Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)

UCAS code C601

Duration

3 Years

3 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College

Want a career where you could play a major role in a top athlete’s success or help an injured or elderly person to walk again? Our Sport and Exercise Science degree leads to lots of exciting opportunities, pushing the boundaries of human performance.

We have graduates who run their own businesses, work for professional football clubs and national sport institutes, and who’ve landed jobs as far afield as the US and Australia. It all began with the skills, experience and connections they developed here at Staffordshire University.

Our degree is also endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), which means we meet rigorous national standards. We’re one of the first in the UK to secure this endorsement for our Strength and Conditioning specialist pathway too.

What’s more, our industry links include associations with professional sports clubs, national governing bodies, healthcare providers and education and training providers.

On the course, you’ll explore the fundamentals of exercise physiology, sport psychology and biomechanics. It will involve practical studies in both laboratory and field settings, using our contacts with a wide range of organisations.

You’ll learn how to apply your skills and knowledge in different ways, so you could be working in elite sport, helping with rehabilitation, or improving health and wellbeing within the community. You could be putting data to use or developing personalised intervention programmes and coaching regimes.

Our facilities include specialist labs for physiology, body composition, biomechanics, and strength and conditioning. From building muscle strength through applying appropriate training principles - including the use of Olympic weightlifting - through to understanding the science of movement and the physiological and psychological demands of human performance and rehabilitation, you’ll get to grips with lots of specialist equipment.

Other opportunities include working for our Peak Condition Service, where you’ll help real athletes under supervision from BASES-accredited staff.

In the second year of the course, you can choose between continuing on a traditional, broad-based Sport and Exercise Science route or taking the BASES-endorsed Strength and Conditioning pathway.

The traditional, broad-based pathway provides comprehensive delivery of all of the BASES core Sport and Exercise Sciences. It provides a range of employability-focused specialisms and specifically provides the initial step for those interested in becoming a Sport and Exercise Psychologist. This BASES-endorsed programme allows students to go onto an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology before pursuing the Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR via BASES) to become a HCPC registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

If you opt for the specialist pathway, you’ll be delving more deeply into how we get the body working better with exercise interventions. It will cover all aspects of strength and conditioning, endurance training, and rehabilitation, while exploring how individuals can achieve optimum performance. The strength and conditioning pathway is mapped against the competencies of the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA).

Our academics bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the degree, including world-class research in areas such as the biomechanics of movement and human performance, physiological considerations for women athletes, and psychological wellbeing and performance under pressure. You can get involved with supporting their research projects, as well as completing your own piece of research for your dissertation.

We have graduates who run their own businesses, work for professional football clubs and national sport institutes, and who’ve landed jobs as far afield as the US and Australia. It all began with the skills, experience and connections they developed here at Staffordshire University.

Our degree is also endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), which means we meet rigorous national standards. We’re one of the first in the UK to secure this endorsement for our Strength and Conditioning specialist pathway too.

What’s more, our industry links include associations with professional sports clubs, national governing bodies, healthcare providers and education and training providers.

On the course, you’ll explore the fundamentals of exercise physiology, sport psychology and biomechanics. It will involve practical studies in both laboratory and field settings, using our contacts with a wide range of organisations.

You’ll learn how to apply your skills and knowledge in different ways, so you could be working in elite sport, helping with rehabilitation, or improving health and wellbeing within the community. You could be putting data to use or developing personalised intervention programmes and coaching regimes.

Our facilities include specialist labs for physiology, body composition, biomechanics, and strength and conditioning. From building muscle strength through applying appropriate training principles - including the use of Olympic weightlifting - through to understanding the science of movement and the physiological and psychological demands of human performance and rehabilitation, you’ll get to grips with lots of specialist equipment.

Other opportunities include working for our Peak Condition Service, where you’ll help real athletes under supervision from BASES-accredited staff.

