Frequently Asked Questions

New SE Programme

·         How has the Supervised Experience process changed?

It is possible to complete SE within two years, however depending on individual circumstances, participants usually take longer than two years. A maximum length of six years is allowed for SE completion. Supervisees must complete a postgraduate degree, or demonstrate a similar level of underpinning knowledge, along with 500 hours of logged supervised practice.  They must also attend a number of BASES workshops and be able to demonstrate that they have attained the required level of competency in the BASES standards of proficiency for sport and exercise scientists.      

·         Does my Supervisor have to attend a workshop?

All supervisors taking on new supervisees must have attended a BASES Supervisor workshop beforehand to be on the BASES Supervisor Register.

·         Can I change Supervisors during the process?

We encourage supervisees to ensure that during the SE process they receive supervision from individuals working in the same domain of expertise as they wish to specialise in.  This may mean involvements of more than one supervisor during the process.

·         When are the registration deadlines for SE?

SE Registration - opens 1st March to 1pm 1st April and 1st October to 1pm 1st November. 
Incomplete registration forms and registration forms received after 1pm on the deadline dates will not be accepted.

·         What other deadlines are there during SE?

2 months after attending the SE Entry workshop your initial competency profile must be submitted.  After that there are no further deadlines. 

·         What are the costs for SE?

The total cost of the BASES SE process is £200; there is an additional cost of £100 due when the applicant formally applies for accreditation. Potential costs for Supervised Experience:
SE Fee – £200
3 x Core Workshops - £225
2 x Elective workshops - £150
Supervisor Costs – to be agreed between supervisee and supervisor

 ·         What workshops do I have to attend?

4 compulsory workshops and 2 elective workshops

The compulsory workshops are:

• Entry Workshop
• Ethical Practice and Confidentiality
• Reflection and Self Evaluation
• Understanding Your Client Market

 ·         How do I know if I have completed a BASES Endorsed Undergraduate Degree (BUES)?

Please use the BASES website (http://www.bases.org.uk/Courses) to search for Endorsed course.  Please ensure you have searched for an endorsed course using the 'advanced search ' highlighting 'BASES Endorsed' in the 'Type' box, and not just an advertised course.

 ·         If I have not completed a BUES degree, can I still register for SE?

Yes, if you have completed a sport and exercise science related degree you can still register.  However, you must complete Appendix 1 and 2 within the Registration Form (using the Guidance for Assessing Non-BUES Degrees document for information).  This will identify whether the modules undertaken are equivalent to a BUES degree.  If you have any deficiencies in knowledge that are identified on the form, you must submit a learning proposal with your application to describe how you will meet these deficiencies before completing SE. 

·         I have just completed my undergraduate degree and do not yet have my certificate, can I still register for SE?

Yes, if you do not have the certificate yet, you must be able to provide an official document from the university stating that you have completed your degree.

Old SE Programme

Q1. What is the purpose of Supervised Experience? 
A1. Supervised Experience (SE) within each section of BASES offers a possible structure to guide members towards attaining the standards required for BASES Accreditation. 

Q2. Do I have to do SE? 
A2. It is not a requirement for BASES Accreditation to have undertaken SE. SE does not lead automatically to accreditation but does allow the applicant to use the name “Probationary Sport and Exercise Scientist”. Whilst it is not necessary to undertake a programme of SE, it is strongly recommended. 

Q3. Where do I find a supervisor? 
A3. Normally only BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientists can act as supervisors. The supervisor should normally be accredited within the same pathway as the supervisee. Only those accredited in support can provide scientific support supervision and only those accredited in research can provide research supervision. Alternatively, there could be a team of supervisors who cover the competencies required to help prepare the supervisee for accreditation. BASES Accredited Sport and Exercise Scientists can be located using the BASES Consultant Finder.

Q4. What should I look for when searching for a good supervisor? 
A4. The supervisor should normally be BASES Accredited in the pathway that you are seeking your accreditation. It is expected that the supervisor is able to provide you with access to a range of clients and to observe your practice at least 2-3 times per year. The supervisor should be committed to and familiar with the concepts that underpin evidence-based and reflective practice. It may also be useful to establish a service agreement/contract with your supervisor.

Q5. What should I expect from my supervisor at the beginning of SE? 
A5. Prior to applying for entry on to the SE programme, you and your supervisor should complete an initial assessment to identify your current strengths and weakness using the pathway's list of identified requirements. An identification of the intended outcomes of the SE and a plan for how these will be achieved within the designated time period should also be included in the formal application. To apply for entry on to the SE programme both you and your supervisor need to complete the relevant forms click here

Q6. What part should my supervisor play in the production of annual reports? 
A6. Following initial approval, the supervisee and supervisor will report independently on an annual basis to the reviewing committee. The BASES SE Annual Report Form should be completed annually by both the supervisee and his/her supervisor.

