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Pearson BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science

New for 2017–18 applications

Why are BTEC Nationals changing?BTEC Nationals prepare many students each year for progression to Higher Education (HE) programmes, in fact UCAS has reported that the proportion of 18 year-olds in England entering HE with a BTEC has more than doubled between 2008 and 2014. The Higher Education Statistics Agency also confirmed that the number of UK students entering HE with a combination of BTEC and A levels increased nearly four-fold in the same period.

So to ensure BTECs continue to support progression into higher education, we have developed new BTEC Nationals for students starting their courses in September 2016. After over two years working closely with HE, professional bodies and industry, we are confident these new qualifications are fit for purpose, delivering university applicants with the right balance of research skills, professional behaviours and up-to-date industry knowledge.

Guide to the new BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science

From 2017, you will start to receive applications from students who have taken the new BTEC Nationals courses which start in 2016. This Guide clarifies:

• What’s changed Page 2

• Courses at a glance Page 3

• Assessments Page 4

• Courses in depth

u Mandatory unit breakdown Page 5-7

u Full lists of units Page 8

• Contact us Page 9

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The qualification titles have changed

The same size as: Guided learning hours (GLH)

Current title: Pearson BTEC Level 3

New title: Pearson BTEC Level 3

2 A levels 720 Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science

National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science

3 A levels 1080 Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science

National Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science

What has changed?Changes to the new BTEC Nationals reflect HE requirements for students entering degree-level study:

• Assessments taken by all studentsIn addition to the traditional BTEC assignments, the new courses include assessments set and marked by Pearson (including tasks and performances) taken under test conditions. At least 41% of the BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science courses are assessed in this way.

• Core of mandatory contentThere is a larger core of mandatory units which provide a solid foundation of knowledge and skills for all students. At least 72% of the BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science courses is mandatory.

• Research skillsThe course content and assessments also put more emphasis on research skills.

• English and mathsEnglish and maths skills are strengthened in all courses, where appropriate.

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Types of assessment

Assignment - Set and marked internally

Task - Set and marked by Pearson

Written Exam - Set and marked by Pearson

Courses at a glanceHere is a breakdown of the units for each qualification showing the core of mandatory units and the range of assessment types, ensuring a core of consistency across all students.

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Diploma 720 GLH

Extended Diploma 1080 GLH

TOTAL: 8 UNITS TOTAL: 13 UNITS

6 MANDATORY UNITS 8 MANDATORY UNITS

1. Sports and Exercise Physiology (120 GLH) 1. Sports and Exercise Physiology (120 GLH)

2. Functional Anatomy (90 GLH) 2. Functional Anatomy (90 GLH)

3. Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (120 GLH) 3. Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology (120 GLH)

4. Field and Laboratory Based Fitness Testing (90 GLH) 4. Field and Laboratory Based Fitness Testing (90 GLH)

5. Applied Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Science (90 GLH) 5. Applied Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Science (90 GLH)

6. Coaching for Performance and Fitness (90 GLH) 6. Coaching for Performance and Fitness (90 GLH)

7. Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise Science (60 GLH)

13. Nutrition for Sport and Exercise Performance (120 GLH)

2 OPTIONAL UNITS 5 OPTIONAL UNITS

Optional Unit (60 GLH) Optional Unit (60 GLH)

Optional Unit (60 GLH) Optional Unit (60 GLH)

Optional Unit (60 GLH)

Optional Unit (60 GLH)

Optional Unit (60 GLH)

Set and marked by:Centre (school, college or training provider)

Verified by:Pearson

Set and marked by:Pearson

Set and marked by:Pearson

What’s involved?Students complete a series of activities set in a work-related scenario which may be tailored to local industry needs.

What’s involved?Students complete, in controlled conditions, a task tackling an everyday challenge; some tasks also draw on pre-released information.

What’s involved?Students draw on essential information to create written answers to practical questions in test conditions.

What’s the result?Students generate relevant evidence, drawing on their knowledge, understanding and skills to complete an assignment over a period of time, working either individually or in a team.

What’s the result?Students show they can apply their learning successfully to situations they could encounter regularly in the workplace or on a higher education course.

What’s the result?Students can confidently recall and apply technical knowledge, a skill which provides a solid foundation for working life and further study.

Assignments Tasks Written exams

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A range of vocational assessments The new BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science use a combination of assessment styles to give students the study skills needed to continue their learning and also the confidence to apply their knowledge in the workplace.

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Sport and Exercise Science

Unit title What will students study? Assessment

1. Sports and Exercise Physiology

In this unit, students develop their knowledge and understanding of:• the skeletal, muscular, respiratory, cardiovascular, nervous, endocrine and energy systems of the

body• the causes and effects of fatigue in each body system and how they recover from it• adaptations of the body systems to exercise in different environments

As well as assessing students’ knowledge and understanding, the examination requires students to analyse sports performance data to interpret the body’s responses and adaptations to exercise and evaluate their impact on sport and exercise performance. It also requires them to make connections between how the body systems work together in response to the demands of sport and exercise and to enhance performance.

