BSc (Hons) Sports Studies

Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: C602
Institute code: H36
Study abroad option
Work placement option
Find out more

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
104 - 112	BCC - BBC	MMM - DMM

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Clearing entry requirements

We’re committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. Over Clearing, we’ll be taking a flexible approach so if you don’t have the advertised grades, you can submit a clearing application and we’ll review and consider your application on an individual basis.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	IB requirement
104–112	BCC– BBC	DMM	104–112 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects.	104-112 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at H4 or above

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.

Accepted T Levels: Design Survey and Planning for Construction; Design Production, Design and Development; Education and Childcare; Healthcare Science; Health; Science; Digital Support Services; Digital Business Services; Onsite Construction; Building Services Engineering for Construction; Accounting; Design and Development for Engineering and Manufacturing; Engineering, Manufacturing, Processing and Control; Finance; Maintenance, Installation and Repair for Engineering and Manufacturing; Management and Administration; Agriculture, Land Management and Production; Legal Services.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Accepted T Levels	IB requirement
104–112	BCC– BBC	DMM	104–112 UCAS points Please see additional requirements for accepted T Level subjects.	104-112 points from a minimum of 2 HL subjects at H4 or above

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.

For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.

Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

Professional accreditations
The University of Hertfordshire is in partnership with CIMSPA, and the Sports degree programme(s) will be gaining endorsement against sector professional standards. As a result, students will be able to register with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) whilst studying with us here at Hertfordshire University. A CIMSPA student membership introduces sports-related students to their sector’s chartered professional body and supports them through their studies to develop skills and improve employability, ready for a smooth transition to the workplace, therefore even sports graduates can benefit.

The specific benefits of having a CIMSPA student membership include:
- CIMSPA Academy – Access to selected FREE recognised CPD eLearning
- CIMSPA magazine – Digital access to S&PA Professional
- S&PA Extra – Monthly digital newsletter counterpart to the CIMSPA magazine
- Workforce opportunities – Access to graduate work placement, volunteering, internships, and job opportunities
- Engagement opportunities – Linking to employers with students and providing opportunities through guest lectures
- CIMSPA Code of Conduct – standards expected of sector professionals

Why choose this course?

2nd in the East of England for Sports Science (2023 Complete University Guide)
Study the core elements of Sports Development, Management and Coaching
Optional module choices e.g. Coaching and High-performance Sport

If you love sport and want to learn as much as you can about sports management, development and coaching, this is the course for you. This course brings together these distinct but interrelated themes, to promote a broad understanding and examination of these diverse areas of sport.

You might be thinking about becoming a PE teacher, starting your own business, working in a managerial role, or as a performance analyst, high-performance coach, or a sports development officer. Perhaps you see yourself working in a more managerial role, or maybe working in education and teaching. Work experience opportunities are integrated into the programme. So whatever career you decide to pursue, work-related experience combined with academic study and a focus on communication skills will enhance your prospects.

You’ll study a range of subjects, focusing on key areas that impact on sports participation and performance. With optional modules, you’ll be able to tailor your degree to what interests you most. The University works closely together with national and international researchers, coaches and athletes, who engage with our facilities and workforce.

We are thrilled to announce our official partnership with Watford FC for the 2024-25 season. As a Herts student, you will have exclusive access to a variety of unique career and educational opportunities with this prestigious football club. Find out how you can get involved.

Benefit from our specialist sports facilities

You’ll have access to some of the best University sports facilities in the UK. You’ll benefit from our brand new multi-million-pound Institute of Sport Building based at the De-Havilland campus and will be able to join our on-campus Sports Village. Facilities include a 25-metre swimming pool, a 12m high climbing wall and a 110+ station gym. The gym has both strength and cardio equipment, such as rowing machines, cable stations and a free weights area. Facilities also include match-quality courts, sports halls and new generation astro pitches and so much more. There is also a smaller 24-hour gym on the College Lane campus. 

Whether you’re interested in sport on a competitive or casual level, there is something for you. There are opportunities for students to participate, compete and represent us in a wide variety of sports. We are also one of the few universities with an Active Students and Staff programme. This means we offer free sports and exercise sessions to all our students and staff. This is something you can tap into as a participant or possibly also as a facilitator.

What's the course about?

