Undergraduate Course
Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)/MSci
If you aspire to have a successful career in sport, science and research, then this is the degree for you.
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Exercise scientists work alongside athletes to enhance performance and promote healthy living in the general population. By applying sport science principles, you will gain the necessary skills to develop a successful career within the elite sport industry or within the community to make a positive change. You will learn how to apply the knowledge of an exercise scientist through a practical based degree within specialist spaces. You can extend this BSc degree to a MSci at any point during your course.
97% Sport students responded with a 97% positivity score for how good teaching staff are at explaining things. (National Student Survey 2023)
11th in the UK for Sport Science (Guardian University Guide 2023)
This course has been endorsed via the BASES Undergraduate Endorsement Scheme
York campus
- UCAS code – C6C6 | MSci C6C7
- Duration – 3 years full time | 6 years part time | MSci 4 years full time | 8 years part time
- Start date – September 2024, September 2025
- School – School of Science, Technology and Health
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics.
Tuition fees
UK 2024 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2024 entry £14,000 per year full time
Discover Sport
Dr Graeme Law, Associate Head of Sport, introduces us to Sport at York St John University.
Course overview
This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), and is centred around 3 core areas of sport and exercise science: physiology, biomechanics and psychology. You will learn how to improve athlete performance, but also to promote the health of individuals and communities through exercise. You will have the opportunity to use dedicated laboratories equipped with world-leading technologies and conduct your own research.
The academic staff you will work with are active researchers who will keep you up to date with current knowledge in sport and exercise science today. You will investigate topics including:
- Performance enhancing strategies
- Movement analysis
- The impact of perfectionism
- The application of exercise for delaying diseases
- Sedentary behaviour and physical activity
We have community partnerships across the region, which provide many opportunities to gain valuable industry experience. With international partners, there is also the option to study abroad.
This course can be studied as a 3 year BSc (Hons) or as a 4 year MSci. If you choose the 4 year option, you will graduate with a Masters level qualification. You can make this choice at any point during your degree. Choosing this option means that you will:
- Stay for an extra year, gaining more skills, knowledge and experience
- Be guaranteed a professional placement as part of your course
- Have more opportunities to build professional connections and increase your employability
- Leave with a postgraduate MSci instead of an undergraduate qualification, without needing to reapply for a new course
Course structure
Year 1
Our academic year is split into 2 semesters. How many modules you study each semester will depend on whether you are a full time or part time student.
In your first year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 2
If you are studying part time, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Gain an understanding of the importance of human anatomical and physiological systems for sport and exercise. Learn about the structure of core systems, including:
- Nervous
- Musculoskeletal
- Cardiovascular
- Respiratory
You will explore how these function at rest and in response to exercise. Develop the necessary skills to correctly perform a range of physiological measures that can be used to evaluate an individual's health status and physiological responses to exercise.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module we will introduce you to basic methodological approaches, theories, and concepts that are used to study the thoughts, emotions, and behaviours of participants in sport and exercise. You will learn how to understand and explain the psychology of sport and exercise.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Learn the fundamentals of working in sport and exercise science. Develop important skills for data acquisition, organisation, and presentation relevant to the key branches of sport and exercise science, including:
- Physiology
- Biomechanics
- Psychology
This will help you to develop as an experienced sport and exercise science practitioner within academic or research settings and within industry.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will learn the fundamental mechanics that underpin all aspects of human movement for performance and health. You will take a multidisciplinary approach, which will provide a vital foundation for the many perspectives covered throughout this course. We will introduce you to essential concepts of research, scientific enquiry and academia.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
This module will help to prepare you for the in depth research you will carry out later in your degree. We will introduce you to a broad range of fundamental concepts and principles which guide research in the field of sport. We will also teach you to recognise and interpret these fundamental concepts when you encounter them in published research. You will learn the analytical skills to make sense of findings reported in published research, and answer basic research questions in sport. Through this you will become an informed reader able to evaluate and interpret research evidence.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
If you are pursuing a career as a practitioner in a sports-related field, it is important for you to understand the increasingly complex and diverse nature of modern society. You will be introduced to a range of social issues in sport from a sociological perspective, including:
- Gender
- Ethnicity
- Disability
Develop a more critical and detached understanding of long-term power-struggles surrounding issues in sport through the adoption of a sociological perspective.
