Department of Sport
School of Psychology, Sport and Education
Welcome to our Department of Sport
Thank you for taking the time to check out what we offer at University College Birmingham, the highest-ranking university in the region as voted by students at the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards. Our student support is the best in the region too, according to students, as is our provision for international students and postgraduates.
If you are looking at joining us to carve out a career in sport, from working in fitness coaching or strength and conditioning to sports management, here is a glimpse into our student and staff community - and the enrichment we offer - to see if we are the right choice for you.
Laura Hodgkiss
Head of Department of Sport
Welcome from Laura Hodgkiss
As head of department, I am extremely proud of what we offer to ensure you excel in these fields. There’s so much to look forward to on our courses, which are informed by industry needs, are challenging and will best prepare you for the workplace.
We have seen our sports facilities go through an enormous transformation and we have some really great partners, including Bournville Rugby Club, as well as fantastic placements and trips.
Our graduates range from a Coventry United Ladies FC sports therapist who supported at the Rugby World Cup to someone who organises VIP hospitality for the likes of Wimbledon and was named one of the top 100 influencers in marketing in 2024. A diverse mix! We look forward to helping you meet your aspirations.
*Laura was a semi-professional footballer who played nationally and internationally before moving into education
What’s happening
Sports graduate makes Top 100 in UK marketing influencer awards
A go-getting graduate who now organises VIP hospitality for the likes of Wimbledon has been named one of the top 100 influence…
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Sports Therapy students and staff put best foot forward with conference research
Two final year Sports Therapy students and staff presented their dissertation research projects at the British…
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Sports therapy graduate wins best injury clinic for second year in a row
Sports therapist Stacey Naylor – who set up her own clinic just after graduating from University College Birmingham wh…
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New industry accreditation for strength, conditioning and sports nutrition students
Students on the Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition degree at University College Birmingham now hav…
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Sports therapy duo playing key role for Team Scotland at Commonwealth Games
A lecturer and a graduate from University College Birmingham have joined Team Scotland to play a key role in suppor…
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Man Utd psychologist to Royal Ballet physio: meet lineup for 2022 sports conference
From a psychologist for top-flight footballers to injury specialists for elite ballet dancers and rugby pla…
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Professor Gill Brown
Executive Dean, School of Psychology, Sport and Education
Welcome from Professor Gill Brown
When I was growing up, I was hugely interested in why people behaved the way they did and had a particular interest in offending. I was glued to the latest crime-related film or documentary, trying to make sense of the factors at play in an individual’s behaviour, so studying psychology was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Psychology, sport and education all go hand-in-hand with lots of crossover, so you know whatever subject area you pick, you will have plenty of broad opportunities, opening up even more career paths and giving you more ways to become a stand-out professional.
As a team, we are passionate about helping you put theory into practice in the real world through work-based learning and hands-on experience and look forward to guiding you through your journey and challenging you as you progress, igniting your passion for learning as you go.
Placements with pulling power
Our partnerships with major sports clubs and organisations have provided students with incredible opportunities over the past year, including working with Team Scotland at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Birmingham Rockets basketball team and the Professional Game Match Officials Board (PGMOB).
Skills for endurance
We completed our third annual 24-hour endurance challenge for the Young Minds charity this year, giving our students an opportunity to put their skills into practice.
IUSCA accreditation
Our Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition degree has this year been accredited by the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA), transforming the profession through innovation and collaboration.
Berlin and Seville residentials
Sports Management students toured Berlin on bikes, visiting the velodrome, Mercedes Benz Arena, Olympic Stadium, Berlin TV Tower, Brandenburg Gate and Berlin Wall. Our final year students went to Seville, visitng the Real Betis stadium, Plaza de Toros and Royal Alcazar Palace before a match at Sevilla FC.
Beyond the classroom
At University College Birmingham, we offer education and training that goes far beyond everyday classes and lectures. We are committed to providing additional enrichment opportunities for our students, from industry trips and expert visits to linkups with local charities, entry into competitions and much more.
Scroll through to find out what's been going on in our department:
Stephen Garvey
Deputy Dean (Teaching, Learning and Digital)
School of Psychology, Sport and Education
Meet Stephen Garvey
My role is to ensure we stay at very forefront of progress across the education sector and across industry, building innovative technology and skills such as immersive virtual reality into your educational experience.
We are committed to providing face-to-face teaching as we know students value this quality time with their lecturers and fellow students. But to support your academic studies, we also have a sophisticated lecture capture system that provides accessible recorded lectures, where possible.
We are very proud of the exceptional and sustained record of teaching excellence we have in the provision of our vocational educational experiences, and the future-focused curriculum we have to offer you.
*Stephen is a registered dietitian with a background in research
Our teaching and learning
Whichever sports degree you are studying, our aim is simple - to turn you into a stand-out professional. Since we launched our degrees in these fields, we have earned a reputation for the highest quality courses and a learning experience that sets us apart from bigger universities.
Our degrees are designed to develop you personally and professionally, with graduate advantage, employability and enrichment sessions threaded throughout the curriculum, sitting alongside really interesting theory modules. Our partnership with the University of Warwick, a top-ranking Russell Group university, also brings extra opportunities including access to guest speakers and additional resources.
Theory
Our courses are developed and taught by experienced lecturing staff, many of whom still work in industry. This means they can draw on years of experience to make scenario-based discussions, debates and concepts come to life, supporting the linking of theory to practice.
You will learn so much from our lecturing teams, who are passionate about their profession and eager to inspire and nurture the next generation of professionals.
