Science of Sport Performance

Unlock the science behind elite performance. Combine biomechanics, physiology, nutrition, and psychology to develop the expertise to power athletic success.

What separates good from world-class? On this degree, you’ll explore the science that drives peak performance and learn how to apply it in real sporting environments.

You’ll immerse yourself in the interdisciplinary science of sport performance. From biomechanics and physiology to nutrition and psychology, you’ll study how the body and mind perform under pressure – and how to push them further, safely and sustainably.

Through a blend of theory, lab work, and real-world experience, you’ll develop the knowledge, analytical ability, and practitioner confidence to support athletes at every stage of their journey. You’ll graduate ready to make a measurable impact in high-performance sport – from emerging talent to elite competitors.

As part of this course, you’ll:

• Develop expertise across biomechanics, nutrition, physiology, and sport psychology, understanding how these disciplines combine to optimise performance

• Build advanced practical and research skills, using industry-standard performance-measuring technologies and laboratory equipment

• Learn to assess, monitor, and enhance athletic development in both individual and team sports

• Apply performance models across diverse sports and client groups

• Gain valuable work experience through placements in professional sporting environments

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Refine your practitioner skills
This is one of the few undergraduate courses in the UK designed specifically to show you how different areas of science work together to enhance human performance.

Working with real clients and athletes, you'll develop the self-awareness, communication skills, and professional judgement required to become an effective sport performance practitioner. You’ll learn to design interventions that maximise performance while protecting long-term health and wellbeing.

Study at the heart of sporting excellence
Based in the Carnegie School of Sport, you’ll be part of a community that’s passionate about sport. You’ll learn from tutors with more than 20 years’ experience delivering sport education at the highest level.

Your studies are supported by Leeds Beckett’s exceptional sporting infrastructure and strong industry partnerships. Across all three years of your course, you'll benefit from extensive work-based learning opportunities, including:

• Supporting student athletes competing in BUCS (British Universities & Colleges Sport) competitions

• Real-world placements with professional organisations such as Yorkshire Carnegie, Leeds Rhinos, or Perform Group

• Assessments shaped in collaboration with industry partners to ensure authentic, career-focused learning

Boost your professional profile
Enhance your CV further by getting involved with our Beckett Sport schemes. You can gain additional qualifications while gaining experience in delivering fitness, physical activity, and coaching programmes to staff and students.

International recognition
We're ranked in the top 100 institutions in the world for Sports-Related Subjects in the QS World University Rankings by Subject.

Why study the BSc Science of Sport Performance course at Leeds Beckett University?

• We’re experts at what we do - 94% of students were positive about the way teaching staff explain things*

• Develop the skills and expertise to support the next generation of elite athletes, combining multiple specialisms to achieve maximum outcomes

• Take advantage of our extensive connection with exciting and varied work placement opportunities

• Study in our £45m state-of-the-art Carnegie School of Sport building

• Access sport volunteering opportunities, which have previously included the Olympics, World Athletics Championships, and Commonwealth Games

*National Student Survey 2026