Sport Science BSc (Hons)

Why choose this course?

Are you passionate about sport and exercise? Would you enjoy a career where you worked to improve people's sporting performance, fitness and health? There are increasing opportunities for sports scientists to work with athletes or conduct research.

This hands-on course studies the science that underpins sports participation and how the body's performance can be improved. Topics include anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, physiology and psychology. You'll learn to monitor and assess health, fitness and performance.

You'll be able to tailor your studies to your own interests and career goals. There is an option to study sports injuries and a project/ dissertation on a selected topic.

Apply for this course

Attendance	UCAS code/apply	Year of entry
3 years full time	C600	2022
4 years full time including sandwich year	C601	2022
4 years full time including foundation year	C608	2022
6 years part time	Apply direct to the University	2022

Location

Penrhyn Road

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2021 entry

If you are planning to join this course in the academic year 2021/22 (i.e. between September 2021 and August 2022), please view the information about changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19.

Changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19

Continuing students

Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2021/22 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2021/22. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas course page.

Reasons to choose Kingston University

Kingston was ranked No.1 in London and No.7 in the UK sport science (Guardian league table 2021).
This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).
This course received 95% overall student satisfaction (National Student Survey 2020).

Sport Science at Kingston

Sport Science students Louise and Tom talk about their experience studying at Kingston University:

What you will study

If you choose to take the four-year sandwich route of this degree, you will undertake one year of industry-related work experience.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list as these could change before your year of entry.

Sport Science BSc (Hons)

Year 1 (core modules)

Essentials for Sport and Exercise Science

30 credits

This module provides an essential introduction to the skills required for undergraduate study and scientific research and to understand the principles of qualitative and quantitative experimental research and elementary data analysis. The skills developed in this module will begin to formulate the foundation to later research methods modules and the final year project or dissertation module.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Manage time to become effective independent learners.
Demonstrate and reflect on a range of academic key and transferable skills required for effective learning, including but not limited to oral presentations, written reports essays and demonstrate an awareness of feedback.
Locate contemporary research publications both in text and electronic format and reference them appropriately.
Understand the terminology and basic concepts of research in the field of sport and exercise science.
Identify appropriate methods of experimental research in sport and exercise sciences.
Conduct and interpret the results of statistical tests.

Sport and Exercise Psychology 1

30 credits

This level four module is a core module in all Sports & Exercise Science undergraduate courses. The module seeks to introduce fundamental psychological constructs and how they impact upon our understanding of human behaviour and learning in sport and exercise environments. Such constructs include personality, motivation, anxiety, stress as well as the learning and performance process. These topics will be introduced within lectures, further examined within seminar, workshop and practical sessions, and supplemented with additional online material.

Functional Anatomy and Exercise Physiology

30 credits

This is a core module in the Sport and Exercise Sciences field. The module is designed to introduce the student to the fundamentals of functional anatomy and physiology, particularly the skeletal, neural, muscular, metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The focus will be on the understanding of the biomechanics of movement and the physiological adjustments in response to the demands of sport and exercise.

The Science and Practice of Coaching (single honours only)

30 credits

This module introduces theories related to coaching and leadership roles in sport and exercise. The module aims to create the environment where the individual develops their own practical competencies in related coaching and leadership skills. In addition, the module aims to provide the experiential basis necessary to appreciate and understand sport as an academic subject.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Demonstrate an understanding of coaching, group management, and leadership theories.
Explain and discuss how theories of group coaching, management, and leadership can be applied to practical sport and exercise settings.
Demonstrate an understanding of structural, technical and tactical aspects of selected sports.
Develop practical coaching experience from assistant/observer to lead coach in a variety of sport and levels.
Lead a short session on warm up/cool down or technical, tactical skills related to a sport.
Demonstrate the key skills of creative thinking, problem solving, communication (group discussions; presentation; reading, selecting, extracting, and collating information from appropriate sources; produce written materials; incorporate images in documents including tables, charts, and diagrams), ICT (produce a document that incorporates and combines different types of information), teamwork (working with others), and develop independent learning skills.

