Sport and Exercise Science with foundation year

Our degree with foundation year could be the stepping stone you need to achieve your goals. The foundation year aims to prepare you for degree-level study and is a great way to build the confidence, skills and knowledge needed to succeed on your degree course.

Foundation year
The foundation year course offers an introduction to your chosen subject and helps you develop the necessary skills for degree-level study. In addition, you will also explore key skills such as research methods, scientific fundamentals and promotion techniques.

The foundation year of this Coventry University degree will be delivered from our CU Coventry campus. Course delivery from year 1 of the degree onwards will be from the Coventry University campus.

Degree
Explore how the human body responds to exercise and understand how sport and physical activity influence health and wellbeing.

This course explores the impact of physical activity on the human body. Apply scientific principles to enhance performance, aid recovery and promote long-term health and wellbeing, and develop knowledge and skills relevant to roles in sport, fitness and wellbeing.


• This course aims to help you learn using a range of approaches. These include problem-based learning, case studies and laboratory classes, which blend scientific rigour with practical and professional experience and knowledge.



• Explore the physiological, psychological and biomechanical factors that influence human performance. Develop verbal, non-verbal and active listening skills, and have the opportunity to apply your learning in sport and exercise contexts.



• Develop your skills and ability to prescribe exercise programmes, and then evaluate and monitor their effectiveness on the human body.



Why you should study this course
• Diverse career pathways: gain knowledge and skills relevant to roles in sport, health, education and exercise. Graduates may choose to pursue opportunities in areas such as athlete support, community health or teaching, or continue with postgraduate study in sport and exercise-related fields.



• Hands-on experience: gain invaluable practical experience, including potential opportunities to work with professional athletes. Previous students have gained a year of experience with professional sport teams (Southampton FC, Fulham, Coventry City FC, Solihull Moors FC, Birmingham City Women FC), governing bodies (English Institute of Sport) and several local schools.



• Research-informed teaching: learn from active researchers and practitioners who are experts in various areas of sport and exercise science.



• Specialist facilities: utilise our modern laboratories for sport science, biomechanics and our newly refurbished Strength and Conditioning suite, along with a comprehensive range of industry-standard portable equipment for field-based assessments.



• Strong employer links: benefit from our robust connections with local professional sports teams, schools, and NHS clinical services (such as cardiac and pulmonary rehabilitation). Staff act on a consultancy basis working with leading industry partners, elite and novice athletes. Some of our staff are members of leading professional bodies such as BASES, the Higher Education Academy (HEA), and the UK Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA; staff are subject to change).



*For further information please check the course page on the Coventry University website.

Coventry University, part of Coventry University Group, is a modern, globally connected university with a mission to create better futures. Founded in 1843 through innovation and enterprise, they continue to work closely with industry to equip their graduates with the real-world skills and creative thinking they need to make a difference.

Coventry is also a Top 5 Student City in England (QS Best Student Cities Index 2026), and they guarantee accommodation if you apply through Clearing. With campuses across Coventry, London, Scarborough, Dagenham, and Greenwich, you can choose to study where it suits you best.

They're rated overall Gold in TEF 2023, recognising the quality of their teaching and student experience. From academic and wellbeing support to their Phoenix+ programme of employability activities and dedicated Success Coaches, they’re with you every step of the way.