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What makes Disability Inclusion in Sport and Physical Activity MSc at Worcester special?

Current research suggests that only 4 in 10 disabled people feel they can be as active as they would like to be (Activity Alliance, 2022). Since the pandemic, there is even less support for disabled people to be active. Studying Disability Inclusion in Sport and Physical Activity offers opportunities to challenge and expose the barriers disabled people currently have in accessing and participating in sport. The course is the first of its kind in the UK and builds on our excellent reputation for dedication and commitment to the disability agenda.

Throughout your studies we look at how we, as deliverers can drive change and challenge the contested nature of disability sport through a personalised learning journey that supports your current or future career. Lectures focusing on areas such as ableism, delivering good practical practice, allyship, models of disability, creating sporting opportunities and philosophical theories will promote discussion.

There is a work placement opportunity in an area of your interest that should help assist your employability and professional development as well as writing a focused project to delve deeper into an area you are passionate about.

The delivery for this course is focused on maximum accessibility for learners by being online (with two weeks face to face contact).

Overview

Overview

Key features

  • A curriculum designed to allow students to explore and question the conceptualisation of disability in a sporting context in relation to their individual field of interest and to investigate their place in that environment.
  • Two on campus intensive weeks delivered in world class inclusive facilities
  • A range of guest speakers who are involved in innovative practice and are specialists in their field
  • An option to complete your placement with a focus on disability in your current place of employment as well as broadening it
Basketballer dribbles the ball while a player from the opposite team tries to block

Ranked 1st for Teaching

University of Worcester Biological and Sports Science courses were ranked 1st for teaching in the 2021 Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey

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Entry requirements

What qualifications will you need?

Entry requirements

Students will normally have a 2:1 degree classification in either a sport or related discipline.

Students who hold a relevant degree classification of either 2:2 (or below), or, a non-related degree will be considered on a case by case basis. You may be required to submit a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate experience of work within the field. 

Applicants should be able to demonstrate academic capability for study at this level and strong interest and commitment in the relevant disciplines.

If you are completing your period of Professional Placement in an environment where you may be working with children or vulnerable adults, you will be required to follow your home country procedures for an  Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) enhanced disclosure checks. You must provide this evidence to University of Worcester staff prior to acceptance.

See Admissions Policy for other acceptable qualifications.

English language requirements

Any applicants whose first language is not English or who has not been educated wholly or mainly in the medium of English must reach a minimum IELTS overall band score of 6.5 with a score of at least 5.5 in any individual component (or equivalent in an approved test in English). Or otherwise demonstrate that they have an adequate command of both written and spoken English before starting the course.

 

Two Adapted Sports students are throwing netballs against a wall with letter taped to it An outside shot of the University arena. It is a gold building with a sloped roof. Two people are playing table tennis . One participant is wearing a blindfold
Course content

What will you study

Module descriptions

Our courses are informed by research and current developments in the discipline and by feedback from students, external examiners and employers. Modules do therefore change periodically in the interests of keeping the course relevant and reflecting best practice. The most up-to-date information will be available to you once you have accepted a place and registered for the course. All modules are mandatory for gaining MSc Disability Inclusion in Sport and Physical Activity.

Applied practice in disability physical activity (15 credits)

This module gives you the skills to question what applied good practice might look like. You will apply strategies to develop high quality physical activity for all and reflect on your role as a deliverer in a work context.

Advanced theories of disability sport (15 credits)

This module involves learning the skills to critique models of disabilities in relation to applied practice. It allows you to discover intersectional perspectives on disability sport and learn key techniques to challenge ableism across the sports sector.

Creating opportunities for disability physical activity (30 credits)

This modules focuses on engaging the skills to evaluate pathways from origin to delivery of disability physical activity. It also focuses on the Influence on government policy on disability physical education and how to engage the community.

Advanced Cotemporary Issues in Disability in Physical Education (30 Credits)

This module interrogates sociocultural theory and engages with critiques of sociocultural issues. In this module you will examine the dark side of disability and mega events.  