Year 2 (core modules)

Health and Exercise Physiology

30 credits

This is a core module in Sport Science, Exercise, Nutrition & Health and Biological Sciences (Human Biology) degree pathways, and offered as an option on the Sports Analysis & Coaching. This module covers the acute and chronic physiological changes induced by exercise and an understanding of cardio-respiratory health. This module will develop the students' application of exercise physiology to performance. The module will also enable students to apply the role of exercise and physical activity as a prescription therapy to clinical diseases. This module will further develop the student understanding by equipping them with the scientific skills to monitor and assess health, fitness and performance.

Sport and Exercise Psychology 2

30 credits

This is a core module in Sport Science and Exercise, Nutrition & Health degree pathways, and offered as an option on the Sports Analysis & Coaching degree pathway. The module seeks to enable students to further understand the psychological influences on human behaviour in sport and exercise environments. These topics will be introduced within lectures, further examined within seminar, workshop and practical sessions, and supplemented with additional online material.

Research Methods in Exercise Science

30 credits

This is a core module in all Sport & Exercise Science undergraduate courses. The module's focus is on the approaches to research design, data collection techniques and appropriate analyses to make accurate interpretations. It further investigates quantitative and qualitative research methods introduced at Level 4 and introduces students to more advanced techniques. The module provides an essential introduction to research ethics and the ethical approval procedures that are required when using human participants for research. Skills developed in this module will form the foundation of the final year project module. This module also provides an overview of how to recognise and develop key and transferable skills to enhance employability through relevant professional development and research experience.

Year 3/4 (core modules)

Extreme Environments and Ergogenic Aids

30 credits

This is a core module in Sports Science pathway, and an optional module in the Sports Analysis and Coaching, Exercise, Nutrition and Health and Biological Sciences (Human Biology) pathways. This module provides coverage of the environmental influences that impact on humans when exercising or competing in sport. The physiological reactions to discrete environmental stresses are described and methods of acclimatisation or coping are explained. This module also examines nutritional supplementation and prohibited methods to enhance physical performance, including a focus on current regulation and policies and the attitudes, values and behaviours that may precipitate doping and the consequences of doping in sport.

Sport and Exercise Science Project

30 credits

This module is to measure academic independence in utilising the skills previously learned in Essentials for Sport and Exercise and Research Methods in Exercise Science where a significant piece of original and independent research is undertaken throughout the third year. To produce a plan and undertake some form of data collection which will culminate in the writing of a scientific project and oral presentation.

On successful completion of the module, students will be able to:

Devise and write a concise plan of a proposed research project, paying due consideration to health and safety regulations and ethics, if required.
Undertake original research and compare the outcomes with the current understanding.
Write a structured and lucid report of the work carried out that is appropriately analytical and critical.
Evaluate and communicate complex information both orally and in writing.
Demonstrate key skills of creative thinking, problem solving, communication (produce written reports; oral presentation; incorporate tables, charts and diagrams in documents; collate information), numeracy (collect and analyse data), ICT (to obtain information; present written reports and oral presentation), and opportunity to reflect.

Year 3/4 (optional modules)

Applied Notational Analysis

30 credits

This module lies within the field of Sport and Exercise Science. It is a core module for students on the Sport Analysis and Coaching degree and an optional module for students on the Sport Science degree. The module develops skills gained at level five in LS5015 Analysis in Sport and Exercise and further enhances the role of notational analysis within sport. The module sees a much greater emphasis placed on the applied application on notational analysis and how this supports the coaching cycle within a variety of sports. Students are required to conduct computerised notational investigations to gain insight into performance.

Biomechanics of Sport Performance and Injury

30 credits

This module provides a critical, theoretical and practical understanding of applied techniques used in the biomechanical analysis of human movement and sporting activity to identify how the application of biomechanics may be used to improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. The module also provides critical awareness of the mechanisms, prevention, assessment and treatment of injury associated with sport participation.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Apply knowledge and practical experience of the techniques used for recording and analysing sporting movements.
Critically evaluate how applied biomechanics can improve sporting performance and reduce the risk of injury.
Demonstrate a developed critical awareness of differing approaches to movement analysis.
Demonstrate a developed critical awareness of differing approaches and methodologies related to injury assessment and rehabilitation.
Demonstrate key skills of communication, numeracy, ICT, teamwork and develop independent skills.

