Skills you can develop Sport and Fitness
The sport and fitness sector is diverse and includes all aspects of sport and recreation ranging from professional sport, coaching, sport development, performance analysis, exercise instruction (including work in leisure centres, gyms, swimming pools, stadiums, and private sports clubs) as well as a range of outdoor activities and education programmes.
Sport England’s Active Lives Adult Survey (2016) suggests more people than ever are participating in sports. At the same time, UK fitness industry is growing with estimates of a market value in 2018 of £5bn (Source: 2018 State of the UK Fitness Industry Report).
As well as the subject specific knowledge gained from studying for an OU degree, you'll develop many transferable and work related skills that are highly valued by employers. These include:
- Being able to apply theoretical knowledge to real-life scenarios in sport and fitness environments.
- Understanding the different sport and exercise science disciplines and their contribution to the study of sport, fitness and coaching.
- Using appropriate forms of information technology (IT) to research problems.
- Integrating ideas and evidence to present well balanced arguments.
- Applying the key concepts of nutrition to performance in sport and fitness activities.
- Understanding the benefits of effective leadership, project and team working.
To see specific learning outcomes related to the degrees in this area have a look at our undergraduate sport and fitness courses.
If you’re a registered OU student, you can find further careers information tailored to your qualification at your Study Home site under the Succeed tab.
Student stories
You’ll find many student success stories on the OU Sport & Fitness Team Blog.
In this job I’m working with kids that always bring a smile to my face, I’m doing sport and games which I love and it’s a good life. Without the OU and without the degree, that wouldn’t be a possibility for me at this time.
Ricky - OU BSc (Hons) Sport, Fitness and Coaching Student
I always wanted to set up a business in sports to ‘give back’. Coaching for a time in the US and Canada gave me an insight as to how they do it over there and OU study made me feel I had the capability to do more.
Allana - Sport, Fitness and Coaching
Because I enjoy sport so much, I decided to plan a future career as a PE teacher in primary or secondary.
Abi - Sports, Fitness and Coaching
OU qualifications
Find out more about undergraduate study in Sport & Fitness.
More information is available on the OU School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS).
Find out about all undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications at OU Courses.
