Sport and Exercise Science BSc(Hons)

Course in brief

Studying sport and exercise science will equip you with a broad understanding of the effects of exercise and nutrition on the bodies and brains of various groups, from elite athletes to the young or elderly.

You will graduate with an in-depth knowledge of the effects of sport and exercise on the human body from one of the first universities in the country to offer a degree in this area.

Our large number of optional modules allow you to customise your degree to fully prepare you for an exciting career in this dynamic and fast-growing field. The course is approved by the BASES Undergraduate Endorsement Scheme, and taught in modern, well-equipped physiology labs by leading industry experts.

The course prides itself on giving students a hands-on learning experience with full use of the universty's nine state-of-the-art laboratories. You'll also benefit from course staff who are world leaders in sport research, including Professor Yannis Pitsiladis, who is one of the leading scientists for the World Anti-Doping Agency.

Depending on your chosen specialism, the final award that you graduate with may be:

Sport and Exercise Science
Sport and Exercise Science with PE or Nutrition
Sport Science or
Exercise and Health Science.

Key facts

Location Eastbourne

UCAS code C600

Full-time 3 years

Approved by the British Association of Sport
and Exercise Sciences (BASES) Undergraduate
Endorsement Scheme

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Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2017. They should be used as a general guide.

We operate a flexible admissions policy – this means that you could receive a lower conditional offer than the typical offer, informed by our assessment of your complementary non-academic achievements and experiences. For courses that require interview or portfolio review, this may also be considered in the level of any conditional offer that follows if your application is successful.

A-levels
ABB.

BTEC
DDM.

International Baccalaureate
32 points.

Access to HE Diploma
pass with 60 credits overall. Must include level 3 units in science related subjects. At least 45 credits at level 3, with 24 credits at merit or above.

GCSE (minimum grade C)
at least five subjects including English language and mathematics. We do not accept Functional Skills or Key Skills as a GCSE equivalent. Applicants must have already passed, or be in the process of taking the required GCSEs.

For non-native speakers of English
IELTS 6.0 overall, with 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in the other elements.

Other
applicants studying a mixture of A-levels and BTEC will be made offers based on the above grades.

International equivalencies

International equivalencies by country

Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language institute

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For academic preparation courses.

Course in detail

Course structure

The course's theoretical material has a strong scientific and mathematical underpinning. You will get a lot of hands-on experience, improving your lab-based skills in our BASES-accredited laboratories.

In terms of choice, one third of the second year and half of the third year consist of optional modules. The remaining half of the third year consists of your dissertation and an Applied and Integrated Studies module. For your dissertation, you will be in control of your own study and look at aspects of sport and exercise science in the wider world.

You can choose to go on a placement as part of a choice module in your second year, designed to give you first-hand experience and help guide you toward your post-graduation career path.

Last year we took a group of 30 students to Peru to study the effects of altitude on human physiology and investigate why some individuals tolerate altitude and some do not. As part of the project, the students built a school and climbed Machu Picchu.

Find out all the latest news on our sport and exercise science course, students, staff and research.

Areas of study

Throughout the course you will apply theoretical knowledge to practical problems in sport or exercise contexts.

Core material in year 1 will give you a thorough introductory grounding, covering aspects of physiology, psychology, anatomy, biomechanics, research methods and study skills.

In year 2 you will further explore these areas and have the option to go on a six-month overseas exchange. A number of our students have studied studying in Europe, the USA and Canada for the second semester of their second year.

In year 3 you will develop your research method skills and complete a dissertation involving in-depth independent study. Options form half of the year and you may choose to complete a professional placement.

Year 1

Modules

Musculoskeletal Anatomy and Fundamental Biomechanics
Physiology for Sport and Exercise
Foundations of Sport and Exercise Psychology
Applied and Integrated Studies
The Scientific Study of Sport and Exercise
Sport and the Body
Exercise for Health and Physical Performance

Year 2

Modules

Biomechanics of Sport and Exercise
Functional Physiology of Sport and Exercise
Sport and Exercise Psychology
Applied and Integrated Studies
Data Analysis and Research Methods

Options:

Independent Study Module
Exercise Referral
Laboratory and Field-based Fitness Assessment
Environmental Physiology
Strength and Conditioning
Performance Analysis
Nutrition for Physical Activity
Skill Acquisition in Sports Performance and Physical Activity
Personal and Professional Development

Final year

Modules

Applied and Integrated Studies
Dissertation: Sport Science OR Dissertation: Exercise Science

Options:

Independent Study Module
Physiological Aspects of Exercise, Nutrition and Health
Physiology of Training and Performance
Expedition Physiology and Survival Medicine
Advanced Strength and Conditioning
Advanced Performance Analysis
Exercise, Sport and the Brain
Sports Nutrition
Personal and Professional Development
Applied Sport Psychology
Psychology of Team Building in Sport
Applied Exercise Psychology

Laboratories

Accredited by the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES) and the English Institute of Sport (EIS), our laboratories are equipped with the latest modern facilities.

