BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences
Student Profiles
Kendal Barrett Brown: BSc Sports & Exercise Sciences
“The course drew me in – as it has a great reputation and I wanted to study the best degree possible at a leading university. Leeds is renowned for research and that really interested me. 
When I first visited the campus the student atmosphere was great. I was keen to study in a city with a good vibe and ethos – and Leeds has it all.
My course is very science based and in part, research led and this has allowed me to broaden my perspective on my future career.
A highlight of the course is the anatomy practicals which you undertake in the first semester. There is a real hands-on approach which is an amazing way to learn; on what it is a potentially challenging module.
I found the biomechanics and the foundation maths module the most challenging; however the support from the lecturers is fantastic with lots of additional information available.
The best part of the course so far is the yearly debate which is assessed by your classmates. It‘s always an enjoyable experience. I also enjoy the group work. You really get to know how people work and find out their strengths and weaknesses.
The tutors are really supportive and will endeavour to support you throughout the degree. You can also see your lecturers during drop-in hours or make contact via e-mail. The majority of students in other years are also willing to help.
The health sciences library is a great place to study as its bright, airy and large enough for group study and to practice presentation material. The availability and quality of facilities and the number of PC clusters is quite astounding.
One of the highlights of being at Leeds so far was intro week. I also loved living in halls in the first year and finishing the year off with the summer ball.
If you do well in the first year it puts you in good stead for the following years. Settling into university takes time but its well worth it!
Once I graduate I want to complete a conversion course into physiotherapy and work within the local community or in the sports profession.”
Student Profiles
Laura Sugar: BSc Sport and Exercise Sciences
Laura is a Sports Scholar and plays hockey for Wales at Senior International level.
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I chose to come to Leeds University to study sports science because of the amazing city and the presentation of the University on the open days that I attended. I liked the amount of scientific modules on the course as they will hopefully give me a good balance of knowledge. I felt that the course suited my skills well and would be enjoyable as well as challenging throughout my 3 years. It also has a great reputation.
My favourite modules on the course are sports psychology and biomechanics. Psychology gives you a good insight into the difference between the small margins of winning and losing in elite sport as well as how and why people participate in physical activity. I really enjoy biomechanics as it is quite mathematical and you get to spend a lot of practical time in the labs.
You get a lot of support offered to you on the course if you choose to use it; I have found my personal tutor particularly helpful throughout my course. My tutor is available to help with any queries I may have and also to help with postgraduate applications.
The Sports Scholarship Programme did partially affect my decision to come to the University of Leeds, as it provides a great support for athletes trying to reach their full potential. The University provide the use of top class facilities to train and participate in sport. I am allocated a lifestyle officer who is my first point of call when I need advice on my sporting development as well as if there is a clash with deadlines/exams and a tournament and any problems are always sorted quickly.
This year I hope to keep my place in the U21 Wales team and represent them at the Celtic cup and European tournament in the summer. I also hope to make the senior squad for Wales to compete in the GB Super league 2012 tournament.
My ambition for the future would be to have a career in sport which is what I love. I hope to do a PGCE in PE teaching after my degree."
Student Profiles
Laura Britten: BSc Sports and Exercise Sciences
"I decided on the University of Leeds because the course is very science-based compared to other university sport courses. I have enjoyed all modules on my course, including lectures, practicals and lab sessions in the biomechanics, physiology and motor control labs. In these sessions we use high tech equipment to collect data on factors such as technique in biomechanics, oxygen consumption during exercise in physiology and reaction times in motor control. We also have lab sessions using equipment to measure sport performance such as 3D cameras and force platforms.
The level of support available to students is great - all staff members have consultation hours to discuss any issues with coursework or any other issues to do with the course. In addition, each student has a personal tutor who meets with you once a semester to monitor your progress and to discuss any general issues with the course.
The facilities at the University are widely accessible across campus and from home. There is 24 hour access to computer rooms and a wide variety of different textbooks and journals available from the library catalogue. Also the new sports centre is great, with a new pool, gym and lots of other facilities and classes available to students.
The highlight of my course so far was being awarded the Wellcome Trust Biomedical Scholarship in the summer of my second year. This involved me developing a research tool to assess upper limb function after spinal cord injury. The scholarship encouraged me to continue with this research for my third year project and apply for a PhD scholarship in order to develop this research area. My future career plans are to continue with scientific research and in particular work with physiotherapists and occupational therapists to determine the optimal rehabilitation strategies for people who have suffered spinal cord injury so they can live independently.
It was easy to make friends with people on the course during Freshers’ Week in introductory lectures, course socials, and a huge variety of other events. Also throughout the university there are a lot of societies and sport teams to join which introduces you to a lot of other students on different courses.
My advice to prospective sports science students would be to go for it! Leeds is a great place to live and be a student. The university is a great environment for sports science with a variety of modules to study, top academics giving lectures, top of the range equipment in labs and the brand new sports centre which has great facilities to use.
Leeds city centre has a wide range of places to visit and a great nightlife. Hyde Park just off campus is also a busy place during the spring and summer months to sit and chat with friends! My advice to new students would be to throw yourself into it! Take every opportunity to meet new people by joining societies and sport teams."
At the time of writing, Laura was a final year student. She graduated in 2011.
Student Profiles
Natalie Hall: BSc Sports and Exercise Sciences
Industrial Placement at the University of Leeds Sports & Physical Activity Office
How did you spend your time?
