MSc Applied Sport and Exercise Biomechanics
St Mary's University Twickenham, London, offers a highly regarded MSc Applied Sport...
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with a Placement Year)
Twickenham
INTAKE: September
Program Overview
The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, is an comprehensive four-year undergraduate degree offering a deep scientific exploration into the intricate relationship between nutrition, physical performance, and health. Designed meticulously to align with the guidelines of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR), this inter-disciplinary program ensures graduates develop the essential knowledge and practical skills required for professional roles in the field. A defining feature is the compulsory year-long professional placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. This invaluable practical experience provides students with the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings, gain significant industry insights, and build crucial professional networks within sports clubs, healthcare settings, or the food industry, substantially enhancing their employability upon graduation. St. Mary's boasts world-class sports facilities and British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) accredited laboratories, providing an exceptional environment for hands-on learning under the guidance of experienced sport nutrition practitioners and academics.
Curriculum: The curriculum for the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's is structured to build a strong scientific foundation and progressively advance students' expertise. In the first year, core modules cover essential topics such as "Energy and Nutrition," "Micronutrients," "Research Methods 1," "Physiology of Exercise," "Food Science and Novel Foods," and "Professional Skills for Nutritionists." The second year expands on this, with core modules including "Nutritional and Physical Activity Assessment," "Research Methods 2," "Physiology of Training," and "Sports Nutrition." Optional modules in the second year allow for further specialisation, such as "Social Psychology of Sport," "Nutritional Biochemistry," and "Experience and Employment in Business/Sport." The third year is dedicated entirely to the compulsory "Placement Year," providing immersive professional experience. In the final academic year, students undertake a significant "Research Project" and engage with core modules like "Nutrition and the Athlete" and "Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology," with options to explore "Environmental Physiology," "Managing in the Workplace," or "Building a Start-up Business," enabling them to tailor their learning to specific career ambitions.
Research Focus: The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University is deeply informed by the active and diverse research interests of its academic staff, many of whom are also practicing sports nutritionists and BASES accredited professionals. The program strongly emphasizes an evidence-based approach, encouraging students to engage in critical analysis of scientific literature and contemporary practice within sport and exercise nutrition. Research within the School of Sport, Health and Applied Science at St. Mary's often focuses on understanding and improving sports performance through nutritional interventions, the impact of various dietary strategies on health outcomes, and the effective application of scientific concepts in real-world athletic and clinical environments. The substantial "Research Project" in the final year provides a key opportunity for students to conduct their own original research under expert supervision in well-equipped laboratories, thereby contributing to the knowledge base and honing their scientific inquiry and data analysis skills.
Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a cornerstone of the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University, offering extensive real-world experience that significantly boosts student employability. The defining feature is the compulsory year-long industrial placement, typically undertaken between the second and final academic years. St. Mary's has established strong links with numerous sporting organisations, clubs, and health-related businesses, facilitating diverse and valuable placement opportunities. The university's Employability Service and placement teams actively support students in securing suitable roles, which can include working directly with athletes, contributing to public health initiatives, or assisting in the food and supplement industry. This hands-on experience enables students to directly apply their learned knowledge, develop crucial practical skills, expand their professional networks, and gain invaluable insights into the demands of the sports nutrition sector.
Global Perspective: The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with a Placement Year) program at St. Mary's University integrates a comprehensive global perspective by exploring the universal principles of nutrition and exercise science applicable across diverse populations and sporting cultures worldwide. The curriculum draws upon international research and best practices in sport and exercise nutrition, considering how different dietary patterns, cultural influences, and environmental conditions impact athletic performance and overall health globally. The program's alignment with the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR) guidelines helps to ensure a standard of education that is recognised within the international sports nutrition community. This broad, evidence-based approach, combined with the practical experience gained during the placement year (potentially within organisations with international connections), prepares graduates to work effectively in diverse professional environments, whether with international athletes, global sports organisations, or within health and wellness sectors that serve multicultural populations.
Location
Twickenham
Score
IELTS 6
Tuition Fee
£ 17100
Undergraduate Entry Requirements
Academic Qualifications: Applicants should have successfully completed their secondary education with a minimum overall score of 70% 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 5.5.
- TOEFL: A minimum overall score of 80.
- PTE Academic: A minimum overall score of 55.
- Some programs may have specific subject prerequisites or additional requirements.
