Five ways BCU prepared me for a career in sport

Studying a degree in sport can open you up to a world of exciting career opportunities – such as working with professional athletes and clubs. See how BCU prepared our graduates for a career in sports.

We asked our graduates to share their experience of studying a sports course at BCU and how it helped prepare them for a successful career. 

We spoke to our Sports graduates: 

• Olivia Barnes, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition, is now a performance nutritionist.

• Avital Prais, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition, a strength and conditioning coach at the City of Birmingham Swim Club.

• Nicole Aboderin, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition, a sports coordinator at Coventry University.

• Wee Lun Foo, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Nutrition, a research assistant at John Moores University

• Savannah Sturridge, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, is studying a PhD in the use of hydroxy gas for people with asthma and exercise-induced bronco constriction.

• Taylor Ormond, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science, is now working at Aston Villa Football Club.

Practical application

“BCU teach you different kinds of methods that are applicable on the job, like doing a presentation for five or ten minutes. It’s those kind of things that you don't really think about at the time, but when you are actually working in the industry you appreciate so much more as sometimes you are lucky if you get two minutes to present to athletes, but because of the way BCU try to get you used to that actual practical environment of the industry, I felt like I knew how to do it already which employers love!” - Olivia.

“On the course we had lots of practical sessions where we could use the equipment and then filming a session, using the GPS monitors, and then actually taking all that data into seminars was beneficial, as we weren't just learning about it in lectures. This helped me in my new career as the practical style work, we did is the sort of thing I do day to day now.” - Taylor.

Supportive staff

“A few of us were the originals, we were the first intake, so we really got to see the department grow from its early stage and to what it's become now. When first joining the university, it had little facilities because they weren't built yet. So, when I started, we just had the staff and the idea of what was going to happen at the campus. But what genuinely drew me to BCU was the staff and how approachable they were, and that didn't change throughout the years. Every single lecturer was really, approachable. They had time for us, and that's so important. This support helped me to achieve the grades I did and got me to where I am today.” - Savannah

Facilities

“BCU have got a fully equipped strength conditioning suite, which I used in all my first-year modules to look at fundamental movement skills and then also in final year. I think this experience in my first year really ignited my interest in strength conditioning and made me want to pursue it as a career. It allows you to go in and put your work in to practice opposed to just logging the theory. I think that's one of the highlights of BCU, the practical side that always comes with the content.” - Avital.

“BCU gave us access to high tech equipment like Dexus scanners. We had rugby players from Gloucester who came and used the equipment so we could learn how to use the machines in real life scenarios. Compared to students at other universities, I felt very privileged to have these facilities as many others don’t. Because of the equipment we had, we were able to do more because we could learn about more practical things and learn how to use the equipment rather than just knowing what the equipment is.” - Nicole

Placement opportunities

“The university’s links with professional clubs is so beneficial. If it wasn’t for BCU ‘s connections, I may have never got that opportunity. So even if you're only doing, a couple of cooking workshops for them throughout your degree or whatever it is, I’d recommend a placement to anyone. The opportunities, placements, and the sports available at BCU really helped build my character. Skills that I wouldn't have gained if it hadn't been for BCU.” - Olivia.

"BCU have amazing links within the industry which mean that there is so many contacts for potential placements or work experience. I did two years of placements with Birmingham City Swimming Club and Shrewsbury Town Football Club, this really helped me to gain a huge amount of real-world experience, which set me apart from the rest of the master’s students allowing me to get a job at West Ham United Academy." - Wee Lun 

Partnerships with sports organisations.

“The lecturers at BCU have previously worked in the practical applied fields and have a very good reputation in the industry. This really benefited me post-graduation, as my lecturers signposted me to some jobs that they had links with because of their profile and reputation in the sport industry. That is kind of what linked me with my professional football job, and then that's how I then began to build my name and my reputation.” - Olivia