Applied Sport Science (Taught)

This Master’s course prepares you for careers in performance sport and the health and fitness sector as an applied sport scientist in elite, grassroots and schools' sport as well as working with the general population within a health-club setting. In an ideal environment for scientific exploration and practical skills development, the course allows you to explore approaches to supporting athletes including testing physical capacities; looking at performance nutrition; laboratory work; strength and conditioning; and monitoring performance via GPS. You develop the skills to assess athletes’ performance, see what is lacking in their performance profile and positively impact their physical performance.

If you would like more information about this course, please contact Dr Iain Fletcher at iain.fletcher@beds.ac.uk

Course accreditation/industry endorsement
We are endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), allowing you to gain the additional qualification of Strength & Conditioning Trainer at no additional charge.

Facilities and specialist equipment
Sports laboratories accredited by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES)
Human Performance Centre with heat chamber for high-temperature acclimatisation
Biochemical analysis laboratory
New strength and conditioning suite with nine lifting platforms
On-campus community exercise clinic supporting clients with a range of conditions
Free sports injury clinic
Free gym
Range of external games areas and pitches

Partnerships and collaborations
We are official education partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC as well as other sporting organisations in the region such as Bedford Tigers RLFC, MK Dons, Cricket East and Be Active, giving you opportunities to improve your employability through work placements.

There are also opportunities to develop personal and professional networks through our links with Sport England, governing bodies, active partnerships and health-industry experts.

Your student experience
Block course delivery (two four-hour days for full-time students and one four-hour day for part-time students) allows time for work experience and employment.

Study with an academic team who have world-leading expertise in their fields and are actively involved in supporting elite sports performers as well as research on human performance.

Benefit from our successful partnerships with professional sports teams, elite athletes, academies, schools, colleges and other relevant organisations.

Local placement opportunities with Luton Town FC, Bedford Blues RFC, Ampthill Rugby club, Northampton Saints, MK Dons, Saracens, Northampton County Cricket Club, Professional Golfers’ Association (PGA) and the USA’s National Football League (NFL).

Gain invaluable work experience in our Human Performance Centre, which offers testing to sports people, teams and the general public across the range of fitness capacities. There are also opportunities for work experience in our community exercise clinic or supporting our University BUCS team athletes.

Regular industry speakers attend our ISPAR seminar series including Jack Wells (PGA), Tom Bromley (S&C coach for MK Dons), Mark Finney (former head of S&C at Northampton Saints), and Phil Pask (former lead physio for England Rugby).

Our graduates have gone on to careers at the Lawn Tennis Association, British Water Skiing, Red Bull Racing, Saracens, Bedford Blues, MK Dons and the Geelong Cats in the Australian Football League, to name a few.