BA
Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity BA (Hons)
Develop intellectual, practical and employability skills as you explore new perspectives on social issues in, and the social impact of, sport and physical activity.
How to apply Apply via UCAS
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
C603
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £29,000 per year
Overview
Do you have a passion for sport and a concern for social issues within sport and exercise? Are you keen to play a part in reducing inequalities, promoting social justice, and improving health and wellbeing through sport, exercise and physical activity? On the BA Sport, Exercise and Physical Activity course you will explore a wide range of topics from grassroots to high performance sport, as well as other forms of physical activity. You’ll also investigate some of the connections between sport and physical activity with issues such as discrimination and inequalities, the environment, sedentary lifestyles, and obesity. With an emphasis on employability, there are opportunities for you to develop your transferable skill set and take a placement module in a sport or exercise vocational setting, as well as 'open modules' from other departments. You also have the choice of applying to add an industry placement year or a study year abroad to your degree, increasing the course from three years to four. Our approach to learning, teaching and assessment emphasises the application of academic knowledge to real-life examples, practices and professional settings in sport, exercise and physical activity. This enables you to develop your intellectual capacities and personal qualities, while acquiring a broad range of practical, professional and employability skills that can be applied to a range of careers across the sport and exercise industries and beyond.
Course details
Start date
Degree Type
BA
UCAS Code
C603
Course length
3 years full-time
Typical offer
AAB
Tuition Fees
- Home (Full-time): £9,535 per year
- Overseas (Full-time): £29,000 per year
What you'll study
The core and optional modules, developed by an academic team involved in leading-edge research, centre on the key academic disciplines particularly from the social sciences, with an emphasis on sport sociology and sports development. Sociology of sport focuses on sports as social phenomena and explores issues such as gender, ethnicity, social class, media, commercialisation, politics, deviance, violence in the context of sports. Sport development explores the promotion and funding of sports activities for the community by national governing bodies, local authorities, service providers and voluntary groups. The BA course curriculum offers the flexibility to select modules from other sport and exercise sciences, including: psychology, physical activity, nutrition and health. These modules have been carefully designed to enhance your academic study and research skills, and the final-year Independent Research Project is an exciting opportunity to engage in deeper investigation of a sport, exercise or physical activity topic that particularly interests you.
Core modules
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Academic Skills for Sport and Exercise Sciences
develops the essential academic skills required for degree-level study in the sport and exercise sciences, as well as for the workplace. You will develop skills in personal effectiveness, verbal and written communication, collaborative working, critical thinking and problem solving, information and research, numeracy, and digital literacy.
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Introduction to Sociology of Sport
introduces social issues and sociological concepts that form the basis for learning for subsequent years. You will acquire knowledge and understanding of how sports are a social phenomena and how sport can impact upon people’s lives, including issues of inequality, discrimination, commercialisation, and violence in the context of sports.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Introduction to Sport and Exercise IndustriesSport and Exercise PsychologyIntroduction to Anatomy and Exercise PhysiologyIntroduction to Physical Activity, Diet and Health
Core modules
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Advanced Sociology of Sport
gives insight into key sociological concepts, theories and ideas and their application to sport, building on your Year 1 module. It enables you to understand social issues and sociological problems in the context of sport and exercise.
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Research Skills for Sport and Exercise Sciences
develops conceptual knowledge and understanding of the qualitative, quantitative and mixed research methods used in sport and exercise sciences with a contemporary and applied focus. This includes an understanding of ethics, designing a research study, collecting and analysing data, and developing abilities in statistical analysis, preparing you for your Independent Research Project in final year.
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Sports Development
looks at the impact of improvements in participation and volunteering, development of systems for elite sport success, and the role of sport in youth development. You will also learn how to recognise and develop some of the skills required to deliver and manage sports development programmes.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Sport, Health and the EnvironmentNutrition for Sport and HealthAdvanced Sport and Exercise Psychology
Core modules
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Applied Sociology of Sport
provides a critical understanding of sociological concepts and theories to interrogate contemporary social issues, problems, and key debates in sport. You will develop a critical reasoning to comprehend issues such as forms of discrimination, violence, fandom, and activism.