Q7. How long will my SE last? 
A7. The period of SE will be deemed satisfactorily completed following 3 approved annual reports that need not be in consecutive years, but must be submitted within a maximum period of 6 years. Applicants may claim credit retrospectively for appropriate experience prior to registration. The responsibility lies with the applicant to provide documentary evidence to support any claim for credit.

Q8. How much progress on each of the competencies can I make each year? 
A8. The rate of progress will depend on how realistic and attainable are the planned goals and activities for each year. Normally BASES expects the programme to be completed after 3 years, however supervisees have been known to complete all the required SE competencies and skills in less than 3 years. If seeking to complete the programme in less than 3 years, the supervisee will need to provide the reviewing committees with sufficient evidence of their fast-tracked progress. Evidence can be submitted in the annual report form and letters of support from their supervisor and client groups together with appropriate case study work that demonstrates sufficient knowledge, experience, scientific rigour and practice. 

Q9. How much does my undergraduate course count towards my SE profile? 
A9. This is difficult to answer owing to the fact that course content and learning experiences vary from one institution and programme to another. BASES now endorses undergraduate programmes. The level of knowledge a supervisee has gained from his or her undergraduate programme can only be determined from the needs analysis undertaken between the supervisee and the supervisor. 

Q10. How much does my Masters course count towards my SE profile? 
A10. See A9 

Q11. When will I get feedback from my report? 
A11. Applications and reports must be submitted to the BASES office on 1 April and 1 October each year. The panels will assess applications and reports against pathway criteria and will either accept, accept subject to minor modifications or reject the applications/reports. In each case the applicant will receive written recommendations on how to progress normally within 12 weeks.

Q12. Are you able to structure SE to work toward Research and Scientific Support at the same time? (i.e. doing both in 3 years altogether) 
A12. Yes - but research usually takes longer because it is dependent upon publications and things like supervision of PhD completions etc. 

Q13. In what "setting" do individuals typically undertake SE, and how do they fund it? i.e., is it usually whilst doing a PhD? Are there opportunities to gain paid support work in the area whilst you are undertaking SE (i.e., before you are accredited)? 
A13. The answers to this are many and varied. Many applicants will register for SE at the start of their higher degree. Some institutions will include/guarantee 3 years of supervision as part of a postgraduate degree. Some supervisors charge for supervision, the cost typically varies from £250 up to £1500 per year. As soon as you are registered for SE you can call yourself a “Probationary Sport and Exercise Scientist” and may be able to earn between £80-100 per day. Once accredited this may rise to £200 and with experience may rise to £400 per day. 

Q14. The Masters course I am applying for is highly specialised and does not offer any modules in the other sport and exercise science disciplines. Am I limiting my chances by specialising so early, or am I enhancing them by gaining an in- depth knowledge of the discipline (I am unclear how much knowledge/experience of the other areas I need to gain accreditation)? How would you suggest I might gain experience in the other areas in order to pass my SE? 
A14. It is a good to choose a course that allows you to specialise, but within the course you should take every opportunity to observe/work with scientists in the other disciplines (most good Masters courses will facilitate this). 

Q15. Following successful completion of SE how soon can I apply for accreditation and how do I go about this?
A15. Upon successful completion of SE you should be in a strong position from which to make a successful application for accreditation in your pathway. However, applicants on SE cannot apply for accreditation until they have received written notification of successful completion of their SE final report. For more information on Accreditation, click here

Q16. How much does SE cost?
A16. There is an annual registration payment of £40 for each SE application/annual report with effect from 1 October 2004. Supervisees already registered on the SE scheme will not be affected by the introduction of this charge.

Q17. Do you either gain accreditation as an "exercise scientist" or as a "sports scientist" or are the two areas intertwined? 
A17. You are accredited as a BASES Sport and Exercise Scientist (Research) and/or BASES Sport and Exercise Scientist (Scientific Support), but we ask you to work within the BASES Code of Conduct, which stipulates that you should not work outside your areas of competence, hence most individuals tend to specialise as one or the other. 

Q18. Can I obtain feedback on the case study that I intend to submit with my accreditation application?
A18. You can submit your case study with your 3rd year final report to obtain feedback.

Q19. Can I change my supervisor?
A18. Yes at anytime but please inform the office in writing, so that records can be updated.