Program Overview

Sport & Exercise Science BSc (Hons)

Overview

Discover the science behind sport and exercise. Support practical action with solid theory, build your subject knowledge and learn how to develop a variety of training programmes. Join this degree, endorsed by BASES, the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Course Features

• Professional accreditation
• Professional practice placements
• Sandwich year option available
• Studying abroad option available

What You'll Study

Year 1

• Fundamentals of High Performance Sport
• Fundamentals of Physical Activity, Exercise & Health
• Fundamentals of Sport & Exercise Biomechanics
• Fundamentals of Sport & Exercise Psychology
• Fundamentals of Sport & Exercise Physiology & Nutrition
• Investigating Sport & Exercise Sciences

Year 2

• Research Methods
• Sport & Exercise Biomechanics
• Sport & Exercise Physiology
• Sport & Exercise Psychology
• Two of:
  • Scientific Principles of Exercise and Health
  • Sport & Exercise Nutrition
  • Training Methods for High Performance Sport

Year 3

• Dissertation
• Professional Practice and Work Placement
• Two of:
  • Applied Sport, Exercise & Environmental Physiology
  • Applied Sport & Exercise Biomechanics
  • Applied Sport, Exercise & Performance Psychology
• One of:
  • Applied Practice in Exercise and Health Sciences
  • Applied Practices in Sports Science

How You'll Study

The degree takes a hands-on approach, with practical experience in our purpose-built and well-equipped biomechanics, physiology and psychology laboratories. You will also have lectures, small group seminars, tutorials, workshops, taught practical sessions and ICT based learning.

How You'll Be Assessed

You will be assessed through essays, projects and lab reports, critical analysis of papers, poster presentations, oral presentations, delivering practical workshop sessions and independent research. We use formal written examinations from time to time but they never account for more than 50% of the marks for any module.

Who Will Be Teaching You

The Sport & Exercise Science team are highly experienced and enthusiastic with a real commitment to teaching sport and exercise sciences. Dynamic, friendly and supportive of your individual needs, staff are also actively involved in research and consultancy projects that influence the development of sport and exercise science and which directly feed into your degree.

Entry Criteria

Typical offer 104-112 UCAS Tariff points, preferably to include Physical Education or a Science subject.

• A Level: BCC-BBC
• UCAS Tariff points: 104-112 points
• BTEC Extended Diploma (or combination of BTEC QCF qualifications): Distinction, Merit, Merit (DMM)
• T Level: Overall grade of Merit
• International Baccalaureate (IB): We are happy to accept IB qualifications which achieve the required number of UCAS Tariff points. Subject-specific requirements at Higher Level (HL) Grade 5 may apply.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 credits at Level 3, for example 9 credits at Distinction and 36 credits at Merit or 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit. The required total can be attained from various credit combinations.

English Language Requirements

International students require IELTS 6.0, with a score no lower than 5.5 in each individual component, or an equivalent English language qualification.

Facilities

Based in the Wilson Centre, the Department of Sport and Physical Activity places a strong emphasis on practical work underpinned by outstanding facilities. There are dedicated laboratories in performance analysis, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, musculoskeletal, biochemistry, vision analysis, sleep, exercise and performance, and functional rehabilitation, as well as a sports therapy clinic.

Finance

• 2025/26
• UK Full-Time: £9,535 a year
• International: £17,000 a year

Your Future Career

The course can lead to a broad variety of careers so there’s not a single typical route to follow. Predominantly students take on rewarding roles such as:

• sport and exercise scientists
• personal trainers
• strength and conditioning coaches
• fitness and health coordinators
• clinical exercise physiologists
• physical activity and mental health promotion specialists
• lifestyle managers
• GP referral scheme co-ordinators
• performance analysts
• graduate management training schemes

As well as working in the sports sciences, institutes of sport or national governing bodies of sport, past graduates have kickstarted their careers in variety of businesses including:

• Fleetwood Town FC
• ABL Health
• Blackpool FC
• University of Toronto Varsity Blues
• Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital
• English Institute of Sport
• Leeds Teaching Hospital

Our students also have the opportunity to continue onto postgraduate study. And many train to become teachers with a PGCE in primary, secondary in physical education, or within further education.