Program Overview

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BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Overview

Become a Sport and Exercise scientist with our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree and you can transform lives and sporting careers.

As Scotland's official University for Sporting Excellence, we place Sport and Exercise Science at the heart of everything we do. We prepare athletes for success on the world stage and improve the health of the nation through physical exercise. It's why we're 1st in Scotland for sports research with 80% of our research in Sport and Exercise Sciences classed as world leading or internationally excellent (REF2021).

Study our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree and you'll learn from our experts in sport and exercise physiology, psychology, biomechanics, nutrition, genetics, medicine, health and physical activity.

Our research and performance analysis laboratories enable you to develop your scientific and practical skills in a world-class learning environment. Our course will prepare you for the many career opportunities available in Sport and Exercise Science. Our research ranges from the molecular to the whole body level.

Our campus features a 50m swimming pool, ten tennis courts and seven sports pitches all on site. The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide named Stirling as the Sports University of the Year in 2020. We have strong partnerships with many national governing bodies of sport and other sporting organisations, some of which are based on campus. We also work alongside community sport and active lifestyle organisations.

Top reasons to study with us

• We're ranked Top 5 in Scotland for Sports Science (The Complete University Guide 2025)
• Our course is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES)
• Excellent performance analysis laboratories and world-class sport facilities used by our Olympian athletes and sport novices alike

Professional accreditation

Our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree is endorsed by the Chartered Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (CASES).

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

• SQA Highers AABB
• GCE A-levels BBB
• IB Diploma 28
• BTEC (Level 3) DDM
• Essential subjects To include one of Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.

• Widening access students Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other Scottish qualifications

• Scottish HNC/HND Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.

The following HNC/HND's can be considered for entry:

• Applied Biological Science
• Applied Science
• Applied Biomedical Science.

If you do not have an HNC/HND in one of these subjects then you are required to have a Higher at Grade B in Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Mathematics or Physics.

• Access courses
  University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

SWAP access course - for mature students only.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

• Foundation Apprenticeships
  Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
• Essential subjects To include one of Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.

Other qualifications

• English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND Merits and Distinctions
• English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
  Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
• Essential subjects To include one of Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics or Physics.

Essential subjects must have been taken within the last five years to ensure your required subject knowledge is current. Recent work experience can be taken into consideration in place of a formal qualification.

International entry requirements

View the entry requirements for your country

Advanced entry

• Year 2 entry
  Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
• Other qualifications
  Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at .

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Course details

Our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree is delivered jointly by the Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport and the Faculty of Natural Sciences, combining a wide range of expertise to ensure an unrivalled student experience.

The course provides you with the knowledge and experience to become a sport and exercise scientist and work in areas such as sport, health or science disciplines, or to pursue a career in research or teaching.

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the academic year that starts in September 2025. Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Teaching

The University of Stirling achieved five stars for teaching in the QS Stars University Ratings 2024. In addition to conventional lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops and laboratory practical sessions, web-based technology is used to support the teaching course.

Assessment

Assessment is by a combination of coursework, group project work, group and individual presentations and examination.

Mode of study

Full-time (three modules per semester).

Part-time (one or two modules per semester).

Flexible learning

Our flexible degree structure means you can study the following modules from the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science individually as stand-alone continuing professional development (CPD) short courses:

• Physiology of Sport and Exercise
• Sports Medicine, Health and Wellbeing

Study abroad

You have the opportunity to study for a semester abroad through Stirling's well-established connections with several international universities.

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

• Scottish students

This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.

You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy and terms and conditions.

• International students (including EU)

Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Funding

• Sports scholarships

Our International Sports Scholarship Programme is one of the largest high-performance sports programmes in the UK.

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

• Students from Scotland

Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.

• Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.

• International students

Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.

After you graduate

Students who graduate from our BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree are prepared for many career opportunities working in sport, exercise, science and beyond. Employers who have benefitted from Stirling graduate expertise include local authorities, commercial and voluntary sport organisations and governing bodies of sport. Some graduates have gone on to postgraduate taught (Masters/MSc) and research degrees (MPhil/PhD).

Discover Uni

Discover Uni provides official data on each university's undergraduate courses, including satisfaction scores from the National Student Survey, details of graduate jobs and salaries, and other key information for prospective students.

• 91% of students were satisfied overall with their course.
• 96% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well.
• 90% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course.

For more official course information visit Discover Uni

What our students said

• Danielle Joyce, Scotland, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science: "I wanted to continue swimming whilst studying and knowing Stirling was the University of Sporting Excellence made me want to study here."
• Markus van der Westhuizen, South Africa, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science: "The ability to shape your own career using the skills taught at Stirling is such a valuable asset"
• James Ross, Northern Ireland, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science: "I was initially attracted to the University of Stirling due to the world renowned reputation for sports and exercise science, alongside amazing sports facilities. Once I came to the open day and saw the campus, I knew where I’d be going!"