Sport and Exercise Science (including foundation year)BSc (Hons)

Biology

This module introduces you to key concepts of cell biology and human physiology to provide a foundation for subsequent study of biological subjects at Level 4.

• You will learn about the origin of life and describe some theories of evolution and appreciate its complexity.
• You will study an introduction to the structure of cells and the concept of the cell as the basic unit of life.
• You will understand that there are a range of cell types and explain the difference between cells, tissues and organs.
• You will be introduced to the anatomy and physiology of key organ systems in the body.
• You will be introduced to the concept of cell division and mendelian genetics and inheritance.
• You will achieve a fundamental knowledge base of biology which will underpin studies at higher levels.

Foundation Year Project (Health Sciences)

The aim of this module is to help you gain knowledge and understanding of your subject
area, and will allow you to develop skills which will be of use at higher levels. You will
be conducting research into a topic relating to your course title, and to report your
findings accordingly. The overall aim of this module is to provide you with fundamental
subject-specific knowledge and relevant skills.

Foundations of Human Nutrition

The module introduces students to the application of the science of nutrition in health and disease. You will gain a general insight into the area; discovering the key concepts of nutritional science.

The module will provide a greater understanding thereby allowing students with little or no background in nutritional science to progress to undertake a degree in Human Nutrition or Dietetics at level 4.

During this module you will:
1. Develop greater awareness of nutrition science, appreciating the role that diet and lifestyle choices have in promoting health.
2. Be introduced to major food groups and their nutritional composition.
3. Gain a greater understanding of the concept that individual diet and lifestyle choices have in influencing health and disease.
4. Develop an awareness of the career opportunities open to Registered Nutritionists and Dietitians.

Foundations of Sports Science

The module offers a general insight into the key concepts of sport science, and introduces students to the application of the science of sport in health and disease.
The module will provide a greater understanding in this area, thereby allowing students with little or no sport science background to progress to undertake a degree in a sport-related subject at level 4.

The aim of this module is to give students a greater awareness of sports science. The module will encompass an introduction to the sports science field, including but not limited to physiology, anatomy, psychology and coaching. Students will achieve an understanding as to the role of therapists and scientists in sport with particular attention to the ways in which these careers may help to increase performance or prevent injury.

Practical Approaches to Current Issues in Sports

The module offers a general insight into the key theoretical concepts and their application in the professions within and around sports and physical activity.

Aiming at developing the students’ critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills through theory and applied activities, this module will provide great awareness about common scenarios and issues involving professionals in the field.

Practical Approaches to Current Issues in Sports will include engaging classes to help students understand the world of sports and knowledge in the field; practical experiences and discussions regarding professional values and morals, as well as the role of society, institutions, and politics in sports; and activities using logic when arriving at conclusions and making decisions regarding sport related issues.

Students in this module will achieve a better understanding of professions in sports and the ability to pragmatically and theoretically deal with common challenges in the field of sport and physical activity.

Scientific Studies

This module will be introducing you to the basic mathematical concepts needed to succeed on any science degree course, and also train you in essential scientific laboratory techniques designed to support and reinforce theoretical syllabus content. The practical section will emphasize safe practice in the laboratory environment. The mathematics section will be taught using calculations relevant to biology and chemistry to encourage connections between disciplines to be made. Supporting material will be available on-line; tutorial sessions will focus on practising mathematical techniques. Formative online pre-laboratory session questions will prepare the students in advance for the practical in question. Formative exercises will be carried out during tutorial sessions to reinforce the lecture material.

Applied Sports Science

This module provides the foundations for the research analysis and activity which you will pursue throughout your degree program. You will develop the skills required to read, interpret and analyse research in a variety of forms. This module also introduces you to methods of data analysis using computer software. You will enhance your planning, preparation, academic writing styles, referencing and resourcing. With regard to data analysis, the aim of the module is to enable you to apply statistical techniques to data, as part of your other studies as well as in a more general work environment.

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Essential Principles of Effective Coaching and Teaching

This module will introduce students to basic principles of coaching and teaching in a range of areas, which will be critical to development of a true understanding of sports performance and participation. These basic principles will feature sound philosophies in coaching and teaching which will foster a solid basis from which individual pedagogy can be forged over the rest of the year and on to subsequent years of the programme.

