Intro

Our integrated foundation year provides an extra year of study at foundation level, opening up opportunities if you do not hold the required A-levels or equivalent qualifications, are changing career or returning to study.

The foundation offers a wide perspective on the world of sport and gives you the support, knowledge and skills you need to study at degree level. Successful completion means that you can progress onto one of our sport courses from sport and exercise science to sport management.

You'll benefit from strong academic support and excellent facilities, and be equipped to get the most out of the honours degree that you choose.

Open days

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Falmer campus open day

Open days are the best way to find out about your course, the campus where you'll be based, and get a feel for the University of Brighton.

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Key facts

Location

2023 entry – Eastbourne for foundation year then Brighton: Falmer for three-year honours degree

2024 entry – Brighton: Falmer

UCAS code C611

Full-time 4 years – one year foundation course plus three-year honours degree

Apply now with UCAS for 2023

Course content

Course structure

You'll complete four modules in the foundation year. They will allow you to explore sport and the subjects connected to it, helping you to choose the right degree for you. You'll be introduced to concepts and problems in sport providing a strong knowledge base and giving you a practical perspective on the subject. You'll also develop the practical, theoretical and scientific skills that allow you to understand sport and those who take part in it. You'll link theory with practice wherever possible.

Learning will be through a mixture of lectures and lab practical classes, group work, workshops and seminars. You'll be supported throughout by your personal tutor.

Modules

Working with Sport-related Data and Information

This module introduces the basic research methods, data and information handling skills needed to transition successfully to the undergraduate study of sport. You will explore the relevant principles, methods and practices that will support your investigation of sport and you'll develop skills in problem solving, analysis and evaluation across a range of information.
Pathways into Physical Activity, Physical Education and Sport

This module introduces perspectives, theories and contemporary debates in physical activity from physical education, coaching, sports management through to sport science, providing a firm foundation for you to progress to a sport-related honours degree. You will also develop skills to evaluate sport and those that participate in it, both from natural science and social science perspectives.
Skills for Higher Education

Skills for Higher Education will support your transition to the academic study of sport at university. It will enable you to develop skills relevant to the study of sport as well as transferable, reflective, critical and generic skills necessary to study in higher education. You'll be encouraged to take responsibility for, and to reflect upon, your learning, development and employability.
Practical Sport

The Practical Sport module develops your performance and practical skills across a wide range of sports. You will develop and evaluate leadership skills which can applied practically and evaluate those skills, thinking about your future development.

Progress to a degree

Successful completion of the foundation year means that you'll be able to progress to one of our sport honours degrees. Depending on the subjects that you are most interested in, you'll pick a specific pathway through The Study of Sport module. Which pathway you choose dictates the degree that you can progress to.

Pathway: Science of Sport and Physical Activity

Pathway: Sport in Society

Facilities

From September 2024 this course will be taught at our Brighton, Falmer campus. The Falmer campus is being redesigned, renovated and upgraded and will have lots of new facilities for sport and health science students.

Sport and fitness

The Eastbourne campus has excellent sport and fitness facilities on site which include:

large six court sports hall
artificial ¾ length training pitch
climbing wall
25m swimming pool
two gymnasiums
36-station fitness suite with a designated cardiovascular area packed with bikes, treadmills, and rowers, cross-trainers and steppers
two dance studios.

Laboratories

Accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), our laboratories are equipped with the latest modern facilities.

You will have access to a -10 to +50°C hot-cold chamber, an altitude/hypoxic chamber that rises to the equivalent of 5500m, 3D motion analysis, ground reaction force plates, a DXA bone scanner, exercise physiology laboratories, biomechanics laboratories and three biochemistry laboratories.

Find out more about the facilities available to our sport and exercise students.

The 210˚ Igloo projection system is used to research reaction times and decision making in sport-related situations.

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you’ll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition.

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports Scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about Sport Scholarships.

Our latest news

Presenting at BASES Student Conference

Students from our undergraduate and postgraduate sport science degrees received funding to attend this years British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) annual student conference.

Explore our summer schools

Our summer schools programme offers you the chance to experience what it’s like to study at university.

Meet sport coaching student Rebecca

We asked first year Sport Coaching BSc(Hons) student, Rebecca Maye to reflect on her time on the degree to date: Why I chose Brighton for my degree “I loved sport growing up, always played football and all other sports I could.

Expedition to Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons)

Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons) students who opted to take the 3rd year choice module, Expedition Physiology, visited the Welsh mountains just before the Easter holidays.

Careers

Sport is one of the few sectors experiencing economic growth both in the UK and globally.