Year 2
In your second year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 3 compulsory modules and 1 optional module in semester 2
If you are studying part time, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
On this module you will learn about the importance of physical activity and exercise initiatives for the general health of the community. This will be presented with a multi-disciplinary focus, evaluating public health interventions and approaches from sociology, policy, psychology, therapeutic, and behavioural perspectives. You will explore the psychosocial impact of exercise and lifestyle behaviours for the promotion of healthy living and wellbeing, as well as considering UK and global health issues surrounding physical activity.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Sport and exercise psychology includes a range of complex theories and a vast amount of accompanying research. Explore how these theories and concepts are empirically tested in sport and exercise contexts. You will learn how the findings of research allows the applicability of different theories and concepts to be evaluated. This module will improve your research skills in the area of sport and exercise psychology and provide a basis for a discerning approach to using research in academic and practice settings.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Explore methods to improve and monitor human exercise performance. Learn how the human body improves following exercise training, how you can assess these physiological changes, and training approaches that can be used to achieve these changes. Develop an understanding of the adaptations that occur to physiological systems such as the cardiovascular, musculoskeletal, and respiratory in response to chronic exercise training, in a diverse group of individuals. The experiential learning approach will help you learn how to administer, analyse and interpret data from physiological measurement techniques.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
The mechanics of movements are defined and limited by the physical laws which underpin the environment we exist in. Explore a variety of methods to analyse a range of human movements within sport and in individuals from a range of diverse backgrounds. Learn to use biomechanical principles to evaluate sports performance. This module will build upon your Year 1 skills and prepare you for more advanced measurement techniques in Year 3.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Advance your skills in both research methods and research design. This will enable you to move beyond being an informed consumer, to becoming an informed critical thinker. You will learn how to produce quality research using a range of quantitative and qualitative research designs commonly employed in sport research.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Gain an in-depth insight into debates surrounding diversity, equity and inclusion. Considering the current social and cultural climate of modern sports, you will need to be empathetic and culturally aware in your future career. You will explore key issues through the principles of social justice.
Credits: 20
Optional module
Challenge yourself to apply your theoretical knowledge to real world scenarios. Gain valuable experience that will help you decide what career path you want to pursue and illustrate the professional standards required in different environments. You will be guided to find a placement that aligns with your interests and will further stimulate your professional development. The experience can influence your topic for your final year research project.
Year 3
In your third year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 1 compulsory Research Paper (Dissertation) module across semesters 1 and 2
- 2 compulsory modules in semester 1
- 2 compulsory module in semester 2
If you are studying part time, the modules above will be split over 2 years.
You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.
Modules
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Develop an advanced understanding of sports biomechanics, incorporating the analysis of the technical performance of human movements. Build on the skills and knowledge gained from previous modules with more advanced techniques.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Develop the skills necessary to analyse and critically assess the role of exercise on human health. Learn about how exercise is used to prevent and treat disease, in a diverse group of people, from different perspectives. This will include a multi-disciplinary approach.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Further your understanding of physiology in an applied sport and exercise context. Use your skills in the measurement, assessment, and critical analysis of human physiology in response to different factors and diverse groups. This can include:
- Simulated environmental conditions
- Ergogenic aids (including anti-doping)
- Sleep
- Female physiology
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Develop an understanding of applied practice in sport and exercise psychology among a range of sporting groups. This includes the roles and responsibilities of practitioners in sport and exercise psychology, applied techniques used by sport and exercise practitioners, and the empirical basis for these techniques. The skills you will develop in this module could be used to improve performance, increase participation, and support wellbeing in applied sport or exercise contexts.
Credits: 40
Compulsory module
Engage in all aspects of the research process to answer a specific question in a topic related to your interests. Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will revise, refine, extend or reconstitute a research proposal submitted for the Research Design and Analysis in Sport and Exercise module. Manage a proposed research project through the ethical approval process, carry out the proposed research and present it in the form of a research paper.
Year 4
This only applies are taking the extended MSci option.
In your fourth year, if you are a full time student, you will study:
- 4 compulsory modules across semesters 1 and 2
Modules
Credits: 40
Compulsory module
Independently plan, conduct, analyse, and disseminate your own research. Engage with advanced research methodologies to propose a viable, ethically sound, project that answers a unique research question at the forefront of sport and exercise science. Once the project is complete, you will gain experience of sharing your findings via the typical methods used in research.
Credits: 40
Compulsory module
Put your knowledge, skills, techniques and our value-led approach into practice in a work environment aligned to your goals. Phase 1 of this module will prepare you for the placement. Phase 2 is the placement, where you will be working in a sport, exercise, or physical education context. Phase 3 will be a debrief to reflect on the placement. You will have to deal with complex issues in systematic and creative ways and encourage the development of new professional skills that translate into increased employability.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
To be effective in an applied sport, exercise, and physical education context practitioners need to be able to understand other disciplines, work alongside other disciplinary experts, and work in an interdisciplinary manner themselves. Develop the skills required to work with other practitioners to solve complex and real-world problems that are best approached in an interdisciplinary manner. Work on problems that require interdisciplinary solutions, think about old problems in new ways and extend your knowledge outside of your areas of expertise.
Credits: 20
Compulsory module
Develop their critical thinking skills by focusing on unresolved issues and controversies in sport, exercise and physical education. Consider the broader sociocultural issues that shape what is studied in sport, exercise, and physical education and how it is studied. There will also be a focus on the critical appraisal of research methodologies and statistical techniques.
