ABSTRACT

In the early 1980s, there were only a few institutions offering degrees in sport-related subjects, however universities soon saw the potential to increase student numbers in this area. The original degrees were traditionally based in Physical Education (PE) Colleges with the curriculum being dominated by the practical aspects of sport science. Other programmes subsequently developed in science faculties to offset the decrease in the number of applicants for science-based degrees. These programmes were dominated by laboratory-based work focusing on biology, biochemistry and nutrition of sport and exercise. The third phase in the evolution of sport-related programmes was in Leisure and Recreation Departments. These degrees tended to have a curriculum based on leisure management and recreation studies, in contrast to sport science. In 2000, the first Benchmark Statements in Hospitality, Leisure, Sport and Tourism (HLST) were produced and these were later refined in 2008 (Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education, 2008).