Interested in a Sport and Exercise Science degree? Aspire to make your mark by tackling health challenges such as obesity, heart disease and diabetes?

With a practical 'real-world' emphasis on the latest sports science, our Sport and Exercise Science degree will explore psychology, physiology, biomechanics, nutrition, strength and conditioning and performance analysis to help you give future sports stars the winning edge.How many years does it take to study Sport and Exercise Science?

Our degree in sports science is 3 years full-time, or 4 years with the option to undertake a work placement or study abroad after your second year, so that you can put your knowledge and skills into practice.

What A-levels do you need for a Sport and Exercise Science degree?

Students can enter this course using UCAS Tariff points from any A-Level or BTEC, however we recommend studying subjects such as Physical Education, Business Studies, Biology, Chemistry, Psychology and Mathematics to help with your understanding of the degree.

Why choose Northumbria to study Sport and Exercise Science?

• Sport Science at Northumbria is ranked top 20 in the UK (Times Good University Guide, 2024).

• Over 91% of students studying Sport and Exercise Science at Northumbria believed their course was well organised (NSS, 2023).

• Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation at Northumbria is ranked 5th for research power in the UK (REF, 2021). This is a rise of 21 places compared to 2014 – the largest rise in the sector.

• Northumbria has a long and successful history of professional accreditation for its courses. This course has been endorsed by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES).

Who will teach you at Northumbria?

Our staff are accredited by HEA, BASES, HCPC CPsychol, HCPC Physio, UKSCA, NSCA, SENr. You’ll learn about health issues from internationally acknowledged experts, giving you the real-world experience to inform your applications for public health roles beyond graduation. Many staff have also worked in the sports industry, including coaching athletes competing at international, world and Olympic standards to bring that real-life experience to your learning.

We also have a fantastic Technical Support Team who help facilitate our laboratory and coaching practical’s and who go above and beyond to support our students with their studies, especially their practical competency skills.

What are the Sport facilities like at Northumbria?

At Northumbria, you’ll be learning and training in some of the best campus sport facilities in the country.

The facilities we have are among the best students could hope for, including our £30 million purpose-built Sport Central. The equipment within the labs is also state of the art meaning that you will be taught vocationally relevant skills in an exciting and stimulating setting. Just some of the facilities you will have access to are specialist physiology, biomechanics and nutrition laboratories, indoor sprint tracks, environmental chamber and the DXA bone scanner.*

How do academics bring their research into the classroom?

Northumbria has an unrivalled reputation for Sport and Exercise Science research power in the North East. And you’ll learn from sport science experts who are internationally acknowledged for their research while developing your own enquiry and problem-solving skills.

The experience and knowledge of our Sport Science staff feeds into the taught content and enriches the curriculum. During your time on the course, you can also take part in cutting-edge research projects, benefitting from expert knowledge and get first-hand insight into some of the latest developments in sports science.

What can you use a Sport and Exercise Science degree for?

The course focuses on practical hands-on training to equip you with the knowledge, practical skills, and confidence to work in a variety of roles, such as an Exercise Physiologist, Personal Trainer, Sports Coach, Performance Analyst, PE teacher, Strength and Conditioning Coach, and Sports Development Officer. Some students continue their studies in other areas such as physiotherapy or postgraduate level, so you’ll be following in the footsteps of the Northumbria sporting elite, including Olympic gold medalist Victoria Pendleton, double Commonwealth champion swimmer Chris Cook and England international rugby union player Jamie Noon.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to do a variety of add on courses. This might include 'working with people who have disabilities', 'working with children', 'first aid', 'ISAK Level 1/2 Body Composition Analysis' etc.*, to enhance your employability prospects and graduate readiness.