Starting your career – guidance for applying to university in 2024
There are lots of different routes into a career in the sport and physical activity sector. You can discover more about the many options in our careers guide.
Studying for a higher education qualification, such as a degree, at a university or college is one way of starting your career in the sector.
With the UCAS deadline for applications for 2024 entry to higher education rapidly approaching, here’s some essential advice for anyone considering applying to study sport and physical activity.
Don’t miss the deadline!
The important deadline for applying for most undergraduate courses, including sport and physical activity courses, is below.
31st January 2024 - 6pm
This date is called the equal consideration deadline.
Institutions must equally consider all applications received by this time. You can apply after this; however, universities/colleges do not have to consider your application. To make sure that your application is fully considered, submit it by the deadline.
Course choices
You can apply for up to five courses and it’s a good idea to apply for a selection that have a range of entry requirements.
To make sure that your course offers you the best possible start to your sport and physical activity career, apply for courses that are CIMSPA endorsed.
These are courses which are aligned with our industry professional standards meaning they’ll give you the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for. You can see a list of these courses by visiting our directory and clicking on ‘Partners’, ‘Higher Education Partners’ and selecting ‘CIMSPA Endorsed Degree’.
If you choose to study a course which is not endorsed, you may find that many employers in the sector will require you to complete additional qualifications before they will offer you a role post-graduation.
CIMSPA endorsed courses offer great links to top employers, helping you to establish connections that will benefit you throughout your career. They also support CIMSPA student membership which provides great benefits to help your studies and next steps.
Location, location
It’s important to think about the institution that will best suit you. Think about whether you prefer a busy city or a quieter place, what transportation links you need, accommodation options, the cost of living and availability of potential financial support.
Look at what different campuses offer in terms of sports facilities and clubs, research and study environments and social opportunities. With one eye on your future, it’s also worth checking how well the institution is aligned with the industry that you want to work in.
At CIMSPA we work with a number of universities and colleges to support them and their students to meet the needs of the sport and physical activity industry now, and into the future. This means that their curriculum delivers work-ready graduates and improves your employability outcomes.