BA Health & Exercise and Sports Studies

About the Course

The course has a strong vocational and academic content and will be of interest to the student who prefers to study a breadth of topics within the areas of sport and health. The Sport Studies part of the degree examines sport from socio-cultural, scientific and practical perspectives. You may choose between the coaching/sports development and socio-cultural pathways, or select modules of interest from both pathways.

During your second year, you will be able to undertake a work placement as well as gain a number of coaching awards throughout the course. The importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle for the individual’s well-being is also examined within the Health & Exercise programme. How exercise and diet affect the body and impact on the individual’s health is also explored, as well as what social and psychological factors encourage or constrain health-related behaviour.

You will also learn how to implement and maintain health promotion strategies and how to measure and assess an individual’s health and fitness using the latest testing equipment.

Award
BA (Joint Honours)

UCAS Code
BC46

Language Choice
English
Welsh

Course Length
3 years full-time; Part-time study available

Entry Requirements

See introduction

You will be invited to visit the University to discuss the course. Entry is based on individual merit.

Career Opportunities

  • Teaching - Primary or Secondary (subject to PGCE)
  • Sports Development and Coaching
  • Fitness Consultant
  • Public Services and Forces
  • Personal Trainer
  • Health Promotion
  • Higher degree and research

Department

School of Sport, Health and Outdoor Education

Campus

Carmarthen Campus

Typical modules

  • Coaching Pedagogy
  • Psychology of Health & Exercise
  • Sociology of Sport
  • Skill Acquisition
  • Work Placement
  • Games in Education
  • Athletic Activities
  • Outdoor Adventurous Activities
  • Aquatics Activities
  • Conditioning and Training Methods
  • Dissertation

Key Features

  • Practical performance modules in Years 1 and 2
  • Health & Exercise Assessment Laboratory
  • Access to the on-campus Health Suite
  • Additional coaching awards in a wide range of sports and exercise qualifications available
  • Work placement module
  • USA exchange available in Year 2 for selected students
  • Small, friendly campus with motivated and supportive staff
  • Average teaching group numbers are less than 25
  • Only degree of its kind in the region
  • Practical and vocational focus of the course
  • An accredited centre for the Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • University sports teams compete in the British Universities Championships in a wide range of sports including: rugby, netball, football, hockey, cricket, triathlon, cross-country, judo and golf. There are also many other sports clubs and societies such as the Outdoor Pursuits club, Aerobics and Surf Club. Students from the School usually take a lead role in the organising and running of many of these clubs.

Why study at this University?

  • Small, friendly campus with motivated and supportive staff
  • Average teaching group numbers are less than 25
  • Only degree of its kind in the region
  • A new sports centre & health suite on campus
  • Practical and vocational focus of the course
  • An accredited centre for the Duke of Edinburgh Award
  • Additional coaching and training awards are available to all students
  • University sports teams compete in the British Universities championships in a wide range of sports including; rugby, netball, football, hockey, cricket, triathlon, cross country, judo and golf. There are also many other sports clubs and societies such as the Outdoor Pursuits club, Aerobics and Surf Club. Students from the School usually take a lead role in the organising and running of many of these clubs

Programme Specification

Educational Aims

The educational aims of the programme are to:

  • instil an understanding of the role of sport in personal and community development;
  • develop a socio-cultural and sport development perspective on sport;
  • develop the key skills and core knowledge required by graduates working in community sport;
  • develop problem solving, analytical, and independent research skills;
  • instil an understanding of the role of exercise in promoting health and wellbeing;
  • provide opportunities for students to gain vocational experience in careers associated with health promotion and exercise;
  • produce reflective graduates of high academic ability;
  • build and develop core knowledge and key skills required for graduates working in a health and exercise setting.

