Sport and Exercise Science (with a Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

Program Overview

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Sport and Exercise Science (with a Foundation Year) BSc (Hons)

About the Foundation Year

Our four-year degree programmes (including a foundation year) provide an alternative route to undergraduate study at university if you do not have the grades to access higher education in the traditional way.

Course Content

Modules

These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2024/25 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2025/26.

• Foundation Year
  • Introduction to Coaching Process Development
  • Anatomy and Physiology
  • Introduction to Research Methods and Individual Project
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Principles of Health and Wellbeing
  • Introduction to Research
• Year 1
  • Core
    • Physiology of Exercise
  • Core
    • Fundamentals of Sport Psychology and Skill Acquisition
  • Core
    • Fundamentals of Biomechanics
  • Core
    • Practical Field Tests in Sport
  • Core
    • Functional Anatomy
  • Core
    • Research Methods
  • Core
    • Physiology of Training
• Year 2
  • Optional
    • Neuromechanics of Human Movement
  • Optional
    • Sports Biomechanics
  • Optional
    • Testing and Monitoring in Sport
  • Optional
    • Contemporary Issues in PE and Sport
  • Optional
    • Skill Acquisition
  • Optional
    • Notational Analysis
  • Optional
    • Experience and Employment in Sport
  • Optional
    • Contemporary insights into sport psychology
• Year 3
  • Core
    • Research Project
  • Optional
    • Applied Sport and Exercise Physiology
  • Optional
    • Environmental Physiology
  • Optional
    • Applied Sport Psychology
  • Optional
    • Experimental Biomechanics
  • Optional
    • Applied Biomechanics
  • Optional
    • Performance Analysis
  • Optional
    • Professional Observation
  • Optional
    • Issues in Sport, Health and Exercise
  • Optional
    • Advanced Skill Acquisition
  • Optional
    • Advanced Contemporary Issues in PE and Sport

Entry Requirements

• 48 UCAS points
• We understand that sometimes barriers you can't control get in the way of academic achievement. You are more than just your grades. We'll consider your application as a whole, taking into account things like:
  • subjects studied at Level 3
  • your GCSEs (or equivalent) profile
  • non-academic achievements you mention in your personal statement
  • your references and motivation.
• A Levels: One A Level (or equivalent) should be a science subject - this includes PE.

Fees & Funding

Tuition Fees

• Home: £9,535
• International: £17,100
• Please note: these fees are annual and may increase as detailed in our tuition fee variation disclaimer.
• For more information on foundation year fees for home students, please check the details on our tuition fee page.

Additional Costs

• Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your programme.
• Additional costs could be incurred depending on optional modules chosen and other projects undertaken.

Scholarships

• Find out more about our range of scholarships and bursaries available to undergraduate students.

Living Costs

• A guide to your living costs has been created by our Student Funding Team.
• Accommodation costs vary depending on whether you opt for an en suite room and on-site catering. Take a look at our accommodation options and the prices you can expect to pay.

How the Degree is Taught

• Contact time: 20%
• Independent study: 80%
• Teaching methods: We're committed to providing the very best teaching and look to continually use new, innovative approaches alongside more traditional methods.
• Assessment methods: We use a wide range of assessments that helps develop key skills for both academic and employability purposes.
• Feedback: We adhere to the university’s policy of providing feedback on assessments within 15 working days.

Career Opportunities

• On our Sport and Exercise Science BSc, you will develop essential transferable skills like communication, critical thinking, and collaboration, setting you up for any career, not just one directly related to sports science.
• Sport science is also a rapidly growing global market – your skills and knowledge are in high demand.
• Some examples of job roles and areas of work for graduates of undefined include:
  • exercise physiologists
  • sports development officers
  • sports psychologists
  • health physiologists
  • PE teachers
  • graduate training schemes (including companies unrelated to sport)
  • personal trainers

Program Outline

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Outline

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Modules:

• Year 1: Critical Skills in Science, Core Professional Integrity in Science, Introduction to Research Methods and Individual Project, The Chemistry of Nature, Foundation of Life, Principles of Physics and Mathematics
• Year 2: Introduction to Research, Physiology of Exercise, Fundamentals of Sport Psychology and Skill Acquisition, Fundamentals of Biomechanics, Practical Field Tests in Sport, Research Methods
• Year 3: Core Physiology of Training, 2 Optional Modules, 2 further Optional Modules
• Year 4: Core Research Project, 3 Optional Modules

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Assessment Methods:

• Essays
• Poster presentations
• Web-based assessments
• Oral presentations
• Practical and written exams

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Teaching Methods:

• Interactive lectures
• Seminars
• Workshops
• Practical sessions
• Individual and group projects
• Research opportunities

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Assessment

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Assessment methods:

• Continuous assessment throughout the year
• Final exams at the end of each year

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Assessment criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Problem-solving and application
• Communication and presentation skills
• Teamwork and collaboration

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Teaching

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Teaching staff:

• Team of experienced academics covering a broad range of sport science subjects
• Many staff are active professional members of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists (BASES)

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Teaching methods:

• Blend of traditional and innovative approaches
• Focus on active learning, student engagement, and independent study

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Unique approaches:

• Research-led teaching, ensuring students are exposed to cutting-edge knowledge
• Opportunity to work with external partners and organizations

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Careers

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Career paths:

• Exercise physiologist
• Sports development officer
• Sports psychologist
• Health physiologist
• PE teacher
• Personal trainer

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Graduate opportunities:

• Employment in the sport and exercise science industry

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Skills developed:

• Communication
• Critical thinking
• Problem-solving
• Teamwork
• Research
• Leadership

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Other

• The program is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists (BASES).
• Students have access to world-class facilities, including an environmental chamber, strength and conditioning facility, specialist physiology laboratories, and biomechanics laboratories.
• Opportunity to work with professional teams and societies.
• The program has a strong reputation for academic excellence and graduate employability.
• Entry requirements: 80 UCAS points, including at least two B grades at A Level (or equivalent).
One A Level (or equivalent) should be a science subject (including PE).
• Tuition fees: Home £9,250, International £16,320
• More information: https://www.stmarys.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/bsc-hons-sport-exercise-science-foundation-year/

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Conclusion

The Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) with a Foundation Year at St Mary's University provides a comprehensive and rigorous education in the field of sports science. With its focus on research, practical experience, and career opportunities, the program prepares students for success in a variety of exciting fields.

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• Home: £9,250
• International: £16,320
• Please note: these fees are annual and may increase in line with inflation each year subject to the Government's review of Higher Education Funding.