You will have access to a -10 to +50°C hot-cold chamber, an altitude/hypoxic chamber that rises to the equivalent of 5500m, 3D motion analysis, ground reaction force plates, a DXA bone scanner, exercise physiology laboratories, biomechanics laboratories and three biochemistry laboratories.

Over the past year, our laboratories have appeared in BBC Horizon, BBC Bang Goes the Theory, BBC South East and more recently filming for Sky TV. They have also been used to test out products for exercising and weight loss and to prepare athletes for the Olympics and Paralympics.

Staff profile

Dr Alan Richardson Course leader

Alan is the course leader for the Sport and Exercise Science degree and leads the Physiology for Sport and Exercise, Expedition Physiology and Dissertation modules. He has won three teaching and learning fellowships – each evaluating technological teaching interventions within the school – and the national ‘I’m a scientist get me out of here’ competition for the Human Limits Zone.

Alan’s research focuses on the physiological changes of and human tolerance to hypoxia and severe heat exposure. He worked as a research exercise physiologist on the Centre for Aviation, Space and Extreme Environment Medicine Xtreme Everest Project in 2007 and 2009, carrying out cardiopulmonary exercise testing in trekkers ascending to Everest Base Camp.

Since then Alan has lead a research consultancy project (2013) with the National Fire Service investigating the immune function and inflammatory responses to repeated fire exposures in Fire Service instructors. Alan is continuing to work with the Fire Service investigating the use of undergarments for thermoregulation.

Alan lead a research project taking 30 Sport and Exercise Science students to Peru and undertaking a large number of physiological tests before, during and after the three weeks in Peru. While in Peru students and staff helped rebuild a school and then trekked for four days to Machu Picchu.

If you have any questions about the course, please feel free to contact Alan by email at A.J.Richardson@brighton.ac.uk.

Careers and employability

A degree in sport and exercise science will open up opportunities in sports governing bodies, health promotion, teaching, professional sport, medical sales and paramedical training. You will also be well prepared for postgraduate study and research.

Some of the roles that our graduates have secured include:

Technical director for the English Institute of Sport
Head of physiology for the English Institute of Sport
National development manager for England Netball
Sport psychologist for British Rowing
Olympic sports physiologist for BBC Born to Win
Applied physiologist for Canadian Olympic Team
Altitude physiologist for British Athletes
Sports physiologist for British Rowing
Physiotherapist at Norwich City FC
Endurance physiologist for British Athletics
Research fellow for the Ministry of Defence
Research fellow on Xtreme Everest Expedition
Strength and conditioning coaches at many elite teams including Arsenal FC, Leicester Tigers RFC and the English Institute of Sport

Fees and funding

Your fees

UK/EU (full-time) 9,000 GBP

International (full-time) 13,800 GBP

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2016–17. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee. Further details regarding tuition fees are available from the university’s student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.

Location and living here

Location

About Eastbourne

Eastbourne is known for being sunny, friendly and relaxed, with natural attractions such as the beach and the beautiful hills of the South Downs. Beachy Head, the highest chalk sea cliff in Britain, is just outside of town and a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Arts and culture: Eastbourne is home to the award-winning Towner Art Gallery, one of the finest contemporary art museums in the south-east. The town also has four Grade II listed theatres: the Congress Theatre, the Devonshire Park Theatre, the Winter Garden and the Royal Hippodrome Theatre.

Festivals: Set in the Winter Garden and the Birley Centre – a contemporary performing arts venue – the Eastbourne Music and Arts Festival promotes the study and practice of music, dance and drama. Eastbourne’s Annual Beer Festival meanwhile is the biggest beer festival in East Sussex, featuring 150 real cask ales, a cider bar, a wine bar and live music.

Nightlife: Eastbourne has a great selection of clubs for your night out. Top picks include Cameo – the town’s largest nightclub – and Atlantis on Eastbourne Pier. If you don't feel like dancing, take advantage of the student deals at Hudsons Bar.

Shopping: The town’s main shopping centre is the Eastbourne Arndale Centre. For a more boutique experience, head to Little Chelsea – an independent shopping and dining district specialising in contemporary art, interior design, antiques and jewellery.

Sports: Eastbourne hosts some major sporting events, from Eastbourne Extreme – one of the biggest extreme sports festivals in the UK – to Eastbourne International, an annual tennis tournament where some of the world’s finest players prepare for Wimbledon.

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Located in one of the sunniest towns in the UK, our Eastbourne campus sits between the hills of the South Downs National Park and the south coast.

The campus has extensive sporting facilities, including a sports hall, fitness suite, climbing wall, swimming pool, three gyms, a dance studio and an artificial training pitch. For sport and exercise students, there are also exercise physiology labs, a human movement laboratory and an environmental chamber.

Podiatry students gain real-life experience in the Leaf Hospital clinic, with its comprehensive range of diagnostic and therapeutic equipment, while physiotherapy students are taught in specialist practical skills rooms. The Culinary Arts Studio allows hospitality students to engage in workplace simulations and consumer research.

Accommodation

Eastbourne

Our Eastbourne hall of residence, Welkin Halls, is in the residential Meads area, next to the Hillbrow and Welkin site and within walking distance of Darley Road. The train station is about 20 minutes away on foot.

