MA Digital Media and Creative Industries
The MA Digital Media and Creative Industries at Loughborough University aims t...
BEng (Hons) Sports Technology with Placement Year
Loughborough
INTAKE: October
Program Overview
The BEng (Hons) Sports Technology with Placement Year combines traditional mechanical and materials engineering with advanced sports science, biomechanics, and product design. The program is structured to develop students’ ability to design and evaluate cutting-edge sports equipment, wearable technology, and performance monitoring systems. With the placement year integrated into the curriculum, students spend a full year working with leading companies in the sports or engineering industries, gaining real-world experience and applying their academic learning to practical challenges. This sandwich year not only boosts employability but also provides deep industry insight, enhancing professional growth and confidence.
Curriculum: The curriculum is carefully crafted to blend core engineering disciplines with specialized modules focused on sports technology. In the first and second years, students study subjects such as mechanics, electronics, materials science, thermodynamics, computer-aided design (CAD), and engineering mathematics, ensuring a solid technical foundation. From the second year onward, more targeted topics are introduced, including sports biomechanics, innovation in sports equipment, human performance analysis, and data acquisition in sport. The final year is dedicated to advanced project work and individual research, where students often collaborate with industry partners or contribute to ongoing university research. The inclusion of practical lab work, group design projects, and simulation tools ensures students are ready to tackle real engineering problems upon graduation.
Research Focus: Loughborough University is a global leader in sport-related research, and students of the BEng (Hons) Sports Technology program benefit from being part of this innovative environment. The university's research spans areas such as wearable technology, materials testing, biomechanics, and sensor development, often carried out in collaboration with industry leaders and elite athletes. Students are encouraged to engage with ongoing research projects, either during their final-year dissertations or through optional research modules. This focus on research helps students develop critical thinking skills and encourages them to apply scientific principles to enhance athletic performance, safety, and equipment innovation.
Industry Engagement: One of the standout features of this program is its placement year, which gives students the opportunity to work full-time in a professional engineering or sports technology setting. Loughborough maintains strong partnerships with global sports brands like Adidas, Nike, and Puma, as well as tech firms and performance research labs. During the placement, students gain firsthand experience in product development, testing, engineering design, or data analytics. This industry engagement helps students build a professional network, understand workplace expectations, and often leads to graduate employment offers. The university also hosts frequent guest lectures, career fairs, and collaborative projects to further strengthen the link between academia and industry.
Global Perspective: With a diverse international student body and a global reputation in both sport and engineering, Loughborough University offers a truly international academic experience. The BEng (Hons) Sports Technology with Placement Year program includes exposure to international case studies, global market trends, and worldwide innovations in sports technology. Students learn how engineering solutions vary across different countries and cultures, and are encouraged to think globally about product development and performance enhancement. Opportunities for international placements and study exchanges further enrich the learning journey, preparing graduates to work confidently in global industries.
Location
Loughborough
Score
IELTS 6.5
Tuition Fee
£ 28600
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 75% or equivalent in their respective country's grading system.
English language proficiency:
- IELTS: A minimum overall score of 6.0 or 6.5 with no individual component below 6.0.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 92.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 67.
- DET Academic: A minimum overall score of 120.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
Loughborough University offers a range of scholarships for international students to support their education and make studying in the UK more affordable. These scholarships recognize academic excellence, financial need, and the potential for students to contribute to the university community.
International Excellence Awards: These are merit-based scholarships offered to international students applying for undergraduate and postgraduate programs. These awards typically cover part of the tuition fees and are designed to attract outstanding students from around the globe.
Global Scholarships: Loughborough offers various global scholarships based on geographical location, supporting students from specific regions or countries with reduced tuition fees.
Loughborough University Elite Sports Scholarships: These are available for students who are competing at an elite level in their sport. The scholarship includes financial support, as well as access to the university's world-class sports facilities, coaching, and training programs.
Country-Specific Scholarships: Loughborough University offers country-specific scholarships for students from particular countries. These scholarships are designed to support students who demonstrate high academic potential and a commitment to contributing to their home country upon graduation.
Loughborough University, renowned for its excellence in both sports and engineering, offers the BEng (Hons) Sports Technology with Placement Year program, designed to equip students with the practical and theoretical knowledge required to succeed in the rapidly growing sports technology sector. By blending engineering fundamentals with sports science, biomechanics, and cutting-edge technological innovations, Loughborough University prepares its graduates for a variety of exciting and rewarding career paths in the world of sports technology. The inclusion of a year-long industry placement gives students an invaluable opportunity to gain hands-on experience, build professional networks, and enter the workforce with a competitive edge.
