| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
Overview
The demand for qualified sport scientists is high. Become a skilled sport and exercise scientist at Scotland's TOP University for student satisfaction in Sport & Exercise (NSS 2023).
Course Detail
Start Date
September
Duration
4 years (full-time)
Award Title
BSc (Hons)
UCAS Code
C602
Why Study Sport and Exercise Science at Abertay?
Become an in-demand sport and exercise scientist at Scotland's TOP modern University for Sport Science (Times Good University Guide 2025). Join this highly practical Sport and Exercise Science degree with work placement and internship options.
There is a growing need for professionals who can work with elite athletes/teams, and those who can help prevent chronic diseases.
Learning to optimise sports performance and enhance the health of the population, you'll work in our bespoke physiology and biomechanics laboratories. This means developing skillsets such as Olympic lifting and fitness programming, as well as fitness testing in the different factors for performance and health.
Work Placements and Internships
This degree is very practical. Work placements and internships help you apply your scientific knowledge in real-world situations. Along the way you work with athletes, young people, older people, and those suffering from, or at risk of developing, various diseases.
You'll graduate with all the expertise you need to become a highly employable sport and exercise scientist.
Two-Year Foundation in Sport and Exercise
This course is flexible, and part of a portfolio of five courses covering different specialisms in sport.
For the first two years, everyone takes Sport and Exercise as a foundation. Then you specialise in years three and four. See the full details in the How the Course Works section.
This course is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES), the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK.
Abertay is Scotland's TOP University for Student Satisfaction in Sports Sciences (The Times Good University Guide 2025).
Your Journey Starts Here
The role of sport and exercise scientists is constantly evolving to help optimise sports performance and enhance the health of the population.
Our teaching is backed up by research, and there's a strong emphasis on links with industry, including work placements and internships.
You'll develop skillsets such as Olympic lifting and fitness programming, as well as fitness testing different factors for performance and health. This includes exploring the effects of the environment on performance, motion analysis and the forces associated with movement.
The Elite Athlete Development Programme
There are some international-class athletes here at Abertay involved in a range of sports competing at senior and age grade national levels. We support these athletes in their quest for international success through the Elite Athlete Development Programme (EADP).
We are immensely proud to have helped some students reach their sporting goals and represent their country. Find out how to apply.
Potential Careers
You will develop a range of transferable skills that prepare you to take on a variety of challenges across diverse working environments. Our graduates have gone into a variety of roles such as:
- Sport and exercise scientist
- Performance analyst
- Strength/Conditioning coach
- Graduate personal trainer
- PE teacher
- Physiotherapist
Plus you'll acquire the necessary knowledge and expertise for postgraduate studies such as a Masters or a PhD.
Excellent Industry Links
Work placements help you connect with various sports industries and work towards achieving Industry awards.
Our staff have strong research links and many are members of professional societies. We work closely with the industry, and many staff are also current practitioners. This is an integral part of the highly practical curriculum.
About Your Modules
All modules shown are indicative and reflect course content for the current academic year. Modules are reviewed annually and may be subject to change.
Modules
Year 1 Core Modules
- Social Science for Sport and Exercise - SPS101
- Introduction to Anatomy and Biomechanics - SPS103
- Introduction to Physiology for Sport and Exercise - SPS102
- Psychology of Exercise and Health - SPS104
- Fundamentals of Coaching - SPS105
- Abertay 101 - Being Successful at Abertay - ABE101
Year 1 MySuccess Modules
- Successful Writing At Abertay - ABE102
- Digital Skills for University and Beyond - ABE103
- Dundee and Me - ABE104
- Research and Enquiry Skills for the Digital Age - ABE105
- How to Sell Your Idea - ABE106
- Planning Your Future Career - ABE107
- Welcome to the CommuniTAY - ABE108
- Wellbeing Tools and Tricks - ABE109
- Numbers for Everday Life - ABE111
Year 2 Core Modules
- SPS201 Psychology for Sport and Exercise
- SPS203 Key Concepts in Sport and Exercise Physiology
- SPS207 Placement and skill development when working with children in a physical activity context
- SPS202 Key Concepts in Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise
- SPS210 Physical Activity for Health and Wellbeing
Year 2 Microcredentials - Term 2
- ABE201 Being Successful at University (For 2nd year entrants)
- ABE202 Co-create (Negotiated Studies)
- ABE203 Anti-Racism in Professional Communications
- ABE204 Mind Your Language: Text Mining and Qualitative Approaches to Language Analysis
- ABE205 AWS Academy Machine Learning Foundation
- ABE206 Sustainability 101
- ABE207 Food for thought
- ABE208 Optimising your professional written communication
- ABE209 Mythbusters: Separating Breakthroughs from Fake News
- ABE210 The Future in Work
- ABE211 Social Enterprise: What, How and Why?
