Getting into Sport

Katherine Pagett

Schools and Colleges Liaison Officer

University of Birmingham

How competitive?

University of Birmingham

Subject Applicants Entrants Ratio

Applied Golf Management 96 25 3.8

Sport and Exercise Sciences 1141 1756.5

Sport, PE and Coaching Science 520 70 7.4

How competitive?Sheffield Hallam UniversitySheffield Hallam University

Route Applicants Entrants Ratio

Sport and Exercise Science 794 90 8.8

Phys Act Health and Ex Sci. 121 25 4.8

Sp. Sci. for Performance Coaching

219 20 10.9

Phys Ed. and Youth Sport 474 80 5.9

Sp. Coaching 427 40 10.6

Sp. Development with Coaching

571 60 9.5

Sp. and Community Dev 250 25 10.0

Sp. Business Management 427 72 5.9

Sp. Event Management 295 25 11.8

Entry Requirements - Sport and Exercise ScienceUniversity A Levels BTEC National Advanced Dip

Bath AAA DDD in Sport Science

A in all units, plus A in A Level Science

Birmingham AAB-ABB DDD Plus A Level Biology/PE at grade A/B

Brunel BBC DDM Plus A Level in science/sport/social science

Chichester CCC MMM Grade C Plus A Level Biology or PE at grade C

Leeds Metropolitan 280 points 5 D and rest M in 2nd yr

Loughborough AAA-AAB DDD

Sheffield Hallam 300 points DDM

UWIC 320 points including BB

DDM Plus A Level Biology or PE at grade B

* Additional requirements

League Tables

Personal Statements

Comments from Admissions Tutors

‘It’s the only way to tell those that are interested in the subject from those that are just good at it’

‘Forms the basis for the interview’ ‘Especially important in borderline cases’ ‘Important at confirmation/clearing’ ‘I look for students who will be interesting to teach’

What will make them stand out from the crowd?

Personal Statement

Demonstration of knowing what the course involves

Reasons for course/subject choice What they enjoy in any related subjects

now Relevant units performed well in Additional reading

Personal Statements

‘I love playing sport and want to do this for my degree.’

‘I have particularly enjoyed my biology A-level course work on 'Investigating the Density of Blood at Different Altitudes.' The physiological adaptations made by the body due to different environmental situations during training interests me. I have also undertaken an Open University Course Module in 'Human Nutrition' which not only helped with my A level studies but which I think would also be hugely beneficial to me in my degree. Within the course, I learnt about the importance of an athlete's diet. Particularly, the need for energy and associated nutrients for increased metabolism as well as adequate fluids to maintain body temperature in the face of large amounts of heat production in exercising muscles.’

Personal Statements I enjoy all aspects of my subjects as a great deal can be related to

sporting situations. An area of the PE course which fascinates me is sport psychology, I love grasping the underlying emotional factors in sport performance which most people are unaware of. Physical Education at school makes such a difference to the achievement and attitude of a person as a whole and as a player which I am eager to be a part of. Studying Biology extended my understanding of the human body during exercise, and furthered my knowledge beyond the A level PE course. Last year I was part of a team which won the gold award in the National Science Olympiad, gaining the opportunity to represent England at the European standings. This enabled me to take my biological and sporting knowledge to a new level of comprehension.

Personal Statements

Additional reading ‘I float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. You can't beat

the greatest because I am David Beckham’ It was this quote that inspired me to study sport at university.

‘I am a keen reader of Peak Performance and I would particularly enjoy learning about Exercise physiology the health and fitness benefits of specific training methods.’

‘Stewart Ross's 'Higher Further Faster' has also increased my curiosity for further exploring the technological aspects of sport and exercise science.’

Personal Statements

‘Why do some people perform better than others under pressure when they are of a similar skill level? Why do we resort to bad habits when in an unfamiliar situation? Why is experience so important? My desire to learn the answers to these questions resulted in my decision to study Sport Psychology at University.’

‘My mother is a sports teacher, having studied at Loughborough University.’

Personal Statement

Sporting achievement Interests/hobbies School/college experience – positions of

responsibility Work experience/employment Involvement in Higher Education activities Skills relevant to the courseSkills relevant to the course

DESIRABLE SKILLS FOR THE COURSE

Key skills to do well

Interest in scienceInterest/enthusiasm in sport and exerciseIT skillsInterpersonal skillsCommunication skillsNumeracy skillsTeam workWork with diversity of peopleTolerant

Personal Statements

‘I enjoy sport and used to play hockey a couple of times a year.’

‘My interest in sport stems from my enjoyment of ‘Match of the Day’ and other related TV series.’

Personal StatementsSporting achievement

I have been involved in athletics, specifically dance and gymnastics for the past thirteen years and have been a member of the XXXXX elite acrobatic gymnastics squad since I was eight winning medals at regional, national and international competitions. The most notable is being selected after a process of trial competitions, for the senior Great Britain gymnastics team to compete in the World Championships in Portugal in June 2006. Being a member of the team that achieved a silver medal and personally coming seventh in my category, women's senior groups was a great achievement.

Gymnastics and sports have helped me focus on different aspects both sporting and academic. Having had to sit four of my GCSEs, (Mathematics, French, Geography and Science) while competing in the World Championships I can truly say it was an experience where my time management skills and ability to deal with different stress factors at one time was tested.

Personal Statement

Career goals/ what hope to gain Gap year information, if applicable Motivation - Commitment - Enthusiasm

Athletic Union – BUCS league Intra-muralActive Lifestyles Sports CentreClubs and societies

Sport at University

Scholarships

Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme Government Funded £3500 sporting services Funding to give access to specialist support

services, sport medicine, elite coaching, equipment, competition and training costs, mentoring

UoB = 60 Nominations through national governing body

Other Scholarships

Royal & Ancient Golf Bursary University Scholarship Schemes

UBS Scholarship Paul Weston Triathlon Scholarship Physics Sports Bursary

THE END!ANY QUESTIONS?