Foundation Year in Sport
2025-26 Year of entry
Prepare for a full-time Sports and Exercise Science and Sports Rehabilitation degrees and take your place in the growing global sports industry
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Why choose Foundation Year in Sport at Middlesex?
The Foundation Year in Sports is offered as an entry route to a Sports Science degree for students who don't yet meet the entry requirements for degree-level study.
Sport and exercise are a million-pound industry with a vast scope from Olympic athletes to personal fitness and health. This course is an entry route to a Sport and Exercise Science and Sport Rehabilitation degrees for students who don't yet meet the entry requirements for degree-level study.
A foundation year might be a good choice if you don't have the right qualifications yet or feel ready for degree-level study. Or perhaps you are returning to study and want to get up to speed before starting a degree.
You will need to enrol on a four-year course, which includes the one-year foundation course. When you complete this year successfully you will progress directly onto one of our three-year degree courses.
We offer:
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (Physical Education and Coaching)
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Rehabilitation
What will you gain?
Studying the Foundation Year in Sport allows you to progress to our other BSc sports degrees which open up a vast range of career options. Previous graduates have found success as lifestyle coaches, sports managers, sports coaches, physical therapists and trainers, sports science technicians, and sports development officers.
This course covers a broad range of sports and exercise sciences which will help you gain expert knowledge of scientific methods from sports psychology to the study of the human form. It will also help you gain the skills you need to study for a Sports degree such as written and oral communication skills, mathematical topics and concepts, and scientific concepts, principles and practical skills.
On graduation, from one of the related three-year degrees you can continue with your professional studies by working towards British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) accreditation as a sports and exercise scientist.
3 great reasons to pick this course
About your course
You will study all four modules below simultaneously over the year which means you have the chance to examine topics in-depth.
This module provides students with an introduction to the theoretical scientific concepts and fundamental practical skills required to support studying key topics at degree level. Students will carry out investigative strategies utilising an interdisciplinary approach and communicate the results effectively in a range of given formats.
These topics link into the underpinning elements of the sport science and sport rehabilitation programmes, allowing students to be better informed when moving forward into degree-level study.
This module provides an introductory grasp of applied scientific guidelines, theories, and practical skills necessary for pursuing sports science at a degree level. It focuses on developing foundational knowledge of topics including human movement, sport coaching and strength and conditioning training and its impact on sporting performance .
This module introduces some fundamental mathematical topics and concepts that are required in a range of subjects studied at degree level. In a structured and supportive environment, you will begin to develop an appreciation of the importance of mathematics as an aid to understand and describe abstract ideas.
This module introduces some fundamental mathematical topics and concepts that are required in a range of subjects studied at degree level. In a structured and supportive environment, you will begin to develop an appreciation of the importance of mathematics as an aid to understand and describe abstract ideas.
To find out more about this course, please download the Foundation Year in Science and Technology course specification (PDF).
Register your interest
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Teaching
The foundation year will engage you in all aspects of your learning. You'll be taught by an experienced teaching team with a wide range of expertise and professional experience. You will gain knowledge, understanding and skills through interactive classes and workshops, online resources and key concept videos, guided research and individual and group projects. You will need to complete 120 credits per year, which are broken down into four modules of 30 credits each.
During your first year, your weekly timetable will typically consist of 12 hours of face-to-face classes (6 hours per module) per week, over 3 days.
Outside of teaching hours, you’ll learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, and preparing for assessments including coursework, presentations and exams.
Here is an indication of how you will split your time:
Year 1
| Percentage | Hours | Typical activity |
|---|---|---|
| 25% | 72 | Teaching, learning and assessment |
| 75% | 228 | Independent learning |
Our excellent teaching and support teams will help you develop your skills from research and practical skills to critical thinking. Our Sheppard Library is open from 7am to 11pm Monday to Sunday during term time. And we offer free 24-hour laptop loans with full desktop software, free printing and Wi-Fi to use on or off campus.
