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Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons)

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    Overview

    Our Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons) degree aims to develop your scientific and critical understanding of issues relevant to sport and exercise, to improve both performance and health. It brings together a diverse and fascinating range of subjects, including anatomy, biomechanics, physiology, psychology, and nutrition.

    You’ll learn how the body responds and adapts to exercise, how to optimise sport performance and how to promote positive behaviour change to improve health. You’ll use the fantastic range of facilities and specialist equipment in our biomechanics and physiology laboratories: from measuring fitness through gas analysis and muscle strength through isokinetic dynamometry, to measuring reaction forces on the Kistler Force Plate, and capturing high-speed movements on our 3D motion analysis system.

    Why study Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons)

    As well as delving into sport and exercise science on campus, you’ll gain real-world experience on a work placement in your second year, while also putting the skills and knowledge gained on the course to the test. This provides the opportunity to gain valuable real-world experience that employers are looking for in graduates. In your final year you’ll complete a student-led research project.

    You’ll be taught by lecturers with a wealth of experience, who are research active and helping to shape real-world practice, meaning you’ll learn the very latest industry knowledge.

    Reflecting our commitment to equipping you with the skills, knowledge and experience needed to effectively transition into roles in the sector, this course is endorsed by The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES)’ undergraduate scheme, BUES. It’s endorsed, also, by Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA)*. This enables you to gain industry-recognised standards and qualifications (including gym instructor or personal trainer, and work with people with long-term conditions) that are recognised by major employers in the sector aligned to your degree.

    Following your degree, you could go on to work in sports science support and strength and conditioning, as well as a physical activity coordinator, performance analyst, health advisor, sports development officer, personal trainer, exercise referral specialist, or after further training, a teacher or lecturer in educational settings or a researcher.

    If you’re interested in everything from sports performance to sports training, wellbeing, health-related behaviours, biomechanics, anatomy, physiology, this sports degree could help satisfy your passion for these subjects and more.

    *Whilst studying the course, you can apply for annual student membership at a cost of just £5 per student (83 per cent saving). This provides access to e-learning, work placements, volunteering, job opportunities, and more. On successful completion of the course, you’ll be eligible to apply for CIMSPA graduate membership, at your own expense.

    Entry requirements

    To find out if you’re eligible to start this course in September 2025 and get more information on how to apply, please see our Clearing pages or call our Clearing Helpline on 0333 987 9000.

    If you’re interested in studying this course in September 2026, please view the 2026-27 course information.

    Course Detail

    Core modules:

    Foundations of Anatomy and Physiology in Sport and Exercise

    Two branches of science, anatomy and physiology provide the foundation for understanding the body’s parts and functions. You'll be supported to develop an underpinning knowledge and understanding of the human body systems that are of most relevance to sport, exercise and health, as well as homeostatic control and how this relates to the pathophysiology of disease.

    Foundations of Bioenergetics Metabolism and Nutrition

    You'll be provided with a foundation knowledge within the area of nutrition, bioenergetics and metabolism. The relationship between what we eat, and nutrition will be explored by looking at the importance of the food groups that make up the diet, the nutritional needs for different population groups and the link between diet and disease. You'll also look at the role of macronutrients in the diet in terms of how energy is provided and metabolised.

    Foundations of Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise

    Biomechanics is the study of the forces acting on and produced by the body. You'll be supported to develop an understanding of the academic and practical skills required of a sport and exercise scientist, providing you with knowledge to interpret biomechanical principles that govern human motion. Biomechanics is one of the key sport and exercise science disciplines recognised by British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

    Foundations of Psychology for Sport and Exercise

    This module will investigate how people think, feel and behave in a sport and exercise context. You’ll have the opportunity to improve diet, exercise and physical activity levels, and gain an understanding of psychological skills and their influence on sports performance and exercise and dietary behaviour.

    Foundations of Coaching

    In this module you'll explore the specific roles of the coach in the context of youth sport. You'll be provided with opportunities to develop practical skills including communication and demonstration skills. It will also help you gain an understanding of underpinning principles of coaching including models of youth development, positive youth development through sport, and coaching styles.

    Research Methods 1

    This module focuses on establishing an understanding of the research process and developing the academic skills required to progress in higher education and successfully complete the course. You'll examine essential areas such as essay and report writing, referencing and the use of Summon in searching for information. You'll explore concepts of research design and the research process and you'll identify where support can be accessed to enable academic progression. This module will also introduce key concepts in Professional Practice to support future career goals.

    Core modules:

    Biomechanics and Performance Analysis for Sport and Exercise Sciences

    Biomechanics is one of the key sport and exercise science disciplines recognised by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences. Within this module you'll build on your understanding of the basic Biomechanical principles and will be supported in your development of an understanding of how these principles can be applied to real life situations. You'll also be introduced to more advanced aspects of biomechanical theory and practice.

    Nutrition for Exercise and Health

    In the first part of the module you'll learn about the nutritional and metabolic significance of energy and the role of the macro and micronutrients in the body. This will include their function, requirements, dietary sources and the effects of deficiency and toxicity. In the second part of the module you'll apply this knowledge to explore the relationships between diet and disease. This will include looking at the link between diet and diseases of affluence including obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Factors influencing the nutritional status of individuals through the life cycle will also be considered, for example during pregnancy through to older adults.

    Physiology for Sport and Exercise Science

    The body is an incredibly advanced and complex machine. Millions of processes occur at any given time, from the cellular level all the way up to whole-body level; and that is just at rest. When the body is ‘challenged’ by physical exertion, our nervous system and muscles become more active, initiating an exciting and intricate series of processes. This module is designed to expose you to classic and contemporary issues in sport and exercise physiology, uncovering both the fascinating way our body reacts to exercise, and how this can be harnessed and trained to improve athletic performance and our general health.

    Psychology for Sport and Exercise Science

    You'll be introduced to a variety of methods and approaches that are widely used in sport and exercise psychology when working with population groups. In sport psychology, you'll apply and evaluate sport psychology theory in a practical coaching setting. In exercise psychology, you'll explore why many individuals do not meet current recommended physical activity levels and look at theories of motivating and encouraging them to do so. You'll learn how to conduct, transcribe and interpret an interview in a sport and exercise psychology setting. You'll also consider and evaluate the implications of these approaches.

    Research Methods 2

    This module will help you further develop the skills and knowledge of research methods you learnt in Year 1, supporting you to produce a more considered research proposal for your final year project. You'll focus on the applications of research methods to different kinds of problems, allowing experiential learning to take place. This will help you to become better equipped to undertake your own research and offer a critique of the research of others.

    Work Placement

    This module provides the opportunity to gain work experience in an industry placement and develop an understanding of the core purpose and management of the organisation. You’ll complete 100 hours on placement where you'll identify, develop and maintain a role as a working member of the team, appreciating the rights and responsibilities of yourself and the organisation.

    Core modules:

    Applied Research Methods

    You'll have the opportunity to develop practical research skills by investigating a specific aspect of sport, exercise or nutrition by reviewing the most up-to-date research literature available. You'll produce a project, which will be individually negotiated with a university appointed supervisor and, in some cases, an employer or work-based supervisor who will provide ongoing support. All research projects will be approved by the University’s School Research and Ethics Panel.

    Applied Physiology for Sport & Exercise

    This module is designed to give you an advanced understanding of human physiology within a sport and exercise context. Building on study in Years 1 and 2, you will explore how we respond and adapt to sport and exercise in a variety of contexts. You will also explore the scientific evidence for using an active lifestyle as a treatment for a range of long-term conditions, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and cancer, to develop the knowledge and skills to plan safe and effective exercise interventions.

    Applied Biomechanics for Sport and Exercise

    In this module you'll focus on the practical application of basic and advanced principles of biomechanics. Application of biomechanical principles can aid athletes and coaches in improving performance and technique, as well as aiding recovery and rehabilitation. You'll be supported in both the development of your practical skills and in your understanding and interpretation of data produced from biomechanical tests.

    Applied Sport Psychology

    This module explores current practice in applied sport psychology and will introduce you to intervention techniques that are widely used. You'll have the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained in this module to undertake problem solving and design appropriate interventions.

    Option modules:

    Strength and Conditioning and Sports Rehabilitation

    The role of a strength and conditioning coach is one that is constantly evolving, requiring not only the ability to coach, but also the ability to critically understand developments in the science of exercise training and injury management. This module will explore the scientific principles that underpin effective application of strength and conditioning training interventions to optimise and develop training programmes. It will also introduce you to information and skills that provide the framework for making judgements to deliver appropriate remedial and rehabilitation advice throughout all stages of the recovery process, considering common sport and exercise injuries and their management.

    Sport Nutrition: Research and Practice

    What we eat affects our health; for athletes, the optimum diet is essential for optimum performance. Consequently, nutrition is of direct relevance to sport, exercise and health professionals. Throughout this module you'll be encouraged to develop the knowledge, understanding and skills necessary to critically evaluate nutritional requirements and to give evidence-based advice to a range of individuals within sport, exercise and health.

    On average 18% of study time on this course is spent with your tutors (either face to face or online) in lectures, seminars, tutorials etc. You'll be taught through seminars, group work, practical experience, tutorials, independent study and lectures. Assessment will include of coursework, practice/ competency based learning and examinations.

    Your module specification/course handbook will provide full details of the assessment criteria applying to your course.

    Feedback (usually written) is normally provided on all coursework submissions within three term time weeks unless the submission was made towards the end of the session in which case feedback would be available after the formal publication of results. Feedback on exam performance is available on request after the publication of results.

    Full-time or part-time study

    You can choose to study this course on a full or part-time basis. Our part-time students attend modules at the same time as our full-time students, alongside the standard full-time timetable. This course is not available to study on a part-time basis on an evening, at the weekend, or via distance learning.

    Further information

    The teaching year normally starts in September with breaks at Christmas and Easter, finishing with a main examination/assessment period around May/June. Timetables are normally available one month before registration. As this is a full-time course, you may have to attend every day of the week.