In your first year, you’ll learn the foundations of sports coaching, aspects related to physical activity and sports development, and begin to understand the sports industry. You'll also learn about media and communications in sport as well as how the sport sector operates within a global world. To help you settle into university life, you’ll take a module focused on developing the academic skills you need to be a successful student.

Your second year, builds on what you learnt in the first year. You’ll consider important ethical issues in sport, understand how to construct funding bids for active communities, and the essential processes that enable nations to succeed in the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Study global perspectives of sports development, applied sports coaching and management of sports events. The module on research methods helps you to understand the principles and methods that underpin social science research. You’ll be able to use this to critique and understand the research done in the areas of sports development, sports coaching, or the sports business management field. It will also come in handy for your final year dissertation. Your sport experience learning module provides you an opportunity to get applied work experience in the sport industry. In addition, we also offer optional modules for you to choose from e.g., leadership in sport, coaching modules, global perspectives of sport development, management of sport events, or sport marketing and public relations.

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or complete a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about, but it will also give your CV a boost. If you would rather go straight to your final year, that’s fine too. You can decide in your second year with us, so there is still plenty of time to think about this. 

In your final year, you’ll be able to develop your research skills through our research dissertation module and/or focus on a work experience dissertation. You’ll get a personal supervisor to support you with the research and/or work experience dissertation. Here, you’ll design and undertake your own project on a topic relevant to your area of study, and more importantly, it will be aligned to an area that interests you. You’ll also be able to study other modules in the final year, such as insight and evaluation, contemporary issues in sport, and sport law and governance. You can choose to supplement these modules with coaching modules, behaviour change for physcial activity and sport, creating business strategies for sport, or sport sales and customer service.

One of your campuses is de Havilland

You’ll share this campus with students from business, law, sport, and education subjects. The student housing is close to our Sports Village which includes a gym, swimming pool and climbing wall. You can get breakfast, lunch, or dinner in our on-campus restaurant or bar (in the newly built Enterprise Hub) on days you don’t feel like cooking. You can also use the common room to play pool, video games or just to hang out with friends.  Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.   

One of your campuses is College Lane

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6. These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study. Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.   

In your final year (level 6), you'll select one of the compulsory dissertations to study - either the Sports Coaching Research Dissertation or the Sports Coaching Experience Dissertation.