In the second year of the course, you can choose between continuing on a traditional, broad-based Sport and Exercise Science route or taking the BASES-endorsed Strength and Conditioning pathway.

The traditional, broad-based pathway provides comprehensive delivery of all of the BASES core Sport and Exercise Sciences. It provides a range of employability-focused specialisms and specifically provides the initial step for those interested in becoming a Sport and Exercise Psychologist. This BASES-endorsed programme allows students to go onto an MSc in Sport and Exercise Psychology before pursuing the Sport and Exercise Psychology Accreditation Route (SEPAR via BASES) to become a HCPC registered Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

If you opt for the specialist pathway, you’ll be delving more deeply into how we get the body working better with exercise interventions. It will cover all aspects of strength and conditioning, endurance training, and rehabilitation, while exploring how individuals can achieve optimum performance. The strength and conditioning pathway is mapped against the competencies of the United Kingdom Strength and Conditioning Association (UKSCA) and the International Universities Strength and Conditioning Association (IUSCA).

Our academics bring a wealth of expertise and experience to the degree, including world-class research in areas such as the biomechanics of movement and human performance, physiological considerations for women athletes, and psychological wellbeing and performance under pressure. You can get involved with supporting their research projects, as well as completing your own piece of research for your dissertation.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science or BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science (Strength and Conditioning).

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Work placements

We offer a placement module where students get to put their skills into action with real clients, such as athletes or individuals within community settings. You will receive help with the application process, but the choice of placement is mainly down to you.

Some of our students have gained experience with professional clubs, such as Stoke City FC and Port Vale FC youth academies and women’s teams. Birmingham City FC, Sheffield Wednesday FC and Huddersfield Giants RLFC have also provided opportunities in recent years. In addition, some of our students have gained experience in healthcare settings such as cardiac rehabilitation.

Several of our Sport and Exercise Science students have secured competitive placements abroad, including working at the highest level of collegiate sport in the US. Destinations for work experience have included:

  • Georgetown University in Washington DC
  • University of California in Los Angeles
  • University of North Carolina
  • Nippon Sport Science University in Japan
  • ILEPS in Paris

Students can also join our Sports Academy as a volunteer, helping to deliver physical activity and classroom-based workshops in schools and communities.

Course content

Year 1 will begin by developing your foundation skills in sport and exercise science and research. We’ll introduce physiology, biomechanics and nutrition, the psychology of sport and exercise, strength and conditioning and look at coaching and teaching in sport.

Year 2 will further develop the core sport and exercise sciences of physiology and biomechanics. Students on the traditional pathway also cover advanced sport and exercise psychology, and sports nutrition. Students on our optional strength and conditioning pathway will cover the principles of performance training, periodisation and the human screening and monitoring to enhance performance and reduce injury.

Year 3 will provide the opportunity to further develop core sport and exercise sciences and conduct independent research. Students on the traditional pathway will be introduced to contemporary issues in sport and exercise science and the psychology of competitive performance. Those students who have chosen to focus their interest on strength and conditioning will study specialised modules in the development of human performance and rehabilitation, as well as strength and conditioning for special populations.

Year 1 will begin by developing your foundation skills in sport and exercise science and research. We’ll introduce physiology, biomechanics and nutrition, the psychology of sport and exercise, strength and conditioning and look at coaching and teaching in sport.

Year 2 will further develop the core sport and exercise sciences of physiology and biomechanics. Students on the traditional pathway also cover advanced sport and exercise psychology, and sports nutrition. Students on our optional strength and conditioning pathway will cover the principles of performance training, periodisation and the human screening and monitoring to enhance performance and reduce injury.

Year 3 will provide the opportunity to further develop core sport and exercise sciences and conduct independent research. Students on the traditional pathway will be introduced to contemporary issues in sport and exercise science and the psychology of competitive performance. Those students who have chosen to focus their interest on strength and conditioning will study specialised modules in the development of human performance and rehabilitation, as well as strength and conditioning for special populations.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice.  Our modules are 20 or 40 academic credits. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 12 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.  The full-time course has one start point in September.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice.  Our modules are 20 or 40 academic credits. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 12 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6.  The full-time course has one start point in September.

