BA (Hons) Sports Studies (Full Time)

On this degree you will gain a broad-based education in many different aspects of sports as well as the opportunity to tailor the course to your own interests.

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Sports Studies at Southampton Solent University is an ideal degree for a career in sports coaching, sports psychology, sport development, sport research or occupational health. It is taught by a friendly and committed teaching team.

The main academic disciplines studied are those that focus on practical aspects such as coaching and fitness and the social sciences including sociology and psychology. You will gain professional skills and experience in coaching and fitness, as well as National Governing Body and industry awards, as an integral part of the curriculum. A wide range of option units in Years 2 and 3 will enable you to tailor the course to your preferred career direction and enhance your employability.

You will have access to the University’s full range of sporting facilities including our new sports laboratories, sports fields, sports hall, teaching gym and watersports centre.

You may also qualify for one of the high performance sports awards offered by Sport Solent, the University’s sport and recreation providers.

Industrial focus

We have excellent links with both local and national sports organisations and clubs which contribute to our courses and provide relevant part-time work opportunities.

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Course content

Year 1

Five core units:

• Industry Practice and Research
• Sport in Society
• Principles of Coaching
• Social Psychology of Sport
• Either Fitness for Sport and Principles of Sport Development
• Or Principles of Health, Fitness and Nutrition, and Gym Training.

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Year 2

Five core units and one option unit:

• Sport Policy
• Coaching for Sport
• Sociology of Sport
• Research Methods for sport
• Sport Psychology.

Year 3

• Sport Policy
• Coaching for Sport
• Sociology of Sport
• Research Methods for sport
• Sport Psychology
• One option.
    

Options:

• Diet and Nutrition
• Advanced Training Principles
• Outdoor recreation
• Exercise Programming for Older Adults
• Sport and the Law
• Event organisation
• Sports massage
• Extreme Sports
• Sport Coaching and Development
• Languages
• Curriculum Plus units.

Year 3

Three core units and two option units:

• Project
• Contemporary Sports Issues
• Globalisation of Sport.

Options:

• Sport Tourism
• Physical Activity Schemes
• Languages/CPU
• Sport Development
• Applied Sports Psychology
• Exercise Programming for Medically Referred and Disabled clients
• Sports Conditioning
• Sport and the Law
• Outdoor Recreation
• Event Organisation
• Sociology of Extreme and Lifestyle Sports
• Physical Education. 

Why choose this course?

• Benefit from the University's wide range of sports clubs and facilities.
• Offers a combination of specialist coaching and fitness units, with a wide range of options.
• Gain a range of theoretical and coaching skills in coaching.
• Gain nationally recognised coaching qualifications.

Assessment

Work is assessed by a combination of essays, written examinations, seminar presentations, written reports, case studies and a Project.

Key career skills

Presentation, problem solving, communication, IT and numeracy, organising people, time management and teamwork. 

Projects/work experience

In your final year you will undertake an independent project that will allow you to focus on an area of interest which could help form a basis for future employment. Examples include designing a programme for high level athletes or evaluating a community sport development initiative.

Students are encouraged to gain relevant work experience either through volunteering or work placements. Examples of these include coaching in the local community and for local sports clubs, working in fitness clubs and sports centres, and organising sport in summer camps. For those wishing to progress on to a PGCE in Physical Education, there are placements with local schools' PE staff.

Student profile

Summer McCartney

“After choosing to do Sport Studies at Southampton Solent University, I soon realised I’d made the best possible choice of University. My lecturers in the sports department are really helpful and definitely know their stuff! There is a real freedom of choice from the many sporting units and lessons on offer: Equipment training, training methods, gym and group exercise just to name a few. Plus, many of the sports courses offer REPs awards and a trip to fitness resort Club La Santa in Lanzarote.

“From an early age I’ve been passionate about sport and as I got older I turned this passion to helping others. I played in different sports teams throughout school and after joining the netball team I began coaching the younger players which I really enjoyed. When I found out Solent had a netball team I couldn’t wait to try out!

“As for my career, I haven’t made a choice yet. Sports studies could lead in to so many careers such as teaching, personal training or gym instruction. I’m studying sports massage next year so maybe I’ll get into that!”