St. Mary’s University Twickenham offers a variety of scholarships to support international students in financing their education and rewarding academic achievement. These scholarships are designed to ease the financial burden and recognize the talents and hard work of students coming from all over the world.
International Student Scholarships: St. Mary’s provides International Student Scholarships for students from a range of countries. These scholarships are typically partial fee reductions, aimed at making education more affordable. Eligible students are selected based on academic merit, financial need, and their potential to contribute to the university community. The scholarships are open to both undergraduate and postgraduate international students.
Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship: The Vice-Chancellor’s Scholarship is one of the most prestigious awards available to international students at St. Mary’s University. This scholarship offers a significant reduction in tuition fees for high-achieving students, with eligibility determined by academic performance and specific course requirements. Students from a variety of regions, including Africa, Asia, and Latin America, are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholarship.
Country-Specific Scholarships: In addition to general international scholarships, St. Mary’s offers country-specific scholarships for students from certain regions. These scholarships provide additional financial assistance and are designed to support students from areas where educational opportunities may be limited. International students from Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas are often eligible for these specialized scholarships.
Sports Scholarships: For students excelling in sports, St. Mary’s University provides Sports Scholarships. These awards are available to talented athletes who demonstrate the potential to represent the university in competitive sports. Sports scholars benefit from personalized coaching, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and financial support to help balance academic and athletic commitments.
The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition (with a Placement Year) at St. Mary's University, Twickenham, offers a robust scientific and highly practical education in the vital role of nutrition for athletic performance, exercise, and overall health. This four-year program is meticulously designed to align with the guidelines of the Sport and Exercise Nutrition Register (SENR), ensuring graduates are exceptionally well-prepared for professional roles within this growing field. A distinguishing feature is the compulsory year-long professional placement, which provides invaluable real-world experience, allowing students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings and develop crucial industry connections. Under the guidance of experienced practitioners and academics, and leveraging world-class facilities and BASES-accredited laboratories, students are equipped to support athletes and active individuals in optimising their performance and health through evidence-based nutritional strategies.
Sports Nutritionist: Graduates can work directly with athletes and sports teams, from amateur to elite levels, developing and implementing tailored nutrition plans. The placement year provides critical experience in a professional sports environment, which is essential for registration with bodies like SENR and building a client base.
Exercise Physiologist: Combining their strong understanding of exercise science and nutrition, graduates can work in sports performance labs, clinics, or rehabilitation centres. The placement year offers hands-on experience in assessing physiological responses to exercise and providing integrated training and nutritional recommendations.
Public Health Nutritionist (focused on physical activity): These roles involve developing and delivering public health initiatives that promote healthy eating and active lifestyles within communities. A placement in a public health body or charity would provide practical experience in program design and implementation.
Health and Wellness Coach: Graduates can work with individuals and groups in corporate wellness programs, community health initiatives, or private practice, guiding them on balanced nutrition, physical activity, and lifestyle changes. The placement year provides direct coaching and client interaction experience.
Performance Nutrition Consultant (Freelance/Self-Employed): With the significant practical experience and professional network gained during their placement year, graduates are better positioned to establish their own consultancy, offering bespoke nutrition services to a diverse clientele.
Research Assistant / Associate in Sport and Exercise Science: Graduates with a strong aptitude for scientific inquiry, enhanced by their in-depth research project and potentially a research-focused placement, can pursue roles in academic institutions or sports organisations, contributing to studies on nutrition, exercise, and performance.
Product Development Scientist (Food and Supplement Industry): Leveraging their knowledge of food science, biochemistry, and nutritional needs, graduates can work in the food and supplement industry. A placement in a relevant company would offer direct experience in developing new sports nutrition products or functional foods.
Clinical Nutrition Assistant / Dietetic Support Worker: While not a registered dietitian, the comprehensive nutrition knowledge and practical experience from the placement year can qualify graduates for support roles in healthcare settings, assisting dietitians in managing patient dietary needs.
Strength and Conditioning Coach (with additional certification): The nutrition expertise, combined with a placement possibly involving athlete support, makes graduates well-suited to pursue additional certification in strength and conditioning, designing holistic training and nutrition programs for athletes.
Science Communicator / Technical Advisor (Sport & Nutrition): Graduates can apply their scientific understanding and communication skills in roles involving content creation, technical writing, or public speaking for sports brands, health publications, or educational platforms, translating complex scientific information for various audiences, often building on communication skills developed during placement.