We also have many invited guest lecturers participate in our courses, sharing their knowledge and experiences to enhance your learning.
Students also have a lot to bring and as a team, we will also learn a lot from you! We encourage you to share your perspectives and viewpoints, especially when reflecting on your own life and placement experiences.
Practical
Placements are key to success as employers want you to have real experience. We have excellent links with employers and organisations across the region, all bolstered by our designated employer boards.
As well as excellent training facilities, we have a unique partnership with Bournville Rugby Club and have access to their pitches for practical sessions. Sport, Coaching and Fitness, Sports Therapy and Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition all use the space for a range of modules. Students have collected GPS data during football sessions, developed their coaching skills and ran pitch-based conditioning sessions.
Our Food Science and Innovation Suite provides an excellent training environment to put theory into practice, with educational trips helping students to gain wider understanding of key issues.
Support
Our support is exceptional, so much so, our students voted to make us the winner of the Student Support award at the Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2022 and we came a close second in 2023. In 2024, we were voted the best for student support in the West Midlands.
Throughout your studies, you will not only have a personal tutor, but a link tutor during placements and module leaders to support you through academic modules. And we have a whole range of additional support services available, providing you with as much or as little support as you need to succeed in your degree. Our smaller teaching groups enable all students to grow and flourish, with strong peer support and friendship.
Our Learning and Teaching Strategy 2021-24 is key to how we approach the educational journey, focusing on three main pillars that set out our commitment to your learning and teaching experience while you are studying with us.
- Pillar 1 – Provide accessible and inclusive teaching and learning across a wide range of vocationally-led courses
- Pillar 2 – Develop next generation opportunities and skills through innovative, future-focused curriculum and pedagogy
- Pillar 3 – Shape local and global sectors, promoting sustainable futures and global citizenship
Our students
Jess Fassnidge
Studying a master's at University College Birmingham has helped footballer Jess make an immediate real-life impact in the sporting sphere.
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Duane Saunders
Duane is a highly-experienced practitioner with a demonstrated history of working in the elite sport and fitness industry.
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Shanice Hinds
The journey to uni was not always smooth for Shanice, but the support she recieved on her degree changed everything.
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Ollie Greensill
The cutting-edge sports facilities at University College Birmingham proved too hard to resist for Great Britain triathlete Ollie Greensill.
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Jack Woolhouse
It was attending a uni conference of top sporting speakers that persuaded Jack to enrol on his degree – three years on, he was one of the guest speakers.
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Samuel Barratt
When the Covid-19 pandemic impacted his hospitality career, Samuel decided it was time to pursue his passion for the world of sport.
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Kayleigh Jones
Kayleigh had incredible opportunities for gaining experience during her sports therapy degree – including working with the Scotland team at the Rugby World Cup
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James Decker
When James Decker decided to leave the US Navy, he found a new calling in fitness training and joined University College Birmingham to learn the ropes as a mature student.
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Tom Ravenhill
Tom is having a ball as marketing strategist for a Canadian Major League Soccer team, and it all started at University College Birmingham.
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James Burgoyne
James played a key part in Bournville RFC securing promotion to National League 2 for the first time in the club’s history.
Read moreSports facilities
Our university facilities are award-winning and include excellent sports facilities, helping you gain industry experience to prepare you for work or further study.
Our Human Performance Centre includes a 35-metre sprint track, six Olympic lifting platforms, integrated force plates and a range of conditioning equipment. We have an AlterG anti-gravity treadmill, used to help rehabilitate injured athletes as we support them on their return to play journey.
Our courses
Sport and Education BA (Hons)
Our sports and education degree is designed to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between sport and education, driven by a carefu…
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Sports Therapy BSc (Hons) / FdSc
Want to work with professional athletes or treat patients in a sports injury clinic? This specialist course will arm you with advanced practical sports therap…
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Strength, Conditioning and Sports Nutrition BSc (Hons) / FdSc
Do you aspire to become a strength and conditioning coach? Accredited by the NSCA, this course combines theory and practical work…
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Strength, Conditioning and Performance MSc
Aligned with the NSCA and standards developed by CIMSPA, our Strength, Conditioning and Performance postgraduate course will help mould you into an…
Read moreMeet your lecturers
Matt Greasley
I completed my sports therapy degree at University College Birmingham in 2017, then became a graduate teaching assistant working in higher and further education.
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Darren Chesworth
I completed my MSc in Exercise and Nutrition Science at the University of Chester in 2011. Since then I have previously worked as a further education lecturer and as a streng…
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Matthew Holmes
I have worked in sport for more than 12 years in a number of roles including personal training, strength and conditioning, sports coaching and sports nutrition.
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Carl Bennett
I joined the British Army after leaving comprehensive school in 1995. Coaching and participating in sports during my time in the Army, my main role was as a physical training ins…
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George Babalev
I entered the world of academia after 8 years of experience in the sports sector, working for and with most of the stakeholders in the industry, and covering various roles such…
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Nathan Price
I have been involved in the sports industry since 1996. My main focus prior to 2004 was sports centre management and worked at a variety of sports facilities, starting off as a l…
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Gareth Bate
Gareth is a graduate sports therapist who has worked in a combination of private practice, elite and professional sport as well as academia over the past 16-years.
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Stephen Walker
I studied management and treatment of sports injuries through the football association at lilleshall then studied Physiotherapy at Salford University, I then completed my PGCE…
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We look forward to seeing you on campus
As you prepare to join us, here's a refresher on some of the essentials: