Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Sport, Exercise and Nutrition
- Undergraduate
Take the first steps towards your career in sport and exercise with the Sport and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) degree from ÖØ¿ÚζSM.
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Turn your passion for sport and exercise into a career
You will graduate with the qualifications, knowledge and skills you need to thrive in your future career.
This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). In addition, you will gain the Chartered institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) Coaching Assistant qualification after successfully completing your first year.
On this course, you will have access to our:
Physiology lab facilities
We have a number of ergometers, such as treadmills and cycle and rowing kayaks, for analysing sports-specific performance. Sophisticated equipment allows us to measure physiological responses to exercise, such as oxygen consumption.
We also have two environmental chambers that can adjust heat/humidity levels and simulate altitude environments.
Biomechanics lab facilities
We can analyse sports movements and skills, thanks to:
- force platforms fitted in the floor
- a six-camera motion analysis system
- an isokinetic dynamometer
- Electromyography
Two smaller labs also provide space for specific activities, such as gait analysis, assessment of muscle function and data analysis.
For me, the practical sessions in both physiology and biomechanics have been among the highlights of the degree. The course is very 'hands-on', which is good as it gives you the necessary skills to pursue a career in sport and exercise sciences.
Why choose this course
Are you looking to kickstart a career dedicated to improving people's sporting performance, fitness and health? This hands-on course could help you take advantage of the increasing opportunities for sports scientists to work with athletes or conduct sport and exercise research.
Our Sports and Exercise Science BSc (Hons) course studies the science that underpins sports participation and how the body's performance can be improved. Topics include anatomy, biomechanics, nutrition, physiology and psychology. You'll learn to monitor and assess health, fitness and performance, using both theory and practical work to develop your understanding of exercise physiology and practical skills.
Throughout the course gain additional built-in industry-recognised qualifications.
You’ll learn from staff who are actively engaged in research, presenting at international conferences and publishing in high-quality scientific journals. This means that you can be sure your course is being kept up-to-date and delivered by experts in the field.
You will also get the chance to observe sport science laboratory assessments of world-class athletes, thanks to staff consultancy services. We provide physiological, biomechanical and psychological support to a variety of athletes and squads including:
- the Great Britain Olympic Canoe and Kayak Team
- Fulham Football Club
- Thames Turbo Triathlon Club
Endorsements
This course is endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and CIMSPA.
Course content
If you choose to take the 4 years full time including professional placement route of this degree, you will undertake one year of industry-related work experience.
Year 1
Core modules
30 credits
Understanding the mechanics of the body is the building block of sport and exercise science.
You will be introduced to the fundamentals of functional anatomy and physiology, particularly the skeletal, neural, muscular, metabolic, respiratory and cardiovascular systems. The focus will be on understanding the biomechanics of movement and physiological responses to the demands of physical activity.
30 credits
This module introduces the fundamental constructs of sport and exercise psychology and how they impact on our understanding of human behaviour and learning in sport and exercise environments. These constructs include personality, motivation, anxiety, stress as well as the learning and performance process. You will also learn about the theories of motor control and motor learning.
Topics include:
- The role of the self in sport and exercise, how this develops and impacts wellbeing and performance
- Theories of personality development and the role it plays in sport and exercise
- Different perspectives on motivation in sport and exercise
- Theories of arousal, stress and anxiety and how they might impact sport/exercise environments
- The role of psychology in the uptake and maintenance of physical activity
- How exercise is linked to maintaining/improving psychological health
- The role of perception and attention in the ability to learn and perform motor skills
- Sport and exercise psychology research methods.
30 credits
This module introduces theories related to coaching, group management and leadership roles in sport and exercise, and how to apply them in practical settings.
You will also gain an understanding of structural, technical and tactical aspects of selected sports.
This module is very practical. You will develop practical coaching experience from assistant/observer to lead coach in a variety of sport and levels.
You will learn how to deliver warm-up/cool-down or technical, tactical skills related to a sport
30 credits
Gain the skills you need to conduct your own research and make a difference in the fields of sport, exercise and nutrition. Learn how to design and carry out experiments, analyse data, and communicate your findings.
You will also be introduced to the principles of qualitative and quantitative research, and how to use statistical techniques to analyse sport science and nutrition data.
Year 2
Core modules
30 credits
This module focusses on the approaches to research design, data collection techniques and appropriate analyses to make accurate interpretations. It further investigates quantitative and qualitative research methods introduced at Level 4 and introduces you to more advanced techniques. The module provides an essential introduction to research ethics and the ethical approval procedures that are required when using human participants for research.
Skills developed in this module will form the foundation of your final year project module. This module also provides you with an overview of how to recognise and develop key and transferable skills to enhance employability through relevant professional development and research experience. The Future Skills Explore Learning Outcomes are delivered in this module.
30 credits
This module introduces you to the technical and tactical analysis of sport performance, to develop an appreciation of how data may be used to explain and enhance sporting performance, and reduce the risk of injury.
Performance analysis focuses on analysis techniques used to explore impactful metrics to enhance performance and inform the coaching cycle.
You will also look at technical elements of sport performance such as biomechanical analysis to explore the key mathematical and physical concepts underpinning the analysis of human movement in sport and exercise.
30 credits
This module covers the acute and chronic physiological changes caused by exercise, giving you an understanding of cardio-respiratory health. You will learn to link exercise physiology to performance. You will understand the role of exercise and physical activity as a prescription therapy to clinical diseases. This module will further develop your understanding by equipping you with the scientific skills to monitor and assess health, fitness and performance.
