Professional endorsement for USW sport programmes

The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) has endorsed two sport and physical activity sector-related courses delivered by the University of South Wales (USW).

The following degree programmes have been endorsed against a number of professional standards:

• BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science – Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer
• BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning – Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer

CIMSPA’s professional standards have been developed with the contribution of employers, education providers and sector leaders, to ensure current and future practitioners possess the knowledge, skills, and behaviours needed to be deployed and retained in the sector.

By aligning the degrees to professional standards, USW has demonstrated its ability to equip students with the skills needed to transition from the lecture room into operational roles within the sport and physical activity sector.

The University’s School of Health, Sport and Professional Practice, will shortly be submitting more courses to be considered for endorsement against professional standards. These include Strength and Conditioning programmes (Strength and Conditioning Coach/Strength and Conditioning Graduate) as well as the BSc Sports Coaching and Development degree.

Paul Rainer, Academic Manger for Sport at USW, said: “We are delighted that we have achieved CIMSPA endorsement for Strength and Conditioning and Sport and Exercise Science. The endorsement will ensure that students are assessed against key competencies and meet the professional standards required by these vocations.

“The endorsement of these courses, aligned to the considerable work placement opportunities that USW provides, will significantly enhance the future prospects of students graduating from USW into the sport and physical activity sector. It’s a testament to the work of the course teams and the University to provide students with the best career prospects in the sector possible.”

Helen Hiley, Education Officer (Higher Education) at CIMSPA said: “We want to create a respected and regulated sector. As many begin their journey at university, understanding their degree is endorsed against employer-led professional standards is continually important. Our partnership with the University of South Wales will be strengthened thanks to these degree endorsements.”

The CIMSPA and USW partnership is one of 25 Higher Education Partnerships that represents a growing commitment from higher education level institutes to align courses with the needs of the sector employers, as represented through professional standards.