BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
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.