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Student running on treadmill with lecturer and other students recording results

University of the West of Scotland has worked with CIMSPA to achieve endorsement against industry professional standards for its undergraduate degree programmes.

UWS joined CIMSPA as a higher education partner in June 2022 to further enhance students' employability. The following degree programmes have been endorsed against several professional standards:

  • BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science – Gym Instructor, Personal Trainer, Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Coaching Assistant, and Working with Inactive People.
  • BSc (Hons) Sport Coaching – Gym Instructor, Personal Trainer, Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Coaching Assistant, and Working with Inactive People.
  • BSc (Hons) Sport Development – Gym Instructor, Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Coaching Assistant, and Working with Inactive People.
  • BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Development - Gym Instructor, Safeguarding and Protecting Children, Coaching Assistant, and Working with Inactive People.

Professional standards are employer-led guidelines for every job role in the sport and physical activity sector, enabling great career pathways for our entire workforce.

Helen Hiley, Education Officer for Higher Education at CIMSPA, said: “A CIMSPA-endorsed degree, coupled with the practical nature of these four-degree programmes, provides students and employers with the assurance that they have received an education that will enable them to be deployed within the sport and physical activity sector as a qualified and ready member of the workforce.”

We were delighted that the knowledge development and practical training provided in our sport and exercise degree programmes have been endorsed by CIMSPA against a variety of professional standards. This confirms that students who complete a sport and exercise degree at UWS can simultaneously achieve the academic and vocational qualifications required for employment in the sport industry. This important strategic development is further recognition of our ambition to be one of Scotland’s leading Universities for sport.

Professor Chris Easton, Head of the Division of Sport and Exercise Science

John Graham, student on the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science programme: "I was already a member of CIMSPA when joining my course at UWS but had never been ‘active’ with my membership. 

“In the 1st year of my degree, I have refreshed my Gym Instructor certification and added Coaching Assistant and Safeguarding and Protecting Children to my portfolio. In 2nd year I will be completing further Personal Training and Working with Inactive People as part of my degree. 

“UWS’ partnership with CIMSPA has also motivated me to start the process of Chartered Accreditation, which I should have completed by the end of this year. I feel that these kind of qualifications and experiences will be essential to have when applying for my desired jobs, alongside my university degree."