Teaching and assessment
Teaching and learning
A typical week will consist of:
- 3 lectures
- Smaller classes to further investigate the theory you learn in lectures (for example seminars, workshops and laboratory practical sessions)
- Supported open learning (for example journal club and supervised laboratory and practical activities)
- Sports scholarship sessions which focus on your academic skills and career development
You will also have regular individual tutorial sessions with your academic tutors to support your learning.
Alongside these timetabled sessions you will carry out your own independent study. This often involves laboratory or field-based practical work, data collection and presentations.
Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.
Assessment
The assessments we use are designed to develop skills which will be applicable to a career in sport. This includes a variety of assessment forms such as essays, presentations, portfolios of competencies, podcasts and laboratory reports.
You will receive feedback on your work throughout each module. This will help you to improve your work for your graded assessments. You will also benefit from self evaluation and peer assessment with your classmates.
The types of assessment we use become more varied as you progress through the course, such as lab based reports, presentations and essay writing.
Career outcomes
Your future with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science
As a graduate of this course you could find yourself working with anyone from elite athletes to older people using exercise to keep healthy. The skills you develop will also benefit you in a range of other careers in sport and health. This includes critical thinking, communication, working with clients and fieldwork.
This degree could be the first step toward your career in:
- Sport science
- Exercise physiology
- Sport psychology
- Sport and clinical biomechanics
- Research
- Coaching
- Teaching
- Personal training
Discover more career options on Prospects careers advice pages.
You could also progress onto a postgraduate degree and take your learning even further.
PGCE at York St John University
Further your education and work towards a rewarding career in teaching by studying for a Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) after you graduate. For over 180 years, we have worked with enthusiastic individuals who want to shape the future of young people across both primary and secondary school settings. You'll spend a lot of time in schools, developing your practice by teaching. You will graduate with Qualified Teacher Status and become part of the well respected alumni of York St John educators.
Whatever your ambitions, we can help you get there.
Our careers service, LaunchPad provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:
- Employer events
- LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
- Workshops on application writing and interview skills
- Work experience and volunteering opportunities
- Personalised career advice
This support doesn't end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain experience and confidence to succeed.
Entry requirements
Qualifications
Minimum entry requirements
104 UCAS Tariff points
3 GCSEs at grade C/4 (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics.
Calculate your UCAS Tariff points
International students
If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.
Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.
If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.
This course is available with foundation year
If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year or you can proceed onto one of our integrated masters courses.
Mature Learners Entry Scheme
If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.
Terms and conditions
Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.
Fees and funding
To study for an undergraduate degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK). Tuition fees may be subject to inflation in future years.
UK 2024 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry onto this course is:
- £9,250 per year for full time study
- £6,935 per year for the first 4 years if you study part time
These prices apply to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students
You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page:
Placement year funding
If you choose to take a placement year, and your course offers it, you can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for your placement year. How much you are awarded is based on the type of placement being undertaken and whether it is a paid or unpaid placement. The tuition fee for your placement year will be reduced.
Tuition fees
UK 2024 entry £9,250 per year full time
International 2024 entry £14,000 per year full time
International 2024 entry
The tuition fee for 2024 entry to this course is £14,000 per year for full time study.
This price applies to all students living outside the UK.
Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.
Find out more about funding your degree:
Additional costs and financial support
There may also be some additional costs to take into account throughout your studies, including the cost of accommodation.
Course-related costs
While studying for your degree, there may be additional costs related to your course. This may include purchasing personal equipment and stationery, books and optional field trips.
Study abroad
For more information on tuition fee reductions and additional costs for studying abroad, please visit our study abroad pages.
Accommodation and living costs
For detailed information on accommodation and living costs, visit our Accommodation pages.
Financial help and support
Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses.
For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.
Course highlights
Facilities to help you succeed
Our York St John University Sports Park includes a large human performance lab, a new research lab for cardiovascular health, and a purpose built sport and exercise therapy clinic.
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Be at the cutting edge
We work with you to take on the most up to date challenges and debates facing the industry today.
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Graduate with a masters degree
You have the option to convert your degree from a BSc to an MSci, meaning you will leave with a postgraduate level qualification.
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Research with impact
65% of our Sport research has been rated as "world leading" or "internationally excellent". (Research Excellence Framework, 2021)
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Amy Sport and Exercise Science
Moving to university was a really challenging year for me, but looking back now I’ve learnt and developed as a person. Being a small university there was a great community bond between academics and students. There’s such a good vibe around campus. I’m so proud of everything I’ve achieved over my time here.
Katie Sport and Exercise Science
York St John attracted me because it was a small campus and everyone seemed friendly. I didn’t just want to be a number, I wanted my experience here to be personal. I chose Sport and Exercise Science because I’d like to become an A-Level PE teacher and thought the course would give me a good degree of knowledge for this field.
More to explore
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Join us in 2024
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Open Days
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