Careers exist with various organisations including professional sport clubs, sport governing bodies, health and leisure clubs, sport public agencies, sport community recreation departments, sporting goods companies, sport marketing agencies, sport events organisers and athletic service organisations.

A degree in sport from the University of Brighton will enable you to turn your passion for sport into an exciting career and our employability hub and careers service will be there to offer support and advice.

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

UCAS tariff
72 UCAS tariff points. Level 3 Key Skills and General Studies will count towards the tariff.

A-levels
DDD.

BTEC
MMP/DM.

International Baccalaureate
24 points.

T-level
Pass with D or E in your core components in the Healthcare Science or Science T-level. Other T-levels are not accepted.

Other qualifications
We will consider applicants who have completed an Access course or other type of level 3 qualification on an individual basis; relevant experience may also be taken into account.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Flexible admissions

When you apply to Brighton we want to hear about who you are. Grades are never the whole picture; we're interested in things like creativity, resourcefulness, persistence and the capacity to think big and find new ways of doing things. And we recognise that not everyone has the same background. That's why we treat everyone who applies as an individual. We recognise many qualifications and we care about all of your achievements and the experiences you've had that set you apart.

Find out more

Graphic with the text 'Potential + possibility'

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,250 GBP

International (full-time) 15,300 GBP

Students applying for this course will be eligible to apply for student funding for the full four-year course – foundation year plus three-year honours degree.

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Health Sciences in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

Where health course includes a placement
- UK students – travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund.
- Overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme, this means that any additional travel or accommodation costs for this course will be your responsibility. Travel to placement may be up to 90 mins each way/ travel on public transport at peak time cost, and you may incur additional accommodation and living costs if staying away from your usual home base for the length of your placement.
An initial set of specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
DBS checks and occupational health checks, where required, are included in the fees.
Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.
In sport courses, UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
For sports courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre.

Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite – and there is a wide range of subject-specific facilities for our sport and health students. Welkin halls are also on campus.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

Falmer campus

Set in the South Downs, our Falmer campus is around four miles from Brighton city centre. Students based here study a range of subjects – from 2024 these will include education studies, teaching, sport and exercise, nursing and midwifery, allied health professions and medicine. Brighton and Hove Albion's Amex stadium and beautiful Stanmer Park are right next door.

Falmer campus has two halls of residence on site, as well as a library, restaurant, cafes and the students' union shop and bar.

The campus sports centre has a fitness suite, activity studios and a sports hall. There is also a floodlit astroturf football pitch, netball and tennis courts.

Specialist learning facilities at Falmer include the curriculum centre used by teaching and education students, which houses over 30,000 teaching resources, and clinical skills and simulation suites used by health students. New facilities are being developed ready for September 2024 when all of our sport and health students will be based here. Learn more about the changes at Falmer.

Cycle lanes link Falmer with our other campuses and the city centre. There are regular bus services to the city centre and other campuses. Falmer train station is right next to campus and a nine minute journey to central Brighton.

Newly refurbished atrium in the Checkland Building

Accommodation

Eastbourne

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
All rooms are self-catered with access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
Rent includes all utilities, 24/7 security and support, contents insurance and cleaning of communal areas.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Brighton: Falmer

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:
- Paddock Field and Great Wilkins halls offer a range of rooms on our Falmer campus, minutes from your classes, and on the edge of the South Downs.
- Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Falmer campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Outside views at Falmer accommodation

Extensive facilities at Falmer sports centre

Students dining at Westlain

Local area

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

It's only 90 minutes by train from Eastbourne to central London and less than 40 minutes to Brighton. There are also daily direct trains to Ashford International and Gatwick Airport.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton

About Brighton

The University of Brighton is at the heart of our city's reputation as a welcoming, forward-thinking place which leads the way when it comes to the arts, music, sustainability and creative technology. Brighton is home to a thriving creative community and a digital sector worth £1bn a year to the local economy, as much as tourism.

Many of the work-based learning opportunities offered on our courses such as placements and guest lectures are provided by businesses and organisations based in the city.

You can also get involved with city festivals and events such as the Brighton Festival, the Fringe, Brighton Digital Festival, Brighton Science Festival, the London to Brighton bike ride, and the Great Escape festival of new music to name but a few. Other annual highlights include Pride, the Brighton Marathon, and Burning the Clocks which marks the winter solstice.

You'll find living in Brighton enriches your learning experience and by the end of your course you will still be finding new things to explore and inspire you.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Maps

Eastbourne campus map

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Falmer campus

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.