Jamie Makopa

Home town: London
Sport/interests: Gymnastics, Trampolining, Tennis, Skiing, Snowboarding and High Diving

What was your background before coming to University?

I did my GCSEs and A Levels at school, then took a gap year before coming to university. I have worked in lots of different industries and travelled to loads of countries in that time.

What made you come to the University of Portsmouth to study?

I was lucky enough to get accepted to all my options, but Portsmouth made me feel comfortable enough to call home.

What do you enjoy most about university life?

I love the social aspects of university life, especially training and going out with my sports teams.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I find the practical aspects of the course the most interesting. I really enjoy being able to apply knowledge from lectures to the real world.

What are you hoping to do after your degree?

Currently, I am training to be a stunt man. However, when I get too old for that I want to go into teaching.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking of coming to the University of Portsmouth?

The best advice I can give is to get up and get stuck in. Don't be afraid to ask questions and look around. Don't wait for life to happen to you – we all make our own luck!

Emma Burnett

Home town: Southampton
Sport/interests: Gymnastics

What was your background before coming to University?

Before university I went to college and got three A Levels in Sport, Biology and Chemistry. I was training five times a week for Southampton gymnastics club.

What made you come to the University of Portsmouth to study?

I came to the Open Day and liked the fact the University was right in the middle of the city and everything was close by. Also, the facilities in the Spinnaker Building are excellent and the lecturers gave lots of information on the course.

What do you enjoy most about University life?

Being independent and in control of what I do during university and outside of it. Also, meeting new people and having the opportunity to do anything!

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I like the biomechanics units and how the lab classes enhance what you have already learnt during lectures.

What are you hoping to do after your degree?

I am hoping to complete a Master's degree after university and I hope to go in to research in the area of biomechanics.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking of coming to the University of Portsmouth?

Come and visit on an Open Day, it the best way to find out whether Portsmouth and the course are the right choice for you.

Philip Morides

Home town: Limassol, Cyprus and Glasgow, Scotland
Sport/interests: Power lifting

What was your background before coming to University?

I grew up in Cyprus and have always been involved in sport from a very young age. This has ranged from archery, running to olympic weight and power lifting. When I moved to Scotland I completed an HND in Sport Management.

What made you come to the University of Portsmouth to study?

I attended an Open Day and I was impressed with the facilities. The course outline also seemed very interesting and enjoyable to me as well as the idea of living by the sea.

What do you enjoy most about university life?

The University has a great variety of sports clubs and societies. I am enjoying trying different sports to those that I already know. It’s also a great opportunity to meet lots of different people from different backgrounds, being independent and having my own space. As I go through the course, it’s great to also be able to apply what I am learning to my sport.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy everything to be honest. As mentioned above it is interesting seeing and applying what is taught to real life.

What are you hoping to do after your degree?

I would like to become a qualified strength and conditioning coach and work abroad.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking of coming to the University of Portsmouth?

My advice would be to come down to one of the Open Days and have a look around the University and the city itself and see if they like it. It is also a good opportunity to speak to the lecturers and find out what the course will be really like.

Phillip Turrell

Home town: Clanfield

Sport interests: Football, Running, Cycling and Fitness Training

What was your background before coming to University?

I completed my GCSEs and went straight to college to become a personal trainer. I later returned to complete A Levels and arrived did an Access course in Science before coming to university.

I played and competed in sport from an early age and represented England Schools Under 15s before going on to club level and representing Aldershot Town, Havant and Waterlooville and more recently AFC Portchester.

What made you come to the University of Portsmouth to study?

I knew the city pretty well, but having met some of the staff on the Open Days I couldn’t resist the temptation to study here and learn from the fantastic team within the department. The facilities are second to none and  have really opened my eyes.

What do you enjoy most about university life?

I've met some great people and hopefully that will continue throughout my time here. The lecturers are also really helpful.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I really enjoy the thought provoking nature of the lectures and the lab sessions enable you to develop skills for subsequent years. The staff are always on hand to assist where necessary too.

What are you hoping to do after your degree?

I hope to be in a position to complete a Master's degree and then see what opportunities arise. The expansive nature of the subject is something I really like about this degree programme. Eventually, I may go on to teach.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking of coming to the University of Portsmouth?

I wouldn't hesitate in making the decision to come here. I think the University as a whole is very progressive and that’s certainly mirrored within the evolving sport science department.

Joanna Tooley

Home town: Steventon, Oxfordshire

Sport/interests: Gymnastics and Cheerleading

What was your background before coming to University?

I went to my local school and sixth form in Didcot where I completed A Levels in PE, Biology and French before applying to university. I travelled to Ecuador for a month before coming to uni in September 2010. I also competed in and coached gymnastics regular

What made you come to the University of Portsmouth to study?

When I came to look around the University I really liked the way it was spread out across the city. Ii really like Portsmouth and being so close to the sea! The Sports Science Department really impressed me with all the facilities it offers, and the staff were all very friendly and willing to answer any questions.

What do you enjoy most about university life?

Being part of a sports team is the best thing I ever did since joining uni. Being part of the Athletics Uniohas given me so many opportunities and I've met some great friends through being on both the gymnastics and cheerleading squad, as well as competing with both teams.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy the practical lab classes that let you engage in the subject and help your understanding of the areas covered in lectures. This year the injury and rehabilitation module has been really interesting and something very new to me.

What are you hoping to do after your degree?

I'm not really sure about what comes next, but I'd like to stay in the area of sports as I feel that it's something I'm very passionate about. I chose to do my dissertation in the area of biomechanics, so maybe something along that route.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking of coming to the University of Portsmouth?

Visit Portsmouth with an open mind and talk to some of the students here as they will give you the best view of university life here. Join as many sports teams as possible when you’re here and get involved as much as possible in all areas of uni life.

Liam O'Reilly

Home town: Godalming, Surrey

Sport/interests: Mountain Biking, Running and Martial Arts

What was your background before coming to University?

I worked as a graphic designer for ten years before making a career change at 29 to become a personal trainer. I progressed to managing a large gym whilst also running my personal training business.

What made you come to the University of Portsmouth to study?

I was impressed by the facilities and it was important to me that I choose a university where the department are continually contributing to science.

What do you enjoy most about university life?

Of course meeting new people and making new friends is great. Being in an academic environment and being around people who are doing cutting-edge research is inspiring.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

The breadth of material covered on the course is brilliant. I love studying all the disciplines within sport and exercise science, and I feel that I'm gaining an excellent foundation of knowledge in the field.

What are you hoping to do after your degree?

This course opens up so many paths for my future – it's exciting to decide what's next! I definitely wish to embark upon postgraduate study and develop further.

What would your advice be to anyone thinking of coming to the University of Portsmouth?

I started my degree at 34 and it's the best thing I've ever done. If studying at University interests you, then go for it.