Your learning will be assessed regularly by the following methods. The exact balance will depend on the modules you are taking. The table below is a good approximate guide.
| Year | Coursework % | Practical exams% |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 75 | 25 |
Your knowledge and understanding are assessed by individual written assignments and tests, pair and group presentations, learning logs, and demonstrations.
We'll test your understanding and progress with informal and formal tests. The informal tests, usually take place at least once per module, from which you’ll receive feedback from your tutor. The grades from these tests don’t count towards your final marks.
There are formal assessments for each module, usually at the end, which will count towards your module and your final marks.
Assessments are reviewed annually and may be updated based on student feedback or feedback from an external examiner.
To help you achieve the best results, we will provide regular feedback.
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North London campus
Our north London campus is just 20 minutes from central London, giving you easy access to everything this vibrant city has to offer. Make the most of incredible professional opportunities, cultural experiences, and more affordable living, all within a supportive and close-knit campus community.
Learn about campus lifeFacilities and support
Our Sheppard Library has over 1000 study areas with and 600 computer spaces, with some areas open 24 hours a day
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Student support
We offer lots of support to help you while you're studying including financial advice, wellbeing, mental health, and disability support.
Additional needs
We'll support you if you have additional needs such as sensory impairment or dyslexia. And if you want to find out whether Middlesex is the right place for you before you apply, get in touch with our Disability and Dyslexia team.
Wellness
Our specialist teams will support your mental health. We have free individual counselling sessions, workshops, support groups and useful guides.
Work while you study
Our Middlesex Unitemps branch will help you find work that fits around uni and your other commitments. We have hundreds of student jobs on campus that pay the London Living Wage and above. Visit the Middlesex Unitemps page.
Financial support
You can apply for scholarships and bursaries and our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.
We have also reduced the costs of studying with free laptop loans, free learning resources and discounts to save money on everyday things. Check out our guide to student life on a budget.
Careers
How can the Foundation Year in Sport support your career?
Studying the Foundation Year in Sport allows you to progress to our other BSc sports degrees which open up a vast range of career options.
Graduate job opportunities
- High performance Sport
- NHS/private practice roles
- Fitness consultancy
- Weight management
- Coaching and Physical Education
- Personal fitness training
- Corporate health advice
- Sports or physical activity development
- National Governing Bodies
- Medical sales
- The armed forces
Previous graduates have also found success as lifestyle coaches, sports managers, sports coaches, physical trainers, sports scientists, and sports rehabilitation therapists in their own clinics.
There are also career opportunities in teaching and research.
Further studies?
On graduation, you can continue with your professional studies by working towards British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) accreditation as a sports and exercise scientist.
MDXworks
Our careers and employability service, MDXworks will launch you into the world of work from the beginning of your course, with placements, projects and networking opportunities through our 1000+ links with industry and big-name employers in London and globally.
Our dedicated lifetime career support, like our business start-up support programme and funding for entrepreneurs, has been recognized with the following awards:
- The top 20 UK universities for business leaders and entrepreneurs – Business Money, 2023
- A top 10 university for producing CEOs– Novuana, 2023
Global network
You’ll study with students from 122 countries who’ll hopefully become part of your global network. And after you graduate, we'll still support you through our alumni network to help you progress in your chosen career
Entry requirements
At Middlesex, we're proud of how we recognise the potential of future students like you. We make fair and aspirational offers because we want you to aim high, and we'll support you all the way.
Qualifications
56-64 UCAS Tariff Points including GCSE: Grade 4/C in English, Mathematics and either Science or PE
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications, including combinations of qualifications. Our most common entry qualifications can be found below:
- A Levels: DEE/CD - DDE/CC including an E or above in Science or PE
- BTEC: MPP in a related subject
- Access requirements: Overall pass in a related subject: must include 45 credits at level 3
- Combinations: A combination of A-Level, BTEC and other accepted qualifications that total 56 -64 UCAS Tariff points including 16 points in a related subject.