Exam

2. Functional Anatomy

Students explore how the anatomies of body systems function to produce movement. They study:• anatomical terminology • the structure, characteristics and functions of the cardiovascular, respiratory, skeletal and

muscular systems of the body • how the skeletal and muscular systems work together to produce movement in sport and exercise

The examination assesses students’ knowledge and understand. It also requires them to analyse the anatomical systems’ effectiveness in producing sport and exercise movements and evaluate their impact on performing movements successfully.

Exam

Mandatory units - a solid foundation for all learnersThe larger core of mandatory content in the new BTEC Nationals means that you can be confident that BTEC-qualified students are well prepared for higher level study and assessment methods.

This table breaks down the mandatory unit content and explains what the students learn and which skills they develop.

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Unit title What will students study? Assessment

3. Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology

This unit covers the major psychological factors that can affect performers in sport and exercise environments.Students develop an understanding of:• psychological factors, concepts and theories relating to sport and exercise activities• group dynamics in sport• psychological interventions and their appropriate application to sports and exercise performers.

The assessment task assesses students’ ability to interpret psychological factors and apply psychological theories. It provides them with a case study focusing on an individual or team that requires guidance on psychological interventions in response to psychological factors that are impacting on their performance.

Task

4. Field and Laboratory based fitness testing

Students study the essential testing protocols commonly used in both the field and laboratory to assess the fitness of the modern performer. They consider:• the preparation required prior to sport and exercise field- and laboratory-based testing• anthropometry and somatotype testing procedures in sport• field- and laboratory-based protocols in sport and exercise sciences• profiling of a sports performer following practical research design using field- and

laboratory-based testing.

Assignments

5. Applied Research Methods for Sport and Exercise Science

This unit introduces students to the use and importance of research in sport. Students:• consider the importance of research in sporting environments• examine key issues that impact on the effectiveness and quality of research in the sport and

exercise sciences, including validity, reliability, accuracy and precision, and the importance of ethics in research

• study the three main approaches to research in the sport and exercise sciencesThey then apply appropriate research methods to a selected sport or exercise sciences-based research problem.

Assignments

6. Sports Coaching for Performance

In this unit, students explore: • the skills and knowledge required for coaching for performance and fitness, and the qualities and

best practice for coaching• technologies and sports professionals available to fitness and performance coaches• practices, adaptations and measures used to develop performance and fitness• the elements of effective planning of a coaching session• impact of coaching for performance and fitness

They then plan, deliver and evaluate their own coaching session to promote athletes’ technical, tactical and fitness performance.

Assignments

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Unit title What will students study? Assessment

7. Biomechanics This unit covers human movement, the movement of sporting objects, forces that the human body produces and forces that act on it in sport and exercise environments.Students investigate:• linear motion in sport and exercise activities• forces acting on sports performers and their equipment• angular motion in sport and exercise activities

Assignments

13. Nutrition forSport and Exercise Performance

Students develop a broad understanding of the importance of nutrition and hydration to enable them to adapt a nutritional programme for a variety of sports participants.They consider:• the principles of nutrition and hydration• factors affecting digestion and absorption of nutrients and fluids• nutritional intake for health and wellbeing

For the assessment, students are given a case study focusing on an individual that requires guidance on nutrition in response to their personal and training needs that are impacting on their performance. The task assesses their ability to interpret, modify and adapt a nutritional programme for a given scenario.

Task

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Courses in depthHere’s a complete list of all the units available in the BTEC Nationals in Sport and Exercise Science courses. You’ll be able to see which are mandatory and optional, and how each unit is assessed.

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Types of assessment

Assignment - Set and marked internally

Task - Set and marked by Pearson

Written Exam - Set and marked by Pearson

Types of unit

M Mandatory Unit

O Optional Unit

Unit (Number&Title) GLH Diploma (720 GLH) Extended Diploma (1080 GLH)

8 UNITS 13 UNITS

6 MANDATORY 8 MANDATORY

2 Optional 5 Optional

1. Sports and Exercise Physiology 120 M M

2. Functional Anatomy 90 M M

3. Applied Sport and Exercise Psychology 120 M M

4. Field- and Laboratory-based Fitness Testing 90 M M

5. Applied Research Methods in Sport and Exercise Science 90 M M

6. Coaching for Performance and Fitness 90 M M

7. Biomechanics in Sport and Exercise Science 60 O M

8. Specialised Fitness Training 60 O O

9. Research Project in Sport Exercises and Science 60 O O

10. Physical Activity for Individual and Group-based Exercise 60 O O

11. Sports Massage 60 O O

12. Socio-cultural Issues in Sport and Exercise Science 60 O O

13. Nutrition for Sport and Exercise Performance 120 M

14. Technology in Sport and Exercise Science 60 O

15. Sports Injury and Assessment 60 O

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Contact detailsIf you have any questions or would like further details please contact David MacKay, Head of Awarding Body Stakeholder Engagement, (Higher Education), Pearson UK

David.MacKay@pearson.com

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