Sport and Exercise Science (Nutrition) BSc (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Sport, Exercise and Nutrition
- Undergraduate
If you’re interested in studying nutrition related to sport and exercise science, kickstart your career with this degree, accredited by the Association for Nutrition (AfN).
You are reading:
Learn how to promote good health and help prevent disease
Your learning will be supported by co-curricular activities, highly valued by the Association for Nutrition (AfN) and by employers.
The Nutrition and Dietetics subject area at Kingston Universityhas the top NSS score in the UK for 15 out of 27 NSS 2023 questions, scoring 100% in the positivity measure for all 15 questions. This is the highest number of questions to achieve 100% in the positivity measure across all (42) providers in the Nutrition and Dietetics subject area.
At our Penrhyn Road campus, you will have access to a modern environment with the latest equipment, including:
- the £9.8 million Eadweard Muybridge building with state-of-the-art laboratories
- an exercise physiology and biomechanics lab
- modern applied biology and chemistry laboratories
- specialist equipment, such as electron microscopes and spectrometers
- computing laboratories and a team of IT technicians to offer assistance
- a newly refurbished state-of-the-art nutrition kitchen
It is clear that the staff care about the students at ÖØ¿ÚζSM. There are so many facilities to support students from career development to health and wellbeing support.
Why choose this course
Gaining a practical knowledge of the benefits of nutrition and exercise can give you the tools to help improve people's wellbeing.
This course studies anatomy, physiology, energy metabolism, nutrition, sport and exercise psychology and other related subjects. You'll examine the promotion of exercise and nutrition to improve people's physical and mental health. In Year 3, you will focus on nutrition, sport, and public health.
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
Accreditation
The course is accredited by the Association for Nutrition. Accreditation means that Kingston UniversitySport and Exercise Science (Nutrition) BSc (Hons) graduates can apply to become associate registered nutritionists without having to prove competence.
Nutrition Kitchen
Our newly refurbished nutrition kitchen is a flexible and inviting learning space that is used for food science practicals, research projects, student nutrition society events and more.
The kitchen can also be used for small group teaching and personal tutor meetings. This makes it a valuable resource for all nutrition students, who can use it to learn, collaborate, and network.
Course content
Year 1
Year 1 introduces the fundamental concepts of food and nutrition, human anatomy, exercise and physiology, together with sport and exercise psychology. You will also study the essential principles of scientific investigation.
Core modules
30 credits
Explore the reasons behind our food choices, why we eat what we eat. Discover the science behind food and nutrition. Learn about the composition of food, basic applications of food science in everyday life, how nutrients are metabolized in the body, how dietary reference values are derived and applied. You will also explore key concepts that underpin energy and nitrogen balance and learn about functions, sources, deficiency and toxicity of vitamins and minerals. You will learn about all macronutrients plus water and alcohol. A busy module but essential knowledge to any aspiring nutritionist.
30 credits
This module provides an essential introduction to the skills required for undergraduate study and scientific research. It enables you to understand the principles of qualitative and quantitative experimental research. It will introduce and employ statistical techniques for the analysis of sport science and nutrition data. The skills developed in this module will begin to formulate the foundation to later research methods modules and your final year project.
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
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.
Year 2
Year 2 extends your knowledge of the effects of nutrition, sport and exercise on human physiology and exercise prescription. You will examine the principles of energy metabolism and develop your understanding of health and exercise physiology and sport and exercise psychology. A module in research methods will prepare you for your Year 3 research project.
If you choose the four-year sandwich route of this degree, you will have a year's industry-related work experience between Years 2 and 3.
Core modules
30 credits
Learn about how we study diet and health outcomes and the different types of studies we use. You will carry out dietary assessments and learn how we use that data to understand and improve people's health. Our food choices and ability to meet nutritional needs impacts us all, from womb to older adults. This module will help you learn about the nutritional needs of different people across the lifespan as well as what impacts their ability to meet those needs. You will grow your understanding of the needs of individuals and of the groups to which they belong. This module prepares you for studying public health nutrition in your final year.
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.
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.
Year 3
In your final year, you will apply your knowledge of nutrition and exercise to topics such as the role of nutrition in health and disease, public health promotion, and the psychological issues relating to health and exercise. You will also undertake an independent project, focused on exercise, nutrition or health science.
Core modules
30 credits
This module covers the psychology behind adoption and maintenance of physical activity/exercise and health behaviours.
You will explore theories of behaviour prediction and evaluate research surrounding the benefits of physical activity/exercise for psychological health and wellbeing. You will conduct evaluations of interventions aimed at promoting physical activity and mental health. You will also develop an in-depth understanding of determinants of health behaviour.
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.
