Leading universities for sports science – nurturing equality, diversity and inclusivity

Leading to countless career opportunities in sports coaching, sports management, sport-science specialists for professional athletes, personal training and a chance at kickstarting entrepreneurial initiatives, sports science programmes prove to be gold-standard among the global job field.

Flocking to social media pages in their thousands, it is normal to see fitness schedules, workout tutorials and health regimes plastered over Instagram pages and blasted over Facebook accounts.

From fitness trainer to influencer, sports science has raced its way forward alongside the rise of social media and has helped to inspire, train and alter viewer’s exercise habits and well-being for the better.

With reference to The Guardian, sports science degrees recently came under the spotlight, described as courses that grant a vital understanding of human responses to sport and exercise and outlines the multiple health benefits of physical activity.

“Sports science degrees are aimed at those who are interested in taking a behind-the-scenes look at sport, exercise and health, coaching, management, and how the body works. And these courses aren’t just for athletes: you don’t necessarily need to be good at sport to take a sports science degree.

“You will also learn about the impact that prolonged sporting activity and exercise can have on the body, such as how muscles repair themselves after an athlete runs a marathon or a footballer plays a 90-minute game at altitude on a hot day,” the article notes.

Unlocking multiple avenues for you to explore, a sports science degree isn’t just a qualification, it’s an investment.

Applying your newly acquired knowledge to important situations, such as coaching a national team or increasing a client’s health and welfare, is a rewarding journey for all.

Mile by mile, you’ll witness why sports are such a significant feature of society today and how teaching sport and physical education positively alters people’s lives.

But you must ensure that the university or college you opt for has your best interests at heart and builds upon your aspirations on a diverse, equal and inclusive study platform. This way, you’ll race ahead and make your mark within the sports science sector.

Here are four sports science schools that maintain a balanced and diverse student experience…

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND SPORTS SCIENCES DEPARTMENT (PESS), THE UNIVERSITY OF LIMERICK – IRELAND

Winning the title of ‘Best Student Campus’ at the 2019 Education Ireland Awards and the ‘Irish University of the Year’ 2019 in the Sunday Times Good University Guide, the University of Limerick (UL) offers an unbeatable international student experience.

Driven by excellent career and salary prospects, many students are motivated to pursue postgraduate study at the UL Physical Education and Sport Sciences Department (PESS).

University of Limerick

With the I-Graduate International Student Barometer Report highlighting UL to be 1^st in Ireland and 2^nd in Europe for outstanding graduate employability, the university also scored second for international student happiness!

Paired with the academic power within PESS and the university’s successful track record, you’ll feel confident to pursue your postgraduate degree here.

From the MSc Sports Performance to the MSc Applied Sports Coaching and the MSc Sport, Exercise and Performance Psychology, there’s a programme suited to your applied sports science career.

Whilst studying on this stunning green campus, you’ll have access to incredible outdoor facilities, the Boathouse, the Adventure Centre and the amazing Arena. Plus, you’ll have the chance to join in with inclusive clubs and dynamic sports societies.

What more could you want? Strengthen your knowledge in the Applied Sport Sciences with UL PESS today!

SCHOOL OF SPORT AND EXERCISE SCIENCE, SWANSEA UNIVERSITY – WALES, UK

Swansea University was named ‘Welsh University of the Year’ and runner-up for the overall UK University of the Year in the prestigious Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2019.

Through the driven and dedicated School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Swansea students go from strength to strength, with many opting for postgraduate research courses to heighten their professional position.

Motivated by the prospects of the school’s MPhil or PhD in Sports Science, the MSc by Research in Sports Science and the Erasmus Mundus MA Sports Ethics and Integrity, applicants are exposed to the broad and niche theories associated with sports science.

Supported by the Applied Sports, Technology, Exercise and Medicine (A-STEM) research centre, which recently welcomed two new sports science experts to its ranks, academic potential runs free.

“Three-quarters of our research is world-leading. We use this research to inform a cutting-edge curriculum and help Olympic athletes, professional sports teams, health and fitness professionals and the NHS. We also engage in research and development with industry to help develop policies, products, practices and services,” Professor Stratton, Head of A-STEM, explains.

Bringing a wealth of expertise to the table, this school is the perfect research platform to produce lasting sports sciences solutions.

Swansea University

SCHOOL OF LIFE SCIENCES, UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW – SCOTLAND, UK

Where ‘world changers are welcome’, the University of Glasgow in Scotland is where students take control of their sports sciences career.

Encouraged to become a demonstrator at the School of Life Sciences, postgraduates enhance their studies by tutoring undergraduates and taking part in research opportunities.

Within their Master’s selection of degrees, the school encourages participation in the Sports Nutrition, Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine and Sport and Exercise Science and Medicine programmes.

Empowering young sports scientists and making headlines with frequent research innovations, there’s always a student success story to be heard from this School of Life Sciences.

For example, Emily Bird, who is currently studying for an MSc in Human Nutrition, is helping people across the UK to develop a positive and balanced relationship with food.

“I want to help make food and diet part of school education; the more information we share, the more informed we become. I hope to volunteer in school projects offering food and cookery lessons to children and families,” she notes.

So, if you have a strong desire to fulfil your goals in the sport science field and wish to create a positive impact on sports services and education, connect with the school today.

DEPARTMENT FOR HEALTH, UNIVERSITY OF BATH – ENGLAND, UK

University of Bath

While studying sport, exercise and health at Bath’s established Department for Health, you’ll be taught how to promote health and well-being, enhance functional performance and improve the quality and efficiency of health services.

For health sciences, there’s the Health and Well-being MRes – 2 years part-time degree and the Health and Well-being MRes – 1 year full-time degree.

For sport and exercise disciplines, there’s the Sport and Exercise Medicine MSc – 3 to 5 years part-time distance learning degree, and the Sport and Exercise Medicine PG Dip – 2 to 4 years part-time distance learning degree.

And for sports physiotherapy enthusiasts, you can take the Sports Physiotherapy MSc – 3 to 5 years part-time distance learning degree.

Advising prospective students at Bath to fulfil their professional desires, Ronjan Bhattacharya, an MSc Sport and Exercise Medicine learner, states that: “I would definitely recommend this course at the University of Bath, particularly to Junior Doctors with an interest in SEM. It will help you develop a broad knowledge base in the subject, whilst helping you develop skills for working in sport at any level.” 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

Liked this? Then you’ll love…

Degrees Explained: Sports Science

Leading UK universities for the study of Sports Science