Andie Riches
Faculty: Science and Engineering
School: Psychology, Sport and Sensory Science
Course:
Category: Sport
15 May 2025
I got my place at ARU through Clearing - something that felt a bit daunting at the time but turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
I’d always known I wanted to work in sport, but I didn’t have a clear plan. Like a lot of people, I assumed Sport Science was mostly for aspiring personal trainers or physios. What I didn’t realise was just how broad and exciting the field is - and how much my time at ARU would open up opportunities I’d never considered.
From day one, I felt supported. The Sport and Exercise Science course at ARU combined the science of human performance with the social, psychological, and practical elements of sport. We learned in modern labs, worked on real-world projects, and had lecturers who genuinely cared - not just about what we learned, but how we could apply it in the world beyond university.
What stood out about ARU was the real-world focus. We didn’t just learn in classrooms - we had access to cutting-edge labs, opportunities for placements, and projects that gave us insight into how sports science works in professional settings. That practical experience was invaluable.
It was during my degree that I discovered a love for research. I became fascinated with the stories behind the performance: gender, access, identity, and the way institutions shape sport. That curiosity eventually led me to postgraduate study, and I’m now doing a PhD looking at the lived experiences of women in elite rowing.
It still feels surreal to say that from Clearing to doctoral research, but that’s the kind of journey ARU made possible.
And I’m not the only one. My classmates have gone on to careers in:
A Sport and Exercise Science degree from ARU gives you options. Whether you want to work with elite athletes, improve public health, shape policy, or push the boundaries of innovation, it’s a launchpad. For me, the future might be in academia or working to influence change in sport at a structural level. Either way, it started with a Clearing call, a little leap of faith - and a brilliant community at ARU.
Find out more about our Sport and Exercise Science degree.
Disclaimer
The views expressed here are those of the individual and do not necessarily represent the views of Anglia Ruskin University. If you've got any concerns please contact us.