    Your course is made up of modules and each module is worth a number of credits. Each year you study modules to the value of 120 credits, adding up to 360 credits in total for a bachelor’s qualification. These credits can come from a combination of core, compulsory and optional modules but please note that optional modules may not run if we do not have enough students interested.

    If you achieve 120 credits for the current stage you are at, you may progress to the next stage of your course, subject to any professional, statutory or regulatory body guidelines.

    1. The University of Huddersfield has been rated Gold in all three aspects of the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023. We were the only university in Yorkshire and the Humber and the North West to achieve Gold ratings in all three aspects of the TEF among those announced in September 2023. In fact only 13 Universities, out of the 96 that were announced in September 2023, were Gold in all three ratings.

    2. Further proof of teaching excellence: our staff rank in the top three in England for the proportion who hold doctorates, who have higher degrees, and hold teaching qualifications (HESA 2024). So, you’ll learn from some of the best, helping you to be the best.

    3. We are first in the country for National Teaching Fellowships, which mark the UK’s best lecturers in Higher Education, winning a total of 22 since 2008 (2023 data).

    4. We won the first Global Teaching Excellence Award, recognising the University’s commitment to world-class teaching and its success in developing students as independent learners and critical thinkers (Higher Education Academy, 2017).

    At Huddersfield, you'll study the Global Professional Award (GPA) alongside your degree* so that you gain valuable qualities and experiences that could help you to get the career you want, no matter what your field of study is. On completion of the Award, you'll receive a GPA certificate from the University of Huddersfield, alongside the specialist subject skills and knowledge you gain as part of your degree, which may help to set you apart from other graduates.

    Giving students access to the Global Professional Award is one of the reasons the University won ‘Best University Employability Strategy’ award at the National Graduate Recruitment Awards 2021. Find out more on the Global Professional Award webpage.

    *full-time, undergraduate first degrees with a minimum duration of three years. This does not include postgraduate, foundation, top-up, accelerated or apprenticeship degrees.

    Placements

    The course includes a compulsory 140-hour work placement in your second year, in an appropriate environment, helping you to relate theory to practice and develop skills in a real work context. The teaching staff have developed excellent links with local employers and can provide assistance in finding a suitable placement.

    Previous placement providers have included strength and conditioning, professional sports clubs (performance analysis and sport science support), primary and secondary schools, further education colleges, local authority sport development and physical activity units, primary care trusts, research assistants and private physical activity and sport providers. The University also has strong links with local professional sports clubs, so there may be opportunities for you to work with these athletes, for example Huddersfield Town FC and Huddersfield Giants.

    For more information visit our placements page.

    I undertook two placements, one at Huddersfield Giants RLFC as the strength and conditioner of the academy team, and the other at Halifax RLFC working alongside the head coach and the first team providing performance analysis stats for the team during and post-match.

    None

    Kim Field, graduated Sport Science BSc(Hons) in 2018, now Performance Analyst at Halifax RLFC

    Biomechanics facility equipped with force plates
    Scientific treadmills, gas and blood analysers
    Computer facilities with performance analysis
    Velotron cycle ergometer
    The Kistler Force Plate with Simi Motion Cameras
    Watt Bike's in-built tests help establish training
    Cosmos Pulsar Treadmill and Cortex System
    MaxRack used for practical strength training tests
    F-Scan provides foot function and gait analyse
    Cybex NORM rehabilitation and testing system
    The Bod POD measures individual's body composition
    RS-Scan for dynamic and static plantar pressure

    Discover more about the course

    Your Career

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    Professional links and accreditation

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    Student Support

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    Further Study

    Learn about pursuing a Master’s or PhD at Huddersfield.

    Research Excellence

    See how our innovative research shapes what you'll learn.

    Important information

    We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

    Changes to a course you have applied for

    If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

    Cancellation of a course you have applied for

    Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

    Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

    We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

    Changes to option modules

    Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

    Major changes

    We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

    For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

    Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    Termination of course

    In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

    When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

    Equal opportunities

    The University of Huddersfield is an equal opportunities institution. We aim to create conditions where staff and students are treated solely on the basis of their merits, abilities and potential, regardless of gender, age, race, caste, class, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital status, disability, sexual orientation, family responsibility, trade union activity, political or religious belief, or age. Please visit our website to see our Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy

    Data protection

    The University holds personal data on all enquirers, applicants and enrolled students. All such data is kept and processed in accordance with the provisions of the Data Protection Legislation. The University’s Data Protection Policy and Privacy Notices are available on the University website.

    Students’ Union membership

    Under the 1994 Education Act, students at all UK universities have the right to join, or not to join, the Students’ Union. There is no membership fee. If you choose not to join you have the right not to be disadvantaged; however, you are not entitled to vote, take part in elections, or hold any office. The following arrangements apply in order that non-Union members are not disadvantaged: Non-members are welcome to take part in the activities of Affiliated Clubs and Societies on payment of the appropriate subscription. However, they may not vote or hold office in the society or club. Union members may be offered a discounted subscription. Non-members are free to use Union facilities on the same basis as members. Welfare, catering and shops are available to non-members as well as members. Union members may be offered a discounted price.

    The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

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