- ABE212 Artificial Intelligence and Society
- ABE213 My AI: Past, Present and Future
- ABE214 Digital Safety and Cybersecurity
- ABE215 Numbers for Success
- ABE216 Creative China: Culture, Regulation and Business
- ABE217 Creativity Matters: Engaging resources for Wellbeing
Year 3 Core Modules
- Fundamentals of Strength Conditioning - SPS305
- Physiological Adaptions for Performance - SPS310
- Applied Biomechanics for Performance - SPS308
- Applied Sport Psychology - SPS306
- Research Methods - SPS312
Year 3 Option Modules
- Work Placement - SPS303
- Social Issues in Sport and Exercise - SPS313
- Health Related Fitness Assessment and Programming - SPS314
Year 4 Core Modules
- Sport Research Project - SPS400
- Advanced Biomechanics and Injury Prevention - SPS402
- Advanced Exercise Physiology - SPS409
Year 4 Option Modules
- Student Negotiated Learning (including work placement option) - Semester 1 - SPS444
- Performance Analysis for Elite Sports - Semester 1 - SPS414
- Duty of Care in Sport - Semester 1 - SPS433
- Advanced Strength and Conditioning - Semester 2 - SPS410
- Contemporary Issues in Sport and Exercise Psychology - Semester 2 - SPS411
How the Course Works
This degree is part of a larger portfolio of five courses covering different specialisms in sport. The initial two-year foundation curriculum is about gaining a foundation in the core areas of Sport and Exercise Sciences and so all five of these courses cover the same curriculum. In those first two years we’ll give you an introduction to core aspects of each course so you can decide where you want to specialise. This means you’ll learn what you want to focus on, and your degree will suit your own interests and career aspirations. And, of course, we’ll advise you every step of the way.
If you want to work in this industry or continue your studies but haven’t worked out exactly what you want to do, this is a great way to start. Our two-year foundation approach means you can keep your options open until you’ve learnt more about what really interests you.
In those first two years we’ll give you an introduction to core aspects of each course so you can decide where you want to specialise. This means you’ll learn what you want to focus on, and your degree will suit your own interests and career aspirations. And, of course, we’ll advise you every step of the way.
Having gained two years of knowledge and discovered your own specialist area, in year three you choose from one of these pathways:
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science
- BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise
- BSc (Hons) Sports Development and Coaching
- BSc (Hons) Strength and Conditioning
- BSc (Hons) Physical Activity and Health
Your chosen course will be reflected in your degree title e.g. BSc (Hons) Sports Development and Coaching.
Remember, you only need to apply for ONE course, as the first two years are the same for everyone.
Shape Your Own Learning Journey
It’s all about flexibility. The first two-year common curriculum means you can keep your options open until you know which area you want to focus on. Don’t worry, our academic team will give you advice and full support when it comes to choosing what to specialise in.
Whichever specialist path you decide on, by the time you graduate you will:
- Understand how to analyse the core issues behind your chosen subject
- Have developed analytical and problem-solving skills, useful in any work environment
- Have learned to work both independently and as part of a team
- Be able to critically evaluate evidence, arguments, and assumptions and reach sound judgements
- Have learned applied professional standards, ethics and responsibilities, including good decision-making
- Developed excellent communication and digital skills so you can share your knowledge effectively across a wide range of audiences
Learning and Assessment
Learning consists of a mixture of lectures, practical laboratory classes, seminars/tutorials and independent study.
The practical laboratory classes offer you the chance to learn relevant scientific techniques first hand, and provide an opportunity to engage in research by designing experiments and collecting and analysing data.
The assessment strategy is aimed at developing a variety of skills that are valued by employers. The vast majority of assessment is by coursework-related submissions, such as lab reports, essays, oral and poster presentations, portfolios, reflective logs and practical tests.
Exams form only a small percentage (approximately 15%) of the overall assessment.
Endorsement
This course is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES), the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK.
Entry Requirements
Subject Requirements
- All new entrants are required to undertake a criminal records check (PVG) at the point of entry to the programme.
