Report highlights Abertay impact in tackling deprivation

Sport students at Abertay University are playing an important role in tackling deprivation-linked health issues in Dundee, according to a new report.

The city has one of the poorest life expectancy rates in Scotland, with official figures showing an average age of 73.9 years.

The statistic is far below the UK-wide average of 86.4 years for men, and 88.9 years for women.

The report from GuildHE looks at the impact of Sport and Exercise Science Education, and highlights community work carried out by Abertay.

Sport students carry out more than 20 hours per year each of coaching work in Dundee through agencies like Active schools, helping residents make beneficial choices about health and exercise.

The report also highlights the positive career outlook for people studying sport at Abertay, with around 75% of former students surveyed indicating that they were in graduate sport occupations.

Andrea Cameron (pictured), Dean of Abertay’s School of Applied Sciences, said: “Community initiatives are an important aspect of our sport courses, giving students the chance to engage with the wider community, gain experience and make a genuine difference to the health and wellbeing of the people they work with.

“I’m pleased that we’re able to make a positive contribution.”

The report is the first independent analysis of its kind to quantify the impact of sport and exercise science education on the UK economy.

Graduates in the field contribute almost £4 billion to the UK economy each year, supporting almost 150,000 jobs.

Abertay’s Division of Sport and Exercise Sciences offers a broad range of degree programmes in the area of Sport and Physical Activity, underpinned by strengths in both research and consultancy.

Notable alumni include Dr Michael Malone, Project Manager for Health and Education at the Dundee Utd Community Trust, and Debbi McCulloch, Business and Operations Manager at Spartans Community Football Academy.

To read the report in full, visit: https://guildhe.ac.uk/sportscience/

To find out more about studying Sport and Exercise Science at Abertay visit: https://www.abertay.ac.uk/course-search/undergraduate/sport-and-exercise-science/