In parallel, practical coaching/teaching sessions will run, where you will be able to put the coaching theory into practice and develop the confidence to deliver sessions in the active sporting environment. Simultaneously, other skills will be acquired based around communication, leadership, teamwork and group management.

In addition, parts of the module will focus on sociology of sport and health related aspects of sport and exercise, referring to the sociological value of sport and how this links to coaching and teaching pedagogy as well as the social impact of the PE curriculum in schools. There will also be coverage of health-related aspects of sport and exercise, showing how sport and exercise can benefit our physical condition and mental wellbeing.

Foundations of Sport Psychology

This module will introduce students to basic principles in a range of areas, which will be critical to development of a true understanding of sports performance and participation from the psychological perspective. The module will primarily develop an understanding of the impact that psychological state has on both performance and participation. In order to achieve this the module will cover the basics in a range of psychological criteria from goal setting, through concentration, confidence and imagery to development of leadership skills. Throughout each topic will be viewed from the position of competitive sport, participatory sport and health and fitness styled exercise.

In addition, parts of the module will focus specifically on emotional and psychological wellbeing, showing how sport and exercise can benefit our physical condition and psychological wellbeing.

The development of sound reflective practice principles will be included within the scope of the module and both theoretical and practical application of reflection will be considered highly.

Practical elements will be included within the syllabus, featuring measurement and assessment tools used in sport psychology as well as practical application of sport psychology in a sports hall or laboratory-based environment.

Fundamentals of Musculoskeletal Anatomy

This module aims to provide an introduction to human anatomy and basic biomechanics of human movement. It is a broadly-based introduction to anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and human movement, and the isolation of specific muscle groups that produce these movements. This module has a bias towards the specific interests of those studying for sports-related degrees. You will have the ability to learn and explore the anatomy of the musculoskeletal system and human movement of the lower limb, upper limb and trunk.
Thus, among other topics, you will learn to identify and name structures such as bones, joints, muscles and other relevant soft tissue structures found in the human body using appropriate terminology. You will also learn to describe the function of these structures, and understand their relevance to sport and exercise.

The teaching methods include lectures, seminars and practicals. The seminar sessions involve group discussions based on directed learning, which is supported by material available on Weblearn.

Human Physiology

This module introduces students to the theoretical and practical aspects of human anatomy and physiology in health and disease. It is designed to provide Sport degree programme students with a fundamental knowledge relevant to the continued study of Exercise Physiology This module aims to provide students, through lectures, tutorials and practical classes, with a sound knowledge of human body structure using appropriate anatomical nomenclature and an in-depth understanding of the physiology of selected body systems. The module will also aim to introduce basic concepts in immunology and pathology which are recurring themes in study at Levels 5 and 6.

Introduction to Biomechanics

This module aims to provide an introduction to human biomechanics. The focus is on the basic anthropometry and kinematics of the human body. The module is designed to provide students with the basic understanding of mechanical principles of the human body and their application in sport, exercise and rehabilitation. The module aims to help you understand how internal and external forces acting upon the human body affect movement, and how these principles are used to help improve performance. In addition, the biomechanical principles can help you understand the mechanical mechanisms of musculoskeletal injury pathologies, and how to apply them to reduce the risk of injury in sport and guide treatment. In this module you will be able to learn biomechanical measurement techniques, understand and evaluate the relevance of the measurement of the physical characteristics of humans to sport and athletes. You will also learn about how soft tissue structures behave under mechanical load and how it relates to sporting activities, exercise, and rehabilitation techniques.

The teaching methods for this module include lecture and practical sessions. The practical sessions take place in the physiology laboratory and you will be separated in small groups.

Physiological Principles of Training

In this module you will be provided with an introduction to the Physiology of exercise a sub-discipline of sport and exercise sciences. This is accompanied by the principles of training and athletic preparation which ensures a bias towards the specific interests of those studying for sports-related degrees.

