Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year

Why choose this course
Study a hands-on curriculum recognised by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES) for providing all the skills and knowledge you need to enter the profession.

• Gain industry experience through our Professional Training placements scheme and spend up to a year working for an employer such as a sports club, performance laboratory or nutrition company.

• Learn in a range of facilities including our human movement lab, exercise physiology lab, strength and conditioning suite, and Surrey Sports Park – a hub for elite athletes and sports teams.

• Complete nationally recognised gym instructor and personal training qualifications as part of your course, without any extra cost.

• Apply for one of our sports scholarships, designed for individuals with exceptional sporting ability, to help support your studies.

We’re preparing you for the future by integrating AI into every course, building digital skills, confidence and creativity that employers value in tomorrow’s workplace.

What you will study
In your first year, you’ll study topics including anatomy, biochemistry, fitness and health, physiology, kinesiology, and skills acquisition, ensuring you have a solid foundation upon which to build the rest of your degree.

During your second year, you’ll apply your knowledge in a sporting context, incorporating perspectives from physiology, nutrition, psychology, biomechanics and management, with the opportunity for interdisciplinary application and the development of discipline-specific practical skills.

In your third year, you’ll select two optional modules, exploring topics such as advances in nutrition, biological rhythms, exercise referrals and prescriptions, and human movement and rehabilitation.

You’ll also complete a research project, bringing together all the practical, analytical and presentation skills you’ve developed. Current projects include:

• The impact of the menstrual cycle on strength and power: both perceived and measurable

• Insect vs animal protein for building muscle mass

• Exploring cultural variations in team preferences: A mixed-methods study of British, Singaporean, and Japanese athletes.

Foundation courses
A foundation year can develop your skills and make it easier to get started at university. It is an extra year of study at the start of your course that leads in to a full degree programme. Foundation courses are a great option if:

• You don’t have the grades for a full degree course.

• You have non-traditional qualifications or experience.

• You’re starting university after some time away from education.

• You’re looking for more support during the transition into university study.

Life as a foundation year student
During a foundation year, you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get used to university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course.

As a foundation year student, you’ll be a full student of the University and part of our community. You’ll have access to all our campus facilities and support.

Course Modules

To see the full range of modules for this course please visit our website – the link is under the Course contact details. You will also find full details of the programme, including programme structure, assessment methods, contact hours and Graduate prospects.