Modules are assessed in a variety of ways via coursework, debates, presentations, infographics, viva and practical. The type of coursework is varied, depending on the module and includes reports, reflections, write up of practicals, portfolios, posters and presentations.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Understanding the Sports Industry	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will develop an understanding of the management skills and knowledge needed to operate and promote a range of fitness, sports and leisure facilities within the public, commercial and voluntary sector environments. It will identify and explore the basic skills and knowledge required to operate these facilities, including those required for customer care, staff management, marketing, budgeting, health and safety, programming, and maintenance of physical resources.
Sports as Social and Global Phenomena	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will focus on the social context of sport and the interaction between sport, society and culture. This will include an exploration of the development of sport as a significant part of many societies today, as well as consideration of the ways in which sports may be seen as global phenomena.
Developing an Academic Approach	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module is focused on introducing and developing skills required to develop a successful academic approach to be a successful student in Higher Education, while also considering the professional/transferable skills for a successful career. With regards to academic approach, this module primarily provides an introduction to the academic, IT and communication skills that students will require to become effective autonomous learners in Higher Education.
Introduction to Sport Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce the core concepts that shape and influence community sport development. The sport participation and physical activity of various population groups will be explored, while the role and influence of policy in the sector will be appraised.
Introduction to Coaching	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces the foundational principles of coaching practice. The module is designed to introduce the novice coach to a range of relevant topics that inform the coaching process in its early stages. Students will be asked to reflect on their experiences of shadowing a coach outside of the University.
Practical Coaching Delivery	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module involves the application of coaching practices, with reference to relevant supporting theory and literature. It aims to facilitate the development of practical coaching experience in context through the planning, delivery, and evaluation of the student's own coaching. This module is designed to introduce the novice coach to a range of relevant topics that inform the coaching process in its early stages. Students will be introduced to key reflective models including Driscoll's 'What' Model, Kolb's Experiential Learning and Gibbs Reflective Cycle and use these to reflect on their own practice.
Sport Operations	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce students to the planning, design, and development of sport and recreation facilities and to the principles and techniques of facility operation and management. The module will cover specific topics related to sport operations and facility management such as organization and management, policy and procedure development, risk management/health and safety, financial management, and human resource management.
Sport Media and Communications	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will examine communication, practice, and media issues related to the sports industry and sport communication professions. Specifically, concepts and current issues related to the production of social media, broadcasting, print media, and public relations/crisis communications in the sports industry will be discussed and students will produce work from each of these industry segments.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Process and Practice in High-Performance Sport	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to the essential processes and practices that contribute to successful high-performance sport systems. Students will identify and analyse the factors that influence the success/failure of nations at the Olympic and/or Paralympic Games. The challenges of creating and delivering a successful high-performance sport system will be assessed.
Exploring Sports Ethics	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will explore a range of issues and concerns relating to sports ethics in 21st century societies. Matters for consideration include amateurism and professionalism, discrimination, deviant behaviour in the sports context, and the role of technology. Students will be encouraged to analyse such issues through the application of theoretical perspectives from the field of sports sociology.
Research Methods for Sports Studies	15 Credits	Compulsory
Students are introduced to research traditions and philosophies within the context of Sports Studies. The concept of research design is explored, with an emphasis on the role of literature in informing decisions about what to investigate and how-to guiding principles. The topic of ethical consideration for research is also introduced. Both quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis are examined. Overall, the core aim of the module is to enable students to develop the skills required to progress to the Sports Studies Research Dissertation at Level 6.
Global Perspectives of Sports Development	15 Credits	Optional
This module examines the global reach of sport development. Students will explore the field of international sport for development, examine the complexities of hosting global sporting events, and critically interpret the role of sport in international politics and diplomacy.
Coaching Pedagogy	15 Credits	Optional
This module is focused on the analysis of personal and professional coaching practice in an applied performance environment. The module will seek to facilitate practical coaching skills, gaining of further vocational coaching awards and development of experience in a coaching environment, with a particular focus on coaching pedagogy. It is hoped this will enable students to become more professionally focused regarding their coaching practice as well as more evidence-based in their practice. Students will revisit reflective models previously introduced at Level 4 as well as explore models that can be used to reflect within their coaching, such as Schon's Reflective Model.
Periodisation and Planning in Coaching	15 Credits	Optional
Building on Level 4 coaching modules, there will be further investigation of how wider subdisciplines (e.g. psychology, physiology, biomechanics) are integrated into interdisciplinary performance enhancement. Students will learn key principles within periodisation and planning and understand how these principles can be used to facilitate training and athletic development. The module will involve mostly theoretical sessions, and some practical sessions and experiences, to enhance learning and development. Students will revisit reflective models previously introduced at L4 as well as explore models that can be used to reflect within their coaching, such as Schon's Reflective Model.
Sport Marketing and Public Relations	15 Credits	Optional
This module will encourage students to develop an understanding of the different aspects of marketing and public relations in the world of sport, both on a national and international level. Students will apply marketing and communication strategies via digital communication channels as well.
Leadership in Sport	15 Credits	Optional
The module aims to enable students to gain leading-edge academic knowledge of how to work with different individuals and to adopt conflict solving techniques. Group exercises will be used as well as individual tasks. Leadership knowledge will be gained in class, enabling students to become more professionally focused to work in groups in later working life.
Management of Sport Events	15 Credits	Optional
In this module students will gain knowledge of how to work with different individuals and to adapt conflict solving techniques. Students will learn the fundamentals of event management. Group exercises will be used as well as individual tasks. The module will seek to enable students to organise a sport event for charity.
Funding for Active Communities	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will explore the role of funding in supporting active communities in the UK. The key principles for successful funding applications will be introduced, considered, and applied to real life community examples through creating funding applications for local organisations.