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

You will gain a fundamental grounding in exercise physiology including physiology, biochemistry and cell biology as they relate to exercise performance and so develop knowledge of the immediate responses of the body to exercise and also the longer term adaptations to exercise stimulation

The module encourages an appreciation of the contribution of Physiological Science to sports performance and exercise delivering both theory (the muscular, cardiovascular and respiratory systems) and practical skills (scientific methods of testing and data collection). The training principles element addresses the scientific basis of Sport and exercise performer support, organisation of preparation and the basis of different approaches to training.

The knowledge gained is relevant for a variety of employment opportunities, particularly those within sports science, coaching, personal training and sports therapy. This knowledge transfers directly to Level 5 study in which there are advances in the level of interaction with applied and exercise and environmental physiology.

Professional and Core Skills

This module is intended to introduce you to the study of sport in higher education at London Metropolitan University as well as developing life-long skills in organisation and application of knowledge.

This module will develop your transferable skills to enable you to derive maximum benefit from your chosen courses of study, provide clear guidance on the University’s teaching, assessment and progression regulations to facilitate smooth passage through your chosen courses of study.

The module will introduce you to the learning resources and support facilities available within the University to assist you with your personal and professional development. The development of study skills will include writing laboratory records, scientific reports and essays.

The module also aims to introduce you to the development, scope and organisation of your chosen sports discipline and its associated professional bodies and employment opportunities. The transferable skills that will be developed will also prepare students for employment.

The module engages you in an exploration of activities that allow skills and knowledge relevant to your field of study to be developed. It allows you to reflect on yourself as a learner, your development in a civic engagement context, as well as a work-based learning and careers context. Additionally, by constructing knowledge as individuals, and as part of a culturally diverse learning community, this module supports your development and achievement, and your ability to communicate effectively in a variety of professional, social and cultural contexts.

Biomechanical Applications

This module focuses on understanding the application of principles of human movement in terms of the biomechanics of the muscular, nervous and skeletal systems. In addition the module explores the practical application of this knowledge to performance analysis, the development of sporting excellence, and injury prevention.

The module aims to provide an understanding of human movement and its control in terms of biomechanical principles; develop the ability to apply theoretical understanding of human movement in a variety of contexts including the analysis and development of sporting performance, and the prevention and treatment of injuries; and, develops critical thinking skills of data analysis and interpretation of results.

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Biomechanics of Human Movement

This module focuses on understanding the principles of human movement in terms of anatomy and biomechanics. In addition the module provides examples of the application of this knowledge to performance analysis, the development of sporting excellence, and injury prevention. A tutorial programme explores in more detail some of the numerical methods which support biomechanical analysis.

This module aims to provide an understanding of human movement and its control in terms of biomechanical and anatomical principles; illustrate how this knowledge may be applied to the analysis and development of human performance, and the prevention and treatment of injuries.

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Environmental Exercise Physiology

You will be familiarised with a variety of field and laboratory-based tests of physical performance to assess components of fitness and work capacity associated with strength and power-based sports and muscle metabolism.
Secondarily you will undertake study into the impact on exercise of specific environmental exposure on physiology associated with high altitude hypoxia, high environmental temperatures and humidity including fluid balance and cold exposure.
The module builds on the Level 4 study of Physiology and links in specifically with the Level 6 module which follows in the Spring semester. Key concepts of anaerobic energy production in strength and power sports and muscle metabolism will be addressed. In additionally you will learn about the highly practical and industry related concepts of athlete support provision with specific reference to an appreciation of the impact of environmental impacts on exercise training and performance and potential ergogenic benefits of exposure extremes such as high temperatures and humidity.

Exercise Physiology

This module introduces you to the responses of tissues and organs to acute and chronic exercise training. You will learn about the theoretical underpinnings of fundamental tests used including maximal oxygen uptake incremental exercise tests and blood lactate analysis and the so-called threshold concept and these will be accompanied with relevant lab testing experience.

Other key concepts addressed are endurance, acid base balance, cardiovascular, respiratory and high intensity intermittent training.

