BTEC National Certificate in Sport and Exercise Sciences
 

The BTEC National Certificate in Sport and Exercise Science is comparable to two A levels in curriculum time.  It is designed to equip individuals with the knowledge, understanding and practical skills required for success in current and future employment in the sport and related industries. In particular it pepares a student for roles that require a scientific background, or for entry to appropriate undergraduate degree programmes.

Course content

A total of 12 units are studied, with each unit consisting of between 2-4 assignments. Units taken include:

Compulsory Core units

• Scientific principles for Sport and Exercise

• Sport and Exercise Sciences Project

• Sport and Exercise Psychology

• Exercise Psychology

Compulsory Specialist Unit

• Anatomy for Sport and Exercise

Optional Specialist Units – from which 7 are selected

• Quantitative Sport and Exercise Research

• Qualitative Sport and Exercise Research

• Social Aspects of Sport

• Fitness Testing

• Physiological Factors in Sport and Science

• Sport Massage

• Exercise Health and Lifestyle

• Biomechanics

• Sports Injuries

• Practical Sport Performance

• Technological Developments in Sport

• Sport Industry Experience

 

 

 

All units carry either internal or external assessment and are criteria referred, based on the achievement of specific outcomes.  To achieve a pass grade for a unit students must have met all the basic assessment criteria outlined in the unit specifications.

Whilst the qualification is not as prestigious as A level it is a level 3 qualification, comparable to the academic content of AS and A2.  It is a course which provides good opportunity for students to study/research independently and is very much aimed at those preparing to study or follow a career within sports and exercise.

Students taking this course should consider Biology, Chemistry or Mathematics  as one of their other option choices and will to develop strong, independent research skills.