Sport Experience Learning	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides opportunities for the student to apply academic and vocational learning in a professional sport-related setting, and vice versa to bring workplace skills and issues into the academic and vocational learning environment. Students will develop evidence-based working practices and enhance associated knowledge and skills to improve their employability and reflective practice. Opportunities for continuing development to add personal transferable skills will be present. Students will revisit reflective models previously introduced at Level 4 as well as explore models that can be used to reflect within their coaching, such as Schon's Reflective Model.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Creating Business Strategies for Sport	15 Credits	Optional
This module aims to provide an understanding of the concept of strategic management and its application to sport organisations. It will enable the student to appraise the influences of the macro and micro environments within which such sport organisations exist and operate. Students will implement strategic analysis to identify the options for the future operation and marketing of sport organisations.
Sports Studies Research Dissertation	30 Credits	Optional
This module is intended to offer students the widest possible scope, within controlled parameters, to research a topic beyond the constraints of usual coursework assignments and examinations and design, plan, execute, and present the results of this research in a dissertation in the field of Sport Studies.
Sandwich Placement - Sport	0 Credits	Optional
The Sandwich placement will provide students with the opportunity to expand, develop and apply the knowledge, understanding, skills and attributes acquired during levels 4 and 5 of the relevant degree programme, in a professional work-based environment. Prior to the commencement of the sandwich placement, students will seek and apply for a position suitable for their programme of study, in the UK or overseas. Students will be allocated a workplace, and a University supervisor. The student will agree an appropriate working pattern with the workplace supervisor and will establish relevant aims to work towards during the sandwich placement. Students completing a UK-based sandwich placement will normally attend a one-day placement symposium at the university, part way through the year. They will present a poster relating to their placement experience. Students completing an overseas sandwich placement will normally submit a poster electronically. Throughout the Sandwich placement, students will evaluate and reflect on their experiences, with consideration of current literature and evidence-based practice. The Sandwich placement will culminate in a work-based evaluation, and the production of a reflective placement report.
Study Abroad - Sport	0 Credits	Optional
Learning and teaching methods may include taught courses, a research project, practical studies, or a mixture of these components. The Year Abroad will be for two academic semesters or their equivalent. The students will therefore follow a programme negotiated by the Programme Lead or nominee and an equivalent representative of the host institution. Prior to commencement of the Year Abroad, the student, the programme officers from the University of Hertfordshire and from the host institution will agree a learning agreement and mode of attendance.
Professional Practice in Sport Studies	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module explores the techniques and tools required to manage oneself effectively in the sports industry. Topics that may be covered include how to manage time, set goals, prioritise activities, create a strategic networking plan to achieve career aspirations, personal development planning, and prioritisation of tasks.
Coaching in the Community	15 Credits	Optional
This module will focus on the coach as a leader and explore how they can plan, deliver, and reflect on a session in a variety of community environments. The role of the coach from an educator and orchestrator standpoint will be explored and the impact of holistic coaching and developing the coach/athlete relationship will be focused upon. There will be an emphasis on coaching in community contexts, such as schools, development roles and Active Staff/Students. Students will be expected to use reflective models introduced at Levels 4 and 5 to critically reflect on their own coaching practice/ work experience and appraise areas for future development.
Excellence in Coaching	15 Credits	Optional
This module will explore how the coach can demonstrate excellence in their practice. Students will gain an understanding of the attributes that lead to elite and effective coaching. Students will develop enhanced awareness and critical understanding of advanced coaching related research, theories, areas, and issues such as critical thinking, vulnerability, emotional intelligence, reflection and advanced coaching philosophy. Finally, the module will explore how to effectively set goals and create a development action plan to develop student careers. Students will be expected to use reflective models introduced at Levels 4 and 5 to critically reflect on their own coaching practice/ work experience and appraise areas for future development.
Contemporary Issues in Sport	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will offer an engaging, informative, yet challenging introduction to some of the most pressing contemporary issues in sport. The module aims to provide students with a critical awareness of contemporary issues in sport by examining a number of topics ranging from global issues such as corruption, gambling and commercialisation to national issues of gender, sexuality, racism and women in sport. Students will develop an understanding of these issues by being empowered to formulate personal opinion underpinned by sociological theoretical evidence in the format of assessed seminar discussions. Furthermore, listening skills, alongside verbal reasoning will be developed in order to develop critical understanding of relatively complex themes that affect both the sports industry and society as a whole.
Sport Law and Governance	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module introduces students to governance structures and legal issues within professional and amateur sport organisations. Students will examine governance and legal issues in local, national, and international environments. Additionally, students will explore legal issues such as regulation of athlete agents, intellectual property, and contract law.
Insight and Evaluation of Sport Development	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will focus on the critical analysis and interpretation of data to understand trends in sport development. Using data-driven and theoretical methods, students will evaluate the effectiveness of sport development projects in achieving their aims. Furthermore, students will estimate future trends that will influence sport development projects and practice.
Behaviour Change for Physical Activity and Sport	15 Credits	Optional
This module focuses on how to positively change physical activity and sport participation behaviour. A range of behaviour change theories will be critiqued and appraised for their potential to change individual and population physical activity and sport participation. In addition, a whole systems approach to influencing behaviour change will be examined.
Sport Studies Experience Dissertation	30 Credits	Optional
This Experience Dissertation module embraces the philosophy of empowerment in that it offers Level 6 students the opportunity to continue their professional experience in a Sports Studies setting of particular interest. The module builds upon the 15-credit Sport Experience Learning module at Level 5, while having a greater focus upon the opportunity for immersion in a community of practice, whilst appreciating the value of professional debate of contemporary issues. The module is an academic and vocational hybrid, which relies upon the application of advanced academic theory and skills developed during the BSc (Hons) Sports Studies programme to professional practice in the chosen experience setting. The reflective nature of the assessment will facilitate the appraisal of learning and the prominence of significant milestones to enhance future employability and to inform future career destinations. Students will be expected to use reflective models introduced at Levels 4 and 5 to critically reflect on their own work experience and appraise areas for future development.

