FDA Sports Media Foundation degree at South Gloucestershire and Stroud College
FDA Sports Media at SGSC. You'll work across core topics in sports media theory, research methods and professional communication, alongside specialist options tailored to your interests.
About this course
FDA Sports Media is a Foundation degree (FDA) at SGSC, based in University Centre WISE Campus. It runs 2 years, studied full-time.
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Sport & Exercise Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 80% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
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 blends theory and practical application in exercise science with professional skills in broadcast, digital and content production. You'll usually start with core modules in anatomy, exercise physiology and sport psychology, covering how bodies adapt to training and the mental side of performance. Year 1 also introduces practical coaching and applied sport skills. In Year 2, you'll progress to specialist topics such as biomechanics, training physiology and research methods, alongside developing your media production capabilities. You can typically choose to specialise in areas such as strength & conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, rehabilitation, coaching or PE teaching routes, completing applied work with teams, clients or schools and an independent research project.
Who it's for
This course suits people with genuine curiosity about how sports stories are told, whether through television, digital platforms, or print. You'll thrive if you combine strong writing or presentation skills with a passion for sport, and if you're comfortable learning both critical thinking and practical production techniques. You may already have some media experience, or you may be moving into the field with solid academic foundations. Expect a mix of classroom discussion, technical skills training and real-world project work. If you want a clearer career direction before committing to a full degree, or if you're keen to enter the sports media industry quickly while keeping your options open for progression, this qualification offers that pathway.
Careers & job market
Nationally, around 90% of graduates on Sport & Exercise Science courses are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Starting salaries across the broader field typically range from £22,000 to £30,000 at that point, rising to £23,375–£33,000 within five years. Roughly 62% of working graduates work in highly skilled roles or pursue further study. A foundation degree also provides a direct route into year-two or year-three entry on related bachelor's degrees if you wish to continue your studies.
University & format
This is a foundation degree (FDA) run by South Gloucestershire and Stroud College, a higher education college located at the University Centre WISE Campus. The course is taught full-time over 2 years in English and is a nationally recognised qualification with the college as a UK degree-awarding body.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| Other | 5% |
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 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. 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.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Published threshold met. Sample size is not included in this snapshot. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
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 & WorcestershireIs this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.4 out of 10: NSS 87.6% · continued 80%.
Who 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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