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Independent Research Project
is a detailed and critical examination of a relevant area of sport and exercise sciences. It develops your ability to plan and manage your own learning and provides you with an opportunity to research a specific topic of your choice in greater depth and present your findings and conclusions.
Optional modules
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In recent years, optional modules have included: Active Communities PlacementApplied Sport and Exercise PsychologyFutures in Sport, Exercise and HealthPhysical Activity, Sport and Inequalities
Learning
Learning is through lectures, small-group seminars, practical workshops and laboratory work. These sessions allow you to develop knowledge and skills through investigating real-life sport, exercise and physical activity issues and through undertaking practical tasks, such as designing an infographic, recording a podcast, and working with different client groups. Our emphasis on small-group and practical teaching, supported by one-on-one guidance and self-directed learning, is embedded into the learning experience, so you gain more from your studies. As you move into your final year, the focus on self-directed learning and independent research increases, particularly around the Independent Research Project as you design and implement your own research project under expert supervision. Teaching and learning are centred around the Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences, a vibrant learning environment, home to a lively research community dedicated to reducing inequalities, discrimination, and improving people's physical and mental wellbeing through sport and physical activity. This research is fed directly into the curriculum, challenging you intellectually and keeping your learning relevant to the world around you.Assessment
You will mostly be assessed through a range of coursework assignments, which may include oral presentations, analysing digital media and sports policies, and creating infographics and podcasts. Methods of assessment vary between modules and are designed to assess your knowledge and understanding of course material, test critical thinking skills, enhance written and verbal communication skills, and assess your ability to relate your learning to real-world issues. The final-year Independent Research Project enables you to undertake in-depth exploration of a specific topic that you are passionate about.Entry requirements
Fees & Funding
Choose which fees you want to see:
Home / Island students
£9,535 per year
International / EU Students
£29,000 per year
Home / Island students
Part Time - £ per year
International / EU Students
Part Time - £ per year
The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).
Find out moreDepartment Information
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Durham University's Department of Sport and Exercise Sciences is a welcoming and vibrant community. We are passionate about the benefits of sport and physical activity for all, from recreational participation through to competitive and high performance sport. Both the BA and BSc qualifications examine the connections between exercise and issues such as inequality, lifestyle and discrimination. These lines of study, which closely align with the United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, are woven through everything we do from undergraduate through to research level. Our staff are known around the world for the work they pioneer, using findings from their research to inform the undergraduate curriculum and keep it relevant to the real world. This approach gives you a valuable insight into developments in the sector and the confidence to put your developing knowledge to use in analysing, engaging with and enhancing real-world practices across the sport and exercise industries. Our courses also offer the flexibility to tailor your study to your interests and career goals. This includes offering a wide range of option modules and the chance to spend a year working in industry or studying abroad. You will also benefit from our commitment to small group learning which enables a more personalised approach and individualised support from staff. For more information see our department pages.
Read moreFacilities
The academic study of sport and exercise is closely linked to sport and exercise in practice. Facilities within the Department include the Human Performance Laboratory which houses a range of exercise and monitoring facilities that analyse our responses to exercise and nutrition. These facilities, which support researchers, undergraduate students and athletes alike, were built as part of the University's £33m investment in the Sports and Wellbeing Park at Maiden Castle. Alongside these facilities are an indoor cricket hall, a 12-court multi use sports hall, a fitness centre, a high-performance weights room and a range of outdoor sports pitches.
Find out more -
Career Opportunities
Of those students who graduated in 2021-22:
90%
HESA Graduate Outcomes Survey. The survey asks leavers from higher education what they are doing 15 months after graduation. Further information about the Graduate Outcomes survey can be found here www.graduateoutcomes.ac.uk
Employability
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