Applied Sport Psychology

30 credits

This module furthers the understanding of the application of psychology to sport, including the role of the sport psychologist, and the types of skills used by these professionals with individual athletes and teams. Building upon the existing knowledge of psychological theory previously gained and applying this knowledge to case studies and stories of professional athletes. The module aims to develop an understanding of the frameworks used by sport psychologists working in the field, as well as having the opportunity to apply these skills through role play. This module will develop critical understanding of sport psychology through the evaluation of interventions to promote athletic performance.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Effectively and critically apply psychological theory to the sport domain
Demonstrate an understanding of the applied sport psychology process: from needs analysis to intervention and evaluation, with a high level of autonomy and in an evidence based fashion
Demonstrate a developed critical understanding of the moral and ethical issues when working with performers in the area of sport psychology
Demonstrate key skills of communication (group discussions; making a presentation; reading, selecting, extracting, and collating information from appropriate sources; produce written materials), numeracy (data collection; recording data, evaluating data performing calculations), ICT (produce a document that incorporates and combines different types of information; search for, retrieve, and store information using ICT resources), teamwork, and develop independent learning skills.

Exercise and Health Psychology

30 credits

This module covers the adoption and maintenance of physical activity/exercise and health behaviours. The module is intended to develop critical understanding of theories of behaviour prediction and evaluate research surrounding the benefits of physical activity/exercise for psychological health and well-being. In addition, the module develops understanding through the evaluation of interventions to promote physical activity and mental health.

On successful completion of the module, you will be able to:

Evaluate the benefits of exercise for psychological health and wellbeing.
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of determinants of health behaviour.
Develop an advanced critical understanding of exercise and health behaviour theories and their application.
Demonstrate key skills of communication (group discussions; making a presentation; reading, selecting, extracting, and collating information from appropriate sources; produce written materials), numeracy (data collection; recording data; evaluating data), ICT (produce a document that incorporates and combines different types of information; search for, retrieve, and store information using ICT resources), teamwork, and develop independent learning skills.

The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.

Foundation year

If you would like to study one of our science degrees at Kingston University but are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc(Hons) course, you can include an extra foundation year within your chosen degree. Please see the science foundation year course page for details of modules.

Find out more about the science foundation year course

Entry requirements

Typical offer 2022

UCAS tariff points: 96–120 for BSc (Hons); 32 for BSc (Hons) including foundation year from Level 3 qualifications.

A-levels to include one Sport OR Science A2 at grade C or above in either PE (Physical Education), Sport Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Applied Science or Psychology, Sport Psychology. General Studies not accepted.

Alternatively, BTEC Extended Diploma in Sports and Exercise Science or Applied Science or Applied Biology with grades MMM.

Candidates are normally required to hold five GCSE subjects grades A*-C including Mathematics and English Language (or comparable numeric score under the newly reformed GCSE grading).

Alternative routes

We will consider a range of alternative Level 3 qualifications such as an Access Course in Sport and Exercise Science or Sport Science which has been passed with 96 UCAS points.

Applications from those that have undertaken a Science foundation year will also be considered.

International

We welcome applications from International Applicants. All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 6.0, with no element below 5.5.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching includes lectures, seminars, tutorials and practical laboratory experience with access to high-specification physiology and biomechanics laboratories.

Assessment includes continuous assessment (eg essays, laboratory reports, presentations), thesis and exam.

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled sessions you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically will involve reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects, undertaking preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for final assignments. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the online virtual learning platform.

Academic support

Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.

Your workload

Type of teaching and learning

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1

Scheduled teaching: 304 hours
Guided independent study: 896 hours

Year 2

Scheduled teaching: 291 hours
Guided independent study: 909 hours

Year 3

Scheduled teaching: 285 hours
Placement: 50 hours
Guided independent study: 1465 hours

How you will be assessed

Type of assessment

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 1

Coursework: 60%
Practical: 25%
Exams: 15%

Year 2

Coursework: 44%
Practical: 24%
Exams: 32%

Year 3

Coursework: 62%
Practical: 20%
Exams: 18%

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 25 students and lecture sizes are normally 25-65. However this can vary by module and academic year.

Who teaches this course?

The course is taught at the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing. Faculty staff have a wide range of experience across research and industry and continue to practice and research at the cutting edge of their discipline. This ensures that our courses are current and industry informed ensuring you get the most relevant and up to date education possible.

Staff will use their experience and professional networks to hone your skills and shape you into the next generation of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) graduates.

