BSc (Hons)
Sport and Exercise Science
Scientific rigour and practical experience
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Sport and exercise science plays an integral role in today’s sporting performance, benefiting those at recreational and elite level including athletes, coaches and the general population.
Endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), this course is centred on three main themes: exercise and health physiology, psychology and coaching, and applied sports biomechanics.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Take a careers unit enabling you to gain work experience in an area related to sport and exercise science
- Use specialist facilities, including one of the largest swimming flumes in the country
- Work with expert staff who are accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Scientists, British Psychological Society and Health and Care Professions Council
What opportunities might it lead to?
With an estimated worth in excess of £110 billion, the global sports industry is growing rapidly. As one of the first courses in the UK to be endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the leading sport science organisation in the country, this course kits you out with the knowledge and skills essential for entering many sports-related professions.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- sports science support
- strength and conditioning and coaching
- health and fitness training/advising/promotion
- teaching
- developing sport and activity programmes in the community
The lab classes enhance what you have already learnt during lectures.
Emma Burnett, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student 2012
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- C600
- Duration
- 3 years full time, 6 years part time
- Entry
320 points to include 180 points from 2 A levels or equivalent, with 80 points from a science subject (biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, PE, psychology or sports studies)
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man part-time students: £3,000 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
International part-time students: £5,250 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- sci.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 5550 - Department
- Department of Sport and Exercise Science
- Accreditations
Subject:
Sports Science
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Looking at the theory then putting it into practice
- The challenging yet supportive environment in which to study
- Use of some of the best facilities in the country that are not just for research purposes
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In the first year you cover a variety of core subjects in the main disciplines of sport and exercise science. You will also have the chance to gain vocational experience, and obtain National Governing Bodies and First Aid qualifications throughout the course.
Core units in this year include:
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Physiology
- Introduction to Sport and Exercise Psychology
- Coaching Principles
- Introduction to Kinesiology and Biomechanics
- Introduction to Fitness Training and Assessment
- Research Methods 1
Year two
As the degree progresses, you will be given greater opportunities to choose what you are most interested in studying. Begin to specialise in areas you may wish to work in after your degree.
Core units in this year include:
- Psychology of Sport and Exercise
- Tools of Biomechanical Analysis
- Research Methods 2
- Sport and Exercise Physiology
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Nutrition for Heath, Fitness and Sport
- Psychology of Skill Development and Performance
- The Science of Injury and Rehabilitation
Year three
Start your major project investigating a subject area of your choice. By now you will have detailed understanding of ethical issues, and have learnt how to carry out research and the various methods of data analysis, interpretation and presentation. Continue to tailor your studies to your chosen field.
Options to choose from in this year include:
- Professional Practice in Sports Psychology
- Physiological Approaches to Training and Assessment
- Environmental and Occupational Physiology
- Physical Activity Prescription and Promotion
- Motion Analysis
- Applied Skill Acquisition and Expertise
- Professional Development
- Professional Practice in Sports Education
Teaching and Assessment
We aim to cater to all student learning styles. Our teaching approaches include lectures, seminars, laboratory work, tutorials and work in field settings. We ensure to provide an enjoyable and interactive environment, in addition to valuable tutorial support throughout your degree.
How are you assessed?
We employ a varied assessment strategy and assess you throughout the course. Here’s how:
- written exams
- essays and lab reports
- individual and/or group presentations
- poster presentations
- practical exercises
- project reports
Tutor's view
Dr Chris Mills
Sport and Exercise Science
This degree will provide you with an excellent opportunity to investigate and understand human performance in the context of sport, exercise and health, and the work environments. Our research expertise and specialist testing equipment help to inform our teaching, ensuring you are always at the forefront of knowledge developments in sports science.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
Laboratories
Experience our biomechanics and physiology labs
UP for Sport
Take on volunteer coaching opportunities
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
Laboratories
You will learn in several different environments including our biomechanics and physiology labs. These house some of the country’s finest facilities, such as:
- 3 climatic chambers for manipulating temperature, humidity and altitude
- an immersion pool
- a swimming flume
- an automated tracking system
- visual 3D software
UP for Sport
Share your sporting skills through our UP for Sport scheme. Take on a volunteer coaching opportunity in the local community to boost your CV and gain formal qualifications.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
The facilities in Spinnaker Building are excellent, all brand new, state-of-the-art technology which really facilitates understanding of subjects studied.
Brendan Maccaoilte, BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
You can expect to find a career in many specific areas such as teaching, coaching, sport science support, and the health and fitness sectors. The NHS, the military and the police force have all been destinations for some of our graduates.
The course also provides a sound platform for more general employment opportunities, as well as further postgraduate study.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- PE teacher
- fitness instructor
- NVQ coordinator
- sports development officer
- sports and exercise scientist
- sports therapist and physiotherapist
- cardiac rehabilitation technician
Work experience
There are many opportunities for students to gain work experience in a relevant field.
Past internships have been hosted by:
- England Badminton
- England Volleyball
- Hampshire County Cricket
- Hampshire Football Association
- Parkwood Leisure
- Portsmouth Football Club
- Southampton Football Club
- Sport Hampshire and IOW
- Surrey Ladies Golf
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more