HNC Sport & Exercise Science

When you combine your studies with your interest and passion for sport, great things happen. Whether it is your aim to develop your knowledge of sport, exercise, or nurture your coaching skills on the court, field or pitch, Yeovil College University Centre will help you to stand out from the crowd. This course will allow students to achieve a qualification at an equivalent level to the first year of a degree.

This course is available on a full-time or part-time and is taught in-person at our Yeovil campus. Full-time students are typically timetabled for 3 days per week full-time and the course duration is 1 academic year. Part-time students are typically timetabled for 1 days per week and the course duration is 2 academic years.

Learners undertaking this programme will be encouraged to undertake a work placement alongside the course, there is support available in accessing placements. Some placements are available within the Yeovil Institute of Sport department subject to successful interview and approval.

Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Sport and Exercise Science, awarded by Pearson and regulated by the Office for Students.

Graduates could continue at university to top their qualification up to a full Level 6 Bachelor’s Degree, dependent on available entry points many universities take applications for entry into Year 2 directly. For students wishing to enter the workplace, they could pursue a career in the sport industry, for example coaching in a school or community setting, or working in the fitness or leisure industry.

This programme works in partnership with Cardiff Metropolitan University, learners achieving the full HNC award are offered conditional admission directly into Year 2 of the following programmes:

• BSc (Hons) Sport & Exercise Science
• BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching
• BSc (Hons) Sport and Physical Education

Students will study a range of units including but not limited to; Nutrition, Sport and exercise psychology, anatomy and physiology, Biomechanics, coaching practice and training, fitness, testing.

Please be aware that modules studied may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline or in response to student and stakeholder feedback. Students can always find the most up-to-date information about their modules and who is teaching them in the course handbook.

All students enrolled on this programme are required to hold GCSEs in both English and maths at grade 4 and above or equivalent.

The course is taught by well qualified lectures who are dedicated to ensuring student success through effective curriculum delivery and high-quality pastoral support. The team includes staff with relevant academic qualifications and sector expertise.

A typical week has around 10-12 hours of contact time in taught sessions, plus additional 1-1 support available by student request. As with all HE programmes, students are required to take ownership of their learning and development and should expect to spend time studying and completing assessment tasks with independence outside of lectures. As a rough guide, between timetabled sessions and independent work, a full-time student should expect to spend around 1,200 hours studying each academic year, and part-time students should expect to spend 600 hours.

Each module will include assessments that will need to be completed by set deadlines. More information on assessment methods is included in the "How will I be assessed?" section below.

Students will have access to regular 1-1 tutorials with the teaching team to support their academic development and study.

Full information on tuition fees, including tuition fee lists, can be found on our Financial Support page. Please be aware that fee levels vary depending upon the year in which a student commences their studies. For more detailed information, see the YCUC HE Fees Policy, available in the Policies and Reports area of our website.

You will be assessed using a range of methods including essays, exams, presentations, assignments and practical assessments. Feedback will be provided to you in writing, along with information reflecting your performance and recommendations for improvement.

48 UCAS tariff points from a relevant Level 3 qualification, such as two A levels or equivalent, BTEC Level 3 Diplomas, or a Access to HE Diploma. UCAS points from other qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers, or Advanced Highers are generally accepted.

Grade 4 (C) in GCSE English (or equivalent) is required.

Grade 4 (C) in GCSE Maths (or equivalent) is required.

Applicants will be invited to attend an admission interview before an offer is made and will be advised of the criteria in advance.

We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over as of 1st September in the academic year of admission) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants. Please email university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk to find out more. International applicants will be required to evidence English language skills - this could be an IELTS score of 7.0, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each component, a grade 4 in GCSE English (or equivalent), or having recently completed a Level 3 qualification taught and assessed in the English language. For more information, please get in touch.

Full-time: To apply for this course on a full-time basis, you will need to apply via UCAS (Campus name: Yeovil College University Centre; Institution code: Y25; Course code: SS-SPOL4-004/FH1). For more information on UCAS and how the application process works, see our How to apply page.

Part-time: To apply for this course on a part-time basis, you will need to submit an application form directly to the University Centre. You can find out more about this process and download a copy of the application form by visiting our How to apply page, or you can request a copy of the application form directly from the Yeovil College University Centre team via 01935 845454 or university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk.

If you have any questions, or want to know more about this course, please get in touch! You can contact us via email (university.centre@yeovil.ac.uk), phone (01935 845454), or you can fill out our Contact form.