course page main image

Sport and Exercise Science - BSc (Hons)

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Our BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science will equip you with the skills to achieve your potential as a practitioner within the sport and exercise industry; either helping leading athletes to achieve their potential or working with members of the public from a diverse range of backgrounds and circumstances to achieve their goals....

  • Level Undergraduate
  • Study mode Full Time/Part Time

This course is:

Available with Professional Placement year

Open to International Students

Overview

Our BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science will equip you with the skills to achieve your potential as a practitioner within the sport and exercise industry; either helping leading athletes to achieve their potential or working with members of the public from a diverse range of backgrounds and circumstances to achieve their goals.

The course leads onto postgraduate study in areas such as the MSc in Sport and Exercise Nutrition and the MRes in Sport and Exercise Science. The course explores the science of sport and exercise, considering how disciplines such as nutrition, physiology, psychology, and biomechanics can be applied in the context of sports performance, physical activity, health, and wellbeing. You will study a range of discipline-specific and multi-disciplinary modules, equipping you with a diverse range of perspectives that will enrich your learning and enhance your career opportunities. You will gain a range of additional employability skills through working independently and collaboratively in communities of practice with your peers, teaching staff, and external stakeholders.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

It won’t just be about sport — you'll be looking at different aspects of health and people at opposite ends of the health spectrum. Sport and exercise is a large and expanding global industry, and levels of fitness and participation in physical activity are significant issues on the political agenda. Therefore, you’ll be trained to respond to the challenges facing society today, by exploring the profession and its disciplines in encouraging and supporting greater physical activity.

Endorsed by the British Association for Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), which is the professional body for Sport and Exercise Science, our practice-led course equips you with up-to-date insight that you can take into the work environment and make a positive contribution to modern society. You will be introduced to cutting-edge digital technologies, as well as the latest research in each of the disciplines. Our course provides the opportunity to complete a placement year — which could be within the UK or abroad — making your degree course 4 years in duration. Don’t worry if you are undecided on the placement year when you apply, you can decide once you have competed the first year of study on the standard course.

Professional Placement Year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

If you choose to pursue a placement year, you will need to find a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study. You will be able to draw on the University’s extensive network of local, regional, and national employers, and the support of our Careers teams. If you are able to secure a placement, you can request to be transferred to the placement version of the course.

Please note that fees are payable during your placement year, equivalent to 20% of the total full-time course fee for that year.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by the British Association for Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), the professional body for the subject. This ensures our course is fresh and relevant, as well as creating valuable industry links and knowledge.

  • BASES

Why Choose Us?

  • Top 5 for Sports Science student satisfaction (Complete University Guide 2024).
  • World-class facilities - You’ll split your time between our campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and - from early 2024 - the world-class Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham. We have a lease for space across the East and West stands of the Stadium and are investing £5 million in developing the space to house our state-of-the-art facilities and cutting-edge resources, including physiology labs and environmental chamber.
  • Professional accreditation - this course is accredited by the British Association for Sport and Exercise Science (BASES) to ensure content is relevant and up to date with industry standards.
  • Expert knowledge – you will receive talks from guest lecturers who work within the sector and can provide relevant, up-to-date advice.
  • Gain relevant work experience at home or abroad - There will be live projects to work on with a range of partners, as well as an optional work-based learning experience, enabling you to gain first-hand experience and build your knowledge. Our Go Abroad scheme can help fund international exchange opportunities.

Similar Courses

Open Days

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Open Day: 24 November 2024

Book your place

Entry Requirements

These entry requirements apply for entry in 2025/26.

All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.

Essential requirements

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • £1542 per 20 credits
  • Year 1 - 60 credits
  • Year 2 - 60 credits
  • Year 3 - 60 credits
  • Year 4 - 60 credits
  • Year 5 - 60 credits
  • Year 6 - 60 credits

Fees for Part-time students

This course can be studied on a Part-time study basis. The cost per year of study is based on credit requirements for that year.

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: BSc (Hons)

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 3 years
  • £17,690 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms.

Printing

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment.

Field trips

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees.

Access to Microsoft Office 365

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation.

Key Software

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research.

Key subscriptions

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library.

Uniform

You will be provided with a BCU tracksuit.

Project materials (mandatory)

This course includes project work that requires you to develop and produce a portfolio or collection. You'll be expected to provide the materials for use in your individual major projects; costs will vary depending on the materials selected.

Excess printing (optional)

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet.

Books (optional)

All module key texts will be in the University library, but in limited numbers. You may choose to purchase a copy.

Field trips (optional)

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost.

Memberships (optional)

You may wish to join a union or professional body related to this course.

Subscriptions (optional)

You may wish to purchase subscriptions to additional journals and websites.

Accommodation and living costs

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Guidance for UK students

UCAS

UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.

The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.