30 credits
In your second-year core nutrition module you focused on the nutritional needs of individuals. That module helped build a strong foundation for this public health nutrition module. You will now learn about the concepts, theories, and practice of health promotion, focusing on diet and physical activity in developing and developed countries. You will examine theories of motivation, behaviour, and strategies of health promotion, as well as the role, influence, and impact of policies on population and client groups. You will also learn about nutritional issues impacting the developing world focusing on the unique challenges of nutritional assessment, food security, sustainability (focusing on sustainable development goals), and the double burden of malnutrition. You will also review the impact of direct and indirect health-care and non-health-care sector interventions who affect nutrition outcomes.
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.
30 credits
You will examine the physiological, mechanical and psychological responses to nutritional dietary strategies and ergogenic aids for exercise training and competition. Challenge your perceptions and cultural choices of food for a diet suitable to meet the demands of competitive exercise and sport performance. You will explore the nutritional strategies that are used by the general population, from recreational amateurs to elite athletes. You will be able to provide sound guidance for informed dietary choices and optimising a person's competitive performance.
You will learn about the efficacy of carbohydrates, proteins and fats for the provision of, exercise and sport performance with specific focus on current dietary guidelines versus dietary differences – low fat, high fat, intermittent fasting, flexitarian, gluten free, carnivore and vegan diets. You will also explore the significance of gut microbiology and use of pre and probiotics to enhance competitive performances.
You will also explore the psychological impact, such as stress and anxiety, on the relationship between nutrition and the body. You will learn about the dietary needs for exercise dependent on duration and intensity, such as maximising attention and concentration, strength, power, middle distance, speed endurance, ultra-endurance events.
You will learn about the dietary needs for specific groups, including youth athletes, female athletes and how their hormones and cycle can affect nutrition and training.
Other important topics such as the sugar endemic, eating disorders and immunity will also be covered.
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 found the course enjoyable, especially the nutritional aspects. The practical sessions were very useful, as was the coursework which had a practical element, as it gave us a chance to see what it would be like to test a patient or athlete in real life.
Future Skills and career opportunities
Graduates from this course go on to opportunities in nutrition, exercise and health-related research, the sport and leisure industries, lifestyle management, health promotion, the NHS, public health and teaching.
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.
All nutrition lecturers are either:
- members of the Association for Nutrition (AfN, our professional body); and
- registered nutritionists with the Association for Nutrition with specialisms in nutrition science or public health or registered public health nutritionists.
or - registered dietitians with the British Dietetic Association and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Nutrition lecturers are also members of the Nutrition Society.
Such links help them to keep up with the latest developments and research ideas.
The course is accredited by the Accreditation means that Kingston UniversitySport and Exercise Science (Nutrition) BSc (Hons) graduates can apply to become associate registered nutritionists without having to prove competence. The course was first accredited in 2017. .
The Association for Nutrition was launched in March 2010 as a wholly independent not-for-profit professional association registered as a company limited by guarantee. It is the professional body for the regulation and registration of nutritionists, including animal nutritionists, food nutritionists, nutrition scientists, public health nutritionists and sports/exercise nutritionists. The Association aims to protect the public and promote wellbeing by admitting to the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) only those who demonstrate high ethical and quality standards, founded on evidence-based science. It sets proficiency and competence criteria, promotes continuing professional development and safe conduct, and accredits university undergraduate and postgraduate courses.
Studying on an accredited course is a 'mark of quality' and ensures that your course is well structured, organised and relevant to the profession and that it satisfies the demanding requirements and benchmarks of a respected quality assurance framework. It also provides employers with an assurance that graduates have covered set competencies, making them more employable and more likely to stand out to future employers. Accreditation and registration with the UK Voluntary Register of Nutritionists (UKVRN) also shows a strong commitment to continuous professional development and asserts to the public your overall commitment to the nutrition profession and the science that underpins it.
was established in 1941 to advance the scientific study of nutrition and its application to the maintenance of human and animal health. The Society is highly regarded by the scientific community and is Europe's largest learned society for nutrition.
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: 27% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 26% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 20% 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 15 students and lecture sizes are normally 15Â-65Â. However this can vary by module and academic year.
My course has given me knowledge and a broad understanding of so many topics that I could apply to a future career. The focus on practical learning and laboratory competency has given me the ability to understand how to conduct myself in real-life career situations.
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.
Courses involving placements or direct work with vulnerable groups may require a DBS check or other security checks.
Specific courses may require uniforms, specialty clothing, or specific equipment like lab coats and safety shoes. Kingston Universitywill supply you with a lab coat and safety goggles at the start of the year.
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 originally chose to study at Kingston Universityas it was one of the only courses in the UK that offered the combination of sports science and public nutrition I was looking for.
I chose this course because it covers all the areas that interest me – nutrition, health and exercising. There is also a wide choice of career options open to its graduates.
I particularly enjoyed being able to use the equipment in the physiology lab when we measured body fat percentage, such as the BODPOD which is one of the most accurate ways to measure body fat percentage. Two other pieces of equipment. I enjoyed using was an Electro Cardio Gram (ECG) to test heart rhythms and a resistance bike when I participated in the VO2 Max test.
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).
