an understanding of different sources of information and consider how knowledge is generated.
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with the underpinning knowledge of various physiological systems in the human body, and key training principles, which relate to sport and exercise. You will be introduced to the concept of the body working as multiple interrelated physiological ‘systems’. Whilst each system has its own independent function, the function of one will have a direct impact on the function of another and will subsequently impact upon sports performance or health.
20 credits
This module aims to provide you with an introduction to the core practical competencies required in sport and exercise nutrition. You will consider a vast array of nutrition-related measurements including: energy balance (intake and expenditure); anthropometrical assessments; body composition, methods of assessing dietary intake; and both physiological and biochemical markers of nutritional status.
20 credits
This module provides an introduction to human anatomy, relating to structures, properties and functions of bones, joints, tendons, ligaments and muscle, in relation to the mechanical principles, which govern human movement.
20 credits
The primary purpose of this module is to introduce the mechanical principles that govern human movement and thus equip students not only with the ability to observe and measure human movement (i.e. to describe movement), but also to begin to understand the mechanisms by which human movement is controlled and effected (i.e. to explore why we move the way that we do).
Year Two
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
20 credits
This module will consider the link between nutrition and training and competition for sports performance. You will be able to empirically study the effect of nutritional strategies on sports performance across a range of performance types (e.g., strength, power, endurance). The efficacy of the nutritional strategies will be examined in relation to findings of previous studies.
20 credits
This module will consider the link between nutrition, dietetics and health. You will be able to empirically study the effect of nutritional strategies on acute and chronic health issues (e.g. obesity, type II diabetes, CVD etc.) and consider the efficacy of the nutritional strategies to manage these issues in reference to contemporary research.
20 credits
The module aims to assist you in gaining a more critical understanding of the research of others and to act as a complement to other second year modules you will be studying. It will also directly prepare you for undertaking your own research at Level 6.
20 credits
This module will focus on combining your sports nutrition and employability skills in a real-word scenario. In this module, you will gain first hand insight into the working environment of nutrition, whether that be in sports performance, exercise and health, or clinical settings. You will develop and utilise your scientific skills in a real world setting, which will enhance your problem solving skills and adaptability to multiple scenarios in a professional setting.
40 credits
This module aims to provide an insight into the strategies that can be used to analyse and quantify sports performance in a valid and consistent manner to help inform training and match-play decisions. Specific focus is placed upon the process of conducting a comprehensive needs analysis of a sport including tactics, techniques, and bioenergetics.
Year Three
In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).
20 credits
This module aims to develop the skills required to coach and evaluate training methods in strength and conditioning. You will examine contemporary training theories and successfully apply the principles when coaching athletes. You will also critically review contemporary issues in strength and conditioning including emerging concepts surrounding various training activities, organisation of training and application of techniques to specific populations of athletes.
20 credits
This module aims to develop your understanding of nutritional referral and long-term behaviour change. As a nutrition professional, it is essential that you are able to act within the limits of your knowledge, skills and experience and if necessary, refer your client on to another professional. Additionally, by understanding the multi-dimensional factors that influence long-term adherence to healthy eating, you will be well-placed to ensure you are able to provide effective nutrition support.
40 credits
The module aims to provide you with the skills required to work in a sport and exercise nutrition setting. You will undertake a year-long ‘case-study’ where you will provide nutritional advice and support to an athlete, team or health-based client.
40 credits
This module provides you with the opportunity to design and carry out a substantive piece of independent research which is focused on an area of interest related to your programme of study. This in-depth, self-managed study will encourage you to examine a critical issue from your sector or discipline.
Course structure
The sport and exercise nutrition course will be a mix of work-based placements, enabling you to build your knowledge and gain first-hand experience, and assessments.
You'll have the option of taking a sandwich year between Year 2 and Year 3 of study.
This course is endorsed by the Sport and Exercise Nutrition register (SENr).
SENr
Employability
Enhancing your employability skills
The sport and exercise nutrition course covers a variety of sectors, so you'll be able to secure employment in a number of roles. You could work in clinical practice, working for professional sports teams and performers. Or you could work in the health sector, where you’ll aid members of the public with specific dietary issues.
Placements
Placements play a significant role in this course, helping you to build up your experience and knowledge of working within the sector.
OpportUNIty
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
International Students
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
- Explore some of the good reasons why you should study here.
- Find out how to improve your language skills before starting your studies.
- Find all the information relevant to applicants from your country.
- Learn where to find financial support for your studies.
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
Facilities and Staff
Our facilities
Our sports facilities include a fitness suite, sports hall, biomechanics lab, nutrition kitchen, research lab and sports therapy clinic. Over £750,00 has been spent on our sports facilities making them industry-standard to expose students to systems and equipment that they will be expected to use in the work place after graduating.
These facilities mean that our students are able to host and work with professional sports teams, schools and clients which provides students with real-life experience right here on campus.
Mary Seacole Library
The Seacole library, based at City South Campus, is one of the UK's largest specialist health education libraries. The facility offers an extensive range of range of information and reference materials set out in a relaxing environment, conducive to studying. There are comfortable seating areas, group study areas, a silent study area and private study rooms.
Computer Facilities
The Seacole building houses a large open access IT Suite which comprises of 96 PCs, printers, photocopiers and scanners. Our PCs utilise the latest Intel i5 core technology, all with:
- Fast (unrestricted) internet connectivity
- Ability to save files to USB, DVD & CD
- Microsoft Office software
- Research and statistical software
- Storage space which can be accessed from any PC across the University and from home
Our PCs are also designed to support students who may have difficulties with reading and writing, featuring specialised software with zooming/magnification and screen reading capabilities, which may also be customised for individual student needs.
The IT Suite offers extended opening hours and is supported by a specialist Open Access Assistant during term time. In addition to the open access PCs within the IT Suite, there are 12 networked student PCs available within Seacole library.
Doug Ellis Sports Centre
Our £8.5 million Doug Ellis Sports Centre boasts an 80-station fitness suite, an eight-court sports hall, and workout and spinning studios. The centre offers state-of-the-art fitness training equipment and plenty of room for team sports including five-a-side football and cricket. An all-weather pitch adds the finishing touches to the centre, which is located close to our City North Campus.
Visitors to the gym can choose a personalised fitness programme, instructed by qualified fitness trainers, and take advantage of a selection of classes, such as yoga, salsa or body combat.
Our staff
Matthew Cole
Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
As a registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionist, Matt has provided nutrition support to a variety of elite athletes and teams, as well as being part of the anti-doping team at the 2012 London Olympic Games.
More about MatthewJennie Carter
Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
With over 10 years' experience, Jennie is passionate about supporting athletes through the implementation of nutritional intervention to enhance health and sports performance. She currently works with Wolverhampton Wanderers Football Club and Warwickshire County Cricket Club, alongside lecturing and has previously worked with West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa Football Club.
More about JennieDr Meghan Brown
Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Nutrition
Alongside her academic roles, Meghan has provided support as a registered Sport and Exercise Nutritionist to athletes from a range of sports, including Forest Green Rovers FC, Bristol City Women's Football Club and Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme. Meghan also has a special interest in female athletes and dancers.
More about MeghanDr Adam Herbert
Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science
Adam has extensive applied experience having worked in both the elite sporting environment and private healthcare for clubs including Port Vale FC and Spire Healthcare based at the National Football Centre, St Georges Park. Adam completed his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, and has published in internationally renowned journal articles and presented his research at international conferences.
More about Adam