Professional Placement (30 credits)

You can take part in one or two placements in a disability setting. These offer networking and growth opportunities as well as giving you the chance to critically analyse the sport industry working environment and industry standards. The module contains ample opportunities to apply and reflect on professional and personal targets and competencies. 

Sports Project (60 credits)

The sports project will allow you to understand the principles of research ethics, demonstrate in depth knowledge in your chosen area whilst simultaneously displaying your critical understanding of the principles of study design. 
Teaching and assessment

How will you be taught?

Students will be taught through a combination of two face to face intensive weeks and the remainder of the modules will be online. Sessions will be via an online platform that will host interactive workshops, lectures and seminars. Interactive workshops take a variety of formats and are intended to enable the application of learning through discussion and small group activities. Seminars enable the discussion and development of understanding of topics covered in lectures. It is expected that the student attends the live broadcast lecture and seminars due to the interactive nature of the discussions (meaning a synchronous delivery, as in real time event).

All contact hours (other that Personal Academic Tutor meetings) will be recorded to allow accessibility should a student not be able to attend (meaning asynchronous, as in on demand). There will be weekly learning tasks to complete as part of the engagement with the course.

 

Personal Academic Tutor

Students are also assigned a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who students can approach at any time should they need academic or personal support. Students will be required to attend a Professional Placement that encourages them to remain in their own workplace or forge new links in areas they wish to expand their knowledge.

Contact time

In a typical week you will have around 4-8 contact hours of teaching. This is an approximate amount as some modules will be front loaded (meaning more hours at the start of the module). In the second semester you will normally have slightly less contact time in order to do more independent study. You will have a minimum of 4 hours a week (on one day) and then up to 4 hours on another day. Typically contact time will be structured around and they will be a range of the following teaching methods:

  • 3 hours of interactive workshops
  • 3 hours of group lectures
  • 2 hours of seminars in groups of around 10 students

 

Independent self study

In addition to the contact time, students are expected to undertake 30 hours of personal self-study per week. Typically, this will involve online study tasks, reading journal articles and completing formative assignments. The Research Project requires substantial independent work and can be expected to require 600 hours of study. In addition, students are required to undertake 100 hours of placement activities as part of their Professional Placement.

Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent online learning facilities, including the Hive and library resources, the virtual learning environment, and extensive electronic learning 

Duration

  • 1 year full time
  • Typically 2 years part time

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessments which are graded and count towards the overall module grade. Assessment methods include a range of coursework assessments such as essays, portfolios, scenarios, personal performance, presentations and a final Research Project.

For example.

  • Applied practice in disability physical activity (15 credits) Assessment method – Personal Performance and reflection
  • Advanced theories of disability sport (15 credits) Assessment method – Portfolio based on two contemporary issues
  • Creating opportunities for disability physical activity (30 credits) Assessment method – Reflective essay, action plan and research essay

Semester two

  • Advanced contemporary issues in disability physical activity (30 credits) Assessment method – Scenario based

  • Professional Placement (30 credits ) Assessment method – Presentation/Pebblepad file and reflective essay
  • Sports Project (60 credits) Assessment method – Presentation/Infographic and 3000 word project

Learning Needs

The Adapted Sport MSc team and the University of Worcester are supportive and inclusive of those who are visually impaired, those with hearing impairments and students with additional needs.

Meet the team

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics, professional practitioners with industry experience, demonstrators and technical officers.

Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Teaching is informed by the research and consultancy, and (as at October 2022) 80 per cent of Sport lecturers have a higher education teaching qualification or are Fellows of the Higher Education Academy. You can learn more about the staff by visiting our staff profiles

Rebecca Foster MBE in sports attire smiling at camera

Rebecca Foster MBE

Rebecca Foster MBE has been teaching PE predominantly in the North of England for over 20 years. Rebecca was Head of PE of one of the first six Sports Colleges in the country. After 7 years of teaching she backpacked the World and did some temporary teaching in Australia and South Africa. After her year out Rebecca continued to teach in Yorkshire, managing one of the largest Sports Partnerships in the country. Rebecca then went on to become a Teacher Fellow at Leeds Beckett University, where she taught Initial Teacher Training programmes for Secondary and Primary trainees.