Sport Psychology: Controlling Individual Performance and Exercise

This module elaborates on the key theories in sport psychology, covering a wide range of sport psychology topics and the mental skills used within those topics. Psycholgical issues relating to individual behaviour patterns are favoured are studied in detail. The impact of psychological factors on both participation and performance are studied.

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of key psychological theories which underpin sporting performance and participation itself. Students will focus on the psychological factors which influence an individual’s sporting behaviour, whether it be in competition, training or general participation. The module aims to develop students’ communication and literacy skills to allow them the ability to write a scientific piece of work with confidence. Most mental skills developed in sport psychology are directly transferable therefore students are given qualities necessary to advance in many other areas of life.

Sport Psychology: Group Dynamics and Human Interaction

The module aims to provide students with an understanding of key psychological theories which underpin sporting performance and participation itself. As a progression from the Autumn sport psychology module students will focus on developing an understanding of how those performing or participating in sport either facilitate or inhibit the performane of others. This will involve considering areas of human communication, team cohesion and social interaction in sport, as well as exploring the manner in which we are affected by being in the preence of other people.

The module encourages an appreciation of how to work effectively in a team setting and also aims to develop students’ communication and literacy skills to allow them the ability to write a scientific piece of work with confidence. All mental skills developed in sport psychology are directly transferable therefore students are given qualities necessary to advance in many other areas of life.

Sports Science Research Methods

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Educations Qualifications. This module aims to allow students to reflect on their chosen course. Students will select their project within the context of the course and possible future career. Students will consider and carry out the preparation necessary for a scientific dissertation proposal. In so doing, students will gain experience in devising dissertations by taking into account experimental design, feasibility in terms of costs and resources, and aspects of ethics and safety.

Empowering London: Working within the Community

A new innovative module combining work based learning and a radical model of critical and transformative citizenship. This module has been developed to allow you to work intensively with a London community project/organisation in order to identify (in partnership with them) a challenge they are faced with and work towards positively addressing this challenge This innovative module is an exciting opportunity to work at a grass-roots level to effect change and to learn about the key issues currently affecting London and other large cities.

We live in the sixth wealthiest economy in the world, and London produces 22% of all Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, we also have a significant problem with inequalities and wealth distribution. The current poverty rate in the UK is 22% and in London this is even higher at 28%.

As of July 2020 there have been 79,437 violent crimes in the last year resulting in injury in London and 152 homicides. Included within this, there has been a steady increase in incidents of serious youth violence, with latest figures showing 8,151 young victims. This is despite concerted efforts to better support young people. The COVID-19 lockdown raised awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence, however, even before lockdown London was seeing a steady increase with reported cases rising from 75,159 in April 2016 to 91,226 in June 2020.

London's health inequalities are created by social, geographical and biological factors. The difference between highest and lowest healthy life expectancy in areas of London is 15.7 years based on Public Health England data. Contributing factors include infant mortality, excess weight, physical activity, smoking, homelessness and disease.

We are facing a global climate and ecological crisis, and London is a case in point. As the capital’s population grows to 11 million by 2050, addressing problems of polluted air, water stress, poor access to public greenspace, and the effects of climate change, such as overheating and flooding, will become increasingly urgent. London therefore has ambitious targets to meet WHO air quality guidelines by 2030, become carbon neutral by 2050, and become half greenspace and have 12% more tree cover by 2050.

However, at the same time the scope for local authorities to address these issues has been reduced by heavy pressures of austerity and a neo-liberal policy agenda. Many local community voluntary organisations are left with a vacuum to compensate for.

As a university and ‘anchor institution’ to the London economy, we believe it is our role to help ‘Empowering London’. This module has been designed to empower you as our student by learning about some of the challenges facing our city and to contribute to addressing this via work based learning. Our fundamental aim is to help you become a values driven graduate who can make a positive difference to society. This module will provide you with some of the tools to achieve this goal.

The module is designed to enhance your wider personal and professional development. It will facilitate application and progression of knowledge gained via your studies and wider life experience. The module includes values-driven, professional training and work experience to assist in preparing you for your individual future career. Through work based practice, you will positively contribute to a key part of the University’s Strategic agenda, addressing current social and economic issues facing London communities. This unique module allows you to be challenged by contributing to current, real world projects, working with the University and students from other professional disciplines to make a positive difference to society.