Professional body accreditation

Recognised by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) for the purposes of endorsement by the BASES Undergraduate Endorsement Scheme (BUES).

BASES logo

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise (BASES).

Paris Olympics 2024: under immense pressure to win, athletes need to practise self-compassion

News

Dr Katie Sparks, Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Psychology, writes for The Conversation

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Standard route

Strength and Conditioning

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

All applicants are individually assessed.

  • Typical UCAS Offer: 48 points
  • A levels: A, DD, EEE
  • BTEC: PPP

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

GO

Facilities

Working in sport, and within a healthcare context, you'll use our first-class facilities for analysing sporting performance, and you'll develop a critical understanding of key areas in sport and exercise science, such as physiology, psychology, and biomechanics.

Careers

Our Sport and Exercise Science graduates have achieved success in sport, teaching, health, and entrepreneurship.

Some have gained jobs with professional football clubs, in roles such as head of sport science, or have gone on to become top-level strength and conditioning coaches in both the UK and overseas.

Others have become lab technicians, sport scientists, personal trainers, cardiac physiologists, and healthcare and exercise professionals working with GP referrals and rehabilitation.

Many graduates decide to continue their studies with postgraduate qualifications, including PhD.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

In line with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists (BASES), with which the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degrees are endorsed, the course employs a multi-disciplinary delivery of all core sport science specialisms (Biomechanics, Physiology, Psychology) as well as the specialist Strength and Conditioning pathway.

A modular framework of lectures, seminars and tutorials is supported by practical sessions whereby theoretical knowledge can be further developed into applied practice in both field and laboratory settings.

All sessions are delivered by subject specialists and professional technical support staff; these experiences allow the students to show case and further develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject area in applied conditions.

The students are provided ample opportunities take lead roles in the delivery of practical sessions as they develop and are actively encouraged to take ownership of their own progress under the supervision and guidance of academic staff.

Augmenting the professional skills in the use of technologies is the development of communication and soft skills essential in the professional environment of Sport and Exercise Science be it in elite sport or community well-being settings.

Student development on the course is inextricably linked with enhanced employability through the transferable nature of both technical and soft skills involved.

Course theoretical content delivery is supported through the application of technology enhanced learning using a wide range of current market leading teaching applications. The full suite of Microsoft Office 365 platforms, such as Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Sway, Teams, OneDrive, MS Forms are efficiently utilised to exploit their individual usefulness in providing learning experiences. Students will develop a mastery of the use of such applications that is transferable to the workplace, enhancing students’ employability. A virtual learning environment, Blackboard, controls the delivery of indicative teaching and learning content on-line to support face to face teaching. Blackboard also provides a platform for effective and transparent assignment submissions and students’ feedback.

In line with the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists (BASES), with which the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science degrees are endorsed, the course employs a multi-disciplinary delivery of all core sport science specialisms (Biomechanics, Physiology, Psychology) as well as the specialist Strength and Conditioning pathway.

A modular framework of lectures, seminars and tutorials is supported by practical sessions whereby theoretical knowledge can be further developed into applied practice in both field and laboratory settings.

All sessions are delivered by subject specialists and professional technical support staff; these experiences allow the students to show case and further develop their knowledge and understanding of the subject area in applied conditions.

The students are provided ample opportunities take lead roles in the delivery of practical sessions as they develop and are actively encouraged to take ownership of their own progress under the supervision and guidance of academic staff.

Augmenting the professional skills in the use of technologies is the development of communication and soft skills essential in the professional environment of Sport and Exercise Science be it in elite sport or community well-being settings.

Student development on the course is inextricably linked with enhanced employability through the transferable nature of both technical and soft skills involved.

