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Introduction
Why choose this course?
Overview
Our MSc/PGDip in Applied Sport and Exercise Nutrition is designed for students who want to work with a range of people to improve their health, fitness or sporting performance. We encourage applications from graduates with a background in sport and exercise science or human nutrition.
Nutrition has profound effects on both human health and athletic performance. So we have based this course on the latest scientific research and contemporary practice.
Our staff come from a wide range of sporting and nutrition backgrounds. They conduct first-class research and bring it to the classroom and some are actively involved in coaching.
To provide you with subject specialist knowledge we also invite guest speakers from:
industry
other universities
research organisations.
Our research groups and consultancies have strong links with Oxfordshire hospitals, elite athletes and food organisations. This gives you opportunities to conduct internal and external research projects. As well as develop potential career opportunities.
Modules
Compulsory modules
• Fundamentals of Human Nutrition (20 credits)
This module provides a comprehensive overview of the different nutrients required by humans throughout the life cycle and their sources in food in the UK and worldwide. It also critically evaluates methods used to assess nutrient intake at an individual and population level. The relationship between lifestyle and body composition will also be covered.
• Exercise Physiology (20 credits)
This module examines the fundamental concepts in exercise physiology. Content includes acute and chronic adaptations to exercise, biochemistry and function of skeletal muscle, principles of exercise training, physiology of special populations (eg children, women, elderly and elite athletes) and immune function. Teaching methods include seminars and laboratory sessions.
• Sport and Exercise Nutrition in Practice (20 credits)
This module draws upon expert experience from individuals who are involved in providing nutritional support for people who participate in sport and exercise. Where appropriate, the module will use the expertise of guest lecturers in addition to the core teaching team. Strategies that focus on selected techniques known to enhance healthy dietary strategies will be covered. Finally, the use of case studies and practical experience will link the theoretical and applied aspects of the course to provide you with the skills necessary to meet the challenges faced by contemporary sport and exercise nutritionists.
• Research Methods (20 credits)
This module provides a foundation and training in fundamental research methods, from literature searching, experimental planning and design to data analysis and presentation. Assessment is by coursework only.
• Nutrition, Physical Activity and Health (20 credits)
This module examines the relationships between nutrition, physical activity and health outcomes in humans. In particular, the influence of diet and physical activity on cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer and obesity will be considered along with counselling and goal-setting for diet, nutrition and exercise.
• Applied Practice in Sport, Exercise and Nutrition (20 credits)
This module provides you with opportunities to reflect on your professional practice and to consider the legal and ethical boundaries when working in sport and exercise nutrition settings. You will also gain training to assist in working with clients with special needs (eg young or elderly populations, disabled athletes, vegetarian athletes) or who come from diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds that do not otherwise fit the 'standard' model of sport and exercise nutrition.
• Applied Techniques in Sport and Exercise Nutrition (20 credits)
This module consists of a practical component using state-of-the-art laboratory techniques including portable calorimetry, densitometry, haematology and urine analysis. This module includes comprehensive testing on both invited athletes and classmates. In addition to the practical element, a main focus of the module is placed on data interpretation and presentation to aid report writing for scientific publications and also athlete and coach feedback. Enrolment on the module also entitles you to complementary registration for the highly sought after International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK) Level 1 qualification (on completion of the required additional practical and theoretical components).
Final project
Compulsory modules
• Research Project (60 credits)
This consists of an intensive period of research into a selected topic in sport and exercise nutrition. You will work closely with an appointed supervisor to establish a project topic and identify an appropriate intervention. The research project will be primarily assessed by dissertation submission. Past projects have included fluid and energy delivery from sports drinks during cycling and rowing, accuracy of calorie expenditure estimates of popular sports equipment and effects from ingestion of alcohol, protein, carbohydrate, fat and ergogenic aids including sodium bicarbonate, caffeine, dietary nitrate and creatine.
Entry Criteria
ENTRY REQUIRED DOCUMENTS
Home Office Share Code
For EU students only.
IF no Qualification
Please provide CV with at least 2 years of work experience, and employee reference letter.
Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements
To successfully complete this postgraduate course, you are usually expected to have (or be about to attain) at least a first or upper second class honours degree in a related scientific subject from a recognised institution of higher education.
Applicants with a lower second class award may be accepted if they can provide a transcript to show that they performed near to the upper second class level. If you do not have these academic qualifications, you could still be offered a place on this course if you can show evidence of the potential to succeed based on professional and/or related experiences.
Our standard entry requirement is three A-levels or equivalent qualifications. In some cases, courses have specific required subjects and additional GCSE requirements. In addition to A-levels, we accept a wide range of other qualifications including:
the Welsh Baccalaureate
the Access to Higher Education Diploma
a BTEC National Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma at a good standard and in a relevant subject
the International Baccalaureate Diploma
the European Baccalaureate Diploma
Scottish qualifications – five subjects in SCE with two at Higher level or one at Advanced Higher level, or three subjects in Scottish Highers or two at Advanced Higher level
a recognised foundation course
T-levels*.