Postgraduate students may run or assist in lab sessions and may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Dr James Brouner

Course leader

Dr Hannah Jayne Moir

Dr Simon Augustus

Hannah Marshall

Dr Frank Owusu-Sekyere

Professor Andrea Petroczi

Dr Elizabeth Pummell

Dr Michelle Richards

Dr Owen Spendiff

Course fees and funding

2022/23 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2022/23 the fees for this course are:

Fee category	Amount
Home (UK students)	£9,250*
International	Year 1 (2022/23): £15,400 Year 2 (2023/24): £15,800 Year 3 (2024/25): £16,200

For courses with a sandwich year, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.

* If your course involves a foundation year, the fee for that year for Home (UK) students will be £9,250 in 2022/23. The fees shown above apply for year 1 of the degree from 2022/23 onwards (fees may rise in line with inflation for future academic years). For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.

2021/22 fees for this course

The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2021/22 the fees for this course are:

Fee category	Amount
Home (UK students)	£9,250*
International	Year 1 (2021/22): £15,000 Year 2 (2022/23): £15,400 Year 3 (2023/24): £15,800

* If your course involves a foundation year, the fee for that year for Home (UK) students will be £9,250 in 2021/22. The fees shown above apply for year 1 of the degree from 2021/22 onwards (fees may rise in line with inflation for future academic years). For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.

Note for EU students: UK withdrawal from the European Union

The Government has recently announced that new students from the European Union and Swiss Nationals starting their course after August 2021 will no longer be eligible for a student loan in England for Undergraduate or Postgraduate studies for 2021/22 academic year. This decision only applies to new EU students starting in 2021/22. If you are an existing/continuing EU student, you will continue to be funded until you graduate or withdraw from your course.

Need to know more?

Our undergraduate fees and funding section provides information and advice on money matters.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees.

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost between £100 and £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Placements

If the placement year option is chosen, during this year travel costs will vary according to the location of the placement, and could be from £0 to £2,000.

Field trips

All field trips that are compulsory to attend to complete your course are paid for by the University. There may be small fees incurred for optional field trips such as travel costs and refreshments.

Facilities

There is a wide range of facilities for practical work at our Penrhyn Road campus, where this course is based. You will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment.

Exercise physiology lab facilities

We have a number of ergometers (eg treadmill, cycle, rowing kayak) for analysing sports-specific performance. Sophisticated equipment allows us to measure the physiological responses to exercise, such as.

oxygen consumption;
fat oxidation;
heart rate;
blood pressure; and
haematological responses.

Practical work helps you develop your understanding of exercise physiology and your practical skills. The high specification equipment ensures a high quality of research and allows staff to provide support services to top-class athletes from a range of sports.

Biomechanics lab facilities

A large laboratory provides space for teaching, research and consultancy activities. We can sophisticatedly analyse sports movements and skills thanks to:

force platforms fitted in the floor;
a six-camera motion analysis system;
an isokinetic dynamometer; and
electromyography.

Two smaller labs provide space for specific activities, such as gait analysis, assessment of muscle function and data analysis. The Library offers:

subject libraries, plus a free inter-library loan scheme to other libraries in the Greater London area;
online database subscriptions; and
a growing selection of resource materials.

Endorsement

This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)

British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)

What our students say

I've always been a keen sportsman and I wanted to know more about how the body functions and how it can be improved in relation to sport. I chose to study Sports Science at Kingston University because of its location - the area seemed clean, friendly and safe - and the content of the course appealed to me.

For me, the practical sessions in both physiology and biomechanics have been among the highlights of the degree. The course is very 'hands-on', which is good as it gives you the necessary skills to pursue a career in sport and exercise sciences.

I have also found the lecturers very approachable, helpful and accessible. I've struggled with scientific writing, but to overcome this, I went to see the relevant lecturers and they helped me endlessly.

George Garratt – Sports Science BSc(Hons)

After you graduate

There are opportunities in sports management, recreation and health and fitness in the private and public sectors.

Examples of recent graduate destinations

Types of jobs

Sports coach
Health adviser
PE and sport lecturer assistant
Gymnastics coach
Project manager
Personal trainer
Health and wellbeing physiologist

Employers

Nuffield Health
Virgin Active
Bupa
Newham Fitness Centre
Kingston College
Access to Sports
Metsatark

Careers and recruitment advice

The Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing has a specialist employability team. It provides friendly and high-quality careers and recruitment guidance, including advice and sessions on job-seeking skills such as CV preparation, application forms and interview techniques. Specific advice is also available for international students about the UK job market and employers' expectations and requirements.

