CIMSPA partner UCLan achieve significant degree endorsement numbers
CIMSPA higher education partner the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) are celebrating a significant milestone in work to ensure their graduates gain employability-focused degrees.
Half of the undergraduate degrees offered by the UCLan School of Sport and Wellbeing are now formally endorsed by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity.
Both the BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Exercise Sciences and BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science courses have been endorsed by CIMSPA in relation to the roles of Personal Trainer and Gym Instructor. In addition, the BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance and BA (Hons) Sports Coaching Development degrees are now aligned with the Coach professional standard. Finally, the BSc (Hons) Sport Business Management is now aligned with the Entry and General Management professional standards.
Endorsed degree programmes are certified as meeting employer-set professional standards – an employability benchmark that makes clear the job roles a student completing the programme is qualified for.
UCLan was one of the first universities to partner with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity has been consistently working with the sector’s professional body. This includes improving work placement and internship opportunities and developing a national graduate training programme for the sector.
Dr Adrian Ibbetson, Head of the School of Sport and Wellbeing and Academic Director of Sport at UCLan, said: “We are proud to be part of the process of helping CIMSPA to professionalise the sport and physical activity sector.
“The fact that our degrees are endorsed against the newly created professional standards, recognises the fact that our programmes are academically rigorous but also embed real-world, authentic learning and assessment experiences. Therefore the industry can employ and deploy our graduates with confidence.”
Richard Millard, chair of the professional development board, said: “On behalf of the Sport and physical activity sector professional development board we congratulate the University of Central Lancashire in achieving CIMSPA endorsement across much of their sector-related undergraduate offer. We are delighted to see that employer-led professional standards have been included, enabling the development of work-ready graduates.”
UCLan has two other associated courses with CIMSPA: BA (Hons) Outdoor Adventure Leadership, and BA (Hons) Sport and Physical Education.
About CIMSPA
CIMSPA is the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector, committed to supporting, developing and enabling professionals and organisations to succeed and, as a result, inspire our nation to become more active.
Together we’re developing a vibrant, UK-wide sport and physical activity sector, with the highest standards of service delivery.
About UCLAN
As a truly global institution with an established campus in Cyprus, UCLan’s student body includes 120 nationalities and its partnership network extends to 125 countries. In 2013 the Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings awarded UCLan the full five stars for its global outlook in all aspects of international educational provision. In 2018 the Centre for World University Rankings placed UCLan in the top 3.7 percent of all worldwide universities. The University has a strong focus on continually improving the student experience and recently unveiled a 10-year, £200 million plan to redevelop its Preston Campus to create an attractive and inviting, world-class campus helping to create jobs, kick-start regeneration and attract inward investment into the City.