The initial stages of this 15 credit, year-long module will introduce you to a range of professional skills and techniques, including: reflective self-assessment; preparation for employment as a values-driven graduate within inclusive work environments; becoming an ethical leader; being a critical employee and developing approaches for co-operative and collaborative working.

You will then be introduced to employment experience opportunities supporting organisations and/or individuals in the local community. This could include working with communities and organisations towards programmes aiming to address collective identity and civic agency in neighbourhoods. The London Met Small Business and Charities and Social Enterprise Clinics, will additionally provide suitable opportunities for placements. You will work individually or in teams, in partnership with community institutions to support the activities of one of London Met’s strategic priorities - the Empowering London initiative. Your practice will positively contribute to addressing the challenges facing London which impact everyone’s lives.

The module has been co-created with students and ongoing feedback will be sought from a range of students on an ongoing basis.

The module aims to enable you to:
● Effectively express and understand your current skills and abilities in relation to your career values and goals
● Practically apply the knowledge gained through your course programme to a work/neighbourhood environment
● Make a positive contribution to the challenges of current social and economic issues facing the University’s local communities and consider these from national and global perspectives
● Gaining unique insight of current challenges facing cities in the areas of social wealth; the environment; discrimination; health; poverty and deprivation and crime and partner with community institution to design potential solutions
● Gain understanding and direct experience of the graduate level skills, knowledge and insights required for inclusive practice and problem resolution within institutions to enable you to become an inclusive leader in society
● Recognise your personal and professional development through your work based practice and how to apply the experience and knowledge gain to your future goals

Sociology of Effective Coaching and Teaching

This module explores the key pedagogical theories that inform sports coaching and teaching as well as covering a wide variety of themes relevant to contemporary sports education and training, and their sociological implications. The module includes a strong emphasis on experiential learning with students engaging in practical coaching and teaching sessions on a weekly basis.

The module aims to provide students with an overarching appreciation of important theories relating to effective teaching and coaching practice, as well as their influences on our social interaction. Students are afforded various opportunities to develop their practical competencies in relation to teaching and coaching. Ultimately, the module seeks to develop responsible and effective practitioners with a firm grounding in the necessary interpersonal and decision-making skills required within the coaching/teaching profession. This will be incorporated with an understanding of the role of sport in society. The ability to communicate and use a variety of strategies to achieve coaching/teaching objectives is developed, along with an appreciation of the value of reflective practice in personal development.

Applied Exercise Physiology

This module emphasizes development of very focussed practical skills related to athlete testing and support. You will develop the ability to provide testing and data interpretation using a range of techniques including cardiopulmonary exercise testing. You will engage also in understanding of the physiological effects of, and adaptations to, differing climatic and environmental conditions as they relate to both exercise performance and the provision of specific athlete support under these conditions. The module conveys an appreciation of the complex nature of environmental physiology and examines the practical implications for exercise preparation and performance under these conditions. There is also a focus on core competencies associated with Exercise Physiology identified by prospective employers so that students will become equipped with a range of skills relevant to the workplace including data interpretation, lab equipment management and the ability to interact with and communicate complex information verbally and in writing using plain language.
Major aims include competency with:
• Cardiopulmonary exercise testing
• Blood lactate and glucose testing and interpretation
• Manual blood pressure measurement and interpretation
• Communication skill relevant to athletes, coaches and non-scientists.
• Comprehension of complex exercise Physiology concepts associated with oxygen uptake kinetics,and exercise metabolism.