You can choose between a standard room and a large room. In both cases, the rent covers bills and internet access, as well as breakfast and an evening meal during term time. There are more than 150 rooms available here, with six to eight rooms per flat, and all are ensuite.

Aside from halls, you have the option of Unihomes, which we let out to our students on behalf of private landlords. The rent covers internet and £5,000 of contents insurance but excludes gas, electricity and water.*

You can also choose to join the many students who live away from campus in private rented accommodation. We have a list of high-quality, university-endorsed private sector accommodation and can help you find housemates to move in with.

If you have any questions about accommodation in Eastbourne, our accommodation team will be happy to help. You can contact them by email at accomeastbourne@brighton.ac.uk or by telephone on 01273 643810.

*Please note that all Eastbourne Unihomes have been let for students starting in September 2016.

Welkin Halls

Welkin bedroom

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Eastbourne campus map

Unistats

Unistats and key information sets

Unistats is an organisation that collects specific data about university courses in the UK which enables you to compare information that is important in your decision-making when choosing a university. All universities publish Unistats data on their online course pages.

Wherever we can we have provided extra information here to help put the data into context so that it is as useful as possible when you are making decisions.

Teaching – You will be able to book and access the labs at any time for independent study. Students send a great deal of time within the labs: up to 25 hours per week when undertaking their dissertation study.

Some modules also require independent or self-directed lab-based study.

Assessment – this can be undertaken via essays, exams, presentations, lab skills exam, technique analysis, oral exam or poster project.

Programme specification

Programme specifications are the official university documents that describe each course in detail. They reflect the course as it is being taught to students who started their course in this academic year. They are updated every summer, and give a very detailed breakdown of what your course might look like.

Programme specification

Find out more

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644
enquiries@brighton.ac.uk

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Student views

Charlotte Woolf

"I graduated from Brighton in 2009 with a BSc Sport and Exercise Science and am currently running a large fitness centre in Ghana. I am also the sports physiologist for an exciting new show in Africa called Ghana's Fastest Human. We are attempting to find the next Usain Bolt by providing talented Ghanaians the opportunity to race and receive professional coaching, tutoring and field testing to demonstrate their raw talent and help them become real athletes. Following this program I will be moving to the Caribbean to re-invent fitness holidays at a luxury retreat.

"My degree set me up for a career in fitness on many levels. From it, I furthered my education and specialised in a Physiology masters. I also became a personal trainer and athletic strength and conditioning coach and have worked around the world coaching. My degree not only set me up with an academic qualification on paper, but it taught me a range of academic, vocational and practical skills and knowledge that prepared me for my career in the sports industry.

"Your degree can be instrumental in you building a satisfying and successful career if you use it wisely and take every opportunity you can. My advice to other students is to make a business plan of where you want to be and how you are going to get there. Get as much experience as you can and don't be scared to challenge yourself outside of your comfort zone. Work hard, and with determination and educated effort you can get anywhere you want to be."

Ewan MacFarlane

"During sixth form I was undecided whether or not to apply to university, but visiting the campus gave me a positive image of university life and certainly encouraged me to apply to courses. Eastbourne is renowned for being a sleepy seaside town that comes to life in the evening, with several bars and clubs dotted around.

"This year I have been involved in organising the Healthy Lifestyle Programme, part of the university’s consultancy work. This is a 12-week exercise programme designed to educate clients about physical activity and their lifestyle choices for the future. It has been a great opportunity to work with members of the public while applying the theory learned throughout my studies at the university."

Gareth Turner

“I studied the Sport and Exercise Science BSc at the university’s Eastbourne campus and graduated in 2007. I enjoyed this degree, taking a particular interest in the physiology of sports performance and environmental physiology. I was well-supported along the way by the staff: Dr Neil Maxwell, Dr Jamie Pringle, Dr Gary Brickley and Dr Paul Castle.

“I decided to continue my studies to masters level to gain more applied experience in the hope to pursue a career in sports science. The Applied Exercise Physiology MSc in Eastbourne enabled me to do this in a setting where I continued to learn, while being encouraged to find applied opportunities along the way.

“I completed my MSc in November 2008 and was fortunate enough to get a job in sports science quickly after finishing my MSc, working for the Lucozade Sport Science Team. I am now working with British Athletics as a physiologist for their endurance and altitude training programme alongside studying for a PhD, jointly funded by the University of Brighton and the English Institute of Sport.”

Karina Fox

"I chose the course at the University of Brighton as it was one of the few sport and exercise science courses that offered flexibility in both module choices and assignments in the second and third year. It had also been recommended to me by previous teachers who said it would be good for me as it included the three disciplines I enjoy – anatomy, physiology and psychology.

"The course is very flexible and allows you to develop your interests in the specific areas of sport science you are interested in. The course lecturers are very helpful in offering their time to help you with the work, and the organisation of the course is very good. I am enjoying learning how the body works in different environments and how to use a variety of equipment in the labs.

"When I first came to look at Eastbourne I felt very comfortable and at home. It is a busy town with a great nightlife, and everything within the area is nice and close – only a walking distance away."