FDA Sports Media Foundation degree at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
FDA Sports Media at SGSC. Sports media sits at the intersection of journalism, broadcasting and digital communication within sport.
About this course
FDA Sports Media is a Foundation degree (FDA) at SGSC, based in University Centre WISE Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sport & Exercise Science, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Level 4 5 modules
- Introduction to Media, Culture and SocietyCore
Module details
This module explores the complex relationships between media technologies, practices and cultural contexts. You will examine how media is shaped by social, cultural, economic, historical, environmental and geographical factors, challenging the idea of media as neutral. Through case studies and theoretical frameworks, you will analyse the contributions of diverse communities to media and cultural policy. Emphasis is placed on engaging in debates and constructing coherent arguments, supported by a
Assessment: Presentation: 50% Group Presentation: 50%
- Fundamental Production SkillsCore
Module details
This module provides a comprehensive foundation in fundamental production skills, equipment and software, covering key areas like film production, sound, and post-production techniques. Emphasising hands-on learning, it guides you through the practical application of these skills to create diverse media projects. You will not only develop a solid practical and theoretical understanding of production practices but will also learn how to effectively apply this knowledge within the production proce
Assessment: Practical Assignment: 100%
- Media Law and EthicsCore
Module details
The Media Law and Ethics module introduces you to the legal and ethical frameworks governing media industries. You will explore key topics, including copyright and intellectual property rights, privacy law, defamation, and regulation of digital platforms, alongside ethical considerations around freedom of speech, representation, and journalistic integrity. Through case studies, analysis of current events, and practical exercises, you will examine legal precedents and ethical debates that shape m
Assessment: Assignment x2500 words: 100%
- Sport Feature Writing EssentialsCore
Module details
This module will give you an introduction to the basics of sports feature writing. The module will teach you how to perfect writing sports copy, how to tell a story in an engaging manner and will develop your skills in using key industry software to present your work. Through a mixture of lectures and 1:1s with your tutor, you will develop an industry-informed understanding of how to write for an audience, interview sportspeople and athletes and produce a portfolio of work to prepare you for ent
Assessment: Portfolio, x3000 words: 70% Presentation: 30%
- Introduction to Sports Audio ProductionCore
Module details
In this module, you will explore a range of audio production techniques tailored for the sports industry, engaging with both foundational skills and the latest industry trends. Through practical projects, you will work with internal and external sports clubs and organisations to develop audio pieces that capture the essence of sports storytelling. The module combines theoretical learning with hands-on production, as you manage pre-production planning, key technical skills, and industry-standard
Assessment: Practical Assessment, x2000 or equivalent: 100%
Level 5 5 modules
- Live Sports ProductionCore
Module details
This module provides you with hands-on experience in the dynamic field of live sports broadcasting. Covering the entire production process you will learn to operate industry-standard equipment, manage live feeds, and collaborate in production teams to deliver a live sports news show. Emphasis is placed on developing technical skills in camera operation, audio mixing, and live editing, as well as understanding the logistical considerations of live sports production. By the end of the module, you
Assessment: Portfolio, 80 hours production or equivalent: 60% Practical Assessment: 40%
- Sports Social ContentCore
Module details
This module equips you with the knowledge and skills to create compelling social media content for sports clubs and organisations. Focusing on contemporary trends, you will develop expertise in video production, graphic design, and creative writing tailored to diverse platforms. Through practical tasks, you will manage and analyse social media accounts, gaining insights into audience engagement and branding strategies. Working independently and collaboratively, you will produce a portfolio of hi
Assessment: Portfolio, x2500 words or equivalent production hours: 100%
- The Role of Media in Culture and SocietyCore
Module details
This module explores the influential role of media in framing cultural and political debates, particularly in relation to power dynamics and societal values. You will apply key theoretical frameworks from media and cultural studies to critically analyse the technological, cultural, and representational dimensions of media texts across global contexts. You will evaluate how media shapes cultural practices, identities and values, developing a nuanced understanding of media's impact on society.
Assessment: Written, x2500 words: 100%
- Developing Technical Skills via PracticeCore
Module details
This module equips you with the skills to independently plan, research and execute digital media projects, critically integrating theoretical and practical frameworks. You will develop and present compelling production plans with clarity and professionalism. Through the creation of a cross-platform media portfolio, you will demonstrate technical proficiency and creative versatility. The module also emphasises problem-solving and adaptability in managing complex, unpredictable production environm
Assessment: Portfolio, x4000 words: 75% Presentation: 25%
- Working with a ClientCore
Module details
In this module, you will gain hands-on professional experience through live commissions, collaborating with businesses to produce content for real clients. This process provides valuable insight into the commissioning workflow and the nuances of client-focused content production. By the end of the module, you will deliver content that meets professional standards, showcasing your technical expertise, creativity, and ability to adapt to client feedback and industry expectations.
Assessment: Portfolio, x4000 words: 75% Presentation: 25%
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This foundation degree in sports media combines theory and practical application in sport and exercise science. You'll typically start with foundational modules in anatomy, exercise physiology and introduction to sport psychology, alongside practical coaching skills. As you progress, you'll move into more specialised areas such as biomechanics, training physiology and research methods. In the later stages, you'll choose from specialisations such as strength & conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, rehabilitation, coaching or PE teaching routes, then undertake applied placement experience and an independent research project. The curriculum builds from understanding how the body responds to exercise towards designing and evaluating training programmes and interventions across real sporting and educational settings.
Who it's for
You're drawn to sport and have a genuine interest in how stories get told, whether on air, in print, online or across platforms. You're curious about media production, interviewing, analysis and the craft of communicating sport to audiences. You may be working alongside your study or managing other commitments, which is why a part-time structure suits you. You're willing to engage critically with theory and research, not just absorb it passively. This course will feel like a blend of classroom learning and hands-on practice, with space to develop a specialised project and build professional networks. You're aiming for a qualification that opens doors in sports media, journalism or related media roles.
Careers & job market
Across Sport & Exercise Science courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Of those working, 62% are in highly skilled roles or pursuing further study. Graduate earnings figures (national) show: starting salaries of £22,000–£30,000 at 15 months; after three years, £19,125–£27,000; after five years, £23,375–£33,000. These are national labour-market figures from Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO), not guarantees. A foundation degree can lead into specialist roles within sports media, journalism, broadcasting or digital platforms, or progression to honours-level study.
University & format
This FDA Sports Media is delivered part-time at the University Centre WISE Campus by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, a higher education college. Instruction is in English. The qualification is a recognised UK degree-awarding body degree, so your award is nationally recognised.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at SGSC →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Sport & Exercise Science graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sport & exercise science · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Sport & Exercise Science nationally
National figures for Sport & Exercise Science graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
Job market & outlook
How Sport & Exercise Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Sport & Exercise Science graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Sports clubs & NGBs
- Leisure providers
- Schools
- The NHS
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sport & Exercise Science graduates.
Sport CoachAspire PeopleSport Science LeadBiolyz FlexCoBTEC Tech Awards Sept 22 - Sport - ExaminerPearsonEquine Vet: Independent Clinic for Leisure & Sport HorsesBritish Veterinary LGBT+Learning Mentor (PE/Sport)Prospero TeachingCasual Youth Worker: Sport, Community Growth & BelongingActive Herefordshire & WorcestershireWho studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around University Centre WISE Campus
533 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Sport & Exercise Science right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to SGSC from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by SGSC; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check SGSC’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with SGSC and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SGSC
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates earn?
What will it cost me?
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