The team runs employer events throughout the year, including job fairs, key speakers from industry and interviews on campus. These events give you the opportunity to hear from, and network with, employers in an informal setting. For example, students can practise their interview skills with real employers at a 'speed interviewing' event on campus.

Employability preparation at Kingston University

In addition to building expertise in your own discipline, our courses will also help you to develop key transferable skills that you'll need for professional life or further study once you graduate.

As well as a range of careers and employability activities at Kingston, we also offer you the chance to apply and develop your skills in live contexts as an integral part of your course. Opportunities include:

placements;
working or studying abroad;
volunteering;
peer mentoring roles; and
internship opportunities within and outside the University.

In your final year, you'll get the opportunity to complete a major 'capstone' project where you can apply the knowledge and skills you have acquired to a range of real issues in different contexts. This is a great way to learn and is a valuable bridge to employment or further research at masters level.

Courses available after you graduate

If you decide that you would like to go on to postgraduate study after your undergraduate course, we offer a 10 per cent discount on our postgraduate course tuition fees to our alumni.

What our graduates say

My family lives in Hamburg, Germany but I decided to study in England as sports science is more advanced here. As I had previously attended a Scottish boarding school for two years, I wasn't too apprehensive about coming to the UK, but of course it's always daunting to live in a new environment. Freshers' Week and events organised by the Students' Union really helped me settle in though.

The content and structure of the course at Kingston was ideal for me as it covered the broad spectrum of my academic interests, plus allowed me to combine a science subject with business. Before I made my final decision I came to an applicant open day and just really liked the University and the surroundings.

When I arrived I found the teaching staff were very enthusiastic, which motivated me to do well, and that there was a good balance between theoretical lectures and practical sessions. The highlight of my time here was achieving a first class degree and being awarded the UCB Pharma prize for the best joint honours student.

After finishing my degree I volunteered in the Philippines, working with malnourished children and promoting physical activity and a healthy lifestyle.

"If you're thinking about coming to university, I'd recommend studying a subject that you enjoy. I would also strongly recommend visiting any universities you might want to come to and talking to current students.

Vanezza Zabert – Sports Science with Business BSc(Hons)

How we work with external organisations

Our staff are actively engaged in research, presenting at international conferences and publishing in high-quality scientific journals. This means that you can be sure your course is being kept up-to-date and delivered by experts in the field.

Staff consultancy services can also give you the chance to observe sport science laboratory assessments of world-class athletes. We provide physiological, biomechanical and psychological support to a variety of athletes and squads including:

the Great Britain Olympic Canoe and Kayak Team;
Fulham Football Club; and
Thames Turbo Triathlon Club.

Work placement year

How you can work in industry during your course

Placements:

provide work experience that is relevant to your course and future career;
improve your chances of graduating with a higher grade degree;
enhance your CV;
lead to a graduate job;
enable you to earn a year's salary whilst studying (the vast majority of placements are paid); and
help you to select your final-year project.

"To be successful, tomorrow's leaders will need to be far more rounded individuals than ever before. They will collaborate in pursuit of shared goals. They will guide, challenge and support...They will have an appetite for change and a hunger for continuous improvement, and they will have an ethos of learning and development..." Jeremy Darroch, Former Chief Executive, Sky.

"Doing a placement year effectively gives you one foot in the door of a future job and to stand out from the crowd... as well as enhancing my CV... and future interviews. It's a great motivator to be successful in my studies as it only serves to open even more doors and gain more skills." Placement student at Jagex Games Studios Ltd.

81% of placement students and 34% of non-placement students got a first or 2.1 (Faculty of Computing, Information Systems and Mathematics, 2008).
100% of placement students during 2008 recommend doing a placement (Faculty of Computing, Information Systems and Mathematics, 2008).
Many employers offer a graduate job to their successful placement students.

There is a lot of support available for students looking to secure a placement (eg a jobs board with placement vacancies, help with writing CVs and mock interviews). Getting a placement and passing the placement year are ultimately the student's responsibility.