- All applicants must have a pass in English and Maths - National 5 grade C or GCSE grade C/4. National 5 Lifeskills Maths/Application of Maths at C accepted in lieu of Maths. Higher Application of Maths at grade C accepted.
UK Entry to Year 1
- Qualification Type | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects
- Higher (standard entry) | BBBC | To include at least one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths at C
- Higher (minimum entry) We may make you an offer at the minimum entry grades if you meet the criteria. Find out if you're eligible for minimum entry (see below). | BBC | To include Biology or Chemistry or Physics or PE or Maths at C
- A-Level | CCC | To include at least one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths, Sport Science and Active Leisure Industry
- T Level | C or higher | in Core Component in one of the following:- Health, Healthcare Science or Science
- Irish Highers | H3H3H3H3 | To include at least one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE or Maths
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Based Programme (IBDP) | 27 Points | To include at least one of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, PE and Maths or Analysis & Approaches at S5 or H4
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) | We encourage applications with the IBCP but understand that your combination of qualifications may differ depending on where you are studying. | We accept the International Baccalaureate Careers-related Programme (IBCP). Any subject requirements must be met as per our published IB Diploma requirements.
- BTEC Extended Diploma | MMM | Sport/Sport and Exercise Sciences
- AHEAD | Successful completion of the relevant stream of our AHEAD programme
- SWAP Access | ABB | Access to: Life Sciences, Health & Life Sciences, Sciences, Biological Sciences, Biological & Biomedical Sciences, University Study (to include all 4 Human Biology units)
- SQA HNC/HND | C | Our College Qualifications pages list approved HNC/HND courses
UK Entry to Year 2
- Qualification Type | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects
- Advanced Higher | ABB | To include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics
- A-Level | ABB | To include PE and Biology or Chemistry or Physics
- BTEC Extended Diploma | D*DD | Sport/Sport & Exercise Sciences
- International Baccalaureate | 34 Points | To include Sports, Health & Exercise Science and Biology or Chemistry or Physics plus one other Higher
- SQA HNC/HND | C/CC | Our College Qualifications pages list approved HNC/HND courses
- BTEC HNC | M | Sport
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) | See next column | If you are taking HNC/HND with one or more Higher Levels IB subjects, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
UK Entry to Year 3
- Qualification | Grade Requirements | Essential Subjects
- SQA HND | C/CC | Our College Qualifications pages list approved HND courses
- BTEC HND | M | Sport
- International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (IBCP) | See next column | If you are taking HNC/HND with one or more Higher Levels IB subjects, your offer will be similar to our BTEC + A Level offer (see 'BTEC National Diploma / Diploma') but with an HL requirement of 6 for A, 5 for B, or 4 for C.
International Entry
- UGPGPreparation
- We accept a wide range of qualifications from applicants from across the world. Please select your country from the searchable list below to view different qualification entry requirements. If you have different qualifications to those listed, please contact us using the form below.
Academic Requirements
- All courses at Abertay University are taught in English. If your first language is not English, you will need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.
- Please see English Language Requirements for the full list of accepted qualifications and further details.
Fees and Funding
- The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you depends on factors such as your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.
- Undergraduate student fees - Scottish Students
- Undergraduate student fees - UK Students (outside Scotland)
- Undergraduate student fees – EU & International Students
Scholarships
- We offer a range of scholarships to help support your studies with us.
- As well as Abertay scholarships for English, Welsh, Northern Irish and international students, there are a range of corporate and philanthropic scholarships available. Some are course specific, many are not. There are some listed below or you can visit the Undergraduate scholarship pages.
Abertay RUK Scholarship: Science and Social Science
- A scholarship for prospective undergraduate Science and Social Science students applying from England, Wales or Northern Ireland.
The Robert Reid Bursary
- Two £1,000 awards for students who have overcome challenges to attend university.
Abertay International Scholarship
- This is an award of up to £12,000 for prospective international undergraduate students.
Get Inspired
- Meet some of our Sports and Exercise Science graduates and find out what they've gone on to do.
Paul Brand
- Paul is currently Head of Performance Analysis at Manchester United Football Club.
Debbi McCulloch
- Debbi is Deputy CEO at Spartans Football Academy.
Discover Uni Dataset
- The Discover Uni dataset (formerly Unistats) is an official source of information about higher education. It collates comparable information in areas students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.