"My placement involved me being a full time member of the Sports Development Team at the University. My title was Sports Development Support Officer and my job was the implementation and maintenance of participation programmes within the University, this included running the intra-mural leagues and organising courses for both staff and students.
I worked in the Sport & Physical Activity Office at the University with eight other people and within a sports development team of four. As I was already part of the University Hockey Team, I was also able to get involved with the coaching, volunteering and the performance side of sport at the University (in fact they allowed me to have time off on a Wednesday to play hockey for the University which was perfect for me). Most of my time was spent in the office or running tournaments either in the Sports Centreor up at Weetwood (the University has number of sports pitches at Weetwood)."
How has your degree programme helped on your placement?
"Although my degree wasn’t directly linked to my placement, I have learnt and improved skills such as time management and organisation that will really help in the final year of my degree."
What was the most enjoyable aspect of the placement?
"I really enjoyed having a break from studying and making friends with all the new people that I worked with."
Have you any advice for other students considering a placement?
"I would say that they should seriously consider doing a placement year as it has been a huge benefit to me and I’m sure it will improve my overall degree. It’s a great opportunity to get a year of experience which will be hugely beneficial when applying for a job. It has also made me realise that university sport is the area of work I would like to go into."
At the time of writing Natalie was a final year student. She graduated in 2008.
Student Profiles
Lewis Minett: Sports and Exercise Sciences
Study Year Abroad, Pennsylvania State University
"My time here so far has been thoroughly enjoyable! The University is located in the middle of the Pennsylvanian countryside and the campus has great facilities for sport, including Beaver Stadium (capacity 107, 282) where the “Penn State Nittany Lions” play their American Football games. All of the other Varsity sports have superb facilities, many of which are free for students to use.
In terms of studying, there is a huge range of modules, for example you can study more practical based courses like Skiing or Hip Hop Dance (I'm doing Skiing), or theory based modules such as Biomechanics or Genetics of Performance. Aside from studying there is plenty to do, such as tailgate parties, bars (if you're over 21!), skiing, plenty of places to visit nearby, 'frat parties' and walking in the countryside. You meet lots of great people and they treat you like you are part of their family. Although it must be said the cheese tastes like plastic, and the beer tastes like water!"
More information from the Study Abroad Office
At the time of writing, Lewis was a third year student. He graduated in 2009.
Student Profiles
Alistair Brownlee: BSc Sports and Exercise Science
European Gold Medallist, World Silver Medallist, Olympic hopeful for 2012
The University of Leeds' first-ever Olympic Sports Scholar, Alistair Brownlee graduated from Leeds in 2009.
"I first started swimming and running at about the age of six. I competed locally in both swimming and running races and took up triathlon at age ten. I first represented GB in 2002 in a European Youth Relay Triathlon Champs. I am always very proud to represent my country and GB athletes always get fantastic support at events.
I train all year round with a maximum of three weeks off. My training is mostly long and steady from October to February in all three disciplines. Between then and the end of March, when I start racing, I do more intense and race specific training. During the season my training is just to keep fit between races. A typical week is usually about 20-30hrs of training with some gym sessions on top of that.
The scholarship programme at Leeds is excellent at supporting students. It provides financial support to allow students to buy equipment needed to compete at the highest level and for other expenses such as travel. It also offers medical support and help with time management and academic matters.
While at Leeds I had to balance all of my compulsory practical sessions and lectures. As an athlete I needed to do my training, travel, go to training camps, be available for drugs testing and meet my sponsor's commitments. The Faculty and University were consistently supportive whilst I was studying for my degree and helped plan my time. It was great that I could apply what I learnt in my sport to my modules on the course."
Check out Alistair's latest results.
Student Profiles
Emma Geary
BSc Sports and Exercise Sciences
"I’ve always wanted to study sports science, I’ve never wanted to do anything else, and Leeds felt like the right place for me. Living in Leeds was the easiest decision I’ve had to make in my life - as soon as I saw the city for the first time I fell in love with its beauty and the opportunities it held for me.
I really enjoy the variety of disciplines, and the freedom to be able to concentrate more in the ones I most enjoy. At the moment I’m enjoying doing my dissertation. It was the thing I most feared when coming to university, and it is an immense amount of work, but it’s really interesting. My dissertation is in the area of biomechanics and relates to pregnancy and postural sway. For my investigations I use equipment that I’d never heard of before I came to university - experience which will give me life skills I can take into a career later on in life. At the moment I'm working mainly in the biomechanics lab using a variety of equipment such as the force platforms, EMG (electromyography; a technique for evaluating physiologic properties of muscles) and Pedar (a special insole for measuring pressure distribution).
It's not all work. In the holidays I work at two jobs; bar work and also in a pharmacy dispensary, which means I don’t have to work in term time and can concentrate on other things! I also do kick boxing, go swimming and attend the gym, as well as hanging out with my friends and studying in between! It was very easy for me to make friends; within my course everyone gets on with everyone else. I have a great set of close friends both on and away from my course, which I think is important. There is so much to do in Leeds that I don't have one favourite haunt, but Leeds Academy is always a good night out!
I've decided to pursue a career in sports science and I am applying to do masters in research within the area of biomechanics and so hopefully staying at the University of Leeds for a further year.
To me it’s the most interesting discipline of exercise science."
At the time of writing Emma was a final year student.
Photo: Emma (top right) gathering data for her final year project
