Program Overview

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Sport and Exercise Nutrition - BSc (Hons)

Overview

The aim of this programme is to provide suitable academic training relating to the foundation of biosciences for the study of sport and exercise nutrition (SEN). Work-based learning will be a major focus of the programme highlighting the wealth of professional roles within sport and exercise nutrition practice.

Summary

The food and fluid which an athlete consumes before, during, and after training and competition affects health, body mass and body composition, as well as performance in, and, recovery from, the effects of exercise. As such, an optimum diet can help to maximise sport performance.

An increased level of participation in physical activity, exercise and sport also helps to improve the health and well-being of our sedentary general population. Increased physical activity can help to reduce obesity, the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and osteoporosis, and can play a role in promoting mental health. Sound knowledge and practical application of sport and exercise nutrition can ensure a healthy balance between exercise and diet of individuals and groups of individuals at all levels of fitness.

About this course

About

Diet and nutrition significantly affect sport performance. The food and fluid which an athlete consumes before, during, and after training and competition affects health, body mass and body composition, as well as performance in, and, recovery from, the effects of exercise. As such, an optimum diet can help to maximise sport performance.

An increased level of participation in physical activity, exercise and sport also helps to improve the health and well-being of our sedentary general population. Increased physical activity can help to reduce obesity, the risk of heart disease, some cancers, and osteoporosis, and can play a role in promoting mental health. Sound knowledge and practical application of sport and exercise nutrition can ensure a healthy balance between exercise and diet of individuals and groups of individuals at all levels of fitness.

The aim of this programme is to provide suitable academic training relating to the foundation of biosciences for the study of sport and exercise nutrition (SEN). This course will provide knowledge relating to the biosciences of sport and exercise nutrition, critical awareness and transferable skills for job opportunities in the wider nutrition and sports industry. It will also equip those with aspirations to work in the area of sports nutrition with the knowledge required before pursuing a one year Masters of Science postgraduate course (at Ulster) or other institution before securing practitioner registration to practice as a registered sport and exercise nutritionist.

Course Structure

Year 1

• Principles of anatomy and physiology;
• Study skills for professional development;
• Chemistry and pharmacology;
• Introduction to sport and exercise nutrition;
• Biochemistry; and
• Sport and Exercise Psychology

Year 2

• Nutrition through the lifecycle;
• Assessment of nutritional status;
• Physiology of sport and exercise;
• Employability in sport and exercise nutrition;
• Integrated exercise physiology and nutrition; and
• Food science and professional practice in sports nutrition

Year 3

The third year will be an optional placement in sport/sport and exercise nutrition setting (25-week minimum).

Final Year

• Nutrition research methodology;
• Exercise metabolism;
• Sport and exercise nutrition;
• Performance nutrition;
• Nutrition for health and disease prevention and;
• Dissertation project in sport and exercise nutrition.

Associate awards

• Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Attendance

Full time attendance for 3 academic years (semesters one and two) plus optional placement year.

Start dates

• September 2025

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Attendance and Independent Study

As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. A course handbook and other course related material is made available on the course support area to guide you through your studies.

Assessment

Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. For this course, the assessment will be a combination of coursework and examinations. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessment. The precise assessment will depend on the module and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Coursework can take many forms, for example: video cooking demonstration, essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, discussion board or portfolio. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification and the assessment timetable. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.

Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised.

Academic profile

The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.

Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).

We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.

The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.

Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.

Modules

Year one

• Biochemistry
• Chemistry and Pharmacology
• Foundations for Future Success
• Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
• Principles of Anatomy and Physiology
• Introduction to Sport and Exercise Nutrition

Year two

• Food science
• Assessment of Nutritional Status
• Nutrition Through the Lifecycle
• Physiology of Sport and Exercise
• Professional Practice in Performance Nutrition
• Integrated techniques in exercise physiology and nutrition
• My Employability Enhancement

Year three

• Nutrition Research Methodology
• Food, Nutrition and Dietetics Research project
• Exercise Metabolism
• Nutrition for Health and Disease Prevention
• Performance Nutrition
• Sport and Exercise Nutrition Placement - Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP)
• Sport and Exercise Nutrition Placement - Diploma in International Academic Studies (DIAS)

Year four

• Sport and Exercise Nutrition

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

CCC

Subject specific requirement: At least one subject from Nutrition and Food Science, Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Physics or Environmental Technology.