Clinical Exercise Physiology

This module ties together the Physiology material from Levels 4 and 5 offering learning of the principles of exercise Physiology applied to health promotion and disease. Exercise Physiology research in recent decades has made a significant contribution to clinical practice and increasingly Exercise Sciences are moving in the direction of health and clinical perspective. There are significant employment opportunities in healthcare for Sport Science graduates and so this module offers a preparation for these fields. You will analyse the relationships between exercise and a variety of disease and health conditions including cardiovascular, respiratory and metabolic diseases. You will focus on aetiology, diagnosis, prevention and intervention. You will cover both general topics such as epidemiology and pathology, as well as specific conditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity and psychological disorders and the aging process. The module aims to give you some theoretical and practical experience of describing and understanding clinical conditions. You will also become familiar with data collection, interpretation and presentation through a combination of lectures and lab practicals in which practical skills of exercise testing and interpretation will be developed using a range of instruments such as echocardiography, cardiopulmonary exercise testing and microvascular blood analysiis. Guest lecturers present in this module and these are expert practitioners in their areas whose experience and insight contribute greatly to the quality of the learning experience.

Human Movement Analysis

You will be expected to perform a small research project to compare the biomechanics of two motions by collecting and analysing motion data. You will be given the opportunity to research either a project of your choice of select from a given list of project titles. The module is designed to support you in their respective pathway, with the expectation that those studying Sports Therapy / Sport and Dance Therapy will focus on injury risk and rehabilitation; for those studying Sport and Exercise Science you will focus on performance improvement, and for those studying Sport Psychology, Coaching and Physical Education will focus on providing coaching guidance for the individual. You will be able to select from any of these study types.

After completing this module you will be able to describe motions of the body during typical activities, examine the movement using multiple biomechanical techniques, understand the limitations of different experimental and analytical techniques used to quantify human movement, interpret motion data accurately, and evaluate studies of human movement. You will also learn the computer skills necessary to perform a biomechanical analysis of human movement.

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. This module aims to prepare you for post-graduate study, and further research suitable for academic publication.

Sport Psychology and the Elite Athlete

This module explores contemporary theory in sport psychology and its relevance to the competitive sporting environment. Approaching from an applied perspective which relates to employability, you will consider important concepts in terms of their potential impact on an athlete’s psychological state and therefore their engagement and performance.

The module aims to introduce you to the key real-life psychological demands associated with sports performance, in conjunction with coping mechanisms and solutions used to deal with those demands. In terms of employability, you will gain a critical insight into the applied practice of sport psychology and gain experiences of some of the key interpersonal skills that make an effective sport psychologist.

Sport Psychology: Practical Application in the Real World

This module is focused on the practical skills required for a sport psychologist to operate in the real world. Beginning from data acquisition, through meeting and managing new clients, to client assessment and effective interventions to improve or enhance the sporting environment for participants.

Having developed the background theoretical knowledge from previous modules the student will now understand how the working sport psychologist prepares the ground for either sport psychology research or a sound client-psychologist relationship. The module will include working with current and/or former sports people.

This module provides students with the tools required to progress to higher educational studies or enter the sporting employment market with a range of theoretical and practical skills and experiences behind them.

Sports Science and Therapy Dissertation

This module will enable you to reinforce the skills necessary to carry out a scientific programme requiring significant research. It will allow you to demonstrate the final development of your subject knowledge, skills and understanding through extended research based on laboratory, literature or field work.

This module aims to encourage you to reflect and build upon your subject knowledge and expertise by means of a specific investigation requiring significant research. During the course of the module, you will develop the skills necessary to plan, carry out, analyse and report upon the results of an experimental or analytical programme on a scientific topic. The module gives you the opportunity to attain achievement of a high level of personal development by working independently with the minimum necessary supervision. This module aims to provide you with the qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring: the exercise of initiative and personal responsibility; decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts; and, the learning ability needed to undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

Business Developments in Sport

This module is an introduction to the principles of business in the specific context of sports related ventures.

The aims of this module are aligned with the qualification descriptors within the Quality Assurance Agency’s, Framework for Higher Education Qualifications. More specifically, it aims to provide you with academic knowledge and understanding to implement good business practice including marketing, accounting, management, service and reflection. These topics should provide the underpinning information to allow you to harness an entrepreneurial approach to business and professional work to optimise your employability and performance.

The module also seeks to develop your competence in discussion, oral presentation and written work, encouraging clarity of presentation and transferable tools often used in many employment settings.