For further information please contact the placements team by telephone 020 8417 2969 or email secplace@kingston.ac.uk.

Examples of placements

Placements can be with large multinational companies, international companies, local companies and small start ups; offering a diverse range of posts. Here are some examples of employers and roles:

Construction-based placement employers	Construction-based placement roles
RG Group Multiplex Costain Willmott Dixon Fluor	Assistant site manager Assistant trades package manager Assistant logistics manager Health and safety officer Construction engineer
Science-based placement employers	Science-based placement roles
Reckitt and Benckiser GSK Drug Control Centre Minton Treharne and Davies Ltd Various local and international hospitals	Bioanalytical sciences Lab assistant Pharmacy assistant Sports coach
Engineering-based placement employers	Engineering-based placement roles
Airbus BAM Nuttall Nissan Bosch Wozair	Analysis of aircraft structure Construction resources specialist Site engineer assistant
Computing and IS-based placement employers	Computing and IS-based placement roles
Disney Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe IBM McKinsey Intel	Database coordinator Software developer Website developer App developer
Mathematics-based placement employers	Mathematics-based placement roles
Lloyds Banking Group AXA Allianz PAU Education, Spain	Analyst Investment solutions Research analyst Accounts assistant

Changes to courses for 2021/22 due to Covid-19

Course information (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Composition of the course

Unless government advice instructs otherwise, Study Abroad programmes will take place in 2021/22. The safety of all our students is paramount, therefore, as per normal practice, all Study Abroad activities must also be approved by the University's insurers to ensure that students are adequately protected during their period abroad. We will provide updates as the pandemic situation stabilises and/or further government advice is released.

Changes can be made to courses as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and in response to feedback from students and other key stakeholders. Any such changes made to the composition of the course will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

Modules

Changes can be made to modules as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area and to provide a high quality student experience. Any such changes made to module titles, module summaries and/or availability of modules will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

Length of course

We expect to deliver the course within the planned timescales to enable successful students to progress through and graduate from the course without delay.

In exceptional circumstances the sequence of learning and teaching activities may be changed in 2021/22, e.g. moving those modules which can be delivered more effectively to the first teaching block and moving back those – such as practical modules and placements – which may be more difficult to deliver due to some ongoing restrictions.

In some cases, it may be necessary to delay placement modules which may then impact the length of the course. In these circumstances the University will guide students through the appropriate options available to ensure students are able to make informed choices.

Entry requirements (changes for 2021/22 entry)

We have not changed entry requirements as a direct result of the pandemic.

Entry requirements for international students

We have not changed entry requirements for international students as a direct result of the pandemic.

Teaching (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Changes to the way the course will be delivered

As we transition from the pandemic restrictions, we expect to steadily increase the proportion of on-campus teaching. We will continue to provide a proportion of online learning, as experience has shown that this enriches and supports the student learning experience.

If the pandemic affects teaching and learning activities in 2021/22 more than we currently anticipate, the proportion of online learning will increase. However, unless a lockdown is enforced, we will ensure that all courses provide a reasonable percentage of their teaching and learning activities on campus.

Should your circumstances prevent your attendance at on-campus sessions, you should still be able to engage with your course remotely in a way that allows you to progress. Where this is not possible, for example on courses with high practical content, your course team will be able to advise you on the options available to you.

Changes to teaching in the event of a further lockdown or adjustments in government advice

The University will continue to closely monitor government announcements and advice in relation to the pandemic and, where required, will take any necessary action in order to comply with such advice.

In the event that a further lockdown is enforced in 2021/22 the University will aim to deliver the course fully online once more. The majority of our courses are prepared to be delivered fully online if the situation requires it. Where the quality of the student experience may be compromised, or the course is unable to be delivered fully online, the University may need to suspend the delivery of that course until a time that it can be delivered. Students will be supported in these situations to ensure they are able to make the right choices for their particular circumstances.

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours for Year 1

Changes to the overall breakdown of scheduled learning and teaching hours, placements and guided independent study hours were not and will not be made as a direct result of the pandemic.

‘Scheduled learning and teaching' includes teaching delivered online, either live or recorded/on demand.

Timetable

Your individualised timetable for teaching block 1 (i.e. up to December 2021) should be available by the end of August. Timetables for teaching block 2 (i.e. from January 2022) will not be available until the autumn. We make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible.