* T-levels are a relatively new qualification but are already included in the UCAS tariff. We welcome prospective students who are taking this qualification to apply. For some programmes with specific required subjects, particular subject areas or occupational specialisms may be required.
English language requirements
For applicants whose first language is not English, an Academic IELTS score of 6.5 (with 6.5 in Reading and Writing, and 6.0 in Listening and Speaking) is required.
The entry requirement for your course will be expressed as an IELTS level and refers to the IELTS Academic version of this test. We are now also accepting the IELTS Indicator test, you can find out more about the test on the IELTS Indication site. The University however does accept a wide range of additional English language qualifications, which can be found below.
The university’s English language requirements in IELTS levels are as follows:
Course IELTS level
All other undergraduate courses 6.0 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Law, Architecture, Interior Architecture, English Literature (including combined honours), English Literature and Creative Writing 6.5 overall with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
Health and Social Care courses 6.5 or 7.0 overall with 6.5 or 7.0 in all components (see individual entries for course details)
Nutrition BSc (Hons) 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
Built Environment Foundation,
Computing Foundation,
Engineering Foundation 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing, 5.5 in listening and speaking
International Foundation Business and Technology,
International Foundation Arts, Humanities and Law 5.5 overall with 5.5 in all skills
International Foundation Diploma 5.0 overall with 5.0 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
International Foundation Diploma (Extended pathway) 4.5 overall with 4.5 in all skills
If you need a student visa you must take an IELTS for UKVI test.
Assessment
ASSESSMENT METHODS
1. INTERNAL ENGLISH TEST if you don't have an English accredited certificate
2. Academic Interview
Learning and assessment
We expect that you will have a strong understanding of either human nutrition or sport and exercise science.
In the first semester, depending on your background you will take either the Human Nutrition or Exercise Physiology module. This enables you to progress to advanced-level classes.
Semester one emphasises theoretical and research issues.
In Semester two you will apply the theoretical underpinnings in applied settings (field and laboratory settings).
For your research project (MSc only), you will complete a substantial piece of independent research. This will incorporate your theoretical and applied knowledge from the taught section of the course.
For an MSc award you need to gain 180 level 7 credits.
For a PGDip you need to gain 120 level 7 credits. This involves successfully completing either the Human Nutrition or Exercise Physiology module and all the remaining modules. You do not need to complete the Research Project.
Learning and teaching
You will learn using a variety of methods. These reflect the wide variety of topics associated with applied sport and exercise nutrition, including:
lectures
directed reading
workshops
seminars
practical exercises
laboratory sessions
project work.
You will develop the skills to understand and communicate advanced theoretical and research-based knowledge of nutrition to people who participate in sport and exercise.
Each module requires 200 hours of student input in each twelve week semester. There are approximately 36 hours of staff contact time.
Assessment
Your performance in each module is assessed by:
evaluation of your written or design work
verbal presentations.
We use a range of assessment methods, including:
essays
seminar papers
formal written examinations
in-class tests
project case work
design and verbal presentations
workshops
simulations
practical exercises.
Research
Our research areas and clusters include:
immediate physiological and psychophysical exercise performed at different intensities
effects of restricted fluid intake in people with MS on temperature control, energy levels, balance and cognitive and physical performance
feasibility of supporting people with long-term neurological conditions to exercise in the community
exploring exercise responses in children with physical disabilities with plans to explore delivery of community exercise and sports programmes
exploring novel exercise delivery techniques for people who find it hard to move, including the use of mental imagery
effect of fluid and carbohydrate intake on rowing skill and performance
relationship between levels of physical activity and blood levels of neuroactive proteins induced by exercise
effect of green tea on competitive cycling performance
effective nutritional strategies for enhancing post-exercise rehydration.
Career Opportunities
Career prospects
Many sports are becoming increasingly professional in their approach to training and nutrition. For example, many sports clubs now employ full-time nutrition consultants. Career prospects outside sport are also exciting.
The NHS offers an increasing number of opportunities for students with specialist training in exercise nutrition to support GP referral schemes and other healthy living programmes. The growing awareness of health within society, coupled with misconceptions of the relationship between physical activity, nutrition and health has led to an increasing demand for graduates who can deliver evidence-based solutions and advice at all levels.
Research or teaching within further or higher education also provide potential career opportunities.
Our graduates progress to a diverse range of careers including exercise and lifestyle consultants based within hospitals and private practice. Various graduates have secured full time and part time work with professional sports teams as well as the Institutes of Sport in the UK.
Some of our graduates have also gone on to work in major international companies such as GlaxoSmithKline or are employed as industry consultants, dieticians and nutrition counsellors. Graduates have also successfully gained funded PhD positions.
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