Programme Outcomes 

Knowledge and Understanding

  • Monitoring, analysing, diagnosing and prescribing action to enhance the learning and performance of the component elements of sport.
  • Showing evidence of the skills required to monitor and evaluate a sport performance in laboratories and/or field settings.
  • Displaying a critical appreciation of the integration of the variables involved in the delivery (teaching, instructing and coaching) of enhanced sport performance.
  • Displaying an awareness of current government policy on disease prevention and the relevance of sport and exercise.
  • Displaying a broad range of skills, including awareness of health and safety, ethical considerations, exercise prescription and the role of education, health and sports bodies in improving the health of the nation.
  • Displaying a critical insight into the organisations and structures responsible for sport, and the political ramifications arising from these.
  • Employing social, economic and political theory to explain the development and differentiation of sport throughout society.
  • Appraising and evaluating the effects of a sport intervention on the participant.
  • Demonstrating the application of the social and cultural meanings attached to sport and their impact on participation and regulation.
  • Demonstrating a critical appreciation of sport development and facilitation principles in at least one vocational context.
    • Demonstrate a sound knowledge base in selected subject areas that inform health.
    • Demonstrate a good grasp of the scope and breadth of the discipline.
    • Show critical ability to analyse health as a contestable concept.
    • Demonstrate a good understanding of the multidisciplinary nature of health.
    • Show critical awareness of the role of research in the development of health as a discipline.
    • Show an understanding of the diversity of determinants of health.
    • Demonstrate an insight into contemporary issues at the forefront of health.
    • Demonstrate a critical understanding of some theories of causality relating to health and ill-health.
    • Critique some professional rationales concerning health interventions.
    • Understand and evaluate the role of the individual and of institutions in affecting health status.
    • Indicate the diversity of experience and values associated with health.
    • Compare and contrast different healthcare systems.
    • Articulate a number of central theoretical arguments within health studies.
    • Use an appropriate range of theories and concepts to analyse health and health issues in a variety of situations.
    • Locate, review, evaluate, carry out, report and analyse research in health studies.
    • Cross traditional subject boundaries drawing on appropriate knowledge from other academic disciplines to elucidate health issues.
    • Analyse health and health issues from several appropriate critical perspectives.
    • Identify and analyse current paradigms and issues at the cutting edge of health research and the health debate.
    • Make effective use of knowledge and understanding of the disciplines underpinning human structure and function.
    • Appraise and evaluate the effects of sport and exercise intervention on the participant.
    • Provide a critical appreciation of the relationship between sport and exercise activity and intervention in a variety of participant groups. This will include special populations such as the elderly, disabled and children.
    • Evidence the skills required to monitor and evaluate sports (exercise) performance in laboratories and/or field settings.
    • Display a critical appreciation of the integration of variables involved in the delivery (instructing) of enhanced sport (exercise) performance.
    • Demonstrate the application of the social and cultural meanings attached to sport (exercise and physical activity) and their impact on participation and regulation.
    • Critically reflect on the impact of leisure (exercise) in the lives of individuals and analyse barriers to participation such as aspects of age, gender, disability etc.

Intellectual Skills

  • Research and assess paradigms, theories, principles, concepts, factual information, and apply these skills to explain and solve problems.
  • Critically assess and evaluate evidence in the context of research methodologies and data sources.
  • Critically interpret data of different kinds and appraise the strengths and weaknesses of different methodological approaches adopted.
  • Describe, synthesise, interpret, analyse, and evaluate information and data relevant to a professional or vocational context.
  • Plan, design, execute and communicate a sustained piece of independent intellectual work which provides evidence of critical engagement with, and interpretation of data.
  • Apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems.
  • Develop a sustained reasoned argument and be able to challenge previously held assumptions.
  • Research and assess subject specific facts, theories, paradigms, principles and concepts.
  • Critically assess and evaluate evidence.
  • Critically interpret data and text.
  • Describe and analyse information.
  • Apply knowledge to the solution of familiar and unfamiliar problems.
  • Develop a reasoned argument and challenge assumptions.
  • Take responsibility for their own learning and continues professional development.
  • Critique the contribution of a range of academic disciplines that have informed the development of the subject as a field of study.
  • Demonstrate an appropriate degree of progression within specialist fields.
  • Display an integrated knowledge of the scope and breadth of the subject domain.

Key Skills

  • Demonstrate effective communication and presentation skills.
  • Work effectively, both independently and with others.
  • Demonstrate responsibility for their learning and continuing personal and professional development.
  • Self-appraise and reflect on their practice.
  • Communication and presentation skills.
  • Numeracy, computing and information technology skills.
  • Interactive and group skills.
  • Problem solving skills.
  • Ability to self-appraise and reflect on practice.
  • Ability to plan and manage learning.

Practical Skills

  • Plan, design, manage and execute practical activities using appropriate techniques and procedures whilst demonstrating high levels of relevant skills.
  • Recognise and respond to moral, ethical, sustainability and safety issues which directly pertain to the context of study including relevant legislation and professional codes of conduct.
  • Undertake fieldwork with continuous regard for safety and risk assessment.
  • The analysis of complex situations concerning human learning and development in particular contexts, including their own learning.
  • Plan design and execute practical activities using appropriate techniques and procedures.
  • Undertake fieldwork with due regard for safety and risk assessment.
  • Plan, design, execute and communicate a sustained piece of independent intellectual work using appropriate media.
  • Recognise and respond to moral, ethical and safety issues which directly pertain to the subject domain including relevant legislation and professional codes of conduct.

Further Information

Programme Co-ordinator: Dave Gardner
Tel: 01267 676727
E-mail: d.gardner@trinitysaintdavid.ac.uk