Sports Equipment Designer: One of the key career paths for graduates of the BEng (Hons) Sports Technology with Placement Year program is in sports equipment design. Graduates can work with leading companies in the development and enhancement of sports gear such as athletic footwear, protective equipment, and high-performance gear. By applying principles from materials science, mechanics, and biomechanics, sports equipment designers create products that improve athlete performance and safety. Graduates with hands-on experience from the placement year are well-equipped to collaborate on product design, prototype development, and performance testing, ensuring their designs meet industry standards and consumer expectations.
Sports Performance Analyst: Sports performance analysts are responsible for using data to assess and improve athletic performance. With the rise of wearable technology and data collection tools in sports, graduates of the BEng (Hons) Sports Technology program can pursue careers as performance analysts for sports teams, coaches, or sports organizations. In this role, they apply data analytics, biomechanics, and digital tools to monitor athlete performance, provide feedback, and help optimize training and recovery processes. Graduates benefit from Loughborough’s strong ties with professional sports teams, allowing them to enter the field with a solid foundation in performance monitoring technologies.
Biomechanics Engineer: Biomechanics engineers focus on understanding the mechanics of human movement and applying this knowledge to enhance sports performance. Graduates with a background in sports technology are well-prepared to analyze movement patterns, optimize equipment, and design solutions that reduce the risk of injury. Working with sports teams, rehabilitation clinics, or sports technology companies, biomechanics engineers use data-driven techniques and advanced software tools to analyze an athlete’s movements and design products that maximize performance and prevent injuries. Loughborough’s specialized research in biomechanics ensures graduates are equipped with cutting-edge knowledge for this specialized career.
Product Development Engineer: Product development engineers in the sports technology industry focus on developing new products and improving existing ones. This includes designing and testing sports equipment, wearable devices, fitness trackers, and performance-enhancing tools. Graduates with a placement year experience often find roles with well-established brands or technology companies, helping bring new sports products to market. Their responsibilities typically involve concept design, prototyping, testing, and optimization. The combination of engineering skills and practical experience in sports applications makes graduates highly attractive candidates for roles in product development.
Wearable Technology Engineer: The use of wearable technology in sports has grown exponentially in recent years, and there is a significant demand for engineers who can develop, improve, and optimize wearable devices such as fitness trackers, heart rate monitors, and smartwatches. Graduates from Loughborough University’s BEng (Hons) Sports Technology program are well-prepared for roles as wearable technology engineers, where they apply their knowledge of electronics, materials, and biomechanics to design wearable devices that monitor and improve athletic performance. These engineers work with tech companies, sports brands, and research organizations to develop innovative wearable solutions.
Sports Data Scientist: With the rise of big data in sports, the role of a sports data scientist is becoming increasingly important. Graduates with expertise in data analytics, programming, and engineering can work in sports data science, applying machine learning, data mining, and statistical analysis to gain insights from performance data. Sports data scientists help teams and athletes make data-driven decisions that enhance training, performance, and strategy. Loughborough’s emphasis on integrating data analytics into the curriculum prepares graduates for this career path, offering the skills to work with advanced data systems and analytical tools in sports.
Sports Technology Researcher: Many graduates of the BEng (Hons) Sports Technology with Placement Year program choose to pursue careers in sports technology research. As sports technology continues to evolve, there is a constant need for innovation and development. Graduates can work in universities, private research firms, or with sports technology companies, focusing on research and development (R&D) of new technologies that improve athlete performance, sports equipment, and training systems. Loughborough University’s strong research environment and emphasis on technological innovation make it an ideal starting point for students looking to contribute to the next generation of sports technologies.
Sports Technology Consultant: As sports organizations and companies look to incorporate new technologies to improve athlete performance, optimize operations, and engage fans, the demand for sports technology consultants is growing. Graduates of Loughborough’s BEng (Hons) Sports Technology program with a placement year are well-prepared to take on consulting roles, where they advise sports teams, equipment manufacturers, and organizations on how to integrate technology into their operations. Consultants may focus on areas such as product development, data analysis, performance enhancement tools, or facility management, offering their expertise to implement cutting-edge solutions across the sports industry.
Sports Innovation Entrepreneur: The growing sports technology sector offers numerous opportunities for entrepreneurial-minded graduates to launch their own ventures. With a solid foundation in engineering and sports science, coupled with industry experience gained through their placement year, graduates can create their own startups focused on developing new sports technologies or offering innovative solutions in the sports sector. From developing new fitness apps to creating revolutionary sports equipment, Loughborough graduates are well-positioned to lead the next wave of sports innovations.
Sports Technology Project Manager: Graduates can also pursue roles in project management within the sports technology industry. Project managers oversee the development and execution of projects related to sports equipment, technology solutions, and performance tools. They work closely with teams of engineers, designers, and researchers to ensure that products are developed on time, within budget, and according to specifications. Project managers with expertise in sports technology are highly sought after by companies that develop or market sports products, ensuring successful project delivery and continuous product improvement.
