Sport Foundation Year

This foundation year in Sport is an opportunity to put yourself in the best possible position when you start your degree with us. It lets you add an extra level of preparatory work and broad knowledge to your degree. This option is ideal if you do not yet meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree, you have been out of education for a while, or you just don’t feel ready yet to start studying at degree level.

You will undertake a series of modules during the Foundation Year that aim to prepare you to study at the forefront of knowledge and practice and include introductory content that spans key areas of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Physical Education and Sports Coaching, and Sport and Exercise Therapy for example physiology, biomechanics, psychology, sociology, sports coaching, and research methods. All the content aligns with the next level of our sport courses to ensure that following the completion of the Foundation Year you have gained all the necessary factual, procedural, and theoretical knowledge required to be successful.

There is also a strong focus on managing your transition to independent study and university level learning. We will introduce you to the different types of assessment you may experience at degree level (including presentations, exams, essays and practical assessments). You will also gain the essential practical skills needed for laboratory and field work.

Sport BSc (Hons) courses available with Foundation Year:

Physical Education and Sport Coaching BSc (Hons) with Foundation Year 

UCAS Code: C7C2

Sport and Exercise Therapy with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

UCAS Code: C7C3

Sport and Exercise Science with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)

UCAS Code: C7C6

Year 1

Our academic year is split into 2 semesters. You will study:

• 2 compulsory modules in semester 1
• 2 compulsory modules in semester 2

You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.

Modules

Teaching and learning

You will be taught through a combination of classroom, laboratory and field-based settings.

Each module includes 2.5 hours of contact per week. This will roughly be timetabled to 3 days a week. This makes things more convenient if you commute to campus or have other commitments to fit around your study.

You will learn alongside others who are going onto different degree courses, and the content will be relevant to all of your chosen routes.

You will be assigned an academic tutor who will support you throughout your foundation year.

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Placements

You can take part in work-related learning as part of your course. This can be through short term volunteering or placement opportunities which your academic tutors and the careers team can help you to secure.

Assessment

All modules include both assessments which will count towards your final grades, and formative assessments which do not. These formative activities will help you to identify areas for improvement and develop your assessment skills before completing final assessments. We will introduce you to all of the different types of assessment you might face, so you will be well prepared to take these on.

Progression onto degree course

Passing this foundation year guarantees your progression onto one of our Sport BSc (Hons) degrees. Your grades from this year will not be carried forward and will not count towards your final degree results.

Qualifications

Calculate your UCAS Tariff points

T Levels

 All of our undergraduate offers are made using the UCAS tariff system. We accept T Level qualifications, and you can work out how many points they are worth using the UCAS calculator above.

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements 

Mature Learners Entry Scheme

If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.

Mature entry offer scheme

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

To study a Foundation Year with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK). 

Tuition fees are reviewed annually and may be increased in line with inflation, prior to the start of each academic year, and subject to the fee cap set by the UK government. Such increases to fees will be at the Retail Price Index (RPI) forecast rate, as advised by the Office for Budget Responsibility and the Office for Students. The only exception to this would be where government legislation deems otherwise.

If a rise in the tuition fee becomes necessary, we will endeavour to inform you as soon as possible and we will explain the reason(s) for the increase. Any tuition fee increase will only be applied from the start of the next academic year and will not be applied 'in year'.

UK 2026 entry

Tuition fees for 2026, subject to government approval will be:

• £9,790 for your Foundation Year
• Then £9,790 per year of your undergraduate degree

Tuition fees are likely to increase in future years, in line with the government imposed fee caps.

This price applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

You can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for the full duration of your course, including the Foundation Year and then your undergraduate degree. 

You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page.

Funding Opportunities

Tuition fees

International 2026 entry

For full time study the tuition fee for 2026 entry to this course is:

• £12,100 for your Foundation Year, unless you study Sport and Exercise Science, in which case the fee will be £14,900
• You will then pay the fee listed on the course page for the degree you progress onto

Tuition fees are likely to increase in future years, in line with the government imposed fee caps.

This price applies to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa pages.

Find out more about funding your degree.

International fees and funding

Additional costs and financial support

There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.

Course-related costs

While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.

Study Abroad

For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad page.

Accommodation and living costs

View our accommodation pages for detailed information on accommodation and living costs.

Financial help and support

Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses. 

For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.