Empowering London: Working within the Community

A new innovative module combining work based learning and a radical model of critical and transformative citizenship. This module has been developed to allow you to work intensively with a London community project/organisation in order to identify (in partnership with them) a challenge they are faced with and work towards positively addressing this challenge This innovative module is an exciting opportunity to work at a grass-roots level to effect change and to learn about the key issues currently affecting London and other large cities.

We live in the sixth wealthiest economy in the world, and London produces 22% of all Gross Domestic Product (GDP). However, we also have a significant problem with inequalities and wealth distribution. The current poverty rate in the UK is 22% and in London this is even higher at 28%.

As of July 2020 there have been 79,437 violent crimes in the last year resulting in injury in London and 152 homicides. Included within this, there has been a steady increase in incidents of serious youth violence, with latest figures showing 8,151 young victims. This is despite concerted efforts to better support young people. The COVID-19 lockdown raised awareness of the prevalence of domestic violence, however, even before lockdown London was seeing a steady increase with reported cases rising from 75,159 in April 2016 to 91,226 in June 2020.

London's health inequalities are created by social, geographical and biological factors. The difference between highest and lowest healthy life expectancy in areas of London is 15.7 years based on Public Health England data. Contributing factors include infant mortality, excess weight, physical activity, smoking, homelessness and disease.

We are facing a global climate and ecological crisis, and London is a case in point. As the capital’s population grows to 11 million by 2050, addressing problems of polluted air, water stress, poor access to public greenspace, and the effects of climate change, such as overheating and flooding, will become increasingly urgent. London therefore has ambitious targets to meet WHO air quality guidelines by 2030, become carbon neutral by 2050, and become half greenspace and have 12% more tree cover by 2050.

However, at the same time the scope for local authorities to address these issues has been reduced by heavy pressures of austerity and a neo-liberal policy agenda. Many local community voluntary organisations are left with a vacuum to compensate for.

As a university and ‘anchor institution’ to the London economy, we believe it is our role to help ‘Empowering London’. This module has been designed to empower you as our student by learning about some of the challenges facing our city and to contribute to addressing this via work based learning. Our fundamental aim is to help you become a values driven graduate who can make a positive difference to society. This module will provide you with some of the tools to achieve this goal.

The module is designed to enhance your wider personal and professional development. It will facilitate application and progression of knowledge gained via your studies and wider life experience. The module includes values-driven, professional training and work experience to assist in preparing you for your individual future career. Through work based practice, you will positively contribute to a key part of the University’s Strategic agenda, addressing current social and economic issues facing London communities. This unique module allows you to be challenged by contributing to current, real world projects, working with the University and students from other professional disciplines to make a positive difference to society.

The initial stages of this 15 credit, year-long module will introduce you to a range of professional skills and techniques, including: reflective self-assessment; preparation for employment as a values-driven graduate within inclusive work environments; becoming an ethical leader; being a critical employee and developing approaches for co-operative and collaborative working.

You will then be introduced to employment experience opportunities supporting organisations and/or individuals in the local community. This could include working with communities and organisations towards programmes aiming to address collective identity and civic agency in neighbourhoods. The London Met Small Business and Charities and Social Enterprise Clinics, will additionally provide suitable opportunities for placements. You will work individually or in teams, in partnership with community institutions to support the activities of one of London Met’s strategic priorities - the Empowering London initiative. Your practice will positively contribute to addressing the challenges facing London which impact everyone’s lives.

The module has been co-created with students and ongoing feedback will be sought from a range of students on an ongoing basis.

The module aims to enable you to:
● Effectively express and understand your current skills and abilities in relation to your career values and goals
● Practically apply the knowledge gained through your course programme to a work/neighbourhood environment
● Make a positive contribution to the challenges of current social and economic issues facing the University’s local communities and consider these from national and global perspectives
● Gaining unique insight of current challenges facing cities in the areas of social wealth; the environment; discrimination; health; poverty and deprivation and crime and partner with community institution to design potential solutions
● Gain understanding and direct experience of the graduate level skills, knowledge and insights required for inclusive practice and problem resolution within institutions to enable you to become an inclusive leader in society
● Recognise your personal and professional development through your work based practice and how to apply the experience and knowledge gain to your future goals