30 credits
You will build on your sport and exercise psychology from your first year. You will explore social psychology in sport and exercise, including group dynamics. You will also explore the psychology and development of the individual in exercise settings and the benefits of exercise to maintain psychological health and wellbeing.
Topics include:
- Motivation in sport and exercise settings and the developments of differing perspectives in this area.
- Group dynamics in sport and exercise settings and how this might influence group satisfaction and performance.
- Aggression in sport contexts.
- Burnout in athletes, including psychological components, mechanisms and experiences.
- Career transitions for sport performers, and the role sport psychology may play in assisting transitions.
- Moral development in young athletes, and the role of morality in competitive sports contexts.
- The role of emotions experienced on an inter and intra personal level in sport and exercise environments.
- Theories of exercise adoption and maintenance.
Year 3
Core modules
30 credits
This module has been designed to understand the application of physiological processes to different sport and exercise contexts to improve human performance.
You will advance your understanding of exercise physiology using an integrative/systems approach and apply this to environmental stress, exercise training and different populations for sport performance and health. You will critically evaluate interventions designed to limit the physiological consequences of exercise and environmental stress to improve physical performance in recreationally active to elite athletes. Upon completion of the module, you will be able to apply your knowledge and provide evidence-based practical recommendations to enhance human performance during exercise in different environments, conditions, and populations.
30 credits
This module will develop critical understanding of sport psychology through the evaluation of interventions to promote athletic performance. You will explore the role of the sport psychologist, and the types of skills used by these professionals with individual athletes and teams.
You will build on your existing knowledge of psychological theory, using case studies and stories of professional athletes to propose psychological interventions. You will develop an understanding of frameworks used by sport psychologists working in the field, from needs analysis to intervention and evaluation, and have the opportunity to apply these skills through role play.
30 credits
This module provides a critical, theoretical and practical understanding of applied techniques used in the biomechanical analysis of human movement and sporting activity.
You will learn how the application of biomechanics may be used to improve sports performance and reduce the risk of injury. You will learn about injury prevention, assessment, treatment and rehabilitation.
You will apply knowledge and practical experience of the techniques used for recording and analysing sporting movements, using technology such as 3D motion capture and electromyography to assess muscular activation.
15 credits
This module provides you with a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes. At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile and determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. You will be supported in this process by a dedicated career coach, who will help you to explore a range of options including self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional Graduate level opportunities. Students will also be given opportunities to engage with external mentors throughout the module to support reflection and to develop a professional network.
You will then undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities that you undertake outside the university through which you are developing your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.
15 credits
You will undertake a significant piece of original, and independent, research across the final year of your studies. You will make use of your Sport, Exercise, and Nutrition knowledge, identifying a selected topic area related your field of study. You will be tasked with planning and undertaking data collection which will culminate in the writing of a manuscript and the delivery of an oral presentation. This module also provides opportunity to reflect upon and demonstrate a critical understanding of the future skills that you have been developed across the programme of study and how these can enhance your opportunity to gain graduate level employment.
Science Foundation Year: Sport and Exercise Science
If you would like to study one of our Sport Science degrees at Kingston Universitybut are not yet ready to join the first year of a BSc(Hons) course, you can include an extra foundation year within your chosen degree. Please see the Science Foundation Year: Sport and Exercise Science course page for details of modules.
I've always been a keen sportsman and I wanted to know more about how the body functions and how it can be improved in relation to sport. I chose to study Sports Science at Kingston Universitybecause of its location - the area seemed clean, friendly and safe - and the content of the course, which appealed to me.
Future Skills and career opportunities
Graduates from this course go on to work in sports management, recreation and health and fitness in the private and public sectors as:
- Sports coaches
- Health advisers
- PE and sport lecturer assistants
- Gymnastics coaches
- Project managers
- Personal trainers
- Health and wellbeing physiologists
Graduate employers include:
- Nuffield Health
- Virgin Active
- Bupa
- Newham Fitness Centre
- Kingston College
- Access to Sports
- Metsatark
Embedded within this course and throughout the whole Kingston experience is our Future Skills programme. The Future Skills programme was developed to respond to the ever-evolving demands from modern day employment.
It will help you obtain the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability, and learn how to apply these skills in different scenarios. You’ll also learn how to articulate to employers how being able to do so gives you the edge.
At ÖØ¿ÚζSM, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars, small group tutorials and practical sessions.
It may also include placements, project work, workshops, conferences and field trips.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston Universityprovides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at ÖØ¿ÚζSM.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 26% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 25% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 21% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: coursework 100%
- Year 2: coursework 100%
- Year 3: coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols 25 students and lecture sizes are normally 25Â-65Â. However this can vary by module and academic year.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £9,535* | |
| Foundation Year: | £9,535 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £18,500 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £19,200 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,900 |
| Year 4 (2028/29): | £20,700 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed in our Fees and Funding section. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full-time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full-time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston Universitywill pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
If you choose to do a placement year, travel costs will vary depending on your location. These costs could be up to £2,000.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our students and graduates say
I have also found the lecturers very approachable, helpful and accessible. I've struggled with scientific writing, but to overcome this, I went to see the relevant lecturers and they helped me endlessly.
Key information
The scrolling banner below displays some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).