In 2020/21 it was agreed that scheduled learning and teaching could take place on any day of the week between 9am and 9pm, to maximise the time available for teaching in order to accommodate smaller group sizes and social distancing. This meant we sometimes had to use Wednesday afternoons and enrichment week for additional teaching slots. If we need to accommodate smaller group sizes and social distancing in 2021/22 we expect to adopt a similar approach. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Assessment (changes for 2021/22 entry)

The experience of delivering courses in 2020/21 under the various Covid-19 restrictions has enabled us to better prepare and plan the delivery of our courses in 2021/22. We are confident the course can be delivered as planned and, therefore, do not anticipate having to make any further changes to the course, i.e. to the overall methods of assessments, in response to issues arising from the pandemic. However, if this becomes necessary, the changes will be highlighted to students via email before enrolment.

Changes are made to modules, including how they are assessed, as part of normal enhancement processes to keep our modules up to date with current developments in that subject area and in response to feedback received from students and other key stakeholders. Any changes to the overall methods of assessment for Year 1 of the course will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

If social distancing or lockdown restrictions are in place in 2021/22, online alternative options to formal on-campus examinations, including practical examinations, will be made available to students where possible.

Staff (changes for 2021/22 entry)

No changes are expected to the general level of experience or status of staff involved in delivering the course.

Staff are engaged in Continuous Professional Development activities to develop their teaching expertise, as part of the normal enhancement processes, to ensure that course teams have the required breadth of expertise.

Fees, funding and additional costs (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Tuition fees

There will be no changes to published tuition fees for 2021/22.

Additional costs (e.g. field trips, materials, equipment, etc.)

As we transition from the pandemic restrictions, we expect to be able to increase student access to on-campus facilities. Students will therefore have access to University computers and library facilities.

If, due to an increase in social distancing requirements or the enforcing of a lockdown, it becomes necessary to significantly increase the proportion of teaching delivered online, students will need a personal laptop or computer and access to the internet to participate in online teaching and learning activities. Students who are able to travel will have access to computers on campus, however, it should be noted that access to on-campus facilities might be restricted if social distancing requirements are enforced.

The University is committed to supporting students who are unable to access suitable technology to ensure equity of access in a blended delivery mode.

Funding

There will be no changes to any existing University funding arrangements for 2021/22. Currently there are no indications from the UK government that there will be any changes to government funding arrangements.

Fees and funding for international students

There will be no changes to published tuition fees or funding arrangements specifically relating to international students for 2021/22.

Work placements and field trips (changes for 2021/22 entry)

We are anticipating that placements (including work and clinical placements) and field trips included as part of the course will go ahead in 2021/22. However, to ensure students gain maximum value from placement activities, it may be necessary to reschedule them to later in the year, when any impacts from the pandemic restrictions are minimised.

Any proposed changes to placements or field trips would go through the University's agreed processes where the impact of the change will be carefully considered.

In the interests of the health and wellbeing of our students, all placement arrangements must be approved by the University's insurers and the appropriate risk assessments made before students are sent on a placement.

Courses which require placements or field trips to be completed in order to pass relevant modules will have contingency plans in place in the event that a placement or field trip cannot be completed due to another lockdown or more stringent social distancing measures.

Award, qualification and accreditation (changes for 2021/22 entry)

Qualification

No changes will be made to the qualification awarded, e.g. BSc (Hons), MSc, etc., as a direct result of the pandemic.

Changes can be made to courses, including the qualification awarded (although very rare), as part of normal enhancement processes in order to keep our courses up to date with current developments in that subject area. Any changes made to the qualification awarded for the course will be highlighted to students by email before enrolment.

Accreditation

The experience of delivering courses in 2020/21 under the various Covid-19 restrictions has enabled us to better prepare and plan the delivery of our courses in 2021/22. We are confident the course can be delivered as planned and in accordance with any professional body requirements. We do not anticipate making any further changes to courses in response to any issues arising from the pandemic and which would put at risk any professional body accreditation status.

Additional (changes for 2021/22 entry)

International students should maintain awareness of the UK government's and their home country's government advice on possible travel restrictions. The University will closely monitor advice and guidance published by the UK government and assess its impact on our international students. Appropriate advice and guidance will be provided as and when required.

Key information set

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