BA Hons Sports Studies

at University of Stirling

You’ll be introduced to the core Sports Studies modules in Year 1, covering aspects of sport in society; patterns of participation in sport and physical activity; the foundations of sport and exercise science; and sports business, finance and management.
 

Year 2 explores issues and concepts in sport, reflecting on the historical development of sport, the foundations of physical activity and the psychology of sport – again with the option to study further subjects.
 

In addition to two core modules in Years 3 and 4 (Research Methods in Sports Studies and Readings in Sports Studies), you can specialise by choosing seven modules from:
 

• Sport Governance

• PE, School Sport and Youth Culture

• Sports Medicine, Health and Wellbeing

• Sports Policy

• Sports Marketing

• Psychology of Exercise, Physical Activity and Health

• Managing the Business of Sport

• Coaching Sports

• Development of Excellence in Sport

• Doping in Sport: Scandals and Policy Responses
   

Please note that as these are optional modules they can be subject to change.
 

A work experience module is also available in Years 3 and 4, with opportunities to gain valuable work experience in governing bodies of sport, local authorities, leisure trusts, professional sports clubs, or other community sports organisations. You can then complete your Honours year by undertaking an independent study project on a sport topic of your choice.
 

Our scenic campus is home to a wide range of sports facilities, including:
 

• 50m swimming pool

• fitness centre

• eight-court sports hall

• nine grass and artificial pitches

• 10 tennis courts
   

Are you keen on participating in sport during your studies? At Stirling, it couldn’t be easier. With 1,500 members, our Sports Union has almost 50 different clubs that will allow you get involved, meet new people and enjoy your sport of choice.
 

Recommended reading
 

Each module has core texts, with further recommended reading and background reading expected. All texts are available in the University library and through electronic journal subscriptions.

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
 

SQA Highers

• AABB - by the end of S5

• AABBB - by the end of S6
   

GCE A-levels

• BBB
   

IB Diploma

• 30 points
   

BTEC (Level 3)

• DDM
   

Widening access students

• Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

• Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
   

Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
 

SQA Advanced Highers

• ABB – one sitting
   

GCE A-levels

• ABB
   

IB Diploma

• 35 points
   

Essential subjects

• Physical Education
  ​​​​​​​

Direct Entry to 1st Year:
 

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
 

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.
   

  Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:
   

  Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
   

• CBSE

• ISC/ICSE

• Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.
  
  Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within the last 5 years of our course start date:
   

• CBSE
• ISC/ICSE
• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
   

• Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.
  
  English language requirements
  
  If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
   

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 5.5 in each skill

• Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 162 in each sub-skill

• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill

• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing

• Trinity ISE II Pass overall and Pass in each sub-skill, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills

• Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills

• Duolingo 95 overall with a minimum of 90 in all sub-skills

• LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator -  Pass with minimum 33 in each sub-skill

• Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)

Academic year:	2022/23	2023/24
Overseas students (non-EU)	£15,900	£16,400

Overseas students (non-EU)
 

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Job opportunities include working as a sports coach; teacher; consultant; or a manager or administrator for employers such as a local authority, commercial and voluntary sport organisation or governing bodies of sport.
 

Careers in the sport sector account for around three percent of all jobs in Scotland, according to a recent study by Cambridge Econometrics. A number of exciting opportunities for well-qualified students have arisen from the legacy of the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.
 

This is set to continue as Scotland hosts a number of future sporting events. Many of our graduates have gone on to work as:
 

• sport development officers, working with sporting governing bodies to develop sport – both here in Scotland and abroad

• managers of sport facilities in sport and leisure trusts across the UK

• administrators for national governing bodies and sport policy agencies, such as sportscotland

• sport officers working with charities in developing nations to use sport to build communities

• personal trainers in health and fitness organisations

• coaches working with development teams in a number of sports, such as football and rugby
   

This course is designed to enhance knowledge and understanding of sport across a range of academic disciplines, and prepares students for a variety of careers in sport.
 

We work closely with industry to ensure everything we teach you is relevant, and will boost your employability within the sector. Staff actively seek positions with key sports organisations to ensure what is taught reflects contemporary issues affecting the sports industry today. Examples of this include Stephen Morrow’s work with football managers, John Mather’s support of referees for the SRU and Justine Allan’s coaching of the Scotland Women’s U18 hockey team.