Applying through UCAS
 Register with UCAS
 Login to UCAS
 Complete your details
 Select your course
 Write a personal statement
 Get a reference
 Pay your application fee
 Send UCAS your application

Our advice for applying to a health care course

Applying for a course and preparing for an interview can be a daunting process, so we have created a series of films to help you through the process, including what to put in your personal statement.

More guidance

Guidance for International students

There are three ways to apply:

1) Direct to the University

You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.

2) Through a country representative

Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.

3) Through UCAS

If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.

Personal statement

Your personal statement is a highly important part of your application. It gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.

Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:

Course choice

Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?

Career plans

If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.

Work experience

Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.

School or college experience

Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.

Non-accredited skills or achievement

eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.

You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.

Get more information on writing personal statements.

Course in Depth

First Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Second Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits).

Professional Placement Year

In order to qualify for the award of ‘BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science with Professional Placement Year’ you must successfully complete the following module:

Final Year

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 80 credits).

In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 40 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules.  

Download course specification

Download now

Course overview

The aims of the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science course are to create competent, independent, and knowledgeable graduates, who are ready for employment within a diverse, global, and rapidly changing sector. The course is designed to ensure that graduates gain a systematic understanding of the key disciplines of Sport and Exercise Science, including acquisition of current and detailed knowledge.

We have introduced a Level 4 module to help you with the academic skills required to study Sport and Exercise Science at Higher Education level and have created routes or strands through the course aligned to the BASES disciplines of Biomechanics, Psychology, Physiology and Nutrition. These routes aim to provide you with clear pathways for specialisation as you progress through the course. This is an interdisciplinary course, which reflects recent changes in technology and research to ensure the knowledge, skills and experience you gain from the course prepare you for a career in the industry. 

By the end of the course, you will be able to apply established theory and practical techniques to a range of situations and populations, and to be able to evaluate and improve upon your own practice.

You'll have the option of taking a sandwich year between Year 2 and Year 3 of study. 

BASES
The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences

This course is accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences.

Employability

Enhance your employability skills

Sport and Exercise Science covers a wide range of roles, sectors and challenges, giving you a wide range of career options upon graduating. Placements and live case studies, provided by existing sports teams and organisations, will increase your job prospects.

Placements

Our partnerships with Warwickshire Cricket Club and Sport Birmingham will provide you with the opportunity to undertake valuable work placements. You'll be able to gain first-hand experience, assisting with fitness testing, lab-based research and exercise regimes.

Sport Birmingham works with sports coaches and staff, so you’ll be working alongside trained professionals who can impart advice and guidance. You could also undertake placements with professional sports teams, organisations and education facilities.

More about our placement opportunities

International

Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

Facilities & Staff

Teaching for our Sports courses is split between our £71 million campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham, and the world-class Alexander Stadium in Perry Barr, Birmingham. Our cutting-edge facilities for sports students include a state-of-the-art sport and exercise lab, sports therapy suite, biomechanics lab and physiology labs.

The Stadium was home to the Commonwealth Games in summer 2022, and the University is investing an additional £5m to develop space in the East and West stands as a home for our students.

Our new home at Alexander Stadium

Our staff

Rachel Black

Course Leader BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science

Rachel gained qualified teacher status in Physical Education in 1999, and has a wealth of experience teaching, leading and advising in a range of both primary and secondary schools in Sussex and Shropshire. Rachel has gained considerable experience teaching in Higher Education, and prior to joining the team at Birmingham City University, taught on...

More about Rachel

Richard Handyside

Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science

Richard has provided Performance Analysis support to The English Institute of Sport, England Netball, Arsenal Football Club and Leeds United Football Club. Richard won a Gold Medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast in Australia, and subsequent BBC SPOTY Team of the Year and Moment of the Year award with England Netball.

More about Richard

Dr Laura Hodgson

Assistant Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science

Laura joined Birmingham City University in 2019 and currently teaches on the BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science undergraduate degree programme, primarily in sport and exercise psychology. Laura obtained her PhD in 2018 which explored the role of emotional abilities in elite sports coaching. Her main interests lie in the psychological factors...

More about Laura

Dr Adam Herbert

Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science

Adam has extensive applied experience having worked in both the elite sporting environment and private healthcare for clubs including Port Vale FC and Spire Healthcare based at the National Football Centre, St Georges Park. Adam completed his PhD at Manchester Metropolitan University, and has published in internationally renowned journal articles...

More about Adam

Dr Lewis Gough

Associate Professor in Nutrition and Physiology

Lewis is part of the Senior Leadership Team in the College of Life Sciences and is the College Academic Lead for REF (Research Excellence Framework). He also holds editorial positions with BMC Nutrition and Frontiers in Sport and Active Living and is known worldwide for his work on sodium bicarbonate supplementation.

More about Lewis