Sport and Exercise Science

Study options

Award

BSc (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code:
C601
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College
Study option:
Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Full-time, with a foundation year at City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College
Duration:
3 Years
Duration:
4 Years
Start date:
13 September 2021
School:
School of Life Sciences and Education

91% student satisfaction with teaching on the course

National Student Survey 2019

Outstanding facilities

You'll learn in our Peak Condition Clinic and Biomechanics Facilities

Specialist laboratories

Our facilities include specialist laboratories and clinics to give you hands on experience

You’ll use cutting-edge sport and exercise science to succeed in the industry, whether that’s maximising the performance of athletes or improving the health and wellbeing of the community.

In the first year of your degree you will cover the fundamental principles of sport and exercise science including exercise physiology, sport psychology, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, coaching and research/academic skills providing you with a broad foundation of understanding to further develop and build upon in years 2 and 3.

In year 2, you will have the option to complete this degree in one of two ways: You can either remain on the broad-based sport and exercise science course, or you can choose our optional pathway which will allow you to focus on the specialist area of strength and conditioning.

Whichever route you take through your sport and exercise science degree, upon completion, you will be ideally placed for graduate employment or postgraduate study.

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.

We’ve invested over half a million pounds on updating and building new sport and exercise laboratories, to provide state-of-the-art facilities for your learning.

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise (BASES), although does not currently include the new strength and conditioning pathway.

In the first year of your degree you will cover the fundamental principles of sport and exercise science including exercise physiology, sport psychology, biomechanics, strength and conditioning, coaching and research/academic skills providing you with a broad foundation of understanding to further develop and build upon in years 2 and 3.

In year 2, you will have the option to complete this degree in one of two ways: You can either remain on the broad-based sport and exercise science course, or you can choose our optional pathway which will allow you to focus on the specialist area of strength and conditioning.

Whichever route you take through your sport and exercise science degree, upon completion, you will be ideally placed for graduate employment or postgraduate study.

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.

We’ve invested over half a million pounds on updating and building new sport and exercise laboratories, to provide state-of-the-art facilities for your learning.

The BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise (BASES), although does not currently include the new strength and conditioning pathway.

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

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

Work placements

The Sport and Exercise Department works with local, regional and national employers alongside international university partners to provide students with placement and work experience opportunities both in the UK and abroad. In 2018/19 our students visited Nippon Sport Science University in Japan and we are currently planning this years’ trip to ILEPS in Paris.

Course content

Throughout this course, your practical skills will be developed by working in both laboratory and field settings, and by using our first-class facilities to plan, design and carry out analysis and interpretation of human performance.

There will also be the opportunity to work in our Peak Condition service under the supervision of BASES-accredited staff. You will develop your interpersonal skills through working with real athletes and with individuals in a healthcare context or community setting – all so that you can communicate eloquently, both verbally and in writing.

 Year 1 will begin by developing your research skills in sport and exercise. 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 topics include research and graduate employability in sport and exercise, advanced sport and exercise psychology, physiological and nutritional processes and mechanisms, as well as biomechanics and kinesiology. Students on our optional strength and conditioning pathway will also cover principles of strength and conditioning and performance lifestyle.

In addition to focusing on personal and professional development in sport and exercise (which allows you to do an independent project), Year 3 of our broad-based degree provides a choice of core and sports option modules to help tailor your expertise. Those students who have chosen to focus their interest on strength and conditioning will study specialised modules in this area.

Throughout this course, your practical skills will be developed by working in both laboratory and field settings, and by using our first-class facilities to plan, design and carry out analysis and interpretation of human performance.

There will also be the opportunity to work in our Peak Condition service under the supervision of BASES-accredited staff. You will develop your interpersonal skills through working with real athletes and with individuals in a healthcare context or community setting – all so that you can communicate eloquently, both verbally and in writing.

 Year 1 will begin by developing your research skills in sport and exercise. 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 topics include research and graduate employability in sport and exercise, advanced sport and exercise psychology, physiological and nutritional processes and mechanisms, as well as biomechanics and kinesiology. Students on our optional strength and conditioning pathway will also cover principles of strength and conditioning and performance lifestyle.