PE or Single Award Life & Health Sciences only acceptable where accompanied by AS level in Chemistry, Physics, Maths or Biology (Grade C or above).

Provided the above subject requirement is met you can substitute a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University for one of the A level grades.

Applied General Qualifications

Only science-based BTECs accepted

• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Applied Science
• Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science
• OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma in Applied Science

Irish Leaving Certificate

96 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include H3 in one subject from Physical Education, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Biology or Home Economics.

English and Maths grade H6 or above (Higher Level) or Grade O4 or above (Ordinary Level)

Scottish Highers

CCCCC including at least 1 subject at grade C from Sport, Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Applied Science, Physics, Home Economics.

English & Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.

Scottish Advanced Highers

DDD including at least 1 subject from Sport, Biology, Chemistry, Maths, Applied Science, Physics, Home Economics.

English & Maths required at Standard Grade 1, 2 or 3.

International Baccalaureate

minimum 24 points to include 12 points at higher level to include at least 5 points in one of: Sport, Chemistry, Maths, Physics, Biology, Home Economics.

Higher or Subsidiary level in English Language and Maths required at Grade 4 or above.

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Only science-based programmes are accepted.

Overall profile of at least 60% (120 credits) including 60% in each level 3 module (NI Access Couse)*

Overall profile of at least 45 credits at Merit (GB Access Course)*

GCSE

For full time study you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass in English Language at Grade C/grade 4 or above (or equivalent). Also you must hold a GCSE pass in Mathematics at grade C or above (or equivalent) and either Double Award Science (grade CC) or Chemistry (grade C) or above.

Please note that for purposes of entry to this course the Level 2 Essential / Key Skill in Application of Number is NOT regarded as an acceptable alternative to GCSE Maths.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

Job roles

• International Aid Worker
• Food Technologist
• Community Nutrition Education Officer
• Nutritionist
• Personal Trainer
• Health Promotion Officer

Career options

Increasingly recognised as a vital part of public and individual health, sports nutrition graduates use their skills to help people and communities make the right dietary choices. Whilst this programme is not envisaged as a vocational course, the specialist knowledge and graduate level skills that it provides will enhance opportunities for attaining employment in a variety of areas. Graduates can pursue careers in the following contexts: educational welfare, local government, educational and community development, social/educational research, medical sales; further and higher education, nutrition, as well as training roles in business-contexts, in health services and in physical activity and health. Typically, graduates will find themselves in roles where they use their graduate skills to create learning/training content and supporting materials, to teach/advise a variety of population sectors e.g. young people, athletes and gym users using a variety of traditional and online tools. As aforementioned, there is also opportunity to follow the undergraduate programme with further study of SEN at Ulster by completing the PgD/MSc SEN (accredited programme) to become a registered sport and exercise nutritionist.

• Sport and Exercise Nutritionist (by completing PgD/MSc SEN at Ulster/other and seeking professional accreditation)
• Nutritionist
• Community nutrition education officer
• Food technologist
• Health Improvement practitioner
• International aid/development worker
• Medical Sales representative
• Health promotion officer
• Catering manager (for sports teams)
• Product development scientist

Work placement / study abroad

The third year will be an optional placement in sport/sport and exercise nutrition setting (25-week minimum).

students not taking the placement year, can progress into their final year

Fees and funding

Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and EU Settlement Status Fees

£4,855.00

England, Scotland, Wales and the Islands Fees

£9,535.00

International Fees

£17,010.00

Additional mandatory costs

Students will need access to Nutritics software for nutritional analysis (estimated cost £20).

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.