Our entry requirements page outlines how we make offers where we have given a range (e.g. BBB – BBC in A levels), and how we’ll make you an offer if you are studying a combination of qualifications (e.g. BTEC and A level).
We'll accept T Levels for entry onto our undergraduate degree courses (including our extended courses with a foundation year) with standard application of science requirements and GCSEs in line with UCAS tariff calculation.
Mature students (over 21)
We welcome applications from mature candidates, including those without formal qualifications, provided you can demonstrate relevant experience and ability.
Academic credit
If you have a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND or have gained credit at another university, you may be able to enter a Middlesex University course in year two or three. Find out how you can transfer courses.
If you have relevant qualifications or work experience, we may be able to count this towards your entry requirements.
We welcome students from the UK and all over the world. Join students from over 122 countries and discover why so many international students call our campus home:
- Quality teaching with top facilities plus flexible online learning
- Welcoming north London campus that's only 30 minutes from central London
- Work placements and networking with top London employers
- Award-winning career support to get you where you want to go after university.
Qualifications
We accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the accepted qualifications on your country's support page. If you are unsure of the suitability of your qualifications or would like help with your application, please contact your nearest international office.
English language
You will need to meet our English language requirements. And, don’t worry If you don't meet our minimum English language requirements, as we offer a Pre-sessional English course.
Visas
To study with us in the UK, you might need a Student visa. Please check to see if this applies to you.
You must apply to one of the four-year degree courses listed below. Please apply for these courses through UCAS.
BSc Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year - C60I
BSc Sport and Exercise Science (Physical Education and Coaching) with Foundation Year- C60G.
Interviews
We don't require you to interview for this course.
Fees & funding
The fees below are for the 2025/26 academic year.
UK students1
Foundation Year (FY): £9,535
Full-time: £9,535*
Part-time: £79 per taught credit
*Depending on the duration of your study, your tuition fees for subsequent academic years may be subject to further inflationary increases (most recently, the UK government has suggested that increases may be linked to the All-Items Retail Prices Index – RPIX) in line with any additional rise in the tuition fee cap set by the UK government. Any annual increase in tuition fees will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
As a part of our commitment to an excellent student offer at Middlesex University, we pledge to invest the additional money from tuition fee increases into the student experience, and we are consulting at present on what these improvements will be and will follow up with further details
International students2
Full-time students: £16,600
Part-time students: £138 per taught credit
Additional costs
The following study tools are included in your fees:
- Free access to the resources, learning materials and software you need to succeed on your course
- Free laptop loans for up to 24 hours
- Free printing for academic paperwork.
Scholarships and bursaries
To help make uni affordable, we do everything we can to support you including our:
- MDX Excellence Scholarship offers grants of up to £2,000 per year for UK students
- Regional or International Merit Awards which reward International students with up to £2,000 towards course fees
- Our MDX Student Starter Kit to help with up to £1,000 of goods, including a new laptop or iPad.
Find out more about undergraduate funding and all of our scholarships and bursaries.
Fees disclaimers
1. UK fees: The university reserves the right to increase undergraduate tuition fees in line with changes to legislation, regulation and any government guidance or decisions. The tuition fees for part-time UK study are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Based on the current fee, for a typical three-year degree, the total costs for your studies will be £28,605.
2. International fees: Tuition fees are subject to annual review and we reserve the right to increase the fees each academic year by no more than the level of inflation.
Any annual increase in tuition fees as provided for above will be notified to students at the earliest opportunity in advance of the academic year to which any applicable inflationary rise may apply.
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We’ll carefully manage any future changes to courses, or the support and other services available to you, if these are necessary because of things like changes to government health and safety advice, or any changes to the law.
Any decisions will be taken in line with both external advice and the University’s Regulations which include information on this.
Our priority will always be to maintain academic standards and quality so that your learning outcomes are not affected by any adjustments that we may have to make.
At all times we’ll aim to keep you well informed of how we may need to respond to changing circumstances, and about support that we’ll provide to you.