In addition to focusing on personal and professional development in sport and exercise (which allows you to do an independent project), Year 3 of our broad-based degree provides a choice of core and sports option modules to help tailor your expertise. Those students who have chosen to focus their interest on strength and conditioning will study specialised modules in this area.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15-credit modules. 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, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. 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. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15-credit modules. 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, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. 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
Emilie Mae Torlotin - BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Emilie Mae Torlotin - BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Video

Graduate Emilie Mae talks about how facilities such as the Peak Condition Clinic has helped to prepare her for a job in industry.

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.

Year 2 compulsory modules
Biomechanics & Kinesiology 30 credits
Physiological And Nutritional Processes And Mechanisms 30 credits
Principles Of Strength And Conditioning, Periodisation And Performance Lifestyle 30 credits
Research And Graduate Employability In Sport And Exercise 30 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Applied Strength And Conditioning For Sports Performance And Rehabilitation 30 credits
Paediatric Strength And Conditioning 15 credits
Personal And Professional Development In Sport And Exercise 30 credits
Placement: Sport And Exercise Science 30 credits
Sports Nutrition 15 credits

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.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Coaching In Sport 30 credits
Introduction To Sport Science 30 credits
Social Aspects Of Sport 30 credits
Study Skills And Research Methods 30 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Academic And Employability Skills In Sport And Exercise 15 credits
Coaching And Teaching In Sport 15 credits
Developing Research Skills In Sport And Exercise 15 credits
Fundamentals Of Exercise Physiology, Biomechanics And Strength 30 credits
Fundamentals Of Nutrition And Metabolism 15 credits
Fundamentals Of The Psychology Of Sport And Exercise 15 credits
Show 2 optional modules

Entry requirements

  • Typical UCAS Offer: 112. plus grade C or above in Maths GCSE
  • A Level: BBC
  • BTEC: DMM

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.

Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University

Sport and Exercise at Staffordshire University

Video

Find out more about the great range of Sport and Exercise undergraduate degrees available at Staffordshire University.

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.

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Facilities

Physiology and Nutrition

Our Physiology and Nutrition laboratories hold an array of apparatus, which allows us to teach endurance capability/cardio-pulmonary fitness, maximal intensity exercise performance, muscular strength and power and much more. Our facilities allow our students to gain a hands-on approach to laboratory work and research.

Careers

Graduates from our Sport and Exercise Science degree have gone on to be:

  • Sports scientists (sports psychologists, exercise physiologists, and biomechanists) working with professional clubs and athletes
  • Healthcare and exercise professionals working with GP referrals and in rehabilitation
  • Personal trainers working with recreational athletes
  • Entrepreneurs in sport and leisure, setting up their own companies
  • Cardiac physiologists in NHS settings

Others have continued their studies to Masters or PhD level.

Sport and Exercise students visit Nippon Sport Science University, Japan

Sport and Exercise students visit Nippon Sport Science University, Japan

Video

Discover what happened when a number of our Sport and Exercise students and staff visited the prestigious Nippon Sport Science University in Japan.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course.

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 (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility 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

21% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
79% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 2

21% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
79% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 3

18% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
82% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

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

5% practical exams
63% coursework
33% written exams

Year 2

6% practical exams
81% coursework
13% written exams

Year 3

13% practical exams
81% coursework
6% 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.

Dr Jacky Forsyth

Associate Professor (Tef)

Dr Jacky Forsyth is a Senior Lecturer in exercise physiology. She conducts a wide range of leading research around women in sport and exercise, and specialises in the relationship between ovarian hormones, exercise and health. Her research into …

Jacky's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 13 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £14,000 per year of study

For the course starting on 13 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands
Full-time To be confirmed

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.

International students: Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course, as long as you complete it in the normal time-frame (i.e. no repeat years or breaks in study).

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 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 are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

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 visiting: www.gov.uk

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.

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

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 Staffordshire University 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.

Many extra opportunities were also provided to develop vital skills, which in turn lead to better career prospects: A variety of coaching courses/badges are made available and opportunities to work with ‘real’ clients in the peak condition clinic are readily available - all things which look great on your CV.

Megan Goodfellow

Student, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

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

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
Stoke-on-Trent campus BSc (Hons) Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus 13 September 2021 Apply now

Rules and regulations

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

Students of Staffordshire University 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.

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