Course theoretical content delivery is supported through the application of technology enhanced learning using a wide range of current market leading teaching applications. The full suite of Microsoft Office 365 platforms, such as Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, Sway, Teams, OneDrive, MS Forms are efficiently utilised to exploit their individual usefulness in providing learning experiences. Students will develop a mastery of the use of such applications that is transferable to the workplace, enhancing students’ employability. A virtual learning environment, Blackboard, controls the delivery of indicative teaching and learning content on-line to support face to face teaching. Blackboard also provides a platform for effective and transparent assignment submissions and students’ feedback.

Assessment

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Year 1

20% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
81% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Year 2

19% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
81% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Year 3

12% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
88% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

Year 1

17% practical assessments
50% coursework
33% written exams

Year 2

17% practical assessments
67% coursework
17% written exams

Year 3

32% practical assessments
68% coursework
0% written exams

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Andrew Wilkinson

Lecturer Sport And Exercise Psychology

I am a lecturer in sport and exercise psychology whose research area focusses on psychophysiological stress and performance under pressure.

Andrew's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Tuition fees for BSc (Hons)-Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
  • DBS checks where required for assessed modules 
  • Loan of subject related requirement where required for modules
  • DBS checks where required for assessed modules 
  • Loan of subject related requirement where required for modules
Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
  • Text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.
  • Printing
  • Travel costs to and from placements. We will have available placements within travel distance from the campus, or within proximity of your address
  • Clothing suitable for placements and facilities
  • Any optional field trips
  • Text books are available from the library, but some students chose to purchase their own copies.
  • Printing
  • Travel costs to and from placements. We will have available placements within travel distance from the campus, or within proximity of your address
  • Clothing suitable for placements and facilities
  • Any optional field trips
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

If you are talented athlete, coach or official you could qualify for one of our sport scholarship or development schemes through our High Performance Academy.

You may also be eligible for other scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

All the staff I have met have been supportive and friendly throughout my three years at Staffs.

The available equipment in the labs and having the chance to not only conduct tests but also participate in them has been useful. Additionally, having a library open 24 hours is helpful as I find I work better outside of the house, and other spaces around the university to complete work during breaks. The gym in the Stanley Matthews Sport Centre also has a range of good quality equipment, which is useful to have on campus.

All the staff I have met have been supportive and friendly throughout my three years at Staffs, always responding to emails and giving individual support if needed.

Rebecca Twardochleb

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

The best parts of studying Sport Science at University of Staffordshire was gaining a hands-on experience, whether that was operating equipment in the physiology and biomechanics labs or coaching new skills to a group of students.

Megan Goodfellow

Student, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

The lecturers are very supportive and make the subjects really easy to understand.

I’ve always had a huge interest in sport and I enjoy every part, especially practical work. I’d definitely recommend this course. You get to use a lot of new and quality equipment and the facilities are really good. The lecturers are very supportive and make the subjects really easy to understand

Kian Lawton

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

The best thing about my course was the practical sessions in physiology so you actually saw how things worked. It's not just reading about it - you experienced it yourself.

Nicole Harrison

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

This whole experience has been amazing. I couldn’t have gone to a better uni.

This whole experience has been amazing. I couldn’t have gone to a better uni. There’s a thing called Peak Conditioning where we can use everything that we’ve learnt with real life situations, so we’ve had the public come in and we’ve done testing on them and it’s been really fun and interesting.  

Emilie Mae Torlotin

BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date Apply Link
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

Information from discover uni

Have you considered?

in the UK for Quality Education

Sustainable Development Goal 4, Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024

for Career Prospects

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Facilities

Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2023

for Social Inclusion

The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023

of Research Impact is ‘Outstanding’ or ‘Very Considerable’

Research Excellence Framework 2021

of Research is “Internationally Excellent” or “World Leading”

Research Excellence Framework 2021

Four Star Rating

QS Star Ratings 2021