Study abroad

An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about Study abroad opportunities

Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.
Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about work placements
What if I need support?

Throughout your time at the university, you’ll work closely with a personal tutor in order to help develop academic, personal, and vocational skills. This work is supported by the University’s online platform, which provides a location for lecture slides, lecture recordings, module guides, assessment details and discussion forums amongst other things.
Personal Tutors and Supervisor Support
From the first year, students are allocated a Personal Tutor and will have frequent meetings throughout the first year (L4) and into the second year (L5) on all degree programmes we offer. In the final year (L6), students will be aligned with a project supervisor who will support them with their dissertation module(s) and provide overarching guidance.
Academic Support Services (ASU)
You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we have got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you will have access to our Academic Support Services (ASU). You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions and online tutorials. Both our Learning Resources Centres (LRCs) run drop-in study skills sessions.
Student Wellbeing
Student Wellbeing is here to support you with any emotional, mental health, disability and health-related issues which you may experience throughout your time at university. All of our services are delivered by trained and experienced staff who take a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach to ensure that you get the best support possible.

Alumni Stories

Annabelle Bullock

Meet Annabelle Bullock, a BUCS gold medallist, who studied Sports Studies alongside her athletic pursuits. As an athlete she competed in target shooting and as a member of the women's Lacrosse team.

Read more stories BSc (Hons) Sports Studies MA Education

Current job role	Education Liaison Coordinator
Year of graduation	2018 / 2019
Course of study	BSc (Hons) Sports Studies
Course of study	MA Education

University experience and support

The University supported Annabelle by making her one of its sponsored athletes providing her with greater flexibility and access to sporting facilities and opportunities. This helped her develop a broad and transferable set of skills and experience.

Annabelle says, 'Being an athlete and studying was challenging, but the University and my lecturers were so supportive. Being made a sponsored athlete also came with a bunch of perks. All this support and the opportunities that the University provided helped me to build the skills and confidence I needed to be truly successful in my job today.'

Annabelle currently works as one of the Education Liaison Coordinators at Herts. Having established fantastic contacts within the University, her student activities meant she could seamlessly progress into a professional role that complimented many of her skills and interests.

'I always assumed that I would do something within sport, but when it came to my final year in BSc Sport Studies, I had found my passion for Coach Education. During my MA in Education at the University, I discovered another passion for helping others and working with student athletes.'

Opportunities to explore

The University is committed to recognising talent in its students and offering any exciting opportunities that can enrich their studies and further their careers. Annabelle's lecturers' encouraged her to explore her passion for research which inspired her to continue with postgraduate study. Most impressively, the University helped her win its first BUCS gold medal in target shooting, which she says 'felt amazing as I was the only one in the team!'

Annabelle's advice for new and current students is to 'Do things that are out of your comfort zone because the skills and experiences you develop may just be the thing that your employer is looking for. Take all of the opportunities you can. I thought I was going to be an athlete forever, then I discovered coaching. I am very lucky that my first "proper" job is something that I absolutely love but I am still able to continue coaching. This summer I am helping coach a target shooting national team in the biggest junior, under 21, competition in the country.'

Alumni Stories

Toby Jackson

Meet Toby Jackson who pursued his passion for tennis as his career. He is currently the Head Tennis Coach at Cambourne Tennis, one of the biggest clubs in Cambridgeshire, and founder of Game Set Tennis.