Rebecca competed for our country in the Heptathlon (when she was much younger!) and holds a Level 2 multi-event license. She volunteered for UK Deaf Athletics for 12 years, being Team Manager and travelling coach at three Deaflympics.  She currently is a trustee for Deaf Direct based in Worcester and is a support worker for a few hours a month to vulnerable young people.

As a further accolade, Rebecca has been awarded an MBE in recognition for her services to inclusive sport and supporting young people to achieve their potential.

dr-emma-richardson

Dr Emma Richardson

Emma joined the University of Worcester in 2020 as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow focusing on inclusive sport and exercise research.  She spent much of school and university years playing various sports before focusing on adapted sport and exercise as a career.  She has spent time doing research in the United States and United Kingdom, with projects spanning from wheelchair tennis to health promotion in multiple sclerosis.  She is deeply passionate about sport and exercise being a space to ignite social justice among disabled communities.  As of 2020, she has over 20 publications in peer-reviewed journals.  She specialises in qualitative research and disability studies, and is eager to find new ways to apply research to the real world for a meaningful impact.

Careers

Where could it take you?

Upon successful completion of the Masters Programme, there may be opportunities for students to gain first employment, promotion within their own organisation, gain international employment or move to a senior management position in other organisations. The Masters also provides a platform to other research/higher degrees in sport and promotion in other professional organisations. The completion of the Masters may also provide students with the ability to enhance their current working practices. Completion of this Masters degree also enables interested students to pursue higher level research qualifications.

A graduate of the MSc will develop knowledge, skills and critical thinking to enable a positive contribution in a sports or business career. The purpose of the MSc is to develop well rounded, knowledgeable and empathetic people who have an ability to think critically about a variety of situations and offer a service that help their athletes/clients participate, perform and develop life skills.

Costs

How much will it cost?

Full-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fee for full-time home and EU students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/LLM/MRes courses in the academic year 2023/24 is £8,180 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fee for full-time international students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/LLM/MRes courses in the academic year 2023/24 is £15,800 per year.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Part-time tuition fees

UK and EU students

The standard tuition fees for part-time home and EU students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/LLM/MRes/PGCert/PGDip courses in the academic year 2023/24 are £682 per 15-credit module, £1,363 per 30-credit module, £2,045 per 45-credit module, and £2,727 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

International students

The standard tuition fees for part-time international students enrolling on MA/MSc/MBA/LLM/MRes courses in the academic year 2023/24 are £1,317 per 15-credit module, £2,633 per 30-credit module, £3,950 per 45-credit module, and £5,267 per 60 credit module.

For more details, please visit our course fees page.

Postgraduate loans

The Government will provide a loan of up to £11,836 if your course starts on or after 1 August 2022 per eligible student for postgraduate Masters study. It will be at your own discretion whether the loan is used towards fees, maintenance or other costs.

For more details visit our postgraduate loans page.

Accommodation

Finding the right accommodation is paramount to your university experience. Our halls of residence are home to friendly student communities, making them great places to live and study.

We have over 1,000 rooms across our range of student halls. With rooms to suit every budget and need, from our 'Traditional Hall' at £122 per week to 'En-suite Premium' at £207 per week (2023/24 prices).

For full details visit our accommodation page.

Additional costs

Every course has day-to-day costs for basic books, stationery, printing and photocopying. The amounts vary between courses.

If your course offers a placement opportunity, you may need to pay for an Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check.

Sports Scholarships

At Worcester we are committed to supporting elite and talented sports performers who are dedicated to both sporting and academic success. Our sports scholarships are available for a range of team and individual sports. For further information, visit our sports scholarships pages.
How to apply

How do you apply?

Apply for September enrolment

Please make your application via our online application forms.

If you have any questions, please contact the Admissions office on 01905 855111 or admissions@worc.ac.uk

Apply full-time Apply part-time

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please get in touch. We're here to help you every step of the way.

Postgraduate Admissions Office

admissions@worc.ac.uk
01905 855111

Rebecca Foster MBE

Principal Lecturer
r.foster@worc.ac.uk
01905 542183

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