BSc

Sport and Exercise Science

Sport and Exercise Science Code C60F Attend an Open Day Attend an Open Day

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Key Facts

C60F

  • UCAS Tariff

  • Course duration

    4 years

Available for September start 2025

Further details on entry requirements

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This course includes an integrated foundation year. 

On the BSc Sport and Exercise Science degree you will benefit from the expertise of our sport and exercise scientists, who have worked with a number of organisations, teams, and individual sports people, ranging from recreational athletes to those who have achieved success at European or world championship level. Under their guidance, you will develop your own practical skills in our dedicated sport and exercise laboratories.

You will study the psychological, physiological and biomechanical foundations of sport and exercise, and develop an understanding of how these are important in optimising the training regime of sports competitors and exercise participants. You will develop a scientific understanding of how the human body moves, exercises and performs sport, and an appreciation of how sport and exercise science can improve human health and function, prevent disease or injury, or increase athletic performance.

Upon graduation, you will be well prepared to support athletes, promote physical activity and health, and deliver exercise programmes.

This course is accredited by the Royal Society of Biology and The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES), the professional body for sport and exercise sciences in the UK.

Course Overview

This four-year course includes an integrated foundation year, after which the syllabus follows that of the standard three-year course, BSc Sport and Exercise Science (C600).

Why study Sport & Exercise Science at Aberystwyth University? 

  • Our degree focuses on scientific analysis of how the human body moves, exercises and performs sport.
  • You will have the opportunity to explore sciences of biomechanics, physiology and psychology.
  • You will learn how to maximise the performance of an individual athlete or team.
  • Our degree will help you develop your understanding of the ways in which we can enhance general health and well-being through exercise.
  • You'll have access to industry-standard laboratories with modern equipment for the physiological, biomechanical and psychological analysis of sport performance and exercise participation.
  • You will have ready access to a wide range of sports and facilities, including our own Sports Centre on campus, plus naturally provided facilities such as the renowned mountain biking tracks nearby at Bwlch Nant yr Arian, our excellent beaches, hills and mountains.
Our Staff

The majority of teaching staff in the Department of Life Sciences are qualified to PhD level and are research active. Vocational courses also have staff whose background lies within industry. The Department has a large number of research only staff with whom students may have contact.

Modules September start - 2025

Please note: The modules listed below are those currently intended for delivery during the next academic year and may be subject to change. They are included here to give an indication of how the course is structured.

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Communication Skills BR01520 20
Molecules and Cells BR01340 40
Organisms and the Environment BR01440 40
Practical Skills for Biologists BR01220 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Applying evidence based interventions BR21220 20
Motor Learning and Performance BR26420 20
Physical Activity for Health BR27020 20
Research Methods * BR27520 20
Sport & Exercise Physiology BR27420 20
Sport and Exercise Nutrition BR22520 20

Core

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Consultancy work BR37620 20
Research Project * BR36440 40
Training and Performance Enhancement BR34420 20

Options

Module Name Module Code Credit Value
Applied Sports Nutrition BR30920 20
Injury and Rehabilitation BR32020 20
Technological advances in sport, exercise and health BR37420 20

* Also available partially or entirely through the medium of Welsh

Careers

Some of our graduates have gone on to further study and careers in the NHS (as GPs, cardiac technicians, physiotherapists, research scientists), or as Ministry of Defence personnel. Others have gone on to work as sport scientists in professional sports clubs (Bournemouth and Coventry City football clubs, Llanelli Scarlets RFC). An increasing number use the skills they developed as students to set up their own businesses.

What skills do I acquire from my degree?

During your degree you will develop many graduate skills that employers value, including:

  • Communication skills developed through writing and oral presentations
  • Team work and the ability to work independently
  • Analytical skills
  • Mathematical skills
  • Effective problem-solving and creative thinking skills
  • Information technology skills
  • Self-motivation and self-reliance.

What work experience opportunities are available to me while I study?  

Find out about the various opportunities that our Careers Service offers. Enhance your employability prospects with our Year in Employment Scheme.

Teaching & Learning

Learning Outcomes

All modules you will take as part of the Sport and Exercise Science degree have been developed to contribute to the learning outcomes of the degree. Each module will contribute to particular degree learning outcomes and you will gain more advanced knowledge and skills as you progress. During the final year, you will have the opportunity to opt for specific modules that are closest to your area of interest, and complete a research dissertation on a topic of your choice.

Contact Time and Self-Study

You will be taught through a series of lectures and seminars by our experienced and engaging staff, but also through student-centred projects, workshops, problem-solving sessions and tutorials. Laboratory classes feature extensively and you will become skilled in using scientific equipment for sophisticated fitness testing and motion analysis. All modules are backed up by electronic resources to help you study beyond the classroom.

Assessment

Assessment methods may include essays, coursework, laboratory reports, quizzes, case studies, portfolios, posters, presentations and examinations.

Typical Entry Requirements

UCAS Tariff

A Levels Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

GCSE requirements (minimum grade C/4):
English or Welsh, Mathematics (grade 4, new grading system in England)

BTEC National Diploma:
Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

International Baccalaureate:
Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

European Baccalaureate:
Available to those who are studying for, or who have completed Level 3 qualifications (eg, A-Levels or BTEC diploma) and to mature-aged candidates without formal qualifications who have suitable background education, experience and motivation.

English Language Requirements:
See our Undergraduate English Language Requirements for this course. Pre-sessional English Programmes are also available for students who do not meet our English Language Requirements.

Country Specific Entry Requirements:
International students whose qualification is not listed on this page, can check our Country Specific Entry Requirements for further information.

The University welcomes undergraduate applications from students studying the Access to Higher Education Diploma or T-level qualifications, provided that relevant subject content and learning outcomes are met. We are not able to accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas or T-levels as a general qualification for every undergraduate degree course.
Our inclusive admissions policy values breadth as well as depth of study. Applicants are selected on their own individual merits and offers can vary. If you would like to check the eligibility of your qualifications before submitting an application, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for advice and guidance.

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