Read more stories BSc (Hons) Sports Studies

Current job role	Head Coach and Company Founder
Year of graduation	2017
Course of study	BSc (Hons) Sports Studies

University life and experience

Toby applied to the University of Hertfordshire through Clearing after not getting into his chosen universities on A-level results day. After contacting the University, he managed to meet one of his future lecturers the same day! He was immediately won over by the course content and the apprehension of having to do a foundation degree first, soon turned into excitement as he realised how well it integrated into his undergraduate degree. While the University wasn’t Toby’s first choice of university, he says that he ‘wouldn’t have wanted to go anywhere else!’

While studying his foundation degree at one of our Consortium Colleges, Toby benefited from small class sizes enabling lecturers to provide 1-2-1 support and a range of different assessment types, including a Dragons Den style pitch enabling him to develop core transferable skills. These skills not only helped him when he started his undergraduate course but continue to do so in his career.

Toby’s undergraduate degree offered a range of modules enabling him to pinpoint his strengths and weaknesses allowing him to identify which areas of sport he wanted to pursue a career in.

During his time at University, Toby played an active role in the University tennis team. He was fortunate enough to become the University Tennis Ambassador allowing him to influence how tennis is delivered at the University. His influence encouraged the Tennis Programme to grow and it now has links with Gosling Tennis Centre – one of the best in the country!

Future aspirations

In the future, Toby hopes to become an LTA Level 4 Accredited + Coach and help to increase the coaching programme at Cambourne Tennis to 250 juniors and adults a week. He also hopes to expand Game Set Tennis – his own business which he started before graduating – across Cambridgeshire while still maintaining a high standard of coaching across the clubs.

What's next for my career?

There are a variety of career opportunities in sports related employment for Sports Studies graduates including sports coaching, sports development, sports management, sports administration, sports media, sports promotion, health promotion, sports business, and sports instruction/teaching/lecturing/research.
View our Alumni profiles

Annabelle Bullock Toby Jackson

Course fact sheets
BSc (Hons) Sports Studies (Revised 2024)	Download

Programme specifications
BSc (Hons) Sports Studies	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	Optional
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 3 Years Part Time, 6 Years Sandwich, 4 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Apply using the links below:

2024

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)
23/09/2024	31/05/2025	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

2025

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
22/09/2025	31/05/2026	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)
23/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Part Time)
23/09/2025	31/05/2026	1	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
22/09/2025	31/05/2026	2	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

2026

Start Date	End Date	Year	Location	Link
21/09/2026	31/05/2027	3	UH Hatfield Campus	Apply online (Full Time)

Fees and funding
Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £9250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1155 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students
Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students
Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
EVS handsets are required for this course at a cost of £35.

Students on the Sports Studies course will be required to evidence the attainment of a vocational coaching award (or evidenced continuing professional development), for each sports coaching module (1) at each level of study (2/3), in order to promote employability, and to complement theoretical study. All students on the programme have to undertake coaching modules at Level 4 (year 1) and Level 5 (year 2), but they can choose to drop coaching at Level 6 (final year) if they wish (so students need to gain a minimum of between 2 and 3 vocational coaching awards while on the course).

These awards are usually external to the University of Hertfordshire, and vary in price, but there are occasional subsidised, and some free courses, that we make students aware of. Because students independently and critically consider which awards/courses they will undertake, exact costs vary. Students often choose courses that match their career ambitions and interests best (some students have awards wholly or partly subsidised by employers in return for coaching hours). However, as a rough guide, these additional costs commonly range from £250 - £750 in total.

*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

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BSc (Hons) Sports Studies

Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: C602

Institute code: H36

Study abroad option

Work placement option

Additional requirements

Clearing entry requirements

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

Benefit from our specialist sports facilities

What's the course about?

One of your campuses is de Havilland

One of your campuses is College Lane

What will I study?

Personal Tutors and Supervisor Support

Academic Support Services (ASU)

Student Wellbeing

Alumni Stories

Meet Annabelle Bullock, a BUCS gold medallist, who studied Sports Studies alongside her athletic pursuits. As an athlete she competed in target shooting and as a member of the women's Lacrosse team.

University experience and support

Opportunities to explore

Alumni Stories

Meet Toby Jackson who pursued his passion for tennis as his career. He is currently the Head Tennis Coach at Cambourne Tennis, one of the biggest clubs in Cambridgeshire, and founder of Game Set Tennis.

University life and experience

Future aspirations

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

2025

2026

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation

One of your campuses is de Havilland

One of your campuses is College Lane