Start your Sport BSc journey with a one-year foundation that builds core skills, practical experience and guaranteed progression at York St John University
The foundation year in sport at York St John University is designed for applicants who want a confident start to undergraduate study. This one-year programme, delivered on the York campus within the School of Science, Technology and Health, helps students develop core academic techniques and applied sport knowledge before they join a three-year degree.
If you have not yet achieved standard entry requirements, have been away from education, or feel you need extra preparation, this foundation route provides scheduled learning, practical experience and personal academic support to help you move on successfully.
The course has been built to cover foundational topics that underpin all our Sport BSc pathways.
You will encounter modules addressing physiology, biomechanics, psychology and sociology, while also gaining confidence in university-style assessments. The programme balances classroom teaching with laboratory and field practicals, and offers opportunities for short placements. Importantly, completing the foundation year guarantees progression onto one of the specified Sport BSc (Hons) degrees without those grades contributing to your final degree classification.
Why this foundation year is useful
Choosing a foundation year gives you time to adapt to higher education and acquire essential skills for sport-related degrees. The course emphasises academic writing, effective note-taking, research methods and teamwork while introducing common degree assessment types such as presentations, essays, exams and practical assessments. The structure is also flexible for commuters: students typically have 8 hours of contact time per week split across two afternoons, with each module offering around 4 hours of teaching weekly. You will be supported by an academic tutor and taught by staff whose practice draws on current research and professional experience.
Course structure and core modules
Core modules
The foundation year comprises four compulsory modules, each worth 30 credits. One module focuses on developing academic skills relevant to sport, including assessment types and study strategies. Another module introduces laboratory and field-based testing, teaching safe practice and familiarisation with equipment used for anatomical, physiological and mechanical testing. A further module covers basic human anatomy and movement measurement, expanding on laboratory techniques to understand how the body moves. The final module explores social science perspectives in sport, preparing you for later study in the social and psychological aspects of performance and participation.
Teaching, placements and assessment
Teaching blends lectures, seminars, laboratories and fieldwork so you gain practical experience alongside theory. Assessments are a mixture of formative tasks (designed to guide improvement) and summative assessments that contribute to module grades. The programme introduces students to formative assessment as a learning tool and prepares them for the variety of evaluation methods used at degree level. There are also opportunities for short-term volunteering or placements arranged with help from tutors and the careers team, giving real-world context to classroom learning.
Entry requirements, fees and progression
Entry requirements and support
To apply you will need a minimum of 48 UCAS Tariff points and at least one GCSE in English Language at grade C/4 or above. International applicants must demonstrate equivalent qualifications and English competence (IELTS 6.0 with no skill below 5.5). There is a dedicated scheme for mature applicants who have been out of education for three years or more and hold the required English qualification. The foundation year guarantees progression onto one of the linked Sport BSc (Hons) degrees: Physical Education and Sport Coaching (C7C2), Sport and Exercise Therapy (C7C3), or Sport and Exercise Science (C7C6).
Fees, funding and additional costs
Tuition fees depend on residency. For UK 2026 entry the foundation year fee is £9,790 per year full time (part-time options charged at £4,895 per year), and for international 2026 entry the foundation year fee is £14,900 per year, with subsequent degree years at £14,000. These fees are reviewed annually and may increase in line with government guidance and indexation. Students can apply for Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loans where eligible, and the university’s Funding Advice team provides one-to-one support on scholarships, budgeting and additional costs such as equipment, study trips or accommodation.
How to apply and next steps
Applications are made through UCAS using the relevant foundation year route; the foundation year intake typically starts in September 2026 and also in September 2027. Before applying, check the university’s admissions pages for full terms and conditions and specific entry guidance. If you need further help, contact the admissions or funding teams for personalised advice about eligibility, visa requirements for international students, and support services in place to help you succeed in your foundation year and beyond.
