Sport and Exercise Science

Why study this course?

Sport and exercise sciences involve the provision of support services to elite athlete, public health and fitness, as well as special populations such as the elderly and hospital patients. This course has substantial components of physiology, anatomy, metabolism and biomechanics, with coverage of sports psychology and sports sociology. In a growing industry with excellent and diverse employment opportunities, graduates can find roles in the fitness industry, coaching, sports therapy, exercise physiology, health promotion and teaching.

More about this course

Mass sports participation and general exercise are rapidly developing occupations supported by an increasingly specialist industry specialising in testing and exercise prescription. The British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) defines sport and exercise science as: "The application of scientific principles to the promotion, maintenance and enhancement of sport and exercise related behaviours."

In this degree you’ll explore a wide curriculum with exercise physiology, biomechanics, psychology and sociology the core areas of focus. You’ll study the short and long term changes the body experiences after physical activity, environmental stress and exercise; the biomechanics of human movement, including the interaction between the athlete and the equipment they use; and motivation and group dynamics in exercise. You’ll also develop the skills to identify the optimal techniques to boost sporting performance and analyse movement to reduce risk of injury.

Our teaching staff are experts in their field with interests varying from elite athlete performance testing, supra-maximal exercise, cardiopulmonary testing, stroke rehabilitation and neuromuscular patterns in movement.

The University has state-of-the-art facilities available to you throughout the course, this includes Cosmed breath by breath gas analysers, Woodway treadmills, a climate chamber, blood analysers, BodPod (body fat analyser), Wattbikes, EMG and 2D motion analysis.

There’s also an optional work placement module where you’ll gain experience in the culture and structure of the sport and exercise science industry.

Course Modules

Modules for this course are subject to change. For full up-to-date module details please see the course page on the university website.
Year 1 modules include:

Essential Principals of Effective Coaching and Teaching (core, 15 credits)
Musculoskeletal Anatomy (core, 15 credits);
Human Physiology (core, 15 credits);
Professional and Core Skills (core, 15 credits);
Introduction to Biomechanics (core, 15 credits);
Foundations of Sport Psychology (core, 15 credits);
Physiological Principals of Training (core, 15 credits);
Applied Sports Science (core, 15 credits)

Year 2 modules include:

Biomechanics of Human Movement (core, 15 credits);
Sociology of Effective Coaching and Teaching (option, 15 credits);
Sport Psychology: Controlling Individual Performance and Exercise (core, 15 credits);
Exercise Physiology (core, 15 credits);
Empowering London: Working Within the Community (option, 15 credits);
Environmental Exercise Physiology (core, 15 credits);
Biomechanical Applications (core, 15 credits);
Sports Science Research Methods (core, 15 credits);
Sport Psychology: Group Dynamics and Human Interaction (core, 15 credits)

Year 3 modules include:

Clinical Biomechanics (core, 15 credits);
Clinical and Exercise Physiology (core, 15 credits);
Sport Psychology and the Elite Athlete (core, 15 credits);
Sports Science and Therapy Dissertation (core, 30 credits);
Sport Psychology: Practical Application in the Real World (core, 15 credits);
Applied Exercise Physiology (core